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Jermain Defoe to Return as Assistant Manager at Struggling League One Club Bromley

Former Tottenham Hotspur forward Jermain Defoe is set to take up the role of assistant manager at Bromley, a club currently sitting at the bottom of League One. This move comes just four months after his unexpected exit from National League side Woking.

Coaching Role Confirmed

According to talkSPORT, Defoe will become second-in-command to Karl Robinson, once Robinson’s appointment is finalized following the dismissal of Andy Woodman on October 22. Defoe is ranked 10th on the Premier League's all-time scoring list with 163 goals over 496 appearances for six clubs and holds the position of Tottenham’s seventh-highest scorer. Together, Defoe and Robinson face the challenge of steering the Ravens away from relegation.

A Rocky Summer Before New Opportunity

Defoe has been without a role since leaving Woking in July after less than four months due to disagreements with the club's director of football. His departure followed missing pre-season training and a phone call confirming his exit.

Robinson, who previously managed Charlton Athletic, MK Dons, and Oxford United, was sacked by Salford City in June after losing the League Two play-off final. He had attempted to bring Defoe to Oxford when the striker left Rangers in 2022.

Previous Manager Reflects on Dismissal

After Woodman’s exit, Bromley considered candidates including ex-Cesena boss Ashley Cole and Matt Bloomfield. Woodman, 55, ended the club’s 132-year wait for Football League status earlier this year before guiding them to League One.

"The easiest way I can sum this up is that when I got the job at Bromley, my first game was Wealdstone and my last game in the league was Leicester. I was pretty disappointed and pretty upset. It felt like I'd been misled, in numerous ways." – Andy Woodman
"To give five-and-a-half years of your life to a club and a fanbase that I really loved and bought into, where I gave everything I had, to then be told in no more than three or four minutes thanks. That was it really. There's no other way of dressing it up. That's the truth. I'm disappointed, but that's football as we know it guys. Unfortunately it never, ever surprises us." – Andy Woodman

New Challenges Ahead for Bromley

Robinson and Defoe inherit a team with only two wins from 10 matches, sitting three points from safety. Their immediate goal is to end a six-game winless streak and help Bromley survive their first season at this level. Both coaches hope to rebuild their reputations by securing the club's League One status.

About the Author

Adhe has worked with ESPN Star Sports, Fox Sports, and FIFA. A lifelong Manchester United fan, he covers the Premier League and European football for GOAL. His favorite football memory includes covering the Indonesia vs. Netherlands match in 2013 and meeting Radja Nainggolan in Indonesia.

His expertise spans Indonesian and European football analysis and a wide variety of editorial topics.

Adhe’s All-Time XI (4-1-2-3):

  • Goalkeeper: Edwin van der Sar
  • Defenders: Dani Alves, Paolo Maldini, Nemanja Vidic, Roberto Carlos
  • Defensive Midfielder: Roy Keane
  • Midfielders: Xavi, Paul Scholes
  • Forwards: Lionel Messi, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Cristiano Ronaldo

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