Woking director of football Jody Brown says there were "growing concerns" across the club before the National League side parted ways with former England striker Jermain Defoe as manager.
The two parties "mutually agreed to part ways with immediate effect" earlier this week, with the 43-year-old Defoe having been in charge for just four months and six league games. His exit came two weeks before Woking's opening match of the new season against Sutton United.
"Jermain's feedback was always positive, and he regularly expressed his enthusiasm and excitement for the season, both publicly and privately," said Brown. "I can therefore appreciate the surprise and subsequent speculation surrounding his sudden departure. "Throughout his tenure, Jermain had never communicated any serious concerns directly to me, so I am not going to speculate on his reasons."
Brown said that led him to ask Defoe and assistant Paul Bracewell for a brief report "outlining the squad's current depth, recruitment targets and any operational challenges" so he could provide the "support required" but, despite requesting it more than once, it "was never received". "Neither Jermain nor his assistant attended that meeting or that day's training session.
In a statement, Brown said: 'Jermain Defoe was an outstanding player, scored a vast number of goals, and is a very likeable guy. 'All player recruitment, staffing decisions and football matters were heavily influenced by Jermain, and he was given the necessary operational and board support. Brown took responsibility for appointing the "likeable" Defoe as he "believed he was the right person to lead the club into an exciting new era". But he said: "As we have seen many times before, success as a player does not always translate into management and leadership. I sincerely hope to see him succeed in whichever direction he follows."
Former Woking player Jake Hyde and goalkeeper coach/player Craig Ross have taken interim charge at the club.