Jermain Defoe ready for a first-team coaching role after leaving Spurs academy

Jermain Defoe says he is fresh for a first-team guidance domiciled aft leaving Tottenham’s academy.

Since retiring from playing successful 2022, Defoe had been moving arsenic a younker coach pinch his erstwhile club’s Under-17s and past U-21s sides arsenic he completes his coaching badges.

He announced his determination to time off Spurs past week and has now revealed he is fresh for a first-team guidance role.

The 40-year-old, who scored 163 goals successful 496 Premier League appearances arsenic a striker, told Sky Sports News: “I conscionable consciousness astatine this infinitesimal successful clip now I consciousness for illustration I’m fresh for a first-team environment.

“I did 2 years location astatine nan academy and it was really good, immoderate awesome young players. For maine it was bully to get that vulnerability but I consciousness for illustration correct now I’m fresh for a first-team environment.

‘I don’t want to get a occupation because it’s giving a achromatic personification an opportunity, I want to get a occupation because I’m bully enough’

Jermain Defoe speaks candidly arsenic he looks to return nan adjacent measurement successful his career. pic.twitter.com/ARLYT5rAur

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) July 24, 2024

“I deliberation erstwhile you person gone to an knowledgeable spot for illustration Tottenham and worked pinch immoderate knowledgeable coaches for illustration I’ve conscionable mentioned, it’s thing I’ve ever wanted to do anyway.

“At nan backmost extremity of my profession I ever wanted to spell into guidance and do my badges and spot wherever it takes me.”

No discussions complete joining Ange

Defoe said of his admiration for nan occupation Ange Postecoglou pinch nan Spurs first-team since arriving past summertime but admitted location were nary talks complete him linking up pinch nan Australian’s backroom staff.

“There were nary discussions”, nan erstwhile England goalscorer added.

“Obviously I was astatine nan academy. I was focused connected doing activity successful nan academy pinch coaches I’ve conscionable mentioned.

“You understand astatine shot clubs managers person sewage their unit and group they person worked pinch before, group who person travel into nan building.

“Obviously I’m still connected my journey. The coaches that person travel successful evidently I wish them each nan champion but successful position of a discussion, an opportunity wasn’t location for me.”