Former England striker Jermain Defoe has left his role as manager of National League side Woking after a four-month tenure.
Key facts
- •Jermain Defoe managed Woking for four months and six league games.
- •The club finished 10th in the National League last season under Defoe's management.
- •Defoe's departure comes two weeks before the season opener against Sutton United.
- •His final game was a 1-0 pre-season loss to Braintree Town on Tuesday.
- •Defoe previously served on the coaching staff at Rangers and the Tottenham academy.
Jermain Defoe has departed his position as manager of National League club Woking after four months in charge. The 43-year-old former England striker, who was appointed in March to replace Neal Ardley, oversaw six league games and led the team to a 10th-place finish last season. Woking confirmed on Thursday that the club and Defoe mutually agreed to part ways with immediate effect, just two weeks before the start of the new season.
By the numbers
Departure and Managerial Stint
Defoe’s final match in charge was a 1-0 pre-season defeat to Braintree Town on Tuesday. In an Instagram post, Defoe stated that circumstances made it impossible for him to continue, though he expressed pride in the work done during his time at the club. He described the role as an "eye-opening" experience that he believes will prepare him for future career challenges.
Background and Career
Before his appointment at Woking, Defoe had coaching experience as part of an interim staff at Rangers in 2021 and a role within the Tottenham Hotspur academy. He left the academy in 2024 to seek a full-time managerial position. As a player, Defoe scored 305 goals in 763 senior appearances for clubs including West Ham, Tottenham, Portsmouth, and Sunderland, and earned 57 international caps for England.
Timeline
- 2021Defoe served as part of an interim coaching staff at Rangers.
- 2022Defoe retired from his professional playing career.
- MarchDefoe was named the manager of Woking, replacing Neal Ardley.
- TuesdayDefoe managed his final game, a 1-0 defeat to Braintree Town.
- ThursdayWoking confirmed that Defoe had left the club by mutual agreement.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by BBC Sport.
