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Defoe leaves Woking after ‘eye-opening’ first managerial role
Jermain Defoe has left Woking by mutual agreement after only four months as manager, ending his first full-time managerial role just before the new National League season. His departure is significant because he had been expected to lead a squad partly assembled under his influence, leaving Woking needing a new head coach at an awkward time.
The former England striker took charge in March, won two of six league matches and guided Woking to 10th place last season; his ninth and final match was Tuesday’s 1-0 pre-season defeat by Braintree Town. Defoe said unspecified circumstances made continuing impossible, while BBC analysis suggests the reasons are likely off-field; he had recently expressed enthusiasm for the forthcoming campaign.
In short
- Defoe leaves Woking after four months in his first managerial post.
- The split comes two weeks before Woking’s new season begins.
- Unspecified off-field circumstances appear to have prompted the departure.
Explained simply
Jermain Defoe is a former England international striker who spent his playing career at some of England's top clubs. In March this year, he took the job of manager at Woking, a professional football club in the National League, marking his first full-time role as a manager.
Defoe has now stepped down after just four months, before the new National League season has begun. This departure is significant because Woking had built their squad with his input and were expecting him to manage them through the campaign. The club must now find a replacement manager at an awkward time.
The departure came by mutual agreement, though the specific reasons are unclear. Reports suggest the circumstances are not related to his performance as a manager. Rather, they appear to involve matters outside of football.