John Terry emerges as frontrunner to become next Aston Villa manager

The former Chelsea defender has retired from playing to focus on a coaching career

Terry finished his playing career with Villa (PA)

John Terry has emerged as a frontrunner for the vacant Aston Villa managerial post after previously being tipped for the assistant's role.

Terry officially announced his retirement from playing this week and is now looking to pursue a coaching career.

Villa, the last club the 37 year old played for, are on the lookout for a new manager after Steve Bruce was sacked last week.

A duo of Thierry Henry and Terry had been linked to the job, with Belgium assistant Henry taking charge and Terry learning alongside him in his first coaching role.

But sources close to the former Arsenal striker poured cold water on the idea of the two teaming up, with Henry also being considered by Monaco.

Terry had emerged as a solo candidate to replace Bruce before his friend Harry Redknapp, who spent much of Monday evening alongside Terry at a charity dinner honouring Frank Lampard's career, confirmed on talkSPORT that Terry was in the picture.

“I was at a function last night and John Terry was there, and I had a feeling John was right in the frame for the Villa job. He’s certainly a runner, that’s for sure.

Thierry Henry is now being linked with Monaco (Getty ) (Getty)

“John wants to get into management – he sees Frank [Lampard] doing it and sees Stevie Gerrard having a crack.

“John is a confident boy. He’s just retired from playing and he’s thinking about the future, and if the opportunity comes to manage a club like Aston Villa, that would be a dream job for him.

“It’s a big club, there’s great potential there and it would be a great start for him.”