Revealed: John Terry wanted Chelsea caretaker manager job but says owners left him ‘frustrated’ and axed him from coaching staff and picked less-qualified Calum McFarlane instead

John Terry has admitted that he was left ‘frustrated’ after being overlooked for a role assisting Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane during his brief stint in the dugout last month and questioned whether the club’s ownership or sporting directors had ruled him out deliberately. 

The Blues legend holds a part-time consultancy role within Chelsea’s academy set-up, working alongside McFarlane with the under-21s and under-18s. 

But the former club captain was not given a role when McFarlane was given an important internal promotion following the departure of Enzo Maresca, which in turn led to facing off with Pep Guardiola at the Etihad. 

‘(I wasn’t) annoyed,’ Terry told Jimmy Bullard as a guest on his Golf Life YouTube channel. ‘Probably more frustrated because I was certainly part of that under-21s group that went over. 

‘So even if I didn’t take the team. Obviously, Calum took the team and did really well. Got a result out of the game. 

‘I feel like I should have been part of them. Now, listen. People have got to make decisions. I love it when people make decisions and they go yes or no. And clearly ownership or whoever made those decisions, the sporting directors have gone “no”, not to include me for whatever reason – why, I don’t know.’ 

His youth team colleague Calum McFarlane instead got the pick to steward the side through a test at Manchester City

Chelsea went on to draw 1-1 against Manchester City, but McFarlane found tests closer to home more challenging, with the Blues falling 2-1 to neighbours Fulham after Marc Cucurella picked up a red card in the 22nd minute.

The former Southampton under-21s manager led the team despite only holding a UEFA B Licence, while Terry has a UEFA Pro Licence, the highest possible European credential. 

McFarlane has since joined new head coach Liam Rosenior’s set-up as an assistant, with Harry Hudson taking up his old role with the youth side. 

Terry has previously been vocal about his feeling that he has been passed over at time for coaching opportunities, despite his credentials. 

The former England international was assistant to Dean Smith at Aston Villa during the period where the club regained promotion to the Premier League, and worked with the manager again during his time at Leicester City. 

The former Chelsea captain hinted at the possibility of Chelsea’s ownership deciding he was not an important presence

Admitting that he ‘loved’ his role with Chelsea’s academy stars, he was clear about taking over at Stamford Bridge remaining his dream managerial position – although at this point, Terry added that he was less interested in taking up different roles at this stage. 

‘I got linked with the Oxford job recently,’ he went on. ‘Which (there is) no truth in it at all. 

‘I hadn’t spoken to them. Hadn’t kind of put myself out there. And I’m not (looking to). Like I’m in the academy as you know. I’m working with the 18s and the 21s. Love my role there. It’s (on) a part-time basis. 

‘I’ve always said if Chelsea ever come up (I would love to take over) but then, realistically, do I get Chelsea without doing the other bits? Probably not.’

Terry instead highlighted the success of his peers who have coached widely in the divisions or different countries, giving team-mates like Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard plaudits for not resting on their laurels. 

‘They shouldn’t get the chance just because they were top players,’ Terry continued. ‘But all of those boys you spoke about, Stevie, Lamps and stuff, those boys have done all the hard work. 

‘They’ve done their badges. They’ve done their little bit of the team. Stevie’s managed in the Premier League as well. Lamps, Champions League, all of that. 

‘Great to see Michael Carrick get the job and opportunity (at Manchester United) and also for them to do so well as well the last two games.’