Terry targets top manager job

John Terry, who first joined Chelsea as a 14-year-old, now dreams of managing a top club

Chelsea great John Terry says he has not yet decided whether he will retire from playing this summer.

But the former England captain, who has called time on his distinguished Chelsea career, says his long-term aim is to become a top-level manager.

Terry was an unused substitute on Saturday at Wembley, as his 22-year Blues spell as man and boy ended with a 2-1 loss to Arsenal in the FA Cup final.

And the defender said afterwards that he dreams of returning to the stadium as a manager, but has not decided whether to focus on that ambition right away or continue playing for a new club.

“I am going away, I need a good week away just to reflect,” said Terry.

“It doesn’t help because it’s heart-breaking, going out like that and losing.

“It’s the last time probably at Wembley as a player.

Chelsea players stand dejected after the final whistle at Wembley on Saturday

“Hopefully one day I’ll be back here as a manager, that’s kind of the ambition.

“It has been difficult for me actually as a player because I’ve been looking to do coaching for the last year.

“Every time we get a day off, you’ve got a coaching session planned and then you think ‘OK, I am going to spend it with the family’.

“The next thing you know, the season has finished and you’ve kind of missed out on a few sessions and everything.

“But, if I do stop or if I do carry on playing, I will press on in that regardless. I do want to be a manager.

“I think I’ve got too much to give and I’ve learned too much not to pass that on, whether that’s initially to a younger generation or eventually at this level.

“Listen, this is the target – being here, managing a top side.”

In the short term, Swansea and West Brom are interested in signing the 36-year-old this summer, while links to Bournemouth continue.

Chelsea finished as champions in Terry’s final season as a player at the club

A move to China and the United States are other possible options for Terry but he added: “Really, honestly, I’ve not thought about it too much.

“For me, just honestly, genuinely, everyone keeps asking me and no-one believes me when I say that I’ve not got anything sorted.

“I’ve got options but nothing sorted or in stone or anything like that.

“But it’s always good to have options.”