John Terry forced to swap white boots for black ones on first day at Aston Villa training as Chelsea legend says he’ll wait FOUR YEARS before taking top job

ASTON VILLA's new No2 John Terry says he is prepared to serve a four-year apprenticeship before graduating as a top-class manager.

The former Chelsea and England legend recently revealed he dreams of managing his beloved Blues one day.

Yesterday the 37-year-old began started the long road towards his ultimate ambition and revealed he is ready “to be a sponge,” soaking up the tricks of his new trade under new gaffer Dean Smith in his new role.

However, Terry admits he flunked his first managerial test - by turning up for his first day in dazzling WHITE boots – before Smith and Villa’s players made him ditch them for a coach’s regulation BLACK pair.

Terry also confirmed there was no chance of him coming out of retirement to play for Villa during a radio interview with 5 live.

He confessed: “I had my boots on today and got a bit of stick because I was wearing white boots.

“The lads, the gaffer everyone gave me a bit of stick. I had to come over to the coaching staff and put a pair of black boots on!

“No, as far as playing is concerned, that is done. That is my previous life. This is a new chapter for me and something I am really looking forward to.

“It is an exciting challenge for me and something I have had in the back of my mind for the last four or five years as something I wanted to do when I finished playing.

“When I made that decision, having played here, and the experience I have here and the affiliation with the Villa fans, it was the right choice for me.”

Terry revealed how he was not stepping into the unknown as he has known former Brentford boss Dean Smith for many years – thanks to a family connection.

He said: “I have a history with Dean. He used to be assistant manager at Leyton Orient when Paul, my brother was playing there. I have known him for an awful long time.

“Last week I get a phone call from Dean. He had been offered the job and he asked me if I would like to be part of his team. It is something we spoke in depth about over the phone, for an hour, an hour and a half.

“We had a good, honest conversation. Richard (O’Kelly) is his man that he takes with him. It is natural fit. He was more than happy to have me along and part of the journey and help me through my process.”

Some bosses would have been Terry-fied at the prospect of having such a huge personality by his side.

But JT admits he is now Captain, Leader, Legend… APPRENTICE!

He said: “It is more intimidating for me. I want to learn from him, from Richard. Even this morning. It was my first day. We were in bright and early this morning.

“As a player you don’t realise the depth and the amount of work that goes into the work and the prep before. You turn up as a player and get on with the session. This morning we are going through it for an hour, and then another hour and a half afterwards, sorting out the week.

“It is a real eye-opener for me. It is something I am really keen to learn. I am nowhere near the finished article. Obviously I have aspirations to be a manager one day. But that is four or five years away for me. I am very keen to learn and I have two great people to learn from who have a wealth of experience.

“I just hope I can add a small bit to this group and the management team to try and get us up to the Premier League.”

Terry revealed he had been sent good luck wishes from some of his former Chelsea bosses as he took the first step up the coaching ladder… clocking in at 7.30am on Monday morning!

He said: “A few have been in touch to wish me well and tell me I have come over to the dark side a little bit, that my days will be gone, that I am back to proper work today.

“It has been an early start but listen, I am doing something I love. I love football, regardless of playing, managing, coaching. I love being in and around it.

“I am here to be a sponge. I feel as though I can assist, otherwise I wouldn’t be in the role. I feel I can give back my experience of playing in the division as well and being in this dressing room last year with the majority of these players.

“The combination of the three of us will hopefully work very well.

“I have come from an awfully big club in Chelsea and come across some big players and managers over the years I feel can help me pass stuff on.

“Whether that is the small stuff before the game. Naturally the manager is in charge. He will be taking full responsibility in the dug-out. I will listen to his orders.”