Jermain Defoe in Sunderland boss address as Rangers and Tottenham coaching spells leave him with one conclusion

Jermain Defoe has directly addressed talk over the Sunderland job and confirmed he has NOT had an interview.

But the former Rangers and England striker would LOVE to manage a club of that size in the future and says if you didn't want a gig like that then you are in the wrong game. The one-time Ibrox attacker is currently coaching at former club Tottenham but is keen to get his managerial career up and running after briefly working as part of Steven Gerrard's backroom team in the Scottish Premiership.

He has even spent time in recent months talking with England boss Gareth Southgate about his journey as he looks towards his career next step. Having these types of conversations has only aided his desire to get in the dugout on his own right as he insisted 'I am ready'. He told Sky Sports: "A few months ago I spent two hours with Gareth Southgate and he spoke about his journey from playing - Middlesbrough captain actually - to thrown in the deep end and got the job.

"I understand everyone's journey is different but I do feel like I am ready and having these conversations with experienced people around me, they have said the same as well." Asked about Sunderland manager job, Defoe said: "I have not had an interview. I don't think there is much to say on it really.

"I think when people look at the affiliation with the club. I was there as a player and had an amazing relationship with the fans. Obviously the Bradley Lowery story. A lot of people have said to me 'it makes sense you coming back as manager and we understand you are coaching at Tottenham and spoke about having your team ready' so that is the conversation I have sort of had with people.

"In terms of an interview I have not had one. If you said to me now 'would