Former England striker Jermain Defoe has described his first managerial job as an “eye-opening expertise” following his exit from Nationwide League facet Woking after simply 4 months and 6 league video games in cost.
The 43-year-old was named the replacement for Neal Ardley in March and received two of these six matches to information the membership to a Tenth-placed end final season.
However on Thursday, Woking confirmed Defoe’s stint had come to an abrupt finish after they “mutually agreed to half methods with quick impact” – two weeks earlier than the opening match of the brand new marketing campaign in opposition to Sutton United.
“Sadly, circumstances have in the end made it not possible for me to proceed within the place,” Defoe mentioned in an Instagram publish.
“I’m extraordinarily pleased with the work undertaken throughout my time on the membership and genuinely felt that we have been constructing one thing particular.
“My time at Woking FC has been an eye-opening managerial expertise and one that can undoubtedly make me stronger for the following problem in my profession.”
Defoe’s ninth and closing recreation accountable for Woking was a 1-0 defeat by Braintree City in one among three pre-season friendlies on Tuesday.
He scored 305 objectives in 763 senior appearances for golf equipment together with West Ham, Tottenham, Portsmouth and Sunderland earlier than retiring in 2022.
Defoe, who struck 20 occasions in 57 worldwide appearances, was a part of an interim teaching employees at Rangers in 2021 after which labored within the Spurs academy, earlier than leaving in 2024 to pursue a full-time managerial function.
