Jermain Defoe: Woking claim former England and Tottenham striker didn’t turn up for meeting and training before shock exit | Football News

Woking’s director of football Jody Brown claims Jermain Defoe didn’t turn up for a meeting and training before he left his role as head coach after just four months in charge.

Defoe had his contract at the National League club mutually terminated on Thursday, having only taken his first managerial role in March, winning two and losing one of his six matches.

The former Tottenham and England striker said that circumstances had made it “impossible for me to continue” and described the job as an “eye-opening” experience.

But in an extraordinary statement on Saturday morning, Woking’s Brown hit back at Defoe, saying “success as a player does not always translate into management and leadership” and that there were “growing concerns” within the club during pre-season.

Brown believes Woking were “fully committed” to supporting Defoe and said recruitment, staffing decisions and football matters were “heavily influenced” by the 43-year-old.

“The recommendation to appoint Jermain as manager was mine, and I take full responsibility for it,” Brown said. “After meeting with him on several occasions, I believed he was the right person to lead the club into an exciting new era.

“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 also revealed a contributing factor to Defoe’s shock departure.

He said: “Jermain’s feedback was always positive, and he regularly expressed his enthusiasm and excitement for the season, both publicly and privately. I can therefore appreciate the surprise and subsequent speculation surrounding his sudden departure.

“However, in recent weeks there had been feedback from across the club, including players, staff and other departments, regarding growing concerns. To better understand the situation, I asked Jermain and Paul (Bracewell, assistant) for a brief report outlining the squad’s current depth, recruitment targets and any operational challenges, so we could provide the support required and accelerate preparations for the season. That report was requested on more than one occasion but was never received.

“A meeting was subsequently scheduled involving the directors, manager, assistant manager and head of operations to review preparations for the season. Neither Jermain nor his assistant attended that meeting or that day’s training session. Throughout his tenure, Jermain had never communicated any serious concerns directly to me, so I am not going to speculate on his reasons.

“Every football club faces challenges. Players want more game time, improved contracts or transfers. The media team might want better equipment, the medical department more interns, the strength and conditioning staff larger gym space. and the car park attendants may want more coffee. But people do not just fail to turn up.”

Sky Sports News has contacted Defoe for comment.

Defoe had earlier revealed his decision to leave Woking in a post on Instagram. He wrote: “Following recent discussions, I can confirm that I have mutually agreed to leave my position as manager of Woking FC.

“Unfortunately, circumstances have ultimately made it impossible for me to continue in the position.

“I am extremely proud of the work undertaken during my time at the club and genuinely felt that we were building something special.

“I would like to thank Todd Johnson for giving me the opportunity to manage the club. I am incredibly grateful to the supporters and, most importantly, the players, who I am genuinely gutted for. The group is a fantastic one, and I wish the squad every success for the season ahead.

“I’m really disappointed the journey has ended so soon, but I leave with great pride in what Paul Bracewell, Karl Halabi and I were building at the club.

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

What next for Defoe’s management career?

Sky Sports’ David Richardson:

Defoe had to wait patiently for his first managerial role after coaching jobs at Rangers and Tottenham, jumping in at a level much lower than where he spent his playing career.

Aside from his lack of managerial and non-League experience, the Woking job is far from easy. The club does not have a top budget compared to other National League sides, nor can they fall back on an EFL infrastructure, but that didn’t deter him. He knew the risks of the role.

“If you speak to any manager, regardless of the league and the standard, it’s always going to be a gamble,” he said at his unveiling.

“People talk about it being impossible,” Defoe had said of ending Woking’s wait to reach the Football League. “That means nothing. I truly believe that we can do something special. When you become a manager and a coach, you want that sort of challenge. You want to get up in the morning and have a goal to strive to.”

Sky Sports had been in attendance for Defoe’s first two games – a six-goal thriller against Eastleigh and a 0-0 draw with Braintree Town. It was a promising start with room for improvement.

The six games at the end of last season gave Defoe a taste of management and, importantly, a chance to put foundations in place. The club did the majority of their transfer business early, making eight new signings to date. He has spoken publicly of his excitement ahead of his first season.

But his shock departure two weeks before it starts and the public falling-out with Woking will likely damage his future prospects. How keen will other clubs be to take a risk on an unproven manager whose professionalism was called into question during his first role?

Defoe is back to square one and with a reputation to rebuild.

‘We’ll be fine’ – Defoe’s final Woking interview

Defoe was upbeat after what proved to be his final game in charge, a 1-0 defeat to Braintree Town in pre-season on Tuesday.

“We’re trying to create that elite mentality,” he said. “Even in the in-house game the other day, there were a few players that were disappointed that they lost against their friends.

“I stand back and look at it and think that’s what you want. You want those sort of demands. It’s important to put those sort of demands on the players. It doesn’t matter who we play against. We believe that we’re good enough to win every game. You have to think like that.

“It’s a good group. I’m lucky to have good people in the building, really good players and people that are willing to learn and get better. They’re coachable; I think that’s important also. We’ll be fine. When you’ve got good players and good people, you’re always going to be fine.”