Woking boss shares thoughts on Jermain Defoe after his unexpected departure is announced
Woking’s director of football, Jody Brown, has shared his thoughts after Jermain Defoe left his role as the club’s manager. Defoe took charge last March in his first-ever managerial job and won two out of six games before the 2025/26 season ended.
Even though pre-season was already happening and Woking had signed seven new players under Defoe, it was announced on Thursday that the former England striker had left by mutual agreement. Defoe posted on social media that “circumstances have made it impossible for me to continue in this position.”
Woking’s official statement simply confirmed Defoe’s departure and thanked him for his time at the club, wishing him well for the future.
Defoe also thanked the majority owner Todd Johnson, assistant manager Paul Bracewell, head of performance Karl Halabi, the players, and the fans in his message. However, he didn’t mention director of football Brown, who was with him at his first press conference in March.
Brown later posted his own message on the club’s website, where he shared some criticisms about Defoe’s time as manager. He called Defoe an “outstanding player” and a “very likeable guy” and said he recommended him to the board for the job. Brown explained that although Defoe was a great player, success on the pitch doesn’t always mean success in management. He hopes Defoe does well in whatever he chooses next.
Some fans felt Defoe wasn’t given enough backing in the transfer market and pointed out that Brown had said some new signings were planned even before Defoe became manager. Brown responded by saying the club fully supported Defoe in every way, and that player recruitment and staffing were heavily influenced by him. He added that the club was happy to finalize a player signing just days before Defoe left, showing their ongoing support.
Brown also claimed that in recent weeks, there were worries from players, staff, and other departments, and that he asked Defoe and Bracewell for a brief report on the squad and any challenges, but never got it. He said Defoe didn’t show up to an important meeting with the directors and staff to prepare for the season.
“How a football club works can be tricky,” Brown said. “People want different things, but they don’t just fail to turn up.”
Defoe’s representatives said he is now seeking legal advice over Brown’s comments, calling them a “serious defamation of character.” They said the idea that Defoe made “unreasonable demands” is simply not true.