Jermain Defoe spotted working at Arsenal training ground despite Tottenham role – here’s why

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Tottenham Hotspur hero Jermain Defoe has now been spotted working as a coach for the Arsenal Under-14 academy squad at Hale End despite his existing role with Spurs.

That is according to the Daily Mail, which reports that Defoe worked with the latest group of Arsenal’s future stars at Hale End on Thursday. Even though the 41-year-old already boasts a coaching position for their north London rivals, Tottenham, where he is also an ambassador.

Defoe is one of Tottenham’s greatest-ever forwards and ranks seventh in their scoring charts with 143 goals in 364 games. He was also among the last Spurs team to win a trophy back in 2008. The 57-cap England star helped them lift the League Cup but had left before the final.

Why was Tottenham hero Defoe working as a coach at Arsenal?

Tottenham beat Chelsea at Wembley in February 2008 a month after Defoe sealed a transfer to Portsmouth. He returned to north London a year later amid his career that included stints at West Ham, Bournemouth, Toronto, Sunderland and Rangers up to retiring in March 2022.

Now, Defoe is furthering his bid to become a coach by working with the Arsenal academy at Hale End. The Tottenham academy coach was at their rival’s revered set-up this Thursday as part of an FA course. He was one of several other coaches and former players in attendance.

Spurs wasted no time in making Defoe a coach upon retiring

The FA has held regular sessions for aspiring coaches with Premier League clubs over recent months. Burnley plus Brighton & Hove Albion have also hosted FA coaching courses. Arsenal joined the programme on Thursday with Defoe helping out with a U14 session at Hale End.

Defoe lent his experience and know-how to the latest group of Arsenal’s rising stars. But he is still a part of the academy coaching staff at Tottenham. Spurs afforded their former player a role working for their Under-18 side after earning his badges there upon retiring last year.

Tottenham wasted no time in welcoming Defoe back to their ranks following his retirement. He enjoyed a lengthy playing career which saw the West Ham academy product play against Chelsea in 32 games, Manchester United 31 times, Arsenal 28 times and Liverpool 26 times.