John Terry would be wise to learn his trade as an assistant manager rather than diving straight into first-team management, according to Guus Hiddink.
The 35-year-old is out of contract this summer and as things stand he will not be offered an extension to stay at Stamford Bridge, although this could change with the arrival of a new manager .
The interim Chelsea boss honed his management skills as assistant manager at PSV Eindhoven between 1983 and 1987 and believes Terry should follow a similar path.
He said: “Most of the time it's good to go and be an assistant first, getting the experience from the other side. Some players think they can do it overnight. I doubt they can.
“The best thing is to get the practice and experience to go on the other side, not one of the 23, and see how to deal with training, man-management, a lot of things you have to deal with.”
Hiddink is certain Terry has all the attributes to succeed in the world of football management.
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The Dutchman saw similar qualities when he managed Ronald Koeman and Quique Sanchez Flores, who are both currently managing alongside Hiddink in the Premier League.
Koeman also perfected his management style working as an assistant manager while Flores gained recognition for his work with Real Madrid youth teams.
Although Terry may have all the raw qualities and potential for management, he still has a lot to learn about the day-to-day life of a first-team manager.
Hiddink said: “Some players, not just here but in other clubs as well, you see they might be managers already inside already while they are playing.
John Terry's Chelsea career highlights in pictures:
“Most of the time in midfield positions or at centre-back. These guys are already leaders in the team. I like to have players who can execute a game-plan on the pitch.
We feel we can manipulate any second of the game, which is not true, so you need the tactical, strategic, very strong players. Terry can be one.
“There are a few others. I had some in my younger career some examples of that, people who are very good managers now: Ronald Koeman in my first spell at PSV, Quique Sanchez Flores at Valencia.
“You can see them, as players, thinking how things work. They need a few courses about other things in management, but that can be learned.”
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