Former Chelsea captain John Terry has hit back at a supporter who argued that he wasn’t ‘qualified’ to succeed Enzo Maresca at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea announced that Maresca had called it quits as head coach on New Year’s Day, leaving the Blues managerless ahead of their trip to Manchester City.
Maresca hinted at friction behind the scenes following Chelsea’s victory over Everton last month, as he pointed to a lack of ‘support’ in what he described as his ‘worst 48 hours’ in the job.
A drastic decline in results followed over a tricky festive period and the 45-year-old Italian decided to walk with the club sitting fifth in the Premier League table.
Liam Rosenior, the head coach of BlueCo-owned Strasbourg, emerged as the overwhelming favourite to take over the reins from interim boss Calum McFarlane in the intervening days.
And in an official statement his morning, Rosenior was confirmed as Chelsea’s new head coach, putting an end to the speculation and uncertainty ahead of the side’s clash with Fulham on Wednesday.
‘On Saturday, I didn’t know what was going to happen. What has happened since is that I have been allowed to speak with one of the biggest clubs in the world. Now, on this day, it looks like I’m going to be the next manager of that football club,’ Rosenior told reporters before Chelsea’s official announcement.
‘This opportunity for me is something that I cannot turn down in my life right now.
‘They have an incredible squad, an incredible fanbase and they are Club World Cup champions.
‘I haven’t signed yet, I’ve agreed verbally with Chelsea. Everything is agreed, it will probably go through in the next few hours.
‘I’m here because I care about this club and I thought it was important to answer your questions before I go on with the next stage of my career.’
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While speculation was still rife over potential successors to Maresca, former skipper Terry found himself among the many names tentatively linked as a possible solution at Stamford Bridge.
Terry had been out of a permanent job departing leaving Leicester City back in July 2023, where he had been Dean Smith’s assistant for a short spell.
The legendary ex-England defender also served as assistant manager at Aston Villa for three years before following Smith to the King Power Stadium.
Since then, Terry has worked in a part-time role helping coach and mentor the next generation of young talent in Chelsea’s academy.
‘I have every qualification going, I have 3 years coaching experience in the Premier League with Aston Villa,’ Terry said in response to a fan on TikTok who argued he that he wasn’t ‘qualified’ to replace Maresca.
‘On top of that nobody is more Chelsea than me.
‘For us to be top again we need a top manager and yes that would rule me out but please don’t say I’m under qualified! [blue love heart emoji]’
Terry – a five-time Premier League winner at Chelsea – has previously voiced his frustrations over a lack of ‘opportunities’ he has found in his efforts to break into top-level management.
‘My passion has not diminished at all. Of course I want to be a manager,” he told The Daily Mirror last June.
‘It’s time-consuming, I’m watching games, re-watching games and I’m doing courses, I’m spending so much time waiting for this opportunity.
‘The longer it goes on, the more likely I will just have to draw a line and say: “You know what? I’m going to focus on other things.”‘
Terry found himself heavily linked with the vacant position at Oxford United following Gary Rowett’s dismissal as manager last month.
However, the 2012 Champions League winner was quick to dispel these rumours, telling his followers on social media: ‘I’ve certainly not approached Oxford, not spoken to anybody at all, so I just want to completely rule myself out of it.
‘I wish Oxford and whoever goes in as manager all the very best, but it certainly won’t be me.’
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