Monday 15 October 2018 23:31, UK
Aston Villa head coach Dean Smith insists it was his decision to bring John Terry back to the club as part of his coaching staff.
Smith was confirmed as Steve Bruce's replacement on Wednesday, with Terry and Richard O'Kelly acting as assistant coaches to the former Brentford manager.
Terry was tipped to join Villa as Thierry Henry's assistant before Smith's appointment but the new Villa boss insists it was ultimately his choice to bring the former Chelsea and Villa captain back to the club.
"I was told there was an opportunity to take John and I said if I speak to John I think we can both come up with good enough honest answers to see if we both want to move on with it or not," said Smith, who took his first training session at Villa alongside Terry on Monday.
"That's what we did. John and I spoke about it and decided it was right. If it wasn't we both could have said no but I felt it was a win-win for both of us. It was my decision to bring John in, yes.
"It was probably an hour of Facetime meet. He was warming up for a pro-am golf event and he probably wanted it to be a bit quicker. But to be fair we both had really good questions that we wanted to ask.
"He'll be the first to admit he was nervous this morning. You're going in front of people who you were once in the dressing room with, having banter with, and getting involved in coaching them and trying to improve them."
Smith has ruled out a playing comeback for Terry, who aborted a move to Spartak Moscow this summer for family reasons.
"No, I think he made it very clear to everybody last week that he was hanging up his boots and retiring," said Smith."This is now his apprenticeship into coaching. He's going to get the hours in with us.
"I'm quite flattered he's chosen to work us and Richard, to get those coaching hours in and learn what we do.
"He had his pencil case with him this morning and sat in the office at 7.30am. He'll be there tonight and earn his rest."
