Former Sheffield United striker Marcus Bent has told The Transfer Tavern that John Terry ought to consider taking the vacant job at Bramall Lane.

The ex-Chelsea defender has been touted as a candidate for the job, with Chris Wilder having left earlier this season.

The Daily Mirror reported earlier this month that the Blades have placed Terry on a shortlist of potential appointments as they look to find a replacement for Wilder.

The 40-year-old is currently working with Aston Villa as Dean Smith’s assistant and Sheffield United are said to be attracted by the experience he has gained at Villa Park.

Barring a genuine miracle, it is inevitable that the club will be playing in the Championship next season – they have 14 points to their name and are currently 18 points off safety with just seven games of the season remaining.

And Bent believes that Terry would enjoy the challenge of bringing the club back into the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Speaking exclusively to TIF, the former striker, who had two spells at Bramall Lane as a player, said: “For John to go in, in the Championship, I think that'd be good for John.

“Not being as experienced a manager as a player that he is, but I think the respect for John would be massive if he did go in there.”

Still, Bent is wary of whether or not Terry would be given the requisite funds to improve the squad, and wonders whether there will be an exodus of players looking to retain their personal top-flight status.

He added: “Will he have money to spend? Will there be players going out from Sheffield United? There’s some good players at Sheffield United, I’m quite bemused, I’m quite sad about that because last year they were doing so well.

“Whether the whole squad gets depleted and moves to other teams, I’m not too sure, I don’t know about the contract situations, but John going in there would be a good move for him, especially at Sheffield United, because they’re a very big club, within Sheffield, to go and learn his career as a manager there.”