John Terry an increasingly strong contender for Aston Villa job with Thierry Henry heading for Monaco

The Ligue 1 club are ready to sack current boss Leonardo Jardim and offer the job to Henry.

The 41-year-old former Arsenal striker was mulling over his options after holding positive talks with Villa’s hierarchy about becoming Steve Bruce’s successor.

But Monaco can offer Henry the chance to manage in the Champions League and his chances of heading to Villa now appear slim.

Terry also impressed in talks with Villa last week and he is still considered a serious candidate for the top job, despite initially being mooted as a possible assistant to Henry.

Others remain in the frame, with Villa chief executive Christian Purslow determined to work through a shortlist which also includes Brendan Rodgers, Dean Smith and Rui Faria.

The latter was a long-term assistant to Jose Mourinho and also has links with Jorge Mendes, the super-agent who has been advising Villa since the arrival of new owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens.

Another man with close links to Mendes, Jesus Garcia Pitarch, is understood to have been appointed Villa’s new sporting director and is helping the club with their managerial search.

The 54-year-old Spaniard has previously worked at Atletico Madrid and Valencia.

Former Blues boss Harry Redknapp yesterday claimed to have spoken to Terry this week and said: “I had a feeling John was right in the frame for the Villa job. He’s certainly a runner, that’s for sure.

“John is a confident boy. He’s just retired from playing and he’s thinking about the future, and if the opportunity comes to manage a club like Aston Villa, that would be a dream job for him.

“It’s a big club, there’s great potential there and it would be a great start for him.”

Next Villa manager latest odds:

• Dean Smith (2/1)

• Rui Faria (2/1)

• John Terry (20/1)

• Brendan Rodgers (25/1)

• David Moyes (25/1)