Steve Bruce has confirmed that discussions with John Terry will take place in the coming weeks to decide whether the 37-year-old will remain at Villa Park.
The captain would have automatically been offered a one-year contract extension if we had been promoted, but after losing the playoff final, financial constraints will complicate matters. Bruce was quoted by the Birmingham Mail as saying:
“I think that is the question for everybody, John’s future. That will depend on John. The discussions over the next few weeks will be with John to see what he wants. He had an option if we went up.”
“We had to balance the books last summer to get loans and frees.”
Our no.26’s large annual salary would be an obstacle to keeping him for another year. In addition, it isn’t known whether the former Chelsea player is interested in staying on.
Reports have suggested that he may retire to take up coaching or make a lucrative move to either China or the United States. Nothing, as of yet, has been confirmed.
The defender took to Instagram after the game to say he was “absolutely devastated” to lose to Fulham. However, he made no suggestion about what the future may hold for him.
