Guus Hiddink backs John Terry to play on but offers him no assurances over Chelsea future
Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink believes John Terry is good enough to play on beyond this season but says he has cannot influence whether the veteran skipper has reached the end of his 18-year Blues career.
Terry, who is out of contract in the summer, could have made his last appearance for the club already, having earned a two-game suspension with a red card in Saturday’s Premier League defeat at Sunderland.
That means the 35-year-old will sit out Wednesday's trip to Liverpool and a potential farewell against new champions Leicester on Sunday. Beyond that, Hiddink – who also departs this month – insists he has no say.
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“Whether it would’ve been the last game that’s not up to me,” said the Dutchman. “When I make a judgement on how he plays and his fitness on his age, he’s able to play, he’s able to continue. Where? What the near future is is up to the club, it’s not for me to make declarations.”
Hiddink also tipped former England captain Terry to become a coach at Stamford Bridge but believes he may need a break first.
“We discussed it a bit. I have experienced it in the past with [Ruud] Gullit, [Frank] Rijkaard and [Ronald] Koeman,” he added.
“They love to be involved in football. John’s always been a leader and tactically you can rely on him, which is important. He can make that step, though you need time to switch off from your career in my experience.”