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 Spurs, West Ham United and Sunderland striker departed the fifth tier club just two weeks before the start of the National League campaign.
The 43-year-old ended his “eye-opening” 116-day stint in charge of Woking because “circumstances have ultimately made it impossible for me to continue in the position”.
Defoe was appointed by the Surrey outfit in March, winning two of his six matches in charge to lead the club to a 10th-place finish.
Woking FC hit back at Jermain Defoe following shock exit
Woking were taken aback by his abrupt departure, with Brown releasing a statement on Saturday in which he pointed out that the club had finalised the signing of a player identified by the now former manager just days before his exit.
Brown stressed that Defoe had the full backing and support of the club during his four-month reign, mentioning that “all player recruitment, staffing decisions and football matters were heavily influenced by Jermain”.
There were, however, “growing concerns” within the club, and Brown sought a report from Defoe and assistant manager Paul Bracewell “outlining the squad’s current depth, recruitment targets and any operational challenges” so that the club could provide the necessary support ahead of next season. Despite request the report multiple times, Brown claims one was never received.
Brown added that a meeting involving the directors, manager, assistant manager and Head of Operations “to review preparations for the season” was subsequently scheduled, but neither Defoe nor his assistant attended the meeting or that day’s training session.
“Every football club faces challenges,” Brown continued. “Players want more game time, improved contracts or transfers. The media team might want better equipment, the medical department more interns, the strength and conditioning staff larger gym space. and the car park attendants may want more coffee. But people do not just fail to turn up.”
Brown concluded the statement by wishing Defoe all the best in his future endeavours and said the focus of Woking FC was now on “maintaining the standards, culture and preparations required ahead of the new season”.
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