Chelsea legend John Terry has been working with the London side's academy after appearing to give up on a permanent managerial role but a new opportunity could be on the cards
Gary Rowett at Oxford United
John Terry is a contender to replace Gary Rowett at Oxford(Image: Andrew Kearns - CameraSport via Getty Images)
View 2 Images
Former Chelsea captain John Terry looks to be in contention for his first foray into management. The ex-England centre-back had appeared happy working part-time with Chelsea's academy sides after a number of rejections left him ready to give up on landing a senior role, but things may well have changed.
Oxford United are the club considering whether to take a chance on the 45-year-old. They recently parted ways with manager Gary Rowett after dropping into the Championship's relegation places, though a Boxing Day win lifted them out of the bottom three.
According to The Sun, Terry is one of a number of names in the frame for the Oxford job. Former Rangers and QPR boss Mick Beale is another, and Terry will hope history doesn't repeat itself.
The same publication notes that Terry was also in the frame in 2023 when Liam Manning left for Bristol City. On that occasion, he lost out to Des Buckingham, who went on to lead the U's to promotion.
Buckingham was sacked himself in December 2024 and is now in charge of Saudi side Al Kholood. His successor Rowett didn't last long, though, and now Terry has a chance to revive a managerial career which he had once appeared ready to give up on.
“I’m done in terms of coaching. I’m enjoying my life, I’m working in the Chelsea academy," Terry told The Sun as recently as August. "My role’s a part-time role, I love working with the kids, I love passing on my knowledge and experience to those boys.”
He has worked on Dean Smith's coaching staff during the manager's spells at Aston Villa and Leicester City. This prompted Terry to put his name in the frame for some managerial posts but he grew frustrated after no one was prepared to take a chance.
John Terry watching Chelsea's youngsters in the UEFA Youth League
John Terry watching Chelsea's youngsters in the UEFA Youth League
View 2 Images
“I absolutely wanted it," he added. "When I went into Villa I got great experience under Dean Smith and we got promotion, which was incredible.
"As an assistant coach in the Premier League and the experience I’ve had as a player and an individual captain in both Chelsea and England, I thought that would be enough to get me a job. I’m not saying a job in the Premier League or the Championship — but a job at League One level.
"I didn’t even get a sniff. I had interviews and it was just ‘you have no experience’. When I see some people managing today, it baffles me, it really does."
If Oxford do move for Terry, they'll do so after securing just a second league win in two months to boost their survival hopes. Southampton were the visitors to the Kassam Stadium on Boxing Day and the two teams went in level at the break after Taylor Harwood-Bellis cancelled out Tyler Goodrham's opener, and Stanley Mills popped up with a winner for the hosts just a minute from time.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Content Image
Content Image