Jermain Defoe has given an update on his bid to become Sunderland’s next head coach. Jermain Defoe has been informal talks with Sunderland over the vacant head coach position, although he has not been officially interviewed for the job.
The Black Cats are looking for a replacement for Michael Beale, who was fired in January after only 13 games in charge at the Academy of Light after succeeding Tony Mowbray. Mike Dodds was appointed on an interim basis following Beale’s firing, with Sunderland set to hire a new manager at the end of the season.
Speaking to the media last month at the Jermain Defoe Academy opening at East Durham College, the current Tottenham youth coach indicated his ambition to return to the club as head coach for the third time after two prior stints as a player on Wearside.
“I’ve had no interview or anything like that,” Defoe exclusively told The Echo when asked if he had spoken with Sunderland about the role. “And, as I previously stated, when we spoke, I mentioned the people who want to join me, as well as certain players that I know I can attract, young top players in the country, to attempt to get the club back into the Premier League.
“I’ve had those types of chats. So nothing has changed, but I haven’t had an interview. I went to the Leeds-Sunderland game to simply observe the team and stuff. So that is it.”
Defoe, who played for Sunderland, Tottenham, Rangers, West Ham, Portsmouth, Bournemouth, and England during his stellar career, has been encouraged by Watford’s appointment of Tom Cleverly.
The 34-year-old just became one of the youngest managers in EFL history as his interim role was extended. The former Manchester United manager has managed eight Championship games, including last Saturday’s 1-0 victory against Sunderland at Vicarage Road.
“And you know what? It makes me want to do it even more because when I look at the news from Tom Cleverley,” Defoe added. “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.
“So when you see stuff like this and that, you just think, ‘Okay 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 will see. I haven’t had an interview, but I believe they are aware that I am certainly interested in taking a position. “Why not?” Defoe questioned, speaking exclusively to the Sunderland Echo through Advanced Blade Repair Services, which offers premier wind industry training and courses in Sunderland.
Defoe spoke exclusively to the Sunderland Echo via Advanced Blade Repair Services, which won a competition to support small businesses – Go to TheWnnr.com to learn more.
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