- Former West Ham striker Jermain Defoe has been appointed manager of Woking
- This will be Jermain Defoe’s first managerial role
- Woking currently sit 11th in the National League
It may have been a long-time since West Ham United had Jermain Defoe on the books but the England international has remained around the top-flight all his career. Since retiring in 2022, the now 43-year-old has been working his way into management, and now has his first full-time role.
Defoe, who has coached at youth levels with Tottenham Hotspur and Rangers in Scotland, has been appointed manager of National League side Woking.
Woking currently sit 11th in the league table, nine points off the playoff places. The club believe, that even if a promotion fight may be a long-shot this season, the appointment can help them push for that goal next season.
The former West Ham striker’s road to management
Defoe’s long playing career began at West Ham, where the frontman scored 40 goals for the Hammers in 104 appearances in all competitions. Unfortunately, the now-43-year-old would go a long way to tarnishing his relationship with the club’s faithful, pushing for a move to Tottenham.
The striker would go on to make 363 times for Spurs, scoring 143 goals for the club. Defoe would also have spells at Sunderland, Portsmouth and Rangers, before finishing his career back with the Black Cats in 2022.
Defoe moved into coaching at the end of his playing career, being part of Steven Gerrard’s backroom staff at Rangers for a short period. After that the former player returned to Spurs as an ambassador and academy coach.
Two years on from his role’s with Tottenham, Defoe now takes his first steps into management full-time with Woking.
The club’s chairman believes he can give them the best shot at getting into the EFL.
“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,” he said in a club statement.
Meanwhile, Defoe added: “Woking is a historic club with huge potential, and I’m thrilled to be part of this exciting project. I can’t wait to get started.”
