Former Tottenham Hotspur and England star Jermain Defoe hopeful of more opportunities for Black managers after Woking appointment in National League

The 43-year-old has become one of just five Black managers in the top five leagues of English football, but he hopes his appointment is a sign of improving diversity in dugouts across the country. 

“It’s something that’s been spoken about for many years,” Defoe told BBC Radio Surrey.

“I remember as a player, all the different campaigns and speaking to the likes of Les Ferdinand, Ian Wright, Andy Cole, that generation before me who did their coaching badges, and obviously, there was a lack of opportunities.

“I would like to think going forward, other Black managers now will get opportunities. Players that are still playing, hopefully in the future, they’ll get opportunities.”

Defoe enjoyed an illustrious playing career, scoring 162 times in 496 Premier League appearances and 20 times in his 57 appearances for England. 

Despite this, Defoe insists he has ”put in the hours” to develop as a manager and is now prepared to ”earn [his] stripes” in non-league. 

“My mum’s always said to me in life, you’ve got to be grateful for every opportunity you get,” Defoe said. “You look at successful managers, everyone’s journey has been different.

“It’s important to appreciate the opportunity. When I was a player, a young 16-year-old at West Ham in the youth team, you have to earn your stripes. You have to do your apprenticeship.

“You can’t expect, just because I’ve had a good career, I can’t expect to just jump in at the top or get that big job.

“I never really cut any corners when I was a player. I know coaching and management is different, but when you love football, nothing changes.

“This is something that I’ve always wanted. You have to embrace it. I’ve waited a long time, I’ve done all the courses, I’ve put in the hours and now it’s here. I’m going to enjoy this.”

Jermain Defoe scored 20 goals during his international career

Image credit: Getty Images

Defoe revealed that he has picked the brains of Sir Gareth Southgate, Lee Carsley and former team-mate Robbie Keane while building up his coaching credentials, while he has also spoken with some of his old managers. 

“I’m lucky that I’ve played for some great managers,” he said. “I got a message from big Sam (Allardyce) yesterday, which was nice. I still keep in contact with Harry (Redknapp).

“Towards the back end of my career, I remember Harry saying to me, ‘You’ve got to go into management, you’ll be brilliant’.”

Defoe takes over at Woking with the Surrey side sitting 10th in the National League, 11 points adrift of the play-off spots with six games remaining. 

Despite this gap and their run of three league games without a win, the former striker still has his sights set on League Two, which would mark new heights for Woking in their 139-year history.  

“I don’t want to sit here and say, right, we need to achieve this, we need to achieve that,” Defoe added. ”We’re ambitious people, I want to do well.

“The main objective is, of course, to get promoted with the players we’ve got, some top players. The games that I’ve watched, I’ve been really impressed.

“You have to be confident. I think you always have to back yourself, whether you’re a player or a manager or a coach.”

Defoe’s tenure begins with a busy Easter weekend, with Woking hosting Eastleigh on Friday before they make the trip to Braintree Town three days later.

The Englishman will be assisted by ex-Stoke, Sunderland and Newcastle midfielder Paul Bracewell, with whom he worked at Spurs’ academy.