Former Chelsea FC captain John Terry says he felt “frustrated” after being overlooked for a caretaker role following the January departure of Enzo Maresca.
Terry, who works part-time as a mentor in Chelsea’s academy, was not included in the temporary coaching setup for matches against Manchester City and Fulham. Instead, Under-21s coach Calum McFarlane was appointed interim boss.
Speaking to Golf Life, Terry admitted he believed he should have been involved, even if not leading the team. He added that the decision ultimately rested with the club’s sporting directors.
Qualifications but limited chances
Privately, sources indicate part of Terry’s frustration stems from his coaching credentials. He has completed his Uefa Pro Licence and also holds a Fifa diploma in leadership.
The former England defender previously served as assistant to Dean Smith at Aston Villa and Leicester City, gaining senior coaching experience.
However, club officials felt McFarlane was better suited to step in due to his close work with Maresca and familiarity with the Under-21 system. McFarlane has since impressed new permanent head coach Liam Rosenior, who joined from Strasbourg, and earned promotion to the first-team staff.
Terry has also spoken publicly about struggling to secure managerial roles in the English Football League, citing concerns from clubs about his lack of experience as a number one.
Currently, his responsibilities at Chelsea remain limited to academy involvement, with little interaction with senior players beyond graduates such as captain Reece James.
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