This is an ambitious effort from Harry Redknapp.
Like most managers in England, Redknapp would be keen to bring Chelsea’s outgoing defender John Terry into his side but, unlike most of the others, the Birmingham City boss has come up with an intriguing incentive as he hopes to get his man.
Presuming that Terry is eventually going to look to try his hand at management, Redknapp has suggested that he can offer the centre-half a path into that industry.
“I think he’d want to play at the moment, it is difficult,” Redknapp said on talkSPORT of the potential to offer Terry a player/coach position. “I think it is hard enough concentrating on playing and then you start coaching and end up caught between.
“I think he wants to play another year or two and I think eventually he’ll go into management somewhere. That’s a possibility. He can be manager of Birmingham in a couple of years if he wants to come and play for me!”
Redknapp took charge of the Blues last month and motivated them out of the jaws of relegation, securing two wins in his games in charge and earning a one-year contract at St. Andrews in the process.
A dramatic 1-0 victory over Bristol City in the final game guaranteed Birmingham’s Championship status next season but there will be significant work required on the training ground if Redknapp is to ensure that his side avoids a similar late battle this time next year.
The addition of Terry would bring invaluable experience and solidity to Birmingham’s defence but Redknapp is under no illusions with regards to the fact that his side is likely down the pecking order in terms of potential destinations for the Champions League winner.
“That [bringing Terry to St. Andrew’s] would be a dream,” Redknapp said.
“I love John, I’m a great fan of his but I would think John would have a lot of big clubs, Premier clubs, after him.
“He would be fantastic, that would be a dream to sign John Terry. You’ve got a leader – what a man – I think he is fantastic still.
“That’s the dream but I doubt very much whether it would happen.”
Terry revealed last month that this season would be his last at Stamford Bridge and, having insisted that he had more to offer, many assumed that he would carry on his playing career elsewhere.
But the 36-year-old has not ruled out the possibility that he will retire after the Blues’ final Premier League fixture, a home clash with the already-relegated Sunderland on Sunday.
“I’ve not ruled out Sunday being my last game and retiring from football,” he told Sky Sports.
“If the right offer comes along I will sit down and consider it with my family – whether that’s here or abroad.
“Genuinely I haven’t made any decisions yet and I’m evaluating all my options at the moment.”
