Bristol City are reportedly keen on approaching Aston Villa coach John Terry to fill their managerial vacancy at Ashton Gate according to Football Insider. 

The Robins are on the hunt to find their new boss, after parting company with Lee Johnson after a poor run of form at a crucial stage of the 2019/20 campaign.

Bristol City are currently sat 11th in the Championship table, and will be keen to pick up points in their bid to finish inside the top-six this term.

They're just three points adrift of the play-off places with three matches remaining this season, and it's set to be a closely-fought battle between a number of teams for sixth-place in the second tier.

Speaking to Football Insider, former West Brom and Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips admitted that Terry will want to become a manager in the future, despite currently being Dean Smith's assistant at Aston Villa.

"It is clear that he wants to become a manager.

"He has seen his mates do it and his best mate in Frank Lampard do it and be a success. John has been a coach now a couple of years so he would have learned a lot."

Phillips went on to reveal that he isn't surprised to hear that the Robins are weighing up a move for Terry, who is yet to be in charge of a club since retiring from his playing career in October 2018.

"It is of no surprise to me that he is being linked with it. After two years as a coach, from my own experience, I was ready to take that next step.

"It would be another great advert for giving new manager’s a chance if Bristol City are to appoint John."

Bristol City will continue their bid to challenge for a top-six finish in the Championship when they return to action on Wednesday evening, when they take on relegation-threatened Stoke City.

Do you know what shirt numbers these Bristol City players wear? Test your knowledge in our quiz!

 

The Verdict: 

I think this could be a shrewd bit of business by the Robins.

Bristol City need a manager with fresh ideas, and I think Terry could provide them with that heading towards the 2020/21 league campaign.

His future could depend on whether Aston Villa are relegated from the Premier League, and I'm sure it won't be the last we hear about a rumour linking with a Villa Park exit.

Bristol City need to get this next managerial appointment right, otherwise they could really struggle in their bid to finish in the top-six.