Former Sunderland star Jermain Defoe appears to be very keen on the vacant head coach/manager role at Sunderland and has admitted that informal talks have happened.
Fans took the former striker to their hearts during his time on Wearside and according to reports, he would love to return to the club and has his staff ready to come with him.
Sunderland Head Coach Vacancy: Jermain Defoe Could Be Perfect
His Love and Connection With Sunderland and Their Fans
In two spells on Wearside, Jermain Defoe became a fan-favourite both on and off the pitch. His goals, especially a brilliant volley against rivals Newcastle United and his performances in general made him a crowd favourite.
Off the field, he won the hearts of many. Not only in the City of Sunderland but around the country as a wonderful and never to be forgotten relationship with Bradley Lowery grew stronger and stronger. Defoe fell in love with Sunderland and Sunderland fell in love with him.
Under 18’s Coach at Spurs: He knows How to Coach Young Players Which Will Be Vital at Sunderland
Sunderland’s current transfer model is to buy young players, develop them and when the time is right sell them for a profit. It’s a model that has caused many debates on Wearside but at present, it is the model that any new head coach will have to deal with.
Since retiring, the former England striker has been a U18 coach at another of his former clubs Tottenham Hotspur. He has helped the team progress and last season they won two trophies, winning both the U18 and U17 Premier League Cup.
Speaking about coaching at the Spurs Academy, Defoe said: “My experience is working with young players, understanding what they need and it forces you to coach.
“When you’re dealing with young players, if I walk into a first-team environment you can sit back and think this is great, but with young players, it forces you to coach and it’s the detail you have to give them.”
What He Has Said
When asked about the Sunderland head coach vacancy at the launch of The Jermain Defoe Academy at East Durham College, Defoe said: “If I got a phone call now and they said ‘Do you want to be Sunderland manager?’ When you’ve had these dreams [to go into managing] it’d be a dream because I understand it’s a massive club, it’s a Premier League club,” Defoe responded when asked if he could one day take the Sunderland job. “Why not?”
He added. “Even when I was a player, I always used to say I’d love to manage this club. I don’t know if other players are like that if other players have a relationship with fans and a club and think they’d love to manage this club.
“If I got an opportunity, I wouldn’t shy away from it, let’s go. The most important thing is knowing who you’ll take with you and I’ve got that. I won’t mention names but I know exactly who I’d bring in,” Defoe added.
“When you’re dealing with young players, if I walk into a first-team environment you can sit back and think this is great, but with young players, it forces you to coach and it’s the detail you have to give them.
Defoe Has Selected His Staff
“The coaches who I’m working with, one of the coaches has coached in the academy for 17 years. Another one who has managed and coached me here at Sunderland, Paul Bracewell. Me and Brace are so close. He’s experienced, a great player. I’m getting all these gems from experienced coaches.
“The other one is a young coach who has the same love for the game as me, he’s obsessed. You have to be obsessed with the game, I say that to young players all the time. A lot of young players don’t watch football now, that blows my mind. It’s so important to watch football, not just being on the grass and training, but watching players in your position. Even now, I go home and watch games.”
Opinion
Sunderland could do a lot worse than selecting a former player who knows the club, the fans and the expectations. He has yet to start his managerial journey therefore a lack of experience could put some off. However, he has worked with some of the best managers and coaches during his playing career and has made a lot of connections which could be vital for bringing in new players to the club.
His passion for coaching young players has brought success to Tottenham’s academy and will be a huge plus for the Sunderland hierarchy. He has also selected his coaching team and has wisely selected an experienced coach in Paul Bracewell who himself knows Sunderland very well.
If the Black Cats want a young and ambitious coach then Jermain Defoe could be perfect.
Read More: It Almost Happened: Diego Maradona Signs For Sunderland
