Being a football manager isn't always a cup of tea. They have many responsibilities. It's expected that they fulfill all of them. A manger has been sacked due to not meeting all that is required.
Former England striker, Jermain Defoe, has described his first managerial job as an "eye-opening experience" following his exit from National League side Woking after just four months and six league games in charge.
The 43-year-old was named the replacement for Neal Ardley in March and won two of those six matches to guide the club to a 10th-placed finish last season.
On Thursday, Woking confirmed Defoe's stint had come to an abrupt end after they "mutually agreed to part ways with immediate effect" - two weeks before the opening match of the new campaign against Sutton United.
"Unfortunately, circumstances have ultimately made it impossible for me to continue in the position," Defoe said in an Instagram post. "I am extremely proud of the work undertaken during my time at the club and genuinely felt that we were building something special."
"My time at Woking FC has been an eye-opening managerial experience and one that will undoubtedly make me stronger for the next challenge in my career."
Defoe's ninth and final game in charge of Woking was a 1-0 defeat by Braintree Town in one of three pre-season friendlies on Tuesday. Woking director of football, Jody Brown, says there were "growing concerns" across the club before the National League side parted ways with former England striker Jermain Defoe as manager.
The two parties "mutually agreed to part ways with immediate effect" earlier this week, with the 43-year-old Defoe having been in charge for just four months and six league games.
His exit came two weeks before Woking's opening match of the new season against Sutton United.
Defoe said just a few days ago he was excited and relishing the new season. So this is a hugely surprising end to a partnership that seemed to be heading in the right direction.
The club's fans had been buzzing since his arrival, with many of the squad assembled this summer by Defoe and director of football Jody Brown joining Woking because of the former England striker.
The reference in Defoe's statement, external to owner Todd Johnson - thanking him "for giving me the opportunity to manage the club" - but a lack of one for Brown could reveal a lot about the departure.
Defoe had impressed the club with his coaching and work on the training field, so all eyes point towards off the pitch for the reasons he said made it "impossible" to continue after 116 days in charge.
"Jermain's feedback was always positive, and he regularly expressed his enthusiasm and excitement for the season, both publicly and privately," said Brown.
"I can therefore appreciate the surprise and subsequent speculation surrounding his sudden departure. However, in recent weeks there had been feedback from across the club, including players, staff and other departments, regarding growing concerns."
Brown said that led him to ask Defoe and assistant Paul Bracewell for a brief report "outlining the squad's current depth, recruitment targets and any operational challenges" so he could provide the "support required" but, despite requesting it more than once, it "was never received".
"A meeting was subsequently scheduled involving the directors, manager, assistant manager and head of operations to review preparations for the season," he added.
"Neither Jermain nor his assistant attended that meeting or that day's training session. Throughout his tenure, Jermain had never communicated any serious concerns directly to me, so I am not going to speculate on his reasons."
Defoe scored 305 goals in 763 senior appearances for clubs including: West Ham; Tottenham; Portsmouth and Sunderland; while scoring 20 times in 57 international appearances, before retiring in 2022.
He was part of an interim coaching staff at Scottish side, Rangers, in 2021 and worked in the Spurs academy before leaving in 2024 to pursue a full-time managerial role.
Despite impressing club management with his coaching on the training field, Defoe revealed that off-the-pitch circumstances made it impossible for him to remain in his post.
Writing in a post on his personal Instagram account, the former Tottenham Hotspur star delivered his farewell message: "Unfortunately, circumstances have ultimately made it impossible for me to continue in the position.
"I am extremely proud of the work undertaken during my time at the club and genuinely felt that we were building something special."
"My time at Woking FC has been an eye-opening managerial experience and one that will undoubtedly make me stronger for the next challenge in my career."
Brown took responsibility for appointing the "likeable" Defoe as he "believed he was the right person to lead the club into an exciting new era".
He said: "As we have seen many times before, success as a player does not always translate into management and leadership. I sincerely hope to see him succeed in whichever direction he follows."
Unfortunately, not all players who go into management will be asuccess. Most are naive and probably don't know what comes with it. Let's hope Defoe has learnt a lot from this gig and will apply to it in his next possible managerial position.