Jermain Defoe has admitted that he would accept the Sunderland managerial job if it was offered to him, insisting that he feels he is ready for such a big challenge.
Defoe, who was a fan favourite at White Hart Lane during his playing days, netting 143 goals at the club over his two spells, began his foray into coaching a year and a half ago.
He joined the Under-18s coach at Hotspur Way and has previously made no secret of the fact that he has grand ambitions, being public about his desire to manage at the highest level (Yahoo Sport).
In fact, the 41-year-old even admitted a couple of months ago that he dreams of managing his beloved Tottenham one day (The Daily Mail).
Defoe would be open to Sunderland manager job
Sunderland is another club that has a special place in Defoe’s heart and he admitted that he would not turn down an opportunity to take charge at the Stadium of Light.
Speaking at the launch of the Jermain Defoe Academy at East Durham College, he told The Mirror: “The Sunderland job? Why not? Even when I was a player, I always used to say I’d love to manage this club. If I got an opportunity, I wouldn’t shy away from it, so let’s go.”
MORE SPURS STORIES
The Tottenham academy coach revealed that he has spoken to several big names within the game about what it takes to make it as a manager at the highest level.
Defoe continued: “I spoke to Antonio Conte when he was at Tottenham last season about his journey into the game. I spoke with Gareth Southgate for two or three hours about Middlesbrough, at 35, going from being captain to all of a sudden getting a call in the summer asking him to become manager.
“Everyone’s journey is different. The most important thing is knowing who you’ll take with you and I’ve got that. Paul Bracewell and me, we are so close. He’s experienced, a great player. I’m getting all these gems from experienced coaches.”
Spurs Web Opinion
The challenge for ex-professionals like Defoe, who have always played at the highest level, is that they often have to drop down several rungs down the ladder to land their first job in management.
The issue they face is that a playing career in the Premier League does not adequately prepare one to manage in League Two, with the dynamics of the dressing room being entirely different at that level.
Keep up to date with all the latest Tottenham news and opinion by following SpursWeb’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.
