Aston Villa coach John Terry admits he does not miss playing and is enjoying retirement

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The Chelsea and England legend, who has won a multitude of trophies as a player, is now a coach at Villa.

Aston Villa coach John Terry has spoken out about life after hanging up his boots and, contrary to what’s usually said by many recently retired players, has admitted that he doesn’t really miss being a professional footballer.

The 38-year-old has enjoyed a fruitful and silverware-laden career, lifting 18 trophies with Chelsea including five Premier League titles, four FA Cups, a Champions League and a Europa League (Transfermarkt).

Last season was Terry’s last as an active professional player, turning out for Villa and helping them reach the playoff finals, and although he came close to joining Spartak Moscow in 2018-19, he turned the move down before announcing his retirement in October.

Now a member of Dean Smith’s coaching team at B6, Terry has given an interview to Sky Sports News and was asked whether he missed playing, but his response was perhaps a tad surprising considering how long he’s played and how successful he’s been over the years.

“Do you know what? I haven’t. Missing the Monday to Friday, I get that, but the pressures of games…” he said.

“It’s funny because you watch games like the League Cup final, you want to still be playing, but the pressures that surround it, and the pressures I put myself under later on in my career, I probably didn’t enjoy, and that’s why I’m enjoying retirement.”

Villa return to action on Saturday when they host Derby County, which will see Terry renew acquaintances with fellow Blues old-boys Frank Lampard, now manager, and Ashley Cole, but with both sides desperately needing points to keep their Championship playoff hopes alive, there probably won’t be much time for friendliness.