Woking part ways with Jermain Defoe after only eight games

Published Jul 23, 08:59 PM UTC

Woking FC have parted ways with manager Jermain Defoe with immediate effect after fewer than four months, ending the former England and Tottenham Hotspur forward's first senior managerial role midway through preseason. During Defoe's tenure at the fifth-tier club, they won two matches, drew three, and lost one, finishing tenth. Woking won their first July friendly against Sholing but lost the most recent fixture against Portsmouth. The club issued a statement thanking Defoe for his contribution and wishing him future success. Defoe, 43, had previous coaching experience in Tottenham's academy and as a player-coach for Rangers but had not held a senior coaching role before. As a player, he made 363 appearances for Tottenham over three spells, also playing for West Ham United, Sunderland, and Toronto FC, scoring 163 goals in 496 Premier League appearances before retiring in 2022. He earned 57 caps for England, scoring 20 goals, and was selected for the 2010 World Cup and 2012 European Championship squads.