Jermain Defoe has parted ways with National League club Woking after a tenure of less than four months.
Defoe managed six competitive matches during his time with the club and was preparing the side for the upcoming season. Sources indicated that Defoe did not attend training on Thursday and subsequently informed the club of his decision to step down. There are suggestions of internal conflict between Defoe and a member of the Woking hierarchy, though the club has declined to comment further on the matter.
In a statement, Woking Football Club confirmed that the club and First Team Manager Jermain Defoe had mutually agreed to part ways with immediate effect. The club expressed its sincere thanks to Defoe for his contributions and wished him success in his future endeavors, emphasizing its continued focus on achieving its objectives on and off the pitch. The club also thanked supporters for their continued backing.
Defoe, 43, had been instrumental in Woking's pre-season preparations, overseeing friendly matches. His departure has drawn criticism from some fans, who have expressed frustration with the lack of a detailed explanation from the club.
Prior to his role at Woking, Defoe served as an academy coach at Tottenham Hotspur starting in August 2022. He also had a brief period as caretaker manager for Rangers in 2021 while still a player there, and assisted Steven Gerrard's coaching staff. He left Tottenham's Under-18 coaching role in July 2024 to pursue a managerial career, with Woking marking his first permanent position in charge of a senior team.
Woking competes in the fifth tier of English football. The club's former manager, Neal Ardley, and Assistant Manager, Simon Bassey, were dismissed earlier in the month. Defoe had initially expressed enthusiasm for the Woking project, citing the club's history and potential.
As a player, Defoe made 363 appearances for Tottenham across three separate spells and also played for clubs including Portsmouth, Sunderland, and West Ham. He earned 57 caps for England, scoring 20 goals, with his last international appearance in 2017.