Jermain Defoe: The former England striker has stepped down as walking manager after four months

Former England striker Jermain Defoe has described his first managerial job as an “eye-opening experience” after leaving National League side Woking after just four months and six league games in charge.

43 years old Neil Ardley was replaced in March and won two of those six matches to take the club to tenth place last season.

But on Thursday, Woking confirmed that Defoe’s tenure had come to an abrupt end after they “mutually agreed to part ways with immediate effect” two weeks before the opening match of the new campaign against Sutton United.

“Unfortunately, circumstances ultimately made it impossible for me to remain in this position,” Defoe said in an Instagram post.

“I am extremely proud of the work that has been done during my time at the club and really feel we are building something special.

“My time at Woking FC has been an eye-opening managerial experience and will undoubtedly strengthen me for the next challenge in my career.”

Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat to Braintree Town in one of three pre-season friendlies was Defoe’s ninth and final game in charge of Woking.

He scored 305 goals in 763 senior appearances for clubs including West Ham, Tottenham, Portsmouth and Sunderland before retiring in 2022.

Defoe, who scored 20 times in 57 international appearances, was part of Rangers’ interim coaching staff in 2021 and then worked in Spurs’ academy to pursue a full-time managerial role in 2024.