Jermain Defoe on putting 'ego to one side,' Ashley Cole comments and unbeaten start as manager

EXCLUSIVE: Jermain Defoe on putting 'ego to one side,' Ashley Cole comments and unbeaten start as managerEXCLUSIVE: Jermain Defoe took over at National League side Woking last month and has made an imrpessive start to life in managementCommentsSportMatty Hewitt Senior Sport Central Audience Writer 06:00, 20 Apr 2026View 2 ImagesJermain Defoe has made an unbeaten start to life at National League side Woking.Jermain Defoe knew he had no divine right to manage at the top level in English football despite his glittering career as a player. The former England international spent the majority of his career in the Premier League, but after hanging up his boots in 2022, has been waiting for an opportunity in management.‌The 43-year-old has spent some time coaching in Spurs' academy set-up and has long spoken about his ambition to get into management and inspire more black coaches and managers. Defoe says he was told he didn't have enough experience in previous managerial interviews, but is finally the main man in the dugout after being appointed Woking boss last month.‌The like of Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney landed managerial roles in the top two divisions, but Defoe hasn't been given the same opportunity. Ashley Cole recently said he'd been left 'discouraged' by a lack of job opportunities within English football, and has since been appointed head coach at Italian Serie B side Cesena.‌READ MORE: Jermain Defoe 'can't expect to jump in at the top' after bagging Woking gigREAD MORE: Luke Shaw trolls Alejandro Garnacho after Man Utd beat Chelsea as Bruno Fernandes feelings clearSince being appointed by the National League side, Defoe is unbeaten and has already struck up a strong rapport with Cardinals' supporters, who sang his name loudly on the terraces during their recent 3-0 win Gateshead FC - one of the in-form sides in the division, who recently pulled off a remarkable great escape.Speaking ex...