‘We’ll see’ – Jermain Defoe reveals informal talks with Sunderland over head coach position
Jermain Defoe has provided an update on his quest to become Sunderland’s next head coach
Jermain Defoe has held informal talks with Sunderland over the vacant head coach position – but admitted he hasn’t been officially interviewed for the role.
The Black Cats are searching for a successor to Michael Beale, who was sacked in January after just 13 games in charge at the Academy of Light after replacing Tony Mowbray. Mike Dodds was handed the job on an interim basis following Beale’s dismissal with Sunderland expected to appoint a new man at the end of the season.
Speaking to the media last month at the launch of Jermain Defoe Academy at East Durham College, the current Tottenham youth coach expressed his desire to return to the club for a third time as head coach after two previous 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 regarding the job. “And like I said before when we spoke, I spoke about obviously the people that want to come with me and even in the background, certain players that I know that I can attract, young top players in the country that I can attract to try and get the club back into the Premier League.
“I’ve had those sorts of discussions. So nothing’s changed really, but I’ve not had an interview. I went to the Leeds-Sunderland game and just watched the team and stuff like that. So that’s it.”
Defoe – who turned out for Sunderland, Tottenham, Rangers, West Ham, Portsmouth, Bournemouth and England, during an impressive playing career – has been inspired by the appointment of Tom Cleverly by Watford.
