Jermain Defoe departs from Woking after just eight games, closing his first managerial role as the club looks to maintain focus on future objectives.
Woking FC has announced that they have parted ways with manager Jermain Defoe, effective immediately, following a brief tenure of less than four months.
Defoe’s appointment as manager followed a storied playing career, during which he made 496 Premier League appearances. This marked his first senior managerial role, but it has ended abruptly during the preseason.
During his time at the fifth-tier club, Woking achieved two wins, three draws, and one loss, finishing in a mid-table position of tenth. The team commenced the month of July with a victory against Sholing, but their subsequent friendly encounter ended in a loss against Portsmouth.
In a statement released on social media, the 43-year-old expressed his profound disappointment regarding the situation, saying he was “genuinely gutted” for the players but found it “impossible” to continue. He confirmed the mutual agreement with the club to step down.
Defoe conveyed pride in the work achieved during his brief stay, stating, “I am extremely proud of the work undertaken during my time at the club and genuinely felt that we were building something special.” He extended his gratitude towards Todd Johnson for the managerial opportunity, as well as to the supporters and the players, emphasizing his admiration for the group he leaves behind.
Reflecting on his experience, Defoe mentioned that it has served as an eye-opener in his managerial career and will undeniably contribute to his growth for future challenges.
Woking issued a statement expressing their sincere appreciation for Defoe’s contributions, wishing him success in his future endeavors. They emphasized their commitment to delivering the club’s objectives both on and off the pitch and thanked the supporters for their ongoing backing.
Having made 363 appearances for Tottenham across three spells and also playing for West Ham United, Sunderland, and Toronto FC in MLS, Defoe retired from professional football in 2022. He also earned 57 caps for the England national team, scoring 20 goals and competing in the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 European Championship.
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