“At a lower level, I can help John prepare. I had the same experience because I loved the game so much and quitting is difficult. Managers told me to step off the pitch when I was 36. Sometimes you don't see it yourself.
“I had a few players, also national teams, where I had to say ‘It's time to say goodbye’. It's very difficult because those are legends, big players, and that hurts for a player. Whatever your job is afterwards, if you were so passionate about playing football, whatever you do afterwards is a substitute for what you did and what you love. It's difficult for a manager. You can put yourself in the boots of those players.
“But John is doing perfectly in his performances, so I'm not suggesting anything, but we spoke about things. He can carry on, of course. He's fit. His ambition is enough to carry on.”
Asked if Kurt Zouma was right that Terry would be irreplaceable for Chelsea, Hiddink said: “I can say, theoretically, no one is irreplaceable. If you are a manager, that happens a lot. But he has a huge impact in the dressing room and also on the pitch.
“He has this presence – a very good presence – with the group in the dressing-room. It will be a new situation, if it happens. Let's see what will happen in the short future, but there are new leaders coming up in the group.”
Terry will continue to play if he leaves Chelsea at the end of the season and could earn £20million-a-year net by moving to China. But Hiddink thinks he will eventually make a good coach.
“Some ex-players have that,” said Hiddink. “Not many, but some. Although they must go and learn about training, preparation and everything.
“They need a fundamental basis as a coach or trainer. But, having done that, they have this huge advantage of their experience. When they can make that transition not thinking just as a player but also to service younger players. It gives youngsters a great experience working with people like that. Those big players, if they have the right attitude and are not just talking about their careers.”
Terry will once again captain the Chelsea team when they travel to Watford on Wednesday night, but new signing Alexandre Pato looks set to have to wait to make his Blues debut. Loic Remy is still out with a calf injury.
“He is some way off fitness,” said Hiddink. “He had to do the bureaucratic stuff yesterday (Monday) and was out of the country to come back into the country, paperwork, but he's worked for a few training sessions. He's in ‘preparation’, if not fully fit to act.”
- Telegraph