Former Aston Villa goalkeeper Mark Bosnich has warned people not to underestimate the impact that John Terry will have as Dean Smith’s assistant manager during their Premier League campaign next season.
The England and Chelsea icon went from playing as part of the Villa Park squad to joining the coaching staff, helping the midlands outfit to go one better in their play-off push and secure a return to the top flight after two seasons in the second tier.
While it will be Dean Smith’s first time managing in the Premier League, Bosnich has insisted Terry’s experience is a game changer and warned his doubters to write him and his knowledge off at their peril.
He told the Express and Star: “It’s his [Dean Smith’s] first time but he’s got wonderful people around him.
“John Terry is a former teammate of mine and he’s got wonderful experience. Don’t underestimate having that type of experience right next to you, how valuable that is.
“No-one should never underestimate that because if you’re a young coach who’s never been there before in terms of the Premier League and you’ve got such a legend right next to you – don’t ever underestimate how important that is.”
Opinion
Terry seems to have taken to coaching like a duck to water and it will be exciting to see him back in the Premier League to see what he can do. You cannot imagine there are many other members of backroom staff with as much top flight playing experience and while it might have been a while since he last turned out in the Premier League, things have not changed all that much. He will know exactly how to get the best out of his players, having played in and captained some brilliant sides and he will be looking to work closely with Smith to get the Villans firing on all cylinders. Anyone who thinks that Smith’s lack of top flight management experience is going to hinder them is playing a risky game, for the man next to him gives the Villa boss everything he is missing. Terry is a top flight legend and should be respected as such.