Jermain Defoe takes charge at Woking as club targets Football League push

March 31, 2026 Oliver Obel

Jermain Defoe has been appointed head coach of Woking, taking on his first full-time managerial role as the National League club looks to build on recent progress.

The former England striker, 43, will begin work after Tuesday’s match against Altrincham, with interim boss Craig Ross set to remain in charge for that fixture. Ross has steadied the side since Neal Ardley’s dismissal earlier this month, overseeing a run of positive results that has lifted Woking into mid-table.

The club currently sits 11th and believes a top-10 finish is within reach this season, according to BBC Sport, while longer-term ambitions are focused on a return to the Football League.

Woking said Defoe emerged from a detailed recruitment process as the candidate best suited to lead the next phase of the club’s development, citing his approach to leadership and long-term vision.

Chairman Todd Johnson said: “Jermain's achievements as a player speak for themselves, but what stood out to us during the process was how he sees the game, how he drives standards, and his approach to leadership and player development.”

He added that the club is confident Defoe can build on existing foundations and help push Woking forward.

Defoe retired from playing in 2022 and has since been working toward a career in management. He spent two years coaching in Tottenham’s academy while completing his Uefa A-licence, having also been part of an interim coaching setup at Rangers in 2021.

His playing career spanned more than two decades, with notable spells at Tottenham, Portsmouth, Bournemouth and Rangers. Across 763 senior appearances, he scored 305 goals, while also contributing 20 goals in 57 caps for England, including appearances at the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.

He will be supported at Woking by assistant Paul Bracewell, with Ross and Jake Hyde remaining part of the coaching staff.

BBC Surrey and Sussex sports editor Robin Grey reports that the appointment reflects Woking’s intention to pair recent on-field stability with longer-term ambition placing responsibility on Defoe to translate his experience into results at senior level.

Sources: BBC Sport