Dean Smith has said that he won't stand in John Terry's way if an offer to move into management arises.
The Chelsea legend is currently working as Smith's assistant at Aston Villa where his experience has been vital in helping the midlands side adjust to life in the Premier League after securing promotion.
Terry is clearly a man that the Villa squad look up to, but it's not out of the question that he'll have an eye on following in the footsteps of former teammate Frank Lampard, who now manages the Blues.
Delivering a talk to Birmingham City University business students, Smith said: "I wouldn't stop anyone.
"If my assistant now, JT, came to me and said, 'Gaffer, I've got a job in the Premier League' I'd say go for it - and that would be my advice to him.
"If it's right, go for it. Makes sure it's right first, make sure they adopt a strategy but go for it because, otherwise, I'll be holding him back and that's not what my role is.
"My role is to make the whole place better.
"If people see how you're respecting other people in your staff then they will start working harder and harder and it just becomes a union."
