HENK Ten Cate admits he had an 'F-word' row with Chelsea captain John Terry prior to the Carling Cup final.

The Dutch coach, who joined Chelsea manager Avram Grant's backroom staff in October after leaving Ajax, has confirmed reports he was involved in a training ground bust-up with Terry.

Ten Cate confirmed that he and Terry had a difference in opinion regarding the 'intensity' of a Blues training session in the build-up to Sunday's 2-1 Wembley defeat to Tottenham.

The defeat has heaped pressure on Chelsea's managerial staff and Ten Cate's confirmation of the dispute with club skipper Terry will not help their cause.

However, Ten Cate insists the row will have no lasting impact and that he and Terry 'get on well'.

'We are both kind of emotional, but we respect each other fully,' Ten Cate told The Sun.

'We just had a discussion about the intensity of the training session. That's a normal part of the game. There have been a few F-words, no doubt. But that's common in England.'

Grant's team selection policy at the weekend has been questioned after Chelsea stars Joe Cole and Michael Ballack began the game on the bench.

And Ten Cate has confirmed that there was a tension in the Blues' camp before the final.

'There was a special tension on Saturday,' Ten Cate is quoted as saying on Dutch newspaper AD's website.

'We have 27 players and three goalkeepers but only a few of them could play.

'John wanted to have even more intensity in training but I didn't agree as we were just one day before the match. That was all. Me and John get on well. John won't disagree.'

PA Sport