New Aston Villa boss Dean Smith believes it was perfect for John Terry to join his backroom staff.
Smith has joined on a two-and-a-half year contract after leaving Brentford last week to become Villa’s fifth permanent manager in the last three years.
Terry – who played for Villa last season before announcing his retirement earlier this month – has been appointed as his assistant, along with Richard O’Kelly who follows Smith from Brentford.
Former Chelsea and England skipper Terry made 36 appearances for Villa last season.
Smith said: “When I was at Brentford I worked with Richard and Thomas Frank, it’s only natural you have another one on the coaching team to work with.
“John has a wealth of experience, we all know he has played at the top level and has always been interested in coaching.
“They’re a team, Richard and John. At Walsall (with O’Kelly) we could get by and needed to just work with two, at Brentford there was scope to add one more coach.
“When we came here Richard and John will be involved in everything. Team selection, training, coaching, planning. I have an open door policy and I will take advice and opinions.”
Smith, whose father was a steward at Villa Park, grew up supporting the club but has never been involved with Villa during his professional career.
The former defender started as manager at Walsall in 2009 before moving to Brentford three years ago.
Smith, who played for Walsall, Sheffield Wednesday and Leyton Orient, insisted he was not an emotional decision to come to Villa.
“It means a lot, due to my allegiances as a child and my father working here for 25 years as a steward,” said the 47-year-old, who replaced the sacked Steve Bruce.
“People sometimes forget I’ve been involved in professional football for 30 years and none of those have been with Aston Villa.
“My allegiance was as a kid and I’ve always kept hold of that but this wasn’t an emotional decision. It was a rational decision, the emotion comes from the rest of the family and friends.”
Sporting director Jesus Garcia Pitarch has also joined Villa this month while new chief executive Christian Purslow arrived in August.
“We now have a set-up that can build from the top down a truly excellent football club,” said Purslow.
“You have to make excellent appointments to be successful and that is what we have done with getting Dean in as head coach.
“It has been a very hectic 30 days in post but I think we are moving in the right direction.”
