Jermain Defoe ‘throws his hat into the ring for first managerial job’… as the former England star claims it ‘makes sense because of our relationship’

Jermain Defoe is reportedly in the running to land his first managerial role.

Defoe, 41, enjoyed a hugely impressive career for the likes of West Ham, Portsmouth, Tottenham and Sunderland, while he also scored 20 times in 57 caps for England. 

Since retiring in 2022, Defoe has combined punditry work alongside a career in coaching, with the former striker returning to Spurs to work with their academy.

He has regularly spoken about not only a desire to succeed in the dugout, but also his aim to inspire more black coaches and managers.

And, according to The Sun, Defoe could be about to land his first managerial role after holding talks in regards to a role at one of his former clubs.

Since retiring from playing Defoe (second left) has combined punditry work with coaching

The former Spurs striker, 41, returned to the club in 2022 to work with their academy 

The report goes onto claim that the 41-year-old is in the running to take over at Sunderland, who are on the lookout for a new manager this summer. 

Speaking to the Sunderland Echo, Defoe confirmed some of the rumours as the former England star explained he would be interested in a role with the Championship side.

‘I’ve had no interview or anything like that,’ he said. ‘(But) I spoke about obviously the people that want to come with me and even in the background, certain players that I know that I can attract, young top players in the country that I can attract to try and get the club back into the Premier League.

‘I’ve had those sorts of discussions. So nothing’s changed really, but I’ve not had an interview.  

‘I went to the Leeds-Sunderland game and just watched the team and stuff like that. So that’s it.’

Sunderland sacked Tony Mowbray in December when they were on the verge of the play-offs.

The report claims Defoe is a potential candidate to take over at his former club Sunderland

Defoe is hugely popular at the Stadium of Light after two spells with the club during his career

The Black Cats appointed former QPR and Rangers manager Michael Beale, but he endured a disastrous 12-game stint, before Mike Dodds stepped in as caretaker boss for a second time this season, with Sunderland’s season petering out as they sit 15th with one game to go.

Defoe is hugely popular at the Stadium of Light after an impressive three-year spell between 2014 and 2017 where he scored 37 goals.

During his time at the club, Defoe gained cult status for helping the Black Cats to avoid relegation in 2015 and 2016, while he also struck up a close and heartwarming friendship with Bradley Lowery, a six-year-old Sunderland fan who heartbreakingly passed away in 2017 with a rare childhood cancer.

Defoe later paid tribute to Bradley, who he described as his ‘best pal’, before returning to the club for a second stint in the run-up to his retirement in 2022. 

And, the former Sunderland star went onto explain how he is determined to get into management, and admitted that his appetite is only enhanced by seeing several young coaches get a chance in the game.

He added: ‘It makes me want to do it even more because when I look at the news from Tom Cleverley.

‘He was on my player-to-coach course and I see Tom Cleverley getting a Watford job and someone who I played with and a young coach who had one year at Watford and now he’s the manager of such a big club.

Defoe’s cult status at the club was enhanced by his heartwarming friendship with Bradley Lowery, a six-year-old Sunderland fan who tragically died with a rare childhood cancer

Defoe also admitted he was motivated by seeing Tom Cleverley get a chance with Watford 

‘So when you see stuff like this and that, you just think, “OK then, I’m just still waiting for my opportunity”.

‘I’ve read loads of comments. I know the fans. I think for a lot of people, they look at it and think, “oh, it makes sense because of the relationship”. But I mean, we’ll see what happens.

‘I’m sure there must be about 10 or 20 managers who would love to have the Sunderland job, do you know what I mean? So it’s a massive job.

‘So we’ll see. I’ve not had an interview or anything, but I think they’re aware that, obviously, I’d be interested in taking a job. Why not?’