Jermain Defoe Embraces Managerial Challenge at Woking With Eyes on Promotion

Defoe Takes the Helm at Woking, Vowing to Earn His Stripes

Jermain Defoe has set his sights on leading Woking to promotion after being officially appointed as the National League club's permanent manager — a landmark moment that the former England striker hopes will inspire more opportunities for black coaches across the game.

The 43-year-old was confirmed as the full-time replacement for Neal Ardley on Sunday, marking his first senior managerial appointment. Although Defoe is new to the role, he is not without coaching experience — he served as part of an interim coaching setup at Scottish Premiership giants Rangers in 2021 before spending two years working within the Tottenham Hotspur academy.

'It's Been a Long Time Coming'

Speaking to BBC Radio Surrey, Defoe expressed how natural the transition into management has felt after years of deliberate preparation.

"It's been a long time coming," he said. "It was always the plan at the back end of my career when I knew I wanted to go into coaching, and luckily enough that transition was quite smooth. I left Rangers, went straight into Tottenham and did two years in the academy."

He added that his brief player-coach role during his final season at Rangers gave him an early taste of life on the other side of the touchline, and that the infrastructure at Woking gives him genuine confidence about the club's potential.

Promotion the Target Despite Tough Position

Defoe inherits a Woking side sitting 10th in the National League table, 11 points adrift of the play-off places with just six regular-season fixtures left to play. The team drew 1-1 with Altrincham on Tuesday under caretaker boss Craig Ross ahead of Defoe's arrival.

While cautious about setting rigid targets, the new manager made no secret of his ambitions.

"The main objective is, of course, to get promoted with the players we've got — some top players," Defoe said. "The games I've watched, I've been really impressed. You have to be confident. You always have to back yourself, whether you're a player, a manager, or a coach."

A Trailblazer for Black Managers in English Football

Defoe is one of only five black managers currently operating within the top five tiers of English football — a statistic that highlights a broader issue the game has long struggled to address.

The former Spurs and England striker acknowledged the significance of his appointment and expressed hope that his success could open doors for future generations of black coaches.

"It's something that's been spoken about for many years," he said. "I remember as a player, all the different campaigns and speaking to the likes of Les Ferdinand, Ian Wright, and Andy Cole — that generation before me who completed their coaching badges but found opportunities hard to come by."

He added: "I would like to think that going forward, other black managers will get opportunities. Players still playing today — hopefully in the future, they'll get their chances too."

Defoe was also careful to push back against the notion that he carries a heavier burden because of his background, insisting that every manager faces pressure regardless of circumstance.

"There's always going to be expectation on any manager at any level. You're a manager of a football club that has to win," he said.

No Shortcuts — Just Hard Work

Despite his decorated playing career — which included over 160 Premier League goals and 57 England caps — Defoe was emphatic that he has no intention of bypassing the traditional route into management.

"My mum's always said to me, you've got to be grateful for every opportunity," he reflected. "Everyone's journey is different. When I was a 16-year-old at West Ham, you had to earn your stripes. You had to do your apprenticeship. You can't just expect, because you've had a good playing career, to jump straight into a top job."

Guidance From the Game's Greats

As he steps into this new chapter, Defoe has drawn on the wisdom of some of football's most respected figures. He revealed he held conversations with former England managers Gareth Southgate and Lee Carsley about the realities of coaching, while also receiving warm messages of support from two of his most influential former bosses — Sam Allardyce and Harry Redknapp.

"I got a message from Big Sam, which was really nice," Defoe said. "I still keep in contact with Harry. Towards the end of my playing days, he told me I'd have to go into management and that I'd be brilliant at it."

He concluded with a sentiment that sums up his philosophy perfectly: "I never really cut any corners as a player. I know coaching is different, but when you love football, nothing really changes."