Defoe tipped to make Tottenham return by club expert – ‘He has a great rapport with Kane’
Tottenham fans will welcome Jermain Defoe back “with open arms” if he returns as a coach.
That is according to Spurs insider John Wenham, who regularly breaks news about the club on his Lilywhite Rose social media channels.
As per Daily Mail journalist Sami Mokbel (24 March), Tottenham have “opened the door” to Defoe returning to the club to finish his coaching badges following his retirement.
The 39-year-old ex-Spurs hitman joined the coaching staff at Rangers as a player-coach when he signed a new contract in the summer of 2021.
However, he lost this position when Giovanni van Bronkhorst replaced Steven Gerrard in November.
When asked for his thoughts on Defoe’s potential return, Wenham told Football Insider correspondent Ben Wild, “I’m absolutely open to this, the fans would welcome him back with open arms. Defoe is loved by Tottenham fans.
“He has a great rapport with Harry Kane and he is an excellent natural finisher, it’s one I am behind and I can see happening.
“I’m a huge believer in having lots of ex-players at the club, Defoe would join Ledley King on the coaching staff.
“We also have Michael Dawson as an ambassador to the club adding Defoe would be a massive boost to that group.
“Defoe is someone who will instantly have the respect of the younger players.
“Kion Etete, Dane Scarlett, Troy Parrott and Jamie Donley are all players who can benefit from JD being around.
“He can teach that style of getting shots off really quickly. I would take him back in a heartbeat.
“It would be a similar impact to what Yaya Toure is doing with us, he is clearly enjoying it because he’s still here.
“Defoe is also the right age for the young players to have idolised him growing up, giving him that instant respect.”
Defoe scored 64 goals in 176 total appearances for Tottenham.
He retired while at Sunderland after joining them during the January transfer window.
In other news, there has been a major update on Lucas Moura’s Tottenham future amid the latest on Dejan Kulusevski.