Former England striker Jermain Defoe wants to become a trailblazer for black managers following his appointment at Woking. The 43-year-old took over the National League side in March 2026. He expressed a desire to prove his coaching abilities by earning promotion to the Football League, according to Sky Sports. Defoe previously held a coaching role at the Tottenham Hotspur academy before seeking a senior management position.
Woking currently sit in the play-off positions as they pursue a return to the professional ranks. Defoe stated that he turned down other offers to join the Surrey club because of their long-term vision. The manager intends to use his experience from a 22-year playing career to develop young talent within the squad. Per The Guardian, Defoe is one of few black managers currently working in the top five tiers of English football. He noted that success with the Cards could encourage more diverse appointments across the domestic game, as reported by ESPN.
