JERMAIN DEFOE has been joined by a former England star after being hired as Woking’s manager.
The former Premier League striker joined the non-league outfit as he embarks on his first permanent managerial role in football.
Defoe, 43, was announced as the National League side’s new boss on Sunday after Neal Ardley was sacked at the beginning of March.
He will be supported in the role by Paul Bracewell who has joined as an assistant coach.
Bracewell, 63, earned three caps for England in 1985 during his playing career.
A club statement read: “Defoe will be supported by Assistant Coach Paul Bracewell, who joins the club with extensive experience, including roles at Fulham FC, Sunderland AFC and Halifax Town AFC.
“He also enjoyed a long and successful playing career, including winning a league title with Everton.
“We are pleased to confirm that Craig Ross and Jake Hyde will continue to play important roles within the club’s coaching structure moving forward, following their outstanding work in the interim period.”
Bracewell played for the likes of Stoke City, Sunderland, Everton, Newcastle, Everton and Fulham before hanging up his boots in 1999.
As a midfielder, he enjoyed three-spells with the Black Cats in which he made 156 appearances in all competitions.
SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS
His best form came during his spell at Everton as he made his debut for England in a 3-0 win against Germany at the Banorte Stadium in Mexico.
Bracewell then started the Three Lions’ following match against the USA which was won 5-0.
After retiring, he went into club management as he took on roles at Fulham and Halifax Town.
He has also worked as a coach at both Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur.
The manager role is not Defoe’s first in coaching as he was briefly part of a four-man team acting as caretaker managers of Rangers in 2021.
Interim boss Craig Ross managed to turn those fortunes around in his 27 days in charge.
He earned the side four wins, three draws and just one loss from his eight games in the dugout.
That run pushed the team back up to 11th in the league standings but it was not enough to earn the job himself.
Defoe’s first test will come on Tuesday, as his side host Altrincham at Kingfield Stadium.
Paul Bracewell’s football career
HERE is the statistical breakdown of Paul Bracewell’s senior football career…
Sunderland (1983–1984, 1989–1992 & 1995–1997)
- Appearances: 314
- Goals: 6
- Assists: 3
Everton (1984–1989)
- Appearances: 145
- Goals: 10
- Assists: 16
Stoke City (1979–1983)
- Appearances: 141
- Goals: 6
- Assists: 0
Newcastle United (1992–1995)
- Appearances: 88
- Goals: 3
- Assists: 1
Fulham (1997–1999)
- Appearances: 76
- Goals: 1
- Assists: 7
England (1985)
- Caps: 3
- Goals : 0
- Debut: vs Germany, Banorte Stadium in Mexico
