Premier League legend throws his name into hat to become next Sunderland manager

JERMAIN DEFOE can picture himself on the Stadium of Light touchline decked out in a sharp suit with a red and white tie.

The former England striker, 41, is desperate to become a manager – and Sunderland is the job he wants.

Defoe is coaching at former club Tottenham’s academy and picking up some “easy” pundit gigs.

Yet getting paid while looking good on TV talking about football is not what he craves.

A “dream” return to the Black Cats is, and the Prem legend is not afraid to shout it out loud.

Speaking exclusively to The Sun at the launch of the Jermain Defoe Academy at East Durham College, he said: “Being a pundit is easy.

“Steven Gerrard said when I finished playing that BT Sport would have given me a five-year contract on ‘x’ amount a year.

“Yeah, it’s nice to put a suit on and look nice on the TV with my make-up on, but in the dugout I’ll have my suit and red tie on anyway! I'm ready to go.

“Hopefully I get an opportunity. It’s hard, it always has been for black managers, but that shouldn’t stop me from wanting to become a manager.

“I enjoy being a pundit but putting my boots on, kicking balls, coaching and learning is the best.

“I just miss that feeling I used to get being down the tunnel and wanting to win so badly."

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Defoe has applied for jobs but the closest he has got to an interview is a mock one on a podcast.

He has spoken to Gareth Southgate, Vincent Kompany, Harry Redknapp, Sam Allardyce and Antonio Conte about what it takes to be a top boss.

So, what kind of gaffer would the former gaffer be?

“As a young player at West Ham, I had Paolo Di Canio, Ian Wright and Trevor Sinclair so when I got older it was quite natural for me to manage the players and dressing room.

“That is my thinking around wanting to be a manager. All the knowledge is there but how do I pass it on?

“It’s important to put your ego aside and forget what you’ve done as a player. You have to start at the bottom.

“And then recruitment of staff is just as important as players because if you get it wrong then you’ll have problems.

“I know I will need experience around me. The most important thing is knowing who you’ll take with you, and I’ve got that.”

Former England midfielder and current Spurs youth coach Paul Bracewell, who like Defoe had two playing spells at Sunderland, is one he wants in his team.

The East Londoner “fell in love” with Wearside and earlier this week launched his academy to give kids “an opportunity and some direction”.

And who knows, if he gets his way then some of them might be lining up for him at the Stadium of Light in the near future.

The Black Cats are scouring the market for a new boss this summer after sacking Michael Beale, who Defoe coached alongside at Rangers.

Sunderland are committed to developing young talent, something Defoe reckons makes him the perfect candidate.

He added: “Even when I was a player at Sunderland, I always said I’d love to manage the club.

“I hear people talking about needing experience with their young squad but my experience is working with young players, understanding their needs. It forces you to coach.

“I’m not going to go walk in and believe they’re senior internationals, but you want them to get there eventually. Just look at Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney.

“It’s about developing players and having to coach. The people I will work with do that.

“Everyone is going to want this job. If I got a phone call now asking if I want to be Sunderland manager? It would be a dream.”

Defoe was speaking exclusively to The Sun  at the launch of The Jermain Defoe Academy at East Durham College.

To find out more about the Academy and how to apply before the first course in September 2024, head to