- Jermain Defoe suffers first managerial defeat as Woking lose 1-0 to Halifax, finishing 10th in the National League.
- Unbeaten run ends after seven games, with two wins and four draws in charge.
- Former Rangers striker credits Steven Gerrard and Michael Beale influence ahead of first full season as manager.
Former Rangers striker Jermain Defoe finished up his first season in management with his first defeat in management.
His Woking side went down 1-0 to Halifax Town at home after an own goal from William Jaaskelainen, the son of fellow goalkeeper Jussi.
It was Defoe’s first defeat in his seven games in charge of the National League side, having won two and drawn four of his first six.
The club finished tenth in the table.
Defoe now looks forward to his first full campaign in charge as a gaffer.
Lessons from Ibrox
During his time at Rangers, Defoe worked under Steven Gerrard and gained valuable coaching insight from both the Liverpool legend and his assistant, Michael Beale.
One notable episode came in pre-season ahead of the 2021 meeting with Real Madrid, when Defoe, unavailable to play, was asked by Gerrard to select the starting XI.
“There was one occasion against Real Madrid, pre-season. I wasn’t involved, so Stevie told me to pick the team,” he revealed.
“I didn’t know who to put on the bench, because of the quality in the squad. Stevie said to me, ‘this is what I have to deal with every weekend!’.
“If you’re leaving players out, it’s a difficult conversation, but that’s the stuff you have to do. I wouldn’t say I’m looking forward to that stuff, but it’s part and parcel.”
Defoe also reserved praise for Beale, who would later go on to manage Rangers.
“I’ve worked with some top managers and top coaches and he is up there,” Defoe explained.
“His attention to detail and how he puts his points across for people to understand.
“He impressed me in a big way.”
Defoe will now have the chance to put those lessons into action across pre-season ahead of his maiden full season in charge at Woking.
