Jermain Defoe speaks to media for the first time on being appointed as new Woking manager

Jermain Defoe speaks to the media for the first time on being appointed as new Woking manager, which came as a surprise to the football world.

The 43 year old spoke of his delight at the opportunity, saying it is a long-term plan after a smooth transition from playing and added that the club’s history, fans, infrastructure, and supportive ownership were reasons behind his decision to take the job.

Woking currently sit 10th in the National League table, with 54 points from 40 games played, and are 11 points from the playoff places with 6 games to go.

Transcribed with the help of TurboScribe!

Jermain said: “Yeah, I mean, it’s been a long time coming. I think for me, it was always the plan. You know, sort of the back end of my career when I knew I wanted to go into coaching and lucky enough, that transition was quite smooth. You know, I left Rangers and I went straight into Tottenham, done two years in the academy. I was exposed at Rangers a little bit with a player-coach over my last year. But yeah, I’m delighted to be here, of course. You know, looking forward to the challenge. The project’s been amazing to be involved in and we’ll see what happens.”

Interviewer: “And what was it about this club? Because I know on your podcast when you were talking about becoming a manager, Harry Redknapp famously said to you, make sure you’ve got the right owner and the right body behind you. So why this club?”

Jermain: “Yeah, you watch the podcast? Yeah, I mean, you know, I’ve played for some top managers, some good people, you know, managers who I still keep in contact with, Harry being one of them. And yeah, just everything about this club, you know, great history, you know, good fans, you know, amazing place to live. So when you look at the infrastructure, you know, it’s somewhere where I hope that players will want to come and play. It’s good people and that. But yeah, I’m just looking forward to it. You know, the talks have been going on for a while and I just want to get going, to be honest.

Interviewer: “And I think as well that a lot of people were not only delighted to see your name here, but perhaps some people surprised that you might take a job internationally, given how you played up. How do you feel about coming here in the fifth tier of football as a manager?”

Jermain: “I don’t know, I just feel like, you know what, my mum’s always said to me in life, you’ve got to be grateful for every opportunity you get. You know, everyone’s journey is different. You know, I’ve sat down with, you know, Lee Carsley and Gareth Southgate, you know, part of a course and spoke about their journeys in a game. And, you know, you look at successful managers, everyone’s journey has been different. You look at Klopp’s journey, you know, when he was sort of like forced into, not forced into management, sort of like fell on his lap, Gareth the same. But I think for me, it’s important to want it, you know, appreciate the opportunity. And no different when you’re a player. You know, when I was a player, you know, the young 16-year-old at West Ham in a youth team, you have to, I suppose, 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 or an opportunity. And, you know, it’s one that we’re looking forward to.

Interviewer: “And what are the ambitions and hopes that have been set out with you in the football world?”

Jermain: “I think the ambition, I think for me, just to get started. You know, I don’t want to obviously sit there and say, right, we need to achieve this or we need to achieve that. Of course, we’re ambitious people. You know, I’m someone who loves football. You know, I want to do well. You know, the main sort of objective is, of course, to get promoted. You know, and I think with the players that we’ve got, you know, some good players here, some top players. The games that I’ve watched, I’ve been really impressed. And I believe that me and my coaching staff, I think that we can go to the next level. But you have to be confident. I think you always have to back yourself, whether you’re a player or a manager or a coach. You always have to back yourself and believe that you can make a difference. But, yeah, like I said before, I’m just really looking forward to it. You know, I know there’s been a lot of noise around it. You know, there’s been some unbelievable messages from players that I’ve played with and, you know, current players and managers and people in the game, which is a nice feeling. But the fact of the matter is, you’ve got to win football matches and that’s why I’m here.”

Interviewer: “And I guess when you look at it now, you’ve got a squad that you mentioned you’ve watched a little bit. What would you say about that squad and about what you know about football at this level?”

Jermain: “Yeah, obviously, I’m going to need help as well. You know, when a manager comes in, of course, you come in to help the group of players get better and to win games. But also, a manager needs help as well. You know, you talk about this level. I’ve never played at this level. I know people that have. I’ve got a lot of friends in the game that I’ve played at this level, who I’ve had conversations with recently. I’ve worked with coaches that I’ve played at this level, that I’ve had conversations with. And, yeah, I’m just looking forward to the challenge. I think it’s always going to be a challenge, regardless of the league, the level. And like I mentioned before, when you love football, for me, you know, when this opportunity came about, it was an easy decision. And, yeah, I just want to get going and hopefully get off to a good start.”

Interviewer: “And just finally, you brought in Paul Bracewell as your assistant manager as well. Just tell us a little bit about that and why that’s important.”

Jermain: “He’s actually standing over there. No, but Bracewell is obviously someone who’s well-respected in the game. And I know the importance of having someone with that experience, someone that’s going to help me. I think in-game management is important for any manager. You know, it’s my first job. I’m going to need help. Someone who I’ve known for a long time. You know, we’ve obviously, Sam Allardyce at Sunderland, David Moyes, Dick Advocaat. We was with each other in the academy at Tottenham. And, yeah, like I said, well-respected in the game. Had an unbelievable career. Keeps reminding me of the trophies that he’s won. So, yeah, and a top coach. And I think the boys are going to love having him about. You know, he’s knowledge, 35 years in the game. You know, it’s priceless.”

Interviewer: “Jermaine, congratulations on the job. You’re one of only five black managers in the top five teams in the English football now. That’s five out of 116 clubs. What does that say? What do you think about that? What do you think it says about the opportunities available?”

Jermain: “Yeah, I think it’s something that’s been spoken about for many years. I remember as a player, obviously all the different campaigns and, you know, speaking to the likes of, I don’t know, Les Ferdinand, Ian Wright, Andy Cole. That sort of generation before me who, you know, done their coaching badges and obviously lack of opportunity. But for me, really, like I said before, I mentioned about, you know, getting the opportunity, being grateful for the opportunity. You know, thanks obviously to Jodie and Todd that’s made this happen. You have to appreciate that. But I’d like to think going forward, you know, other black managers now will get opportunities and obviously players that are still playing currently, you know, when they finish playing, hopefully in the future they’ll get the opportunities because, you know, I’ve had these long conversations with ex-players and, you know, that sort of ambition to go on and coach and managing that. So, yeah.”

Interviewer: “Does that put a bit more expectation on you?”

Jermain: I think there’s always… To be honest, I think there’s always going to be expectation on any manager at any level. You’re a manager of a football club that has to win. And when you… I think you miss that a little bit. When you start playing, you miss that. And I’ve always said, you know, when you… Coaching and managing is probably the nearest thing you get to playing. And I’ve been told it’s probably a better feeling, to be honest, when you’ve won football matches. But there’s always going to be the expectation. The expectation you put on yourself to want to do well, to win every football match. You know, sometimes it’s not possible. But, you know, it’s not for the want of trying. But in terms of the expectation, it’s something that I’ve missed. You know, that challenge and, you know, preparing the team to win on the weekend. You know, everyone fighting for three points is something that I’m looking forward to.”