Aston Villa assistant manager John Terry reportedly turned down West Brom talks

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Aston Villa assistant manager John Terry turned down an approach from West Midlands rivals West Brom this summer, according to the Times.

They report that Terry was wanted by the Baggies for talks about becoming their new boss but knocked back the prospect in order to continue working alongside Dean Smith.

Former West Ham manager Slaven Bilic has now been appointed as West Brom redouble their efforts to clamber out of the second tier at the second time of asking after Villa saw them off in the Championship play-off semi-finals last term.

But Terry was apparently in the frame – the switch would have seen him shift from number two to number one but of course drop back down a league.

No doubt Villa fans will take great delight in West Brom chasing their assistant to lead them but being knocked back given the rivalry between the clubs.

Terry’s old Chelsea and England team-mate Frank Lampard did well in his first season as a boss with Derby and perhaps the former central defender could be tempted to take on a top job at some stage.

But he seems content to remain alongside Smith as the duo plot a route to Premier League survival after the club’s painful exile from the top flight came to an end at Wembley.