FORMER England striker Jermain Defoe has expressed an interest in the managerial job at Oxford United.

The 40-year-old retired from playing on March 24 last year after a remarkable career which currently sees him ninth in the all-time Premier League goalscoring charts.

After hanging up his boots during a second spell with Sunderland, Defoe then made a return to Tottenham Hotspur in August, where he has been part of the academy coaching staff, as well as acting as an official club ambassador.

Defoe has also been taking part in the BBC Radio 5 Live podcast Jermain Defoe: Outside The Box, as he looks to become a manager.

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This week’s episode, released today, sees Defoe quizzed on the vacancy at United and whether the position is too soon in his search to get into management.

Defoe responded: “Obviously it’s early because I’ve not managed.

“I don’t think I would force it because I want to be ready, I don’t want to go into a situation where I’m not ready.

“I want to be fully prepared so I wouldn’t force it, but at the same time, if I got a phone call then I’m not going to be one of those people who’s in a comfort zone.

“I don’t mind going outside my comfort zone and throwing myself into the deep end because at the end of the day, it’s that competitive side of me – I’ve always been like that anyway.

“I don’t think you can be afraid to fail, I think you have to set your sights high but if they called me, I’d go of course.

“I’d go and listen to what they say.”

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The podcast follows on from Moment of Truth, which went behind the scenes as the U’s and Rotherham United chased promotion from Sky Bet League One last season.

Moment of Truth followed former United head coach Karl Robinson and his Rotherham counterpart Paul Warne over the final 90 days of the League One season.

Across 12 episodes in Defoe’s podcast, the former striker takes on advice from Warne, David Pleat and his old boss Harry Redknapp.

Defoe also speaks to the likes of John Barnes, Chris Hughton and Kick It Out’s Troy Townsend about the small number of black managers in English football.

Last January, United were linked with a move for Defoe, who was a free agent after leaving Rangers.

READ AGAIN: Oxford United boss Karl Robinson asked about Jermain Defoe

Defoe would eventually go on to rejoin Sunderland, although the Oxford Mail understood at the time that the U’s were in the race to snap up the prolific goalscorer on a deal until the end of the season.

During a 22-year playing career, Defoe bagged 304 goals in 762 club games and netted 20 goals in 57 England appearances.

His 162 Premier League goals, scored for West Ham United, Tottenham, Portsmouth, Sunderland and AFC Bournemouth, ensure Defoe is ninth on the all-time Premier League scorers chart.

Added to that are 496 Premier League appearances, which make him 15th on that list.