Rangers hero kicks off managerial career with six-goal thriller as blood pressure soars in madcap debut

The former Rangers striker was appointed manager of the English side earlier this week.

Former Rangers striker Jermain Defoe admitted that his dramatic managerial debut with Woking was a reminder of why he loved football.

The 43-year-old had a three-year stint at Ibrox in the twilight of his career, bagging 32 goals, and played a pivotal role as part of the side that lifted the Scottish Premiership title during the 2020/21 season.

The ex-England international also spent time as a player-coach with Rangers, and temporarily took charge of a four-man caretaker team after Steven Gerrard departed to join Aston Villa in November 2021. Additionally, he served as a youth team coach for Tottenham Hotspur following his retirement in 2022.

Named as the permanent successor to Neal Ardley at Working earlier this week, Defoe said he was “excited to be at a historic club with huge potential”, adding that he was “thrilled to be part of this exciting project.” And he certainly had plenty to be jovial about in his first game as a manager of the club, as he witnessed his side roar back to secure a 3-3 draw against Eastleigh, thanks to two late strikes at the Kingfield Stadium.

Despite taking the lead through Harry Beautyman on 16 minutes, an own goal from Tunji Akinola (45), followed by strikes from Jake Vokins and Temi Eweka, looked set to condemn the Cardinals to defeat, but two late goals from Olly Sanderson and Kian Pennant meant they took a share of the spoils. The result leaves them in 11th place in the fifth tier.

“My blood pressure was high,” admitted Defoe after the game. “That's why the players got that energy, they got the energy because of the fans. It's so important to have good fans. I've come to a football club that the fans love football. They're going to support the team; I always knew that before I came in. How much they helped us in the game, in terms of staff and players, we appreciate that, and we're going to need that from now until the end of the season. Because all of a sudden, the level of performance goes up, and the energy level goes up.

“I’m even more excited by this challenge. I only had one training session. I’m just so grateful. Once you get that moment you have to embrace it and enjoy it, and this has excited me even more. I want to thank the fans. The love I’ve received, it’s so humbling. When you love football, you love football.”

Defoe’s next game in charge will come around quickly, with Woking set to visit second from bottom Braintree Town on Monday afternoon at Cressing Road.