John Terry could get first managerial job with ex-Manchester United star John O’Shea also a contender for EFL role

John Terry has emerged as a contender to be handed his first-ever managerial job as the potential next Oxford United boss.

Oxford sacked boss Gary Rowett two days before Christmas and had interim manager Craig Short in charge on Boxing Day.

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Short led the U’s to a surprise 2-1 win at home to Southampton in the Championship, but the club remain on the lookout for a replacement.

Terry is among the candidates to take the Kassam Stadium hotseat, despite the Premier League legend never having a manager’s job before.

The ex-Chelsea centre-back has long been on the radar of Oxford’s owners, according to The Sun.

He was interviewed by the club in 2023 before they opted to appoint Des Buckingham as their manager at the time.

And Terry has since spoken out about the tough experience of being turned down for roles as he looks to forge a managerial career.

Former Rangers and QPR manager Michael Beale is also said to be a contender for the job at the Kassam Stadium.

Meanwhile, talkSPORT understands that Oxford are interested in speaking to ex-Manchester United defender John O’Shea.

O’Shea, like Terry, has never held a permanent manager’s role and is currently the Republic of Ireland’s assistant boss.

He has stood in as caretaker boss for his country though, while also having four other assistant jobs.

The 44-year-old began his coaching career in 2021, working at Reading, Ireland U21s, Stoke and Birmingham.

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Terry’s legendary career

Terry is a five-time Premier League title-winner and also led Chelsea to a Champions League success in 2012.

On top of that, the all-time great has five FA Cups and three League Cups in his cabinet, with his 15-trophy haul making him the most decorated Blues player ever.

In total, he spent 22 years at Chelsea and made 717 appearances, becoming an icon at the club, before retiring aged 37 in 2018.

Terry then went straight into an assistant role under Dean Smith at Aston Villa, leaving three years later in 2021.

After another two years, Terry and Smith reunited at Leicester.

But that spell was only short and he ended up returning to Chelsea, coaching in his beloved club’s academy.

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That was his last role and he’s been on the lookout for the next step up since, however, he’s had no luck so far.

Opening up on a past failed interview with Sunderland, Terry told talkSPORT in May: “I’ve got something to give. I’m not trying to be a Premier League manager overnight.

“I’d done my groundwork with Dean Smith at Aston Villa. I’ve done all my badges.

“I’ve got everything. I’m ready to go. And to hear that was a little bit disheartening, to be honest.”

How are Oxford doing this season?

Should Terry get the job, he’s going to be challenged with a relegation battle, as Oxford sit 21st in the Championship.

The U’s beat Southampton on Friday under interim boss Short to jump out of the relegation zone on goal difference, although 22nd-placed Portsmouth have a game in hand on Oxford.

So far this season, they have only won five of their 23 games, losing 11 and drawing the other seven.

It is looking sure to be a fight against the drop back down to League One for whoever takes charge.