Jermain Defoe admits Woking took 'gamble' on him in first managerial role
The former England striker is preparing to begin his tenure with the National League side, having been appointed head coach earlier this week
Former England striker Jermain Defoe has admitted Woking have taken a "gamble" in appointing him in his first managerial role.
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The former England striker is preparing to begin his tenure with the National League side, having been appointed head coach earlier this week.
Speaking ahead of his first game in charge against Eastleigh at home on Good Friday, Defoe said he had spoken to a number of clubs before taking the job.
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Many were surprised he had taken on a job outside of the football league, while several of his former international team-mates were given maiden managerial opportunities at significantly higher levels.
But Defoe said he is content to cut his teeth in the fifth tier and is focused on guiding the Surrey club into the English Football League for the first time in their 139-year history.
“I think if you speak to any manager, regardless of the league and the standard, it’s always going to be a gamble,” said Defoe, whose new team sit 10th in the table, 11 points off a play-off spot with six games remaining.
“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.”
Defoe scored 305 goals in 763 senior club appearances and struck 20 times in 57 England caps during his 23-year playing career.
He was part of an interim coaching staff in charge of Rangers in 2021 and later worked in Tottenham’s academy before leaving in the summer of 2024 to pursue a full-time managerial position.
"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 straight away," he said.
"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."
Defoe has sought advice from a number of mentors, including former England managers Gareth Southgate and Sam Allardyce and ex-Spurs boss Harry Redknapp.
Yet the most influential figure in his life remains his mother, Sandra.
"She’s the one from the beginning who gave me that support as a player,” said Defoe, who represented West Ham, Tottenham, Portsmouth, Toronto, Sunderland, Bournemouth and Rangers.
“I think being a single parent is always tough but the fact that she knew that drive and hunger I had for football and she took that on board and came to every game from the age of eight all the way through my career, travelled with my sister…
"Even to this day, the conversations I have with my mum it’s pretty much: ‘You’ve got to do well. It’s something that you’ve prepared for so make sure you enjoy it. Make sure you don’t cut any corners, and give it 100 per cent, like you’ve always done’.
"It’s important to have those sort of influences in your life because they’re the people that love you and care.
"Even at the age of 43, that’s still the person I want to make proud.”