Jermain Defoe is looking for a career at management and is open to a return to former club Rangers.
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Former Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham striker Jermain Defoe has offered his services to Scottish Premiership side Rangers following the dismissal of manager Russell Martin.
The 39-year-old endured a turbulent spell in Glasgow, lasting just 17 games at the club and receiving his marching orders after a 1-1 draw at Falkirk on Sunday. Martin was given a police escort away from the stadium after fans tried to stop the team bus from leaving.
Martin faced huge criticism from Rangers supporters having taken until late September to record a first win of the Scottish Premiership season. The manager’s side were also thrashed 9-1 on aggregate by Club Brugge in the Champions League play-offs in August.
Rangers sack Russell Martin
Rangers now look for a new manager to try and make back lost ground in the Premiership. The club sits eighth in the division and trail league leaders Hearts by 11 points.
A Rangers statement read: "Russell and his staff have worked exceptionally hard throughout their time at the club. We thank them for their efforts and wish them well for the future. Further updates from the club will follow in due course."
Former Rangers manager Steven Gerrard is a frontrunner to return to Ibrox with ex Everton and Burnley man Sean Dyche also linked. Defoe isn’t thought to be at the top of the list being considered by the club, but has admitted he would be very keen for the job.
Defoe spent three years at Rangers between 2019 and 2022, initially as a player and then in a coaching capacity. When Gerrard left the club in November 2021, Defoe was named as part of a four-man caretaker team responsible for the side until a permanent appointment was made.
Jermain Defoe offers services to Rangers
The 43-year-old’s ambitions to work as a manager have been well documented following his retirement from football in 2022. Defoe broke into first team football at West Ham and went on to enjoy three separate stints at Tottenham Hotspur.
He helped Spurs to win the League Cup in 2008 and was named Player of the Year for the North London side in 2004. He played 363 times for Spurs and 104 times for the Hammers, the two clubs he represented on the most occasions.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, Defoe appeared to offer his services to Rangers once again. He said: “I’ve done all my coaching badges and if I got an opportunity to come back to that club to help this group of players then it would be a no-brainer. I said it from day one as soon as I retired. It’s well documented, the time I had there and winning arguably the most important league in the club’s history.
“Myself, Steven [Gerrard], and all the boys did that and it was amazing to be a part of it. It’s more than just a football club and I think I understood what it was about. I understood when you put on a Rangers shirt you have to win and the demands and the standards.”
In other news, Arsenal star and 2 Tottenham players make Premier League team of the week along with Man Utd and Everton men.