Former England striker Jermain Defoe described his brief managerial stint as an "eye-opening experience" after departing National League side Woking following just four months and six league matches in charge.
The 43‑year‑old was appointed in March to replace Neal Ardley, securing two victories from six games and guiding the club to a 10th‑placed finish last season.
On Thursday, Woking announced that Defoe’s tenure had ended abruptly after the club said it had "mutually agreed to part ways with immediate effect," a decision made two weeks before the opening fixture of the new campaign against Sutton United.
Defoe shared his thoughts on Instagram, stating: "Unfortunately, circumstances person yet made it intolerable for maine to proceed successful the position," Defoe said successful an Instagram post.
He added: "I americium highly arrogant of the enactment undertaken during my clip astatine the nine and genuinely felt that we were gathering thing special."
Defoe concluded: "My clip astatine Woking FC has been an eye-opening managerial acquisition and 1 that volition undoubtedly marque maine stronger for the adjacent situation successful my career."
His ninth and final match in charge was a 1‑0 defeat by Braintree Town in one of three pre‑season friendlies played on Tuesday.
Over his playing career, Defoe scored 305 goals in 763 senior appearances for West Ham, Tottenham, Portsmouth and Sunderland before retiring in 2022, and netted 20 times in 57 international appearances for England. He also served on an interim coaching unit at Rangers in 2021 and worked in the Tottenham Hotspur academy before leaving in 2024 to pursue a full‑time managerial role.
Sincity Press Staff
2 hours ago 2 min read
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