Sports23 July, 20262 min read
Jermain Defoe Leaves Woking Manager Role After Four Months In Charge
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Defoe left Woking after four months and six league games. Appointed in March to replace Neal Ardley at Woking.
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Defoe exits Woking
Jermain Defoe left his role as Woking manager after four months in charge, with the National League club confirming the split in a statement that said the club and first team manager had “mutually agreed to part ways with immediate effect.” Defoe was appointed by Woking as Neal Ardley’s successor in March and took charge of six competitive games, winning two, drawing three and losing one as Woking finished tenth in the National League.
“Woking Football Club can confirm that the club and first team manager Jermain Defoe have mutually agreed to part ways with immediate effect.”
The BBC said Defoe described his first managerial job as an “eye-opening experience” after the exit, which came two weeks before Woking’s opening match of the new campaign against Sutton United. Woking’s ninth and final game in charge was a 1-0 pre-season friendly defeat by Braintree Town on Tuesday, one of three friendlies ahead of the season start.
Statements and timing
In his own Instagram post, Defoe said, “Unfortunately, circumstances have ultimately made it impossible for me to continue in the position,” after Woking confirmed the departure on Thursday. Woking’s statement thanked Defoe for his contribution and said the club “remains fully focused on delivering its objectives on and off the pitch,” while also thanking supporters for their continued support.
The BBC reported the timing of the exit, noting it came “two weeks before the opening match of the new campaign against Sutton United,” with Woking set to begin the season at home. Woking’s pre-season schedule included matches against Sholing and Portsmouth, with talkSPORT reporting Woking won the first clash and lost 2-1 to Pompey.
Next steps for Woking
With Defoe gone, Woking now faces the task of appointing a new manager ahead of its National League campaign, which talkSPORT said begins with a home clash with Sutton United on August 8 at Kingfield Stadium. The BBC said Defoe’s ninth and final game in charge was a 1-0 defeat by Braintree Town in one of three pre-season friendlies on Tuesday, leaving the club to regroup before the season opener.
Defoe’s departure also reshapes the club’s coaching plans after he replaced Neal Ardley in March and guided Woking to a 10th-placed finish last season with two wins in six league games. The BBC noted Defoe’s playing record before management, saying he scored 305 goals in 763 senior appearances for clubs including West Ham, Tottenham, Portsmouth and Sunderland before retiring in 2022.