Woking cites missed training after Jermain Defoe exit

Woking said Jermain Defoe’s abrupt exit as manager followed internal concerns and a missed training day, pushing back on the former England striker’s account of his four-month spell. Director of football Jody Brown said feedback from players, staff and other departments had raised worries in recent weeks before the National League club and Defoe agreed to part ways. Brown said he asked Defoe and assistant Paul Bracewell for a report on squad depth, recruitment targets and operational issues, but never received it. He added that neither man attended a scheduled meeting with club directors and the head of operations, or that day’s training session. Defoe has not publicly answered Woking’s claims.