Former England striker Jermain Defoe may get his first serious coaching job by heading up his former club Sunderland.
Sunderland have been in search of a new coxswain since parting ways with Michael Beale in February, continuing to perform under the guidance of interim manager Mike Dodds.
Earlier in April, Sunderland, ranked 15th in the Championship, held informal talks with 41-year-old Defoe, who has been coaching Tottenham U-18 team since August 2022.
“It wasn’t an interview or anything like that. I talked about the people I want to bring with me, and even about certain players that I can attract. I mean the top-level young players that I can bring in to bring this club back to the Premier League.”
“This was the kind of negotiation it was. Nothing really changed, but it wasn’t an interview. I went to the Leeds—Sunderland match, just watched the team and all that. That’s it,” Defoe told the Sunderland Echo.
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Summary:
Jermain Defoe has held informal talks with Sunderland about becoming their new manager.
The former England striker is currently the coach of Tottenham Hotspur’s U-18 team, but he is keen to take on his first senior management role. Sunderland have been without a permanent manager since February, when they parted company with Michael Beale. The club are currently 15th in the Championship table.
Defoe has a strong connection with Sunderland, having played for the club on two occasions. He is confident that he can attract the players needed to take the club back to the Premier League. However, it is unclear whether he will be appointed as the new manager, as there are other candidates for the job.
Additional Notes:
Defoe is a popular figure among Sunderland fans, and his appointment would be well-received.
However, he lacks experience as a senior manager, which could be a concern for the club’s board.
Sunderland are a big club with a rich history, and they should be aiming for a return to the Premier League in the near future.
Defoe is a passionate and ambitious manager, and he has the potential to be a success at Sunderland.