Woking parts ways with manager Jermain Defoe amid rising concerns
Yahoo Sports • 2 min read • Latest: Jul 25, 2026, 11:08 AM
Last updated Jul 25, 2026
Woking FC has mutually agreed to part ways with manager Jermain Defoe after just four months in charge. The decision comes two weeks before the club's season opener against Sutton United. Woking's director of football, Jody Brown, cited 'growing concerns' voiced by players and staff regarding the managerial situation as a key factor in Defoe's departure. Despite Defoe's positive public statements about the upcoming season, communication issues and a lack of critical reports on the squad reportedly contributed to the decision. Brown acknowledged the hopes for Defoe's future success in management despite this setback.
- •Jermain Defoe managed Woking for four months and six league games.
- •Defoe's departure follows feedback about internal concerns at the club.
- •Woking's opening match of the season is against Sutton United in two weeks.
- •Defoe described his time at Woking as an 'eye-opening managerial experience.'
- •Jody Brown took responsibility for appointing Defoe as the club's manager.
- 4:35 PMYahoo Sports — Woking FC hit back at Jermain Defoe following shock exit
- 1:53 PMThe Guardian Sport — Defoe’s shock Woking exit came amid ‘growing concerns’, says non-league club
- 11:11 AMYahoo Sports — Growing concerns before Defoe exit - Woking director
- 11:08 AMBBC Sport — Growing concerns before Defoe exit - Woking director
"Club claims manager failed to turn up for training Former Spurs striker’s stint ended after just four months Jermain Defoe’s departure from Woking came after “growing concerns” across the club and Jody Brown, the National League side’s director of football, claims the former Tottenham striker failed to turn up for training. Defoe’s contract at the National League club was mutually terminated on Thursday after just four months in charge. In is first managerial job, the 43-year-old oversaw two wins and one defeat in six matches. Continue reading...
"Woking FC’s Director of Football Jody Brown has claimed that Jermain Defoe missed a key meeting and never communicated discontent before suddenly leaving his role as manager this week. The former Sp...
"Woking director of football Jody Brown says there were "growing concerns" across the club before the National League side parted ways with former England striker Jermain Defoe as manager.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJul 25, 2026, 4:35 PMWoking FC hit back at Jermain Defoe following shock exit
Woking FC’s Director of Football Jody Brown has claimed that Jermain Defoe missed a key meeting and never communicated discontent before suddenly leaving his role as manager this week. The former Sp...
- The Guardian SportJul 25, 2026, 1:53 PMDefoe’s shock Woking exit came amid ‘growing concerns’, says non-league club
Club claims manager failed to turn up for training Former Spurs striker’s stint ended after just four months Jermain Defoe’s departure from Woking came after “growing concerns” across the club and Jody Brown, the National League side’s director of football, claims the former Tottenham striker failed to turn up for training. Defoe’s contract at the National League club was mutually terminated on Thursday after just four months in charge. In is first managerial job, the 43-year-old oversaw two wins and one defeat in six matches. Continue reading...
- Yahoo SportsJul 25, 2026, 11:11 AMGrowing concerns before Defoe exit - Woking director
Woking director of football Jody Brown says there were "growing concerns" across the club before the National League side parted ways with former England striker Jermain Defoe as manager.
- BBC SportJul 25, 2026, 11:08 AMGrowing concerns before Defoe exit - Woking director
Woking director of football Jody Brown says there were "growing concerns" across the club before the National League side parted ways with former England striker Jermain Defoe as manager.
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