* 30/03/2026
* 09:39
* Modified: 30/03/2026
**Former England and Sunderland striker [Jermain Defoe](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cde52ng3r11o) has been appointed as the new head coach of National League side Woking, marking the first permanent managerial role of his career.**
Woking confirmed the appointment after a recruitment process that followed the departure of Neal Ardley earlier this month. Interim boss Craig Ross oversaw a strong run of results after the change, but the club had already identified Defoe as their long-term choice to take the club forward.
Ross will remain in charge for the upcoming match against Altrincham before Defoe officially begins work with the club sitting 11th in the National League table and still within reach of a strong finish to the season.
The former striker retired from professional football in 2022 after a long career that included spells with Tottenham Hotspur, Portsmouth, Bournemouth, Toronto FC, Rangers and twice with Sunderland. Across his career, he scored more than 300 senior goals and won 57 caps for England, scoring 20 times and playing at both the World Cup and European Championships.
Since retiring, Defoe has been working in coaching, including time in the Tottenham academy and experience as part of the coaching staff at Rangers. He has also completed his coaching badges and had made it clear previously that his ambition was to move into management on a full-time basis.
Woking chairman belief
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Woking chairman Todd Johnson said the club believed Defoe was the right person to lead the next phase of the club’s development and help build on the foundations already in place.
> “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 experienced coach Paul Bracewell, while Ross and Jake Hyde remain part of the coaching staff, giving continuity alongside the new appointment.
The longer-term ambition at Woking is clear, with the club targeting a push towards the Football League in the coming seasons. For Defoe, this role represents the first major step into senior management and an opportunity to build his reputation on the touchline after a prolific playing career.