Defoe leaves Woking after four months in charge

What the report says

BBC Sport reports that Jermain Defoe has left Woking after a brief spell in his first senior managerial role. The former England and Tottenham striker was appointed in March as successor to Neal Ardley, but the National League club said on Thursday that the parties had mutually agreed to separate with immediate effect.

According to the BBC, Defoe’s departure comes about four months after his appointment and just two weeks before Woking are due to start the new season against Sutton United. He oversaw six league matches last season, winning two, as Woking finished 10th. His final match in charge was reported as Tuesday’s 1-0 pre-season friendly defeat by Braintree Town, his ninth game overall including friendlies.

In an Instagram post cited by BBC Sport, Defoe said circumstances had made it impossible for him to remain in the job, while describing his time at the club as an “eye-opening” step in management. He also said he was proud of the work done during his tenure and believed the team had been developing positively.

Defoe retired as a player in 2022 after a career that included spells with West Ham, Tottenham, Portsmouth and Sunderland, scoring 305 goals in 763 senior club appearances. He also scored 20 goals in 57 England games and represented the national team at the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012. Before joining Woking, he had coaching experience with Rangers’ interim staff in 2021 and in Tottenham’s academy.