John Terry ‘is on Bournemouth’s shortlist to become their next manager’

John Terry is reportedly being lined up to take over as Bournemouth‘s next manager after the departure of Eddie Howe. 

The Cherries were relegated to the Championship last month after a five-year spell in the top flight, and Howe left by mutual consent, admitting it was ‘time for the club to have a change’.

A number of candidates have been earmarked for the hotseat, including Howe’s assistant Jason Tindall, while Fulham boss had been rumoured to be a target before the London outfit secured promotion to the Premier League.

Aston Villa assistant manager John Terry is on Bournemouth’s shortlist to take over as manager

But now the Cherries have added Chelsea legend Terry to their shortlist of contenders to lead them into the future, according to the Mirror. 

Terry is currently Aston Villa’s assistant manager to Dean Smith and has expressed interest in becoming a head coach in his own right. 

Sportsmail revealed he was keen on the vacant post at Bristol City after the club sacked Lee Johnson in July and he should be attracted by the project at the Vitality after gaining experience as a coach under Smith.

The Chelsea legend has been learning the ropes as a coach under Villa boss Dean Smith 

The former England and Blues captain has been tipped to become a manager after learning the ropes at Villa Park, with his former Three Lions team-mates Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard making a successful venture into top jobs.

Whoever takes over at the south coast outfit will hope to kick start a new era after Howe took the club from League 2 to the Premier League in six years across two different spells. 

In an emotional statement after confirming he would be leaving the post after first joining in 2009, Howe admitted he and the club had taken the difficult decision to go their separate ways.

Eddie Howe left the club last week after the Cherries were relegated from the Premier League

‘After what has been an incredibly challenging few days and following extensive talks between myself and the club I can confirm that we have collectively come to the decision that it would be in the best interests of AFC Bournemouth for me to leave the club by mutual consent.

‘It is difficult to put into words what Bournemouth means to me, both as a town and as a football club. Having spent a total of 25 years with the club as both a player and a manager, this decision – made together with the club – is one of the hardest I’ve ever had to make.

‘However, although the affection and love I have for this football club will always remain, we collectively feel that now is the right time for the club to go in a new direction.’