John Terry reveals all about Roman Abramovich's role behind the scenes at Chelsea

John Terry last night gave an insight into the hands-on approach taken by Chelsea's billionaire owner Roman Abramovich.

The Chelsea and England skipper revealed how Abramovich wants to know everything that is going on at the club, seeks out the opinions of his senior players and goes into the dressing room after matches demanding to know why players are struggling for form or goals.

The Russian billionaire regularly talks to Terry about tactics - a pointer that the England captain could be a future Chelsea boss.

Terry, who has three years left on his current £140,000-a-week deal, is set to be given an improved contract after turning down Manchester City to stay at Chelsea.

He finally made his decision after several lengthy chats with Abramovich during the club's American tour and Terry said: "Roman is a very successful businessman and makes all the final decisions. He likes to have the opinion of the players.

"We are the ones living and breathing the football life and if he can make a small improvement on or off the pitch he tries to do it.

"And he wants to know the feedback from the lads - what is working and not working. It's hard sometimes because people think me and other key players in the team are going in demanding this and this.

"But when you've got a chairman coming in after games demanding to know why we didn't play well and why we didn't score two or three goals, you can sit down and talk.

"It's great because he understands football. He watches so many games and understands the game very well and he's put an awful lot in.

"He wants to know why and how we can improve all the time. I think it's great we can have that relationship with him."

Luis Felipe Scolari blamed senior players for undermining him last season before his eventual sacking.

And Jose Mourinho fell out with the owner several times, starting with the form of £30million flop Andriy Shevchenko and extending to a perceived lack of flair, poor results and transfer policy.

At the height of the feud, Abramovich stormed out of a meeting with Mourinho over transfer targets when the manager launched into a rant over Shevchenko. Carlo Ancelotti is Abramovich's fifth full-time boss since he bought Chelsea in 2003 and Terry admits the prospect of moving into the hot seat is one he will consider when he retires.

"I've said before it's a possibility but I've still got a good few years ahead of me playing-wise.

"The managers seem to get quite a bit of stress, so I'll let them manage and I'll concentrate on my football."

Terry admits agonising over his future this summer following City's £35m bid. The 28-year-old backs City to become a force in the Premier League but says his love for Chelsea, as well as wanting to play at the top going into World Cup year, convinced him to stay.

Terry said: "There's four or five players in the world who you have to break the bank for - Ronaldo, Messi, Gerrard, Lampard. They deserve to be the highest-paid because they are the best.

"I'm honoured to be in that bracket. It's the first time in my career someone has come in with an official bid.

"I've heard things a few years ago about different teams but no-one officially came in. I'm very flattered Man City tried to sign me.

"Of course I respect Mark Hughes and the people at City, Eddie Niedzwiecki (a City coach) as well.

"These people were at Chelsea with me, they were at my wedding and I respect them. When stories were written about me meeting them in Dubai, I was there with my family and my kids. I've seen Kevin Hitchcock (City goalkeeping coach) in Dubai for the last five years and Mark just happened to be there.

"We had a drink around the pool. But nothing was spoken about football and then suddenly stories were coming out about meetings.

"I respect him for what he's done as a player and as a manager. I wish City well and it's exciting times for the Premier League with what they're doing and what their chairman is willing to do. City are what Chelsea were seven years ago."

City were willing to give Terry a five-year contract worth £280,000 a week to make him the figurehead of their revolution. Terry sought assurances about Chelsea's future from Abramovich and he said: "Things whizz around in your head but the lads and the staff were all around me.

"The manager as well, friends and family all know my situation.

"They know I love the club so much, and that side of things, so it's never an issue.

"So it's nice to be able to talk to friends and family and know you'll get honest answers.

"I wanted reassurance that key players were staying, the ambition of the club and things like that.

"When you get a phone call from your own club saying that, no matter what money, they won't sell you it's unbelievable to just sit down there and listen to it from the chairman himself.

"That's the kind of relationship we have and you can't buy that. You can't put a price on things like that when he's saying 'Listen, you're the heartbeat of the team.

"You've been here for many years and we want you to stay'. That's all that matters."