Villa Exclusive: John Terry in the frame to take over Championship club

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Published on:

06 Jul 2020, 10:30 am

Aston Villa number two John Terry is a candidate to become the new Bristol City manager, Football Insider understands.

Lee Johnson, 39, was been sacked by the Championship club on Saturday after a run of four consecutive defeats ended their play-off hopes.

A City source has told Football Insider that Terry is in the frame for the newly-vacant role as he eyes his first managerial position.

Paul Cook is also a candidate to take over at Ashton Gate after Wigan Athletic entered administration last week.

Terry and Cook have both thrown their hats into the ring as City search for their first manager in four-and-a-half years.

Chelsea and England legend Terry has been Dean Smith's number two at Villa since October 2018 but has made no secret of his managerial ambitions.

Johnson had been in the role since February 2016 and was the longest-serving manager in the Championship.

The Robins are 12th after Saturday's loss to sixth-placed Cardiff City, who are now nine points above them.

Prior to this campaign, City had improved their league position in each season under Johnson, finishing eighth in 2018-19 having gone into the final day with an outside chance of reaching the play-offs.

They looked well set to challenge again this term and were three points off the top two after beating Derby County on 12 February, but a nine-game winless run either side of the lockdown means they are now set for a mid-table finish.

In other Aston Villa news, Bruce reacts as club consider sacking Dean Smith.

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