Chelsea legend set for Saudi management gig

Chelsea legend John Terry is set for the first manager role of his coaching career as he nears being appointed as the new boss of Saudi side Al-Shabab, it has been reported.

The Blues icon made over 700 appearances for the west London side, scoring 67 times and grabbing 27 assists during his time at Stamford Bridge in a career that spanned 22 years and saw him rack up 15 trophies.

In the time since, he has worked as an assistant manager for Leicester City and Aston Villa as well as part of the academy staff with the Blues.

Now, however, he is set to follow former England teammates Steven Gerrard (Al Ettifaq) and Robbie Fowler (Al Qadsiah FC) into management in Saudi Arabia, having been offered a job with Al-Shabab.

According to the Daily Mail, the club ‘view Terry’s sizeable playing experience as a key draw for new signings’ and ‘the West London club will reportedly allow him to leave his role in the youth set-up for Saudi Arabia’.

It is added that ‘Terry was approached by the Saudi club two months ago and a deal has already been verbally agreed’, which will see the 42-year-old make the switch in the coming days.

Though not the big spenders that the rest of the Saudi Pro League have been this summer, Al-Shabab have done some impressive business of their own, with Habib Diallo arriving from Strasbourg in a deal worth 18m euros and Yannick Carrasco also being signed from Atletico Madrid for 15m euros.

With 24 hours left in the transfer window, it is unclear whether or not they will make further signings, but there seems certain to be a change in manager in the days to come.

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