Former Norwich City star and Sky Sports pundit Darren Eadie has said that Aston Villa have pulled off a brilliant move by appointing John Terry as assistant manager and that he could have his eyes on Dean Smith’s place as boss in the future.
The former Villa and Chelsea defender, who left the club in the summer after his playing contract expired, hung up his boots and agreed a deal to return to the midlands club as a member of Smith’s backroom staff, with the former Brentford boss taking the place of Steve Bruce after his sacking.
Speaking ahead of the Villans’ clash with Norwich City on Sky Sports, Eadie insisted that Terry’s knowledge of the players at Villa Park makes him a great addition, and that he will have one eye on the main seat in the dugout.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ coverage of the game (Tuesday 23 October, 19:00), he said: “I think its a great one (move for Villa). Unlike (Dean) Smith, who has come from Brentford, John terry knows the players inside out.
“(He is a) fantastic appointment to get that reaction from the players.
“He will have looked at (Derby boss Frank) Lampard, looked at (Rangers boss Steven) Gerrard, and decided to take take his time. He’s got his eyes on the job at some point.”
Opinion
Eadie hits the nail on the head when summing up why Villa have chosen to appoint Terry as Smith’s assistant. Yes, the manager knows the Championship inside out and as a fervent Villa supporter will have a good idea of the players at the club, but only Terry has played alongside most of the team, and as such he will demand a respect and understanding that few others could. His knowledge of the side will be crucial to ensuring that Smith’s reign is a success, and it is a great stepping stone for him to become a manager in the future. Will he be the next man to sit in the dugout when Smith does eventually leave? Perhaps, but at the same time another club might tempt him away with a managerial role of his own before the Villans get rid of their current boss. The club will be reluctant to lose him if he is so impressive as a coach and as such Smith’s reign might well be shorter lived than expected.