Steve Sidwell has delivered an emphatic verdict on old teammate John Terry being appointed to the new management team at Aston Villa.
Aston Villa confirmed the appointment of Dean Smith as their new head coach with John Terry his assistant on Wednesday night (Sky Sports).
Smith joins from Brentford, who will receive compensation from Villa and will be assisted by Terry, who had been in the running for the manager’s role since retiring from football on Sunday (The Mirror).
The former Chelsea and England star has been touted to return to Villa Park as assistant manager to Thierry Henry and then Rui Faria.
The Mirror claimed Terry had the support of Villa’s players to replace Steve Bruce after impressing last season as the club’s skipper, when he made 36 appearances as they just missed out on promotion back to the Premier League.
The Chelsea legend will instead take up the assistant manager role alongside lifelong Villa fan Smith.
Many have questioned Terry’s credentials to take on a such a senior role in management at such a big club so soon after retiring.
But former Villa midfielder Steve Sidwell – a former Chelsea teammate of Terry – gave the appointment his emphatic backing speaking on Sky Sports’ The Debate before the official announcement.
“It’s refreshing they are new names (being mentioned), they’ve done their badges, they want to be a manager, they want to be a coach, it’s about being given an opportunity,” Sidwell told The Debate.
“His leadership qualities speak for themselves, his playing career is obviously fantastic, yes it doesn’t mean you’re going to be a top manager or even a good manager, but give him a chance.
“And what a football club to do it at, a massive football club Aston Villa.
“I was fortunate enough to play there.
“If he (Terry) does get the chance to be there in any capacity I’m sure he’ll fulfil it.”
Sidwell knows Terry well from their time together at Chelsea and given his Villa connections his insight should be valued.
Terry and Smith are under instant pressure to improve Villa’s form and position in the table.
The claret and blues are currently 15th in the Championship facing a tough run of fixtures starting with Swansea City next time out.
On the flip side, Villa are also just four points off the play-off places in the fiercely competitive and congested second tier.
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