Arsenal legend Tony Adams has returned to management with Azerbaijan club Gabala FC.
The 43 year old has been out of work since losing his managerial hot seat at Portsmouth fifteen months ago after a poor run of form.
Adams now has the opportunity to start over and test his managerial credentials once again, even if his destination is somewhat bizarre.
“I was looking for a project. I am too young to retire.” said the former Gunner.
“This one was very rare. I just thought it was a magnificent project to get my teeth into.”
“They’ve given me a clean plate here to build a football club and you don’t get that opportunity in the UK.”
Adams’s playing career had been littered with honours during his time with The Gunners as he made 672 appearances for the club and won four league titles. His managerial career has somewhat failed to come to fruition for a man who was a natural born leader on the pitch during his playing days. He had an unsuccessful start to management at Wycombe Wanderers where he only won 12 of his 53 games in charge back in 2003/2004, where he eventually tended his resignation due to personal reasons.
After briefly coaching in the Netherlands Adams returned to England in 2006 where he worked as Portsmouth’s assistant and eventually became manager after Harry Redknapp departed for Tottenham Hotspur in the fall of 2008. Unfortunately Adams only won 4 of his 22 game in charge and was eventually dismissed.
Now the former Arsenal skipper has an opportunity to express himself overseas with Gabala and he’s already set his sights on them winning the league within the next three years as well as progressively build the football club with Gary Stevens working as his number two.
“First things first. Realistically to win the league in three years is achievable.” stated Adams.
“It’s evolution not revolution. I’m not going to throw the baby out with the bath-water here. I’m building a club.”
His arrival has already been greeted with optimism by those in Azerbaijan hoping his name will raise the profile of the football in a country that is vastly unknown.
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