Jermain Defoe speaks on leaving Woking after 4 months and 6 league games in charge, the first managerial stint of his career.
The 43 year old former footballer came in as replacement for Neal Ardley in March, won two out of those six matches, with the Cardinals finishing 10th in the National League for the 2025/26 season.
But now with 15 days until the new campaign gets underway, Woking are on the search for another new head coach.
According to BBC Surrey and Sussex sports editor Robin Grey, ‘off-field issues’ is ‘probably’ the reason behind his exit, no mention for director of football Jody Brown in his post.
Woking we’re losing £35k a week and ran up total losses of over £12m prior to Defoe’s arrival https://t.co/4MikAvW6rk pic.twitter.com/8LmM5w53X9
— Kieran Maguire (@KieranMaguire) July 24, 2026
Sources tell me Jermain Defoe did not turn up to work today and later called Woking to inform them he would be leaving his post. More @MailSport shortly. #THFC https://t.co/Jf7e8rCUwH
— Bobby Manzi (@BobbyManzi) July 23, 2026
CLUB STATEMENT:
At 8:45pm on the 23rd of July, a statement on their website read: “Woking Football Club can confirm that the club and First Team Manager Jermain Defoe have mutually agreed to part ways with immediate effect.
“We would like to place on record our sincere thanks to Jermain for his contribution during his time at Woking Football Club, and we wish him every success in the future.
“The club remains fully focused on delivering its objectives both on and off the pitch. We would like to thank our supporters for their continued support.”
View this post on Instagram
Club Statement: Jermain Defoe
— Woking Football Club (@wokingfc) July 23, 2026
Jermain Defoe took to Instagram, writing: “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 1am genuinely gutted for. The group is a fantastic one, and I wish the squad every success for the season ahead.
“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.”
Here’s how social media users reacted as Jermain Defoe speaks on leaving Woking after 4 months and 6 league games in charge…
@CalTalksNL: Blimey. Nothing officially confirmed but would assume there’s been a disagreement between him and the board about something. Timing off it. Signings made so far. Just all bizarre. Something smells fishy. #WokingFC🔴
@WillB_2003: Well that is damning
@lau54321: @jodybrown2012. We put our hard earned into this club week in and week out and have done since 1984. Stop taking the p**s out of us. We deserve better.
@Ben_Benneyworth: Somethings obviously gone on behind closed doors. If there was ever a time to start panicking, it’s now. Questions need answering and fast.
@nonleaguenext: No mention of Jody Brown 🧐 Fall out with him / the board? Looks bad for Woking either way
@Cardinal27: JD statement is interesting… I don’t wish to make any assumptions but after the rumours around NA, care to comment @jodybrown2012
@GaryKing1019216: This was the best thing to happen to Woking fc for a long time and now this shower of shit. Fans are being treated like mugs and kept in the dark. We will always now be thinking what if! Shambles
@WokingfcReport: Holy shit. The fallout from this will be off the charts… Disgrace? Joke? Embarrassment? Any word or words can be used to describe this. Way to kill the optimism in the club.
@LukeEllisPUP: Something must’ve happened. We were sat with him only last week watching France v Spain after the Pompey game. He seemed happy enough and the squad he had assembled looked pretty strong to us, certainly much better than 12 months ago
@Cardinale_77: Absolute fucking clown show! Yet more evidence this club is being run by people who don’t have a clue what they’re doing! Abundantly obvious JD couldn’t work with Brown and what he’s being given on the pitch! Get a grip of this club Todd, it’s a laughing stock.
@72jamesk: Bit disappointed as I would like to see more top level players earning their stripes in management in lower leagues. Of course its hard with budgets etc but it’s about getting the education to give you the tools moving forward..!
@sussex06: Shame as people thought that this was an exciting appointment for the club. His next move will possibly uncover the reasons for the departure
@cliverogerplant: Jody Brown, you owe it to all supporters what has happened, the truth
jojo020281: I am so disappointed. Whatever the reason it’s really left the club in a shit situation. I was excited to see what you could do.
pats1506: Telling that you didn’t mention Jody Brown, and therein lies our problem – gutted this didn’t work out Jermain. You deserved better
victoranichebe: Good decision, You’ve worked too hard not to give yourself the best chance. Looking forward to what’s next 🙏🏾
alistair.gilmour.94: Get back to The Famous Glasgow Rangers mate, teach the kids, tell them what they need to hear, instead of what they want to hear…. Not about the money, that will come, but not without the dedication and the hard graft, and learning and listening to a man of your stature in the game…
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