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.