John Terry has dismissed reports linking him with the Nottingham Forest manager job as he holds out for an opportunity in the Premier League instead.
The Chelsea legend left his post as Aston Villa's assistant manager during the summer and has recently been linked with a move to Championship club Forest, with whom he spent a brief period on loan in the early stages of his playing days.
Terry had been touted as a potential replacement for Forest boss Chris Hughton, who finds himself under pressure after picking up just one point from the first six Championship game, but sources have confirmed to 90min that Terry is not interested in the job at the City Ground as he wants to wait for a chance in the Premier League.
"I just want to distance myself from the Nottingham Forest job, and all the speculation surrounding myself with the job," Terry himself wrote on Instagram. "Unfortunately I can't control the media, but it's important to know it has nothing to do with me whatsoever.
"Chris is the manager and someone I have a lot of respect for. I wish Chris and the team all the very best for the season. It's unfair when Chris is in a job to put my name to something."
Terry spent three years as part of Dean Smith's coaching staff at Villa Park and was credited with playing a significant role in the team's defensive setup, as well as helping to bring the best out of centre-back Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa.
He walked away in the summer, initially to focus on spending time with his family, but Terry has ambitions to return to the top flight in the near future.
“I want to be as respectful to the manager and everyone at Aston Villa as I can and, having given my future serious consideration over the summer, I genuinely don’t feel it is fair to move into a new season without being certain of seeing that through," he said upon his departure.
“My immediate plan is to spend some quality time with my family and, thereafter, hopefully take up some invitations to visit clubs and managers around Europe to develop my aim and objective of becoming a manager.
“It has always been my ambition to move into football management and, providing the right opportunity presents itself, I feel ready to take up such a challenge.”
Source : 90min