Woking accuses Jermain Defoe of skipping training and blocking reports before abrupt exit

A brief tenure ends

Jermain Defoe's first managerial role lasted only four months. The 43-year-old former Tottenham and England striker, who scored 305 goals in 763 club appearances and 20 international goals, oversaw two wins and one defeat in his six National League matches at Woking before his contract was terminated by mutual agreement on Thursday. Defoe had previously coached at Rangers in 2021 and in the Tottenham academy before leaving in 2024 to pursue a full-time manager's position. His exit leaves the Surrey club without a manager two weeks before the season's opening fixture at home to Sutton United.

Woking's account of the split

On Saturday, director of football Jody Brown released a lengthy statement detailing "growing concerns" from players, staff and other departments in the weeks leading up to the departure. Brown said he had asked Defoe and assistant Paul Bracewell on more than one occasion for a report outlining squad depth, recruitment targets and operational challenges, but the document "was never received." A meeting involving the directors, manager, assistant manager and head of operations was then arranged to review preparations. "Neither Jermain nor his assistant attended that meeting or that day's training session," Brown stated. He added that Defoe had never raised serious issues directly with him, while his feedback in conversations had always been positive and his enthusiasm for the season "expressed … publicly and privately."

As we have seen many times before, success as a player does not always translate into management and leadership. I sincerely hope to see him succeed in whichever direction he follows.

Brown, who said he had "believed he was the right person to lead the club into an exciting new era," took full responsibility for the appointment and acknowledged the "surprise and subsequent speculation" surrounding the sudden split.

Defoe's limited response

Defoe has not yet responded to Woking's allegations. In his only comment after leaving, he said it had been "impossible for me to continue" and described the experience as "an eye-opening managerial experience and one that will undoubtedly make me stronger for the next challenge in my career." He offered no further explanation, and the club noted that his own public and private remarks had regularly expressed excitement about the upcoming season.

A signing amid the turmoil

While the dispute played out publicly, Woking confirmed the signing of defender Shadrach Ogie on a two-year contract. The 24-year-old joined after his Gillingham contract expired. Brown noted that Defoe had "played a big part in identifying and attracting the player to the club before his departure," calling Ogie "a great fit for what we're building."

Season looming

Woking host Sutton United to open their National League campaign in two weeks. The club must now appoint a new manager in the final build-up to the campaign.