John Terry should become an assistant before a manager, says Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink

Terry may leave Chelsea in the summer

(2016 Getty Images)

Guus Hiddink has backed John Terry to one day be a top class manager - but offered a word of warning to the Chelsea captain.

The Dutch coach, 69, is expected to retire when he steps down from being interim manager of the Blues in the summer.

He has been a manager since 1987 - almost 29 years - taking charge at clubs in the Netherlands, Turkey, Spain, England and Russia. Hiddink has also managed at three World Cups with three different teams and reached the Euro 2008 semi-final with Russia.

But the experienced boss said Terry shouldn't jump straight into management and should instead becoming an assistant where he can learn "in the shadows".

"You have to get your (coaching) licence, but if you have that I would recommend going a bit in the shadows and try to get with a good manager," he said.

"Be an assistant if you have the ambition to be one day a manager, go with good managers and learn from them."

Hiddink also said that 35-year-old Terry, who is yet to be offered a new contract by the club at which he has spent his entire career, should contine to play for as long as possible.

"If you love the game - and he loves the game - play as long as possible," Hiddink said ahead of the clash at Aston Villa.

"Being a manager is okay, but it's more or less a substitute for being a player.

"To play is the most beautiful thing you can experience if you love the game.

"So try to play as long as possible until they say: 'Hey, grandfather, please leave the pitch now'."

The fate of Terry, who has made more than 700 appearances for the Blues since making his debut in October 1998, could be determined by the incoming successor to Jose Mourinho, who was sacked in December.

Antonio Conte will leave his role as Italy boss after Euro 2016 and has been heavily tipped to take the Chelsea job.

Additional reporting from PA