John Terry Gives Fascinating Insight Into Coaching 'Modern Players' During Punditry Appearance

John Terry has given a fascinating insight into managing players in the modern game, telling a story of how he laid into a player before realising he was wrong to do so.

During his role as assistant manager at Aston Villa, a position he left in 2021, Terry worked closely with trying to bring the best out of players.

When one player wasn't applying himself during training, he let him know about and did not hold back.

But it was then during a conversation with manager Dean Smith, who he now works with at Leicester City, that Terry became aware that different methods were needed to manage in the modern game.

The unnamed player was struggling with homesickness and had only recently become a father, so it was agreed that he would be given a day off - a decision that worked a treat.

Speaking on beIN Sports: "I won't name the player but at Aston Villa, working under Dean [Smith], who thinks about the players constantly and the lads love him - obviously it's a shame that he lost his job - we were trying and I wasn't happy with one particular player.

"I kind of dug him out and had a one-on-one. I said to the gaffer, 'I'm not happy' and he said, 'Okay, film training and explain it to him' - which I did.

Image: PA

"I sat him down and basically went mad at him and said it's not good enough - you're not even in the team and that's not going to get you in the team.

"We had a little debate and the next day I told the manager. He was like, 'Have you asked him about his family life?'.

"I didn't even enter my head at all. The next morning I text him and told him to get in early and we'll have a bit of breakfast.

"It was during COVID, his family were away - he hadn't seen his mum and dad and he'd just had a baby.

Image: PA

"I just learnt so much under Dean for those little bits. We ended up giving him a day off so he could spend time with his family.

"After that he came back and he was a new player, fighting back to get into the team and again, it's man-management."

Chelsea and England legend Terry had been used to a very different style of management in his generation but believes a "soft side" is needed because of all the pressure on players.

Leicester City are currently 18th in the Premier League and need a victory against West Ham United on Sunday to have any chance of staying up.

Topics: John Terry, Chelsea, Aston Villa

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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