Jermain Defoe’s name is echoing in football circles once again, and not just for his exploits as a clinical striker. In a week bustling with managerial shakeups, transfer speculation, and club ambitions, Defoe has found himself at the heart of several major storylines across British football. From his glowing praise of Tottenham Hotspur’s new boss Thomas Frank, to swirling rumors about his own coaching future and the potential return of a Premier League icon, Defoe’s insights and ambitions are making headlines.
Let’s start in North London, where Thomas Frank’s early tenure as Tottenham manager has drawn applause from none other than Defoe himself. Spurs currently sit third in the Premier League table, having notched up impressive victories over Manchester City, West Ham, and Burnley. The Danish manager’s tactical approach has been a marked departure from the high-octane pressing style favored by his predecessor, Ange Postecoglou. Instead, Frank’s regime is defined by adaptability and structure, particularly in defense.
Defoe, ever the keen observer, broke down what sets Frank apart at the recent Legends of Football event. “I think the way he’s got the players playing,” Defoe remarked. “I did the game at the weekend against Leeds. I thought it was an amazing performance. The game plan was really organised. His defensive structure was really good. Everyone sort of understood their roles, in and out of possession.”
It’s not just the tactical overhaul that’s impressed Defoe. The former Spurs striker pointed to the seamless integration of summer signing Mohammed Kudus, who arrived from West Ham. “We interviewed Kudus after the game, I was there for the Premier League,” Defoe said. “Kudus spoke about the stuff that the manager demands of the ball from the wingers, and, yeah, I just feel like he’s a great manager. He knows when to change. He knows when to adapt. He doesn’t approach every game the same. Away from all of that, he’s an unbelievable human being, he’s approachable. You can speak to him about anything, apparently. So that’s what the players say. The little time I had with him was really good. I enjoyed it.”
Frank’s willingness to tailor his approach from match to match has not gone unnoticed. Defoe contrasted this with last season’s Spurs side, saying, “I just felt like last season, Tottenham were so good in possession. And I just felt that out of possession, it just seemed like we just played off the cuff. Now you can see that there have been instructions and more structure when we haven’t got the ball.”
While the present at Tottenham looks promising, speculation about the club’s future is also heating up—most notably regarding a possible homecoming for Harry Kane. The England captain, currently plying his trade at Bayern Munich, has a contract clause that could see him return to the Premier League for less than £60 million. With 18 goals in just 10 appearances this season, Kane’s form is as electric as ever, but his ambitions may soon draw him back to English shores.
Defoe weighed in on the possibility of Kane’s return to Spurs, telling HaytersTV, “I don’t know, to be honest. It depends what he wants to do, he’s an iconic figure at the club. The only thing driving him at the moment is probably the trophies, let’s hope he can get a few more and if he’s done that, then he can come back to Tottenham and win a couple. If it happens, it would make sense, but you just don’t know what he’s thinking.”
For Kane, the lure of Alan Shearer’s all-time Premier League goals record looms large. Shearer’s tally stands at 260, with Kane currently at 213—just 47 shy of a tie, and 48 away from outright history. The prospect of returning to Spurs, the club where he became a superstar, and finally lifting a trophy while breaking the record is tantalizing for fans and pundits alike. Even with Dominic Solanke and Richarlison performing admirably under Frank, the return of Kane would send shockwaves through the league.
But Defoe’s own coaching ambitions are making waves, particularly north of the border. Following Russell Martin’s sacking as Rangers manager after a disappointing four months (only five wins in 17 games), Defoe has openly expressed interest in stepping into the Ibrox dugout. “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,” Defoe told Sky Sports, as quoted in The Scottish Sun.
The managerial search at Rangers is in full swing, with Steven Gerrard emerging as the frontrunner for a dramatic return. Gerrard, who led Rangers to an unbeaten Scottish Premiership title in 2020-21 and won 124 of his 192 games in charge, is reportedly open to a second stint. According to journalist Keith Jackson on the Daily Record’s Hotline Live podcast, Gerrard’s potential backroom staff could include Gary McAllister, Billy Reid, Tom Kilshaw, and, notably, Jermain Defoe himself. While Jackson cautioned that this information is unconfirmed, the prospect of Defoe returning to a club where he scored 32 goals and served as player-coach is generating plenty of excitement among the Rangers faithful.
Defoe’s previous spell at Rangers was nothing short of memorable. Over three years, he notched 32 goals and 10 assists in 74 appearances, and in 2021 was elevated to the role of player-coach—a move he described as “special.” When Gerrard left for Aston Villa, Defoe was part of a four-man caretaker team that helped steady the ship. His leadership and experience would be invaluable as Rangers look to bounce back from a turbulent period.
As the managerial carousel spins and transfer windows loom, Jermain Defoe stands at a fascinating crossroads in his post-playing career. Whether it’s lending his voice to Premier League debates, shaping the next chapter at Rangers, or influencing the tactical evolution at Tottenham, Defoe’s impact on the British football landscape is as pronounced as ever.
With Thomas Frank’s Spurs surging, Harry Kane’s future up for grabs, and Rangers seeking stability after recent setbacks, all eyes remain on the decisions and directions that will shape the coming months. For now, Defoe’s blend of insight, ambition, and experience ensures he’ll be a central figure in the unfolding drama.
