Surrey | Interesting times ahead for Woking

A Premier League legend become manager of a National League side

Woking have appointed former England striker Jermain Defoe as their new head coach.

Author | Ajay

The 43-year-old takes on his first permanent managerial post, having previously been part of an interim coaching set-up at Rangers in 2021 and worked within the academy at Tottenham Hotspur.

Woking parted company with former AFC Wimbledon midfielder Neal Ardley earlier this month. Since then, interim head coach Craig Ross has overseen a steady run of results, recording four wins, three draws and one defeat across eight matches.

Craig Ross remained in charge for the recent 1-1 with Altrincham before Defoe formally takes over, with Woking currently sitting 10th in the table.

An inconsistent season has meant any chance of a push towards the play-offs never materialised but Defoe and the new coaching team will be looking at getting them to that stage next season.

A brief look at Defoe's career in football

Defoe retired from playing in 2022, with Sunderland the final stop in a 23-year professional career that began in the academies of Charlton Athletic and West Ham United. His career also included two spells at Tottenham Hotspur, as well as time with Portsmouth, Bournemouth, Toronto FC, Sunderland and Rangers.

Across 763 senior appearances, he scored 305 goals, alongside 20 in 57 caps for England. He also featured at the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the UEFA Euro 2012.

After two years working within the academy at Tottenham, during which he earned his Uefa A licence, Defoe left the club in the summer of 2024 to pursue a full-time managerial role.