Jose Mourinho's former assistant Rui Faria has emerged as a prime contender to take over the reins of Aston Villa after Thierry Henry rejected the Championship club.
Faria, who ended his 17-year partnership with Mourinho in the summer to spend more time with his family, is now the bookies' favourite to replace Steve Bruce.
The 43-year-old would have no qualms in adding Villa Park favourite John Terry to his coaching team after they worked together during his two spells at Chelsea.
Villa will have to convince Faria to seal a permanent return to club football as reports suggest he is likely to turn the opportunity in order to prolong his sabbatical.
Faria's agent Jorge Mendes is advising co-owner Nassef Sawiris so may be able to convince his client to take over the reins.
Terry is confident of sealing a return to Aston Villa as part of their non-playing staff after hanging up his boots last weekend.
It is not yet known what role Terry will fulfil when he does eventually take up a role with the Championship outfit.
Faria has no managerial experience but he has worked alongside Mourinho since 2001.
The Portuguese worked alongside Mourinho at Uniao Leiria as a fitness coach and then quickly followed the United boss to Porto where he held the same role from 2002 to 2004.
Mourinho then brought Faria to Stamford Bridge as his assistant before the duo went on to coach together at Inter, Real Madrid, Chelsea on a second occasion and Manchester United.
Henry turned down the opportunity to manage Aston Villa after being approached by Monaco over an emotional return to the French club.
The attraction of succeeding Leonardo Jardim at Monaco, where Henry won silverware in a seven-year spell, has convinced the 41-year-old to enter into discussions with the Ligue 1 club.
The former Arsenal striker has a strong link with the principality outfit. He graduated from Monaco's academy to play 141 games for the club and only last month was a guest of owner Dmitry Rybolovlev for their Champions League loss to Atletico Madrid at the Stade Louis II.
Keplerer
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Rui Faria was talked as a name for Sporting, I think we wouldn't mind. Either way, funny seeing many Portuguese coaches are coming to the English top football: Mourinho, NES, Marco Silva, Carvalhal (not anymore) and Rui Faria (not EPL, but Championship).
Galalook
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Ok assuming this is correct someone give me some good news, is this a good appointment?
Spiketues
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Not particularly a Villa fan, but growing up, they were always one of the good teams in the PL. Hope they find their way up soon. Would like to see Leeds, Blackburn, and Norwich back, too.
Solomans
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They really seem keen on having Terry as assistant, huh? Maybe they see him as a future manager.
nowhere
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They're getting John Terry as manager with John Terry as assistand manager aren't they.
inoce
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Still think it'll be John Terry.
opportu
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I think the most worrying thing is that Villa seems set on Terry being their Assistant manager. And deciding on your assistant manager before you decide on your manager just doesn’t seem like the wisest footballing decision and demonstrates pretty poor planning on their part.
initiative
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Villa have a history of appointing this kind of coach - Di Matteo, Remi Garde etc. It never works, they ought to appoint either a manager who has proven experience in the championship, or a big name who has won silverware abroad. Marcelo Bielsa's presence in the league makes the latter very realistic these days, money allowing.
Archibale
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Monaco or Birmingham ..must have been a tough choice for Henry...
sawdust
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He's turned it down. Reportedly told them that he is e joying his sabbatical from the game for the time being. So, Thierry Henry turned it down. Now Faria doesn't want it either. What Villa need is someone with a good track record of getting teams promoted to the Premier League. Steve Bruce is currently out of work..
swagchicken
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Rui: is that aston villa i see