Terry was disappointed to learn the Brazilian had been axed on Monday afternoon, just as he was about to board a flight to Spain with England.

Various factors have been put forward for Scolari's demise, including some senior players being unhappy with Chelsea's new training regime.

However, there is little doubt the South American would still be in a job if results had gone better. And for that Terry is taking part of the blame because of his own poor form.

"I was playing well for the first five or 10 games but since then I could have been better," he said.

"I am my own worst critic and I know I need to improve - my fitness and my game. I could have done better and I hold my hands up to that."

It is now becoming apparent Scolari's fate was sealed last week at a meeting which involved Michael Ballack, Didier Drogba and Petr Cech.

Once Chelsea failed to overcome Hull on Saturday, there was no way back for a man who has won a World Cup and reached the European Championship Final with Portugal in 2004.

Guus Hiddink is already in line to replace Scolari, at least on a part-time basis, although Terry does not feel the events of the last few days can be allowed to pass without some kind of self-analysis from the Chelsea camp.

"The overall picture needs to be looked at," he said.

"The powers at the club need to look at that."

And, having accepted his own faults, Terry feels some of Chelsea's other experienced players need to analyse themselves before pushing all the blame for a season of disappointment at the Brazilian's door.

"I have sympathy for Scolari," said Terry.

"He had my support that's for sure, and two or three other players will say exactly the same thing, I'm sure.

"He's a great man. Unfortunately we weren't playing well and it falls on his head.

"Maybe they should look at some of us because we did underachieve."

It now just appears a matter of time before Hiddink is installed as manager, although England manager Fabio Capello finds it difficult to believe he could combine it with another job as the Dutchman would have to do if he decides to combine his work with Russia with the challenge of Chelsea.

Capello is certainly glad the decision is not his to make, because the answer would be no.

"It is not my problem," he sighed.

"I know he did it before with Australia and PSV (Eindhoven). I prefer to think about one job, not two."