Former Sunderland favourite Jermain Defoe has been unveiled as Woking’s new boss.
Ex-Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe has admitted that he is taking a “gamble” by starting his senior managerial career with National League outfit Woking.
The 43-year-old was revealed as Neal Ardley’s successor at the Laithwaite Community Stadium earlier this week, and inherits a squad who currently sit 10th in the table, 11 points adrift of the play-off places with half a dozen matches left to play.
And while promotion may ultimately prove a step too far this season, Defoe’s ultimate goal in Surrey will be to guide Woking to the Football League for the first time in the 139-year history.
Prior to his arrival at Woking, Defoe’s coaching experience amounted to an interim role as part of Rangers’ backroom staff in 2021 and a position in Tottenham Hotspur’s academy that he left in 2024 with view to pursuing a full-time managerial position of his own.
But now that he has secured an opportunity, the former Sunderland icon has admitted that he does not expect it to be without its risks. He said: “I think if you speak to any manager, regardless of the league and the standard, it’s always going to be a gamble
“I think you’ve got to be positive. You have to always back yourself. You have to believe that you’re good enough because I think when you go into any situation, any job, not just football, if you’re thinking negatively, then that [not being successful] is going to happen. I believe with this group of players that we’ll be successful for sure.”
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Defoe, who scored 305 goals across 763 senior club appearances and a further 20 times in 57 England caps, has also suggested that his own playing prowess is by no means a guarantee of his immediate success in the dugout.
He said: “Just because I’ve had a good career, I can’t expect to just jump in at the top or get that big job or opportunity [straightaway]. This is something I’ve always wanted. I’ve waited a long time. I’ve done all the courses, I’ve put in the hours and now it’s here I’m going to enjoy this.”
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