John Terry’s Phone Call to Roman Abramovich Resolved England’s 2006 Russian Landing Crisis, Says Steve McClaren

Former England manager Steve McClaren has shared a surreal anecdote regarding a 2006 flight to Russia that was initially denied permission to land. During a period of mounting tension on board the aircraft, then-captain John Terry took the initiative to contact his club owner at Chelsea, Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich. This extraordinary intervention quickly resolved the deadlock, highlighting the significant influence Abramovich wielded within his home country during that period. Speaking on the High Performance Podcast, McClaren detailed the confusion that gripped the team when their plane was held in the air for unknown reasons. The coaching staff and players were left in a state of uncertainty as authorities refused to clear the flight for touchdown. It was in this moment of crisis that Terry leveraged his personal connection, bypassing official diplomatic channels to seek a direct solution through one of Russia’s most powerful figures. The resolution was remarkably swift. Shortly after Terry’s call, the aircraft received the necessary clearance and landed safely. McClaren noted the sheer surprise of the staff at how effectively Abramovich’s influence could navigate through Russian bureaucratic hurdles. This incident serves as a striking example of the unconventional power dynamics at play during the height of the Chelsea owner’s tenure in English football. While the event took place nearly twenty years ago, its revelation offers a rare glimpse into the behind-the-scenes realities of the England national team's Golden Generation. The story underscores a time when personal relationships between players and wealthy owners could impact international logistics. As the landscape of football ownership has changed significantly since then, McClaren’s account remains a fascinating footnote in the history of English international travel.