Former Chelsea captain John Terry has received a ringing endorsement for a future role as manager of the club from a player currently under his command in the innovative Baller League competition.
An insider's view of Terry's management
Bilal Sayoud, a lifelong Chelsea supporter and top scorer for Terry's '26ers' side in the Baller League, has spoken exclusively about the qualities that make the Blues icon a potentially perfect fit for the Stamford Bridge dugout. This comes despite Terry himself playing down links to senior management roles, such as at Oxford United this season, and focusing on his work with Chelsea's academy.
"I think it's no secret that one of his dreams is to manage Chelsea," Sayoud stated, following his team's narrow failure to reach the Baller League's 'final four' play-offs on Sunday, 11th January. "If you're asking me as a Chelsea fan... maybe he's perfect for what Chelsea needs right now."
The three key reasons Terry would succeed
Sayoud outlined several compelling reasons behind his belief. Firstly, he pointed to Terry's unique ability to unite a fanbase and a club, describing a current "disconnect" at Chelsea that the former defender would take "immense pride and joy" in repairing.
Secondly, he emphasised Terry's vast, albeit non-traditional, leadership experience. "He ran a winning changing room for 20 years. That's got to count for something," Sayoud argued, questioning why Terry hasn't been linked with managerial jobs despite his qualifications.
The third reason centres on Terry's undiminished, all-consuming competitive drive. "After a game, he doesn't even want to see anyone in the changing room, doesn't sleep after games. It's like he lives it through us," Sayoud revealed, noting that missing the Baller League top four would genuinely affect his manager. "He's still got that competitive edge."
Chelsea's current managerial landscape
Sayoud's comments arrive during another period of change at Chelsea. The club has already replaced manager Enzo Maresca with former Strasbourg boss Liam Rosenior this season. While admitting he doesn't know much about Rosenior, Sayoud reiterated that reconnecting the club with its supporters is the paramount issue.
"The main thing is, forget the manager and the ownership and all that, the fan base needs to be connected with the club again," he said. "Is [Rosenior] the right man? It remains to be seen [but] I thought Maresca was doing a good job."
Terry, meanwhile, continues to combine his academy role with managing in the Baller League—a hybrid competition featuring ex-professionals, YouTubers, and influencers—where he has even called upon former teammate Petr Cech to play for his side.
For now, a move into senior management appears off the table for the Chelsea legend. However, the testimonial from a player experiencing his methods firsthand suggests that, should he ever choose that path, the foundations for success are firmly in place.
