Former England captain John Terry has publicly criticized Chelsea's ownership for failing to appoint him as the club's interim manager following the dismissals of Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior, as reported by Metro and Teamtalk.
The 45-year-old Stamford Bridge legend, who played over 700 games and won five Premier League titles, expressed deep disappointment during an appearance on the broadcasting show World Cup Uncensored hosted by Piers Morgan.
During the program, Morgan questioned the club's decision-making regarding the interim managerial position after Rosenior's departure, labeling the selection process as highly questionable given Terry's extensive history and qualifications.
"Piers, you are 100% spot on. I've never thought that I could be Chelsea manager.
But when an opportunity comes up and a manager leaves, the football club and Chelsea are looking for an interim manager, there was no one in the building that was more qualified than me in terms of their qualifications," Terry said.
"More importantly, and above all of that, whether it was for one game or two games, there was no one more Chelsea than me.
Now, did I think that I deserve the Chelsea manager long term? Absolutely not.
Because Chelsea is way bigger than me.
If I want to go into that, I need to go on my journey and eventually get the Chelsea job," added the former Chelsea Academy Coach.
Terry further discussed the broader landscape for domestic coaches, noting that English managers rarely receive opportunities at top-tier clubs equipped with major financial backing.
"I don't think the opportunities are given to the English managers.
I just don't feel we've ever been given the top managerial jobs, with top budgets at a top football club.
Yeah, Frank [Lampard] was in at Chelsea, but he didn't have the budget that Jose [Mourinho] had. It was a time when we couldn't sign players," he said.
"Eddie Howe, before [Thomas] Tuchel got the England job, was probably favourite for the England manager's job, done very well with Newcastle but then didn't get a look in in terms of England," added Terry.
The former defender also reiterated his stance on another platform, emphasizing his deep connection to the London club when discussing the interim vacancy.
"When an opportunity comes up and the manager leaves the football club and Chelsea are looking for an interim manager.
There was no one more qualified… or more Chelsea than me!" stated Terry.
Following the managerial snub, Terry secured a separate role as a live auction host for the shopping platform eBay starting June 25, 2026, to sell signed sports memorabilia during the World Cup, Teamtalk reported.
Meanwhile, the Mirror reported on a humorous exchange where Morgan defended Cristiano Ronaldo from public backlash after Portugal's draw with DR Congo, prompting a lighthearted intervention from the former Chelsea captain.
"I think he's an unbelievable role model because he shows you age is a number, he's 41 and he's got the body of a 30-year-old.
He conducts himself impeccably. He looks great for 41, he looks better than you do [Simon Jordan].
If you look at my X feed, my pinned tweet is a clip from Ronaldo looking me and saying, 'yeah you have good abdominals'," said Morgan.
Terry quickly responded with a joke aimed at the television presenter during the broadcast: "He's a top player and a f******* liar as well."
Ronaldo later answered critics by scoring twice in Portugal's subsequent 5-0 victory, opening up about the immense scrutiny he and his manager faced from the public.
"I can tell you it was a very tough week, a difficult week, a week in which public opinion was very harsh on us, all the players, especially the coach.
Whenever things go well, 'Cristiano is good'; when things go badly, 'he's retired, he's old'. It will always be like that.
But it was a good response for me and my team-mates," said Ronaldo.
The Al Nassr striker concluded by emphasizing his work ethic and determination to push through external media attacks: "I always get there.
Maybe late, but I'm there.
That's why I continue to go to my job, I believe strongly in what I do, I believe strongly that I'm working hard, God helps.
My career has always been like this, and I'm very happy. Everything else that comes from outside, we can't control it.
Because when we don't play well, we don win, we are always attacked, especially me, but I'm used to it, and I keep going."
