Ex-England and Spurs striker Defoe named Woking boss

Jermain Defoe was on the coaching staff of Rangers National League side Woking have appointed former Tottenham and England striker Jermain Defoe as their new head coach. It is the 43-year-old's first permanent role of his managerial career, having previously been part of an interim coaching staff in charge of Scottish giants Rangers in 2021 and worked in the Spurs academy. Woking sacked former Wimbledon midfielder Neal Ardley earlier this month, with interim head coach Craig Ross overseeing four wins, three draws and a defeat in eight games in charge.

Ross will also be in charge for Tuesday's game against Altrincham (19:45 BST), before Defoe takes over with Woking 11th in the table. Defoe retired from playing in 2022 with Sunderland the final stop of a 23-year professional career which began in Charlton's and then West Ham's academy before taking in Tottenham (twice), Portsmouth, Bournemouth, Toronto FC and Rangers as permanent destinations. He scored 305 goals in 763 senior appearances and 20 in 57 England caps, representing his country at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and the 2012 European Championships in Poland and Ukraine.

After working in the Spurs academy for two years, earning his Uefa A-licence, Defoe left his former club in the summer of 2024 to pursue a full-time managerial role. Woking said they had opted for Defoe "following a detailed recruitment process" and said his "values, leadership style and footballing philosophy best aligned with its long-term vision". Club chairman Todd Johnson added: "Jermain's achievements as a player speak for themselves, but what stood out to us during the process was how he sees the game, how he drives standards, and his approach to leadership and player development.

"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. " Defoe will be assisted by former Fulham and Halifax manager Paul Bracewell, with Ross and Jake Hyde remaining on the club's coaching staff. Woking have been on a brilliant run under their interim management team but have always been clear they had a candidate in mind.