Former Channel 4 pundit and Tottenham striker, Jermain Defoe, has been appointed as the new head coach of National League side Woking. This marks a significant milestone in the 43-year-old's career as it is his first permanent managerial role.
Defoe's appointment comes after he had previously been part of an interim coaching staff at Scottish giants Rangers in 2021 and worked in the Spurs academy. His move into management follows a successful playing career that spanned over two decades.
Woking sacked former Wimbledon midfielder Neal Ardley earlier this month, leading to interim head coach Craig Ross taking charge temporarily. Under Ross' leadership, Woking saw four wins, three draws and one defeat in eight games. However, Ross will continue to be at the helm for Tuesday's game against Altrincham before Defoe officially takes over with Woking currently sitting 11th on the table.
Celebrated playing career
Defoe retired from professional football in 2022 with Sunderland being his final club. His illustrious 23-year professional career began at Charlton's academy before moving on to West Ham’s academy. He then played for Tottenham twice during his career while also having stints at Portsmouth, Bournemouth, Toronto FC and Rangers.
The former striker boasts an impressive record of scoring 305 goals in 763 senior appearances along with netting 20 goals during his time representing England internationally. He represented England at both the World Cup (2010) held in South Africa and European Championships (2012) hosted by Poland and Ukraine.
Transition into management
After retiring from playing professionally, Defoe spent two years working within Spurs' academy where he earned his Uefa A-licence - a prerequisite qualification for managing teams participating in national league competitions across Europe. In pursuit of a full-time managerial role, he left Spurs in the summer of 2024.
Woking chairman, Todd Johnson, said:
"Jermain's achievements as a player speak for themselves, but what stood out to us during the process was how he sees the game, how he drives standards, and his approach to leadership and player development.
"We have a clear plan for where we want to go as a club, and we believe Jermain is the right person to build on the strong foundations already in place and help take us forward in the next phase of that journey."
Woking announced Defoe's appointment following a detailed recruitment process, stating that his "values, leadership style and footballing philosophy" best aligned with the club's long-term vision. Defoe will not be alone in his new role. He will be assisted by former Fulham and Halifax manager Paul Bracewell. Additionally, Craig Ross and Jake Hyde will remain on the club's coaching staff to provide continuity and support as Defoe embarks on this new chapter of his career.
Jermain Defoe’s appointment as Woking’s head coach is an exciting development for both him personally and for Woking FC. His vast experience as a player at various levels of professional football coupled with his recent coaching experiences make him well-suited to lead Woking into their next phase.
