Former Rangers striker Jermain Defoe has declared he is "ready" for his first job in management.

The ex-Ibrox forward is keen to take his first step as a manager in his own right after coaching following his retirement.

The former England international reckons he is well prepared to become a manager after spending hours discussing the matter with Gareth Southgate, Harry Redknapp and Sam Allardyce.

On Sky Sports, the Tottenham academy coach said: "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 definitely said the same as well."

Asked for his message to club chiefs looking for a manager, Defoe added:  "Come and get me. Only joking."

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Defoe had been linked with the Sunderland job - given his strong connection with the club - but insists he has not held any talks over the role.

He 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 you have 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 an interview. If you said to me now 'would you like to be Sunderland manager in the future?' then why not. Suppose if you are, I don't know, a John O'Shea or someone that has played for Sunderland and gone into coaching then of course you would eventually love to manage a football club of that size. If you say no you are probably in the wrong game."