Stan Collymore says he would be ‘so angry’ if Aston Villa were to replace Dean Smith with assistant coach John Terry in the off-season, speaking to The Mirror (23 June, page 55).
Considering that a former Chelsea and England captain is one of the best and most decorated centre-backs of the 21st century, you would think that Aston Villa’s defenders would have benefitted from working alongside him at Bodymoor Heath.
But, for whatever reason, the presence of Terry on the Villa Park touchline has done absolutely nothing to boost the Premier League’s most porous backline.
No team in the top-flight have conceded more times than Smith’s relegation-threatened side, who let a one goal lead away at Chelsea turn into a 2-1 defeat in the blinking of an eye on Saturday.
Some have suggested that 39-year-old Terry could usurp his mentor in the claret-and-blue hotseat – but to say Villa legend Collymore is not exactly keen on the idea would be an understatement.
“If Aston Villa go down and John Terry is given Dean Smith’s job, or any other manager’s position in the Championship for that matter, I will be so angry,” the former Liverpool striker says.
“The standard of Villa’s defending at corners and set-pieces this season, in fact their defending generally, baffles me.
“So I just can’t see what Terry has done in the last two years to warrant getting the job at Villa Park or anywhere else.”
On paper at least, Terry’s vast experience, infamous leadership skills and stunning CV makes him the perfect man for many a young player to learn from.
But history is littered with examples of world-class footballers who have become little more than bang-average managers.
It remains to be seen whether Terry’s post-playing career goes to plan, in an era where former England team-mates Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard are going from strength to strength in the dugout.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
