Iconic England defender John Terry has suggested one of his former teammates could one day be in charge at either Chelsea or Arsenal. Liam Rosenior has only just got started at Stamford Bridge, yet is already facing a barrage of criticism – both for his motivational (or apparent lack of) team talks and for the Blues’ limp attempts to fight back against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-final on Tuesday night.
The lifespan of a Chelsea manager is rarely long – just ask Graham Potter, or even Enzo Maresca, who lasted only 18 months before a breakdown in his relationship with the hierarchy led him to step down on his own terms. That ruthless backdrop may explain why Terry already seems to be looking ahead, convinced he’s identified a former teammate with the pedigree to take the Chelsea job one day.
Frank Lampard has already had a go – two unsuccessful spells, the most recent ending with just one win in 11 matches as caretaker between April and May 2023. But that doesn’t mean Terry believes the well has run dry when it comes to ex-teammates; in fact, he has someone else in mind who’s better suited to the task and could yet prove a hit in the Premier League as he goes from strength to strength in his current job, proving he has the football brain to go with his formidable playing ability.
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Terry Tips Former Teammate for Chelsea or Arsenal Job
Chelsea legend John Terry
Speaking to the Icon Series TikTok, he was asked to say if he preferred Fabregas at Arsenal or at Chelsea. He acknowledged that the Spaniard’s best years were with the Gunners, as he spent more time in north London, but then explained why he was still blown away by the midfielder’s impact at Stamford Bridge (watch from 00:50 of the video below):
“The Fabregas of Arsenal because of the time he spent there. But that year I played with him and we won the league under Conte, honestly, I think he’s got the best football brain I’ve been around and seen.
“The way he understands football, and there’s no coincidence why he’s doing so well at Como. I think he’s going to be a top, top manager and, one day, he will manage a Chelsea or an Arsenal at the top level.”
Terry and Cesc Fabregas were teammates at Chelsea for three seasons between 2014 and 2017, winning the Premier League titles in the 2014/15 and 2016/17 campaigns together. In total, they shared the pitch in 83 matches, racking up 6,181 minutes, with Terry’s no-nonsense defending, in a way, complementing the technical genius of his midfield teammate.
Cesc Fabregas’ Managerial Potential Already on Display at Como
Fabregas wrapped up his playing career with Como in the 2022/23 season before stepping into coaching as the club’s Under-19s manager. He then took charge on an interim basis in November 2023 but, without the required UEFA licence, was limited to just a month at the helm. After Como secured promotion to Serie A in 2024, though, Fabregas was officially appointed manager and signed a four-year deal.
Initially seen as a bit of a gamble, Como have since hit a rich vein of form under his meticulous guidance. Having returned to the top flight for the first time since 2003 the season before Fabregas’ appointment, they currently sit sixth this term after a 10th-place finish last season. The ambitious Italian side look well placed to qualify for Europe, with I Lariani five points clear of seventh, which holds the Conference League spot.
Despite only being in Serie A for a year and a half, Fabregas has guided his side to 27 wins in 64 matches – a win rate of 43 per cent. Among young, up-and-coming managers, the Spaniard is firmly in the conversation with the most impressive.