Premier League - Adams appointed Portsmouth manager

Eurosport - Tue, 28 Oct 21:38:00 2008

Tony Adams has been confirmed as the new manager of Portsmouth, three days after the departure of Harry Redknapp to Tottenham Hotspur.

2008 Portsmouth Tony Adams - 0

The 42-year-old Adams served as an assistant to Redknapp, who was back in Portsmouth on Tuesday to receive the freedom of the city.

Adams was told on Monday night that he would be given the job and take charge for Wednesday's Premier League meeting with Liverpool.

The former Arsenal captain signed a two-and-a-half year contract until the end of the 2010/11 season.

He said: "It's a great opportunity and one I'd be mad to turn down. I'm very excited, I can't wait to get going.

"I've been here for two-and-a-half years so it was business as usual this morning, except Harry's charm and fun was gone.

"I've got some great players at Portsmouth and I have been kind of responsible as well for helping Harry to bring them to the club.

"I was at home thinking, 'I don't want anyone else to get this job'."

Adams conceded he might come under pressure from Redknapp's Tottenham to sell players such as Jermain Defoe and Lassana Diarra, but pledged: "I'll fight him!

"That's why they are here - they're good players and he'll probably want them.

"We've got some very good players here at the club so I'm delighted that other clubs want them. But it's my job to keep them here."

Adams also said he had spoken to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger before accepting his first Premier League management job.

"I spoke to Arsene [Wenger] last night for some advice, and he said, 'Welcome to hell!'"

Adams did not confirm the imminent appointment of his former Arsenal team-mate Martin Keown as assistant manager, saying he intended to take his time.

Joe Jordan and Paul Groves remain part of the coaching set-up.

Chairman Peter Storrie refused to answer questions about the club's uncertain finances, describing them as "a boring, boring subject".

Tony Adams Factfile

1966: Born Romford, Essex, October 10.

1983: Makes Arsenal debut aged 17.

1984: Signed as full professional by Arsenal in January after completing apprenticeship.

1985: Makes first of five appearances for England Under-21s (had previously played at schools and youth level).

1987: Wins first of 66 England caps (13 as captain) in 4-2 victory over Spain in Madrid in February. Member of Arsenal's Littlewoods Cup-winning side as Liverpool are beaten 2-1 in final at Wembley.

1988: Becomes youngest-ever Arsenal captain.

1989: Leads Arsenal to their first league title for 18 years.

1990: Not selected for England's World Cup final bid in Italy, which ends with semi-final defeat to Germany in Turin. Jailed for four months after admitting drink-driving offences in December. Serves two months of sentence.

1991: After coming out of jail, returns to Arsenal side which wins championship for second time in three seasons.

1993: Helps Arsenal lift Coca-Cola Cup and FA Cup with Wembley wins over Sheffield Wednesday in both competitions. Back in England side for first time since jail sentence as England slump 2-0 to Norway in a World Cup qualifier in Oslo in June.

1994: Member of Arsenal side which lifts European Cup Winners' Cup, beating Parma 1-0 in final in Copenhagen.

1995: European misery as Arsenal slump 2-1 to Real Zaragoza in Cup Winners' Cup final in Paris.

1996: Overcomes knee injury to figure in all five of England's Euro 96 matches in a campaign which again ends in a semi-final defeat on penalties to Germany. Reports that Adams is seeking a divorce after his wife Jane is treated for drug addiction are followed by his own admission of alcoholism.

1997: Helps England draw 0-0 with Italy in Rome's Olympic Stadium to qualify for France 98.

1998: Helps lead Arsenal to the league and FA Cup double.

Wins his 50th cap for England but suffers huge disappointment when Glenn Hoddle's men lose to Argentina on penalties and are knocked out of the World Cup.

1999: Part of the England team that qualifies for Euro 2000.

2000: Arsenal lose to Galatasaray in the UEFA Cup final.

Named as England captain following Alan Shearer's decision to retire from the international scene.

Skippers England against Germany in opening World Cup qualifier the last England international at Wembley before its redevelopment. England lose 1-0 and Keegan quits as coach after the game.

2001: Adams announces that he intends to quit international football in order to prolong his playing career.

2002: Plays just 13 league and cup games during the 2001/2002 season due to injury, but does play in the 2-0 FA Cup final victory over Chelsea as the Gunners complete the double.

In August, ends speculation over his future by revealing he is to take a break from football in order to take a three-year course in sports science.

Reveals he has had several offers to go into management but turnedthem down because of his "lack of preparation".

2003: January 15 - Denied the chance to take his first step into coaching as soccer consultant with Dr Marten's League side Weymouth after consortium he was linked with had their bid for the club rejected.

November 5 - Appointed manager of League One Wycombe.

2004: May - After just six league wins all season, Wycombe finish bottom and are relegated to League Two.

November 9 - Resigns as manager citing personal reasons.

2005: July - Takes up training coaching role with Feyenoord's youth side in Holland.

2006: January -

Becomes trainee coach with Utrecht first team.

June 28 - Appointed assistant manager to Harry Redknapp at Portsmouth.

2008: October 25 - Becomes caretaker manager following Redknapp's departure for Tottenham.

October 28 - Confirmed as Portsmouth manager.

Alex Chick and Sporting Life / Eurosport

Comment 10 - 29 of 89

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  1. youre having a laugh. how long was pompey in the old­ division 1 lets see 50 years, how long has southampton­ bin in championship, ummmm. i yes 3 years, who is the­ team to go down to the championship oh yesss super­ duper pompey, CYA NEXT YEAR POMPEY WHEN SAINTS BEAT YOU­ YET AGAIN, the thing is pompey will stay down in the­ championship 4 ANOTHER 50 YEARS. BYE BYE POMPEY BYE­ BYE HARRY BYE BYE TONY.....

    From mgachristian01, on Tue 28 Oct 11:14AM
  2. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    piss head

    From brap999, on Tue 28 Oct 11:11AM

  3. As a Pompey fan I am very happy with Tony Adams being­ given a chance, he certainly talks more sense than­ Harry Redknapp. As Harry himself would probably say;­ 'I'm pleased for Tony, I really am. He could­ become a top, top manager, he really could. He was a­ top, top player, Tony, he really was. I've got no­ problem with him. He deserves his chance, he really­ does. I like, Tony, I really do.' People will now­ see how vitally important Tony and Joe Jordan have been­ to Pompey's success over the last few years.

    From viki_tothova, on Tue 28 Oct 11:11AM

  4. i believe in tony adams

    i believe he can keep the­ success at fortress fratton going

    i believe in­ POMPEY!

    PLAY UP POMPEY!

    POMPEY PLAY UP!

    PLAY UP­ POMPEY!

    POMPEY PLAY UP!

    thanks for the success Sir­ Harry. Ye will be missed dockside.

    Tony Adams, we­ entrust our beloved pompey to ye!

    From J.C, on Tue 28 Oct 11:09AM

  5. !!GREAT NEWS AND CONGRATULATIONS TO TONY ADAMS!! We`re­ Pompey fans, so were`s your support, with all due­ respect when Alain Perrin was here i would of loved­ Tony Adams instead. Rednapp`s` a sell out and always­ has been. Anyone forget about the s,hampton thing. Lets­ just move on and give the man the support that he needs­ and we`re famous for all over the world. Time will­ tell. !!!PLAY UP POMPEY!!!

    From ALAN, on Tue 28 Oct 11:08AM

  6. Tony Adam has passion and will rally those he manages,­ this is what he did on the field when he was playing­ unfortunately it is passion solely for Arsenal, I­ don't think his heart will be in any other team.

    From slivatree, on Tue 28 Oct 11:03AM

  7. You are just p#ssed off that we have a better beach­ than you!

    From Lord Dambo of Purbrookshire, on Tue 28 Oct 11:03AM

  8. Seems like a lot of scummers(Southampton Ones That­ is)are lording it up on here this morning, and taking­ into to account the predicted path you are painting for­ the true Guvnors of the South coast, my estimation is­ that it will take about five years for Pompey to be as­ @#$% as Southampton.(Rupert just how low can you­ Go)

    SuperMackems (FTM) 2-1 YOU MUGS.

    From Paul N, on Tue 28 Oct 11:03AM

  9. Haha, at least the skates starting to crumble takes my­ mind off how poor Saints have been in the past few­ years. Redknapp is massively over-rated though, I­ really don't know how he's managed to keep his­ reputation. Having said that, it's most likely­ because he jumps before he's pushed... Good at­ leaving teams in financial ruin too. Don't envy the­ job that Adams has in front of him.

    From Antony, on Tue 28 Oct 11:03AM
  10. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    pompey play liverpool, thats tony donkeys first game,­ pompey will lose 4.0, great start with a new manager, 4­ seasons ago pompey were in the fizzy pop league. guess­ what pompey will be down there with southampton next­ season lets all sing play down pompey. come on down­ pompey the price is right.

    From mgachristian01, on Tue 28 Oct 10:59AM

  11. You have to remember that Tony and Joe are also behind­ our success in recent years. It can't have been­ all Harry. I think Tony will carry on where Harry left­ off and do wekll for portsmouth. My only worry is how­ many players Harry will rob us of come Christmas. If­ Tony and Joe are able to keep the current team will be­ alright and still be in contention for another top half­ finish or perhaps top six. As for Spurs, they will do­ well under Harry and I can't see them making the­ drop this season. Southampton were @#$% when they went­ down, and always have been!

    PLAY UP POMPEY!
    POMPEY­ PLAY UP!

    From Lord Dambo of Purbrookshire, on Tue 28 Oct 10:58AM

  12. Adams the poor sod - first time as Manager and faces a­ hammering from Liverpool - give the guy some space to­ cry in his beer will ya

    From not printable, on Tue 28 Oct 10:58AM
  13. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Cannot believe some of the comments on here, he has­ done nothing to warrant this position and wycombe must­ be laughing at the appointment. He is a mug who­ believes he has the moral high ground as a reformed­ boozer. Sacked before new years. Look at their next few­ games, gonna drop down the table quickly and then the­ pressure will be on and the booze will be flowing.­ Anyone know the Number of the PRIORY???????

    From brap999, on Tue 28 Oct 10:55AM

  14. test

    From evalottchen, on Tue 28 Oct 10:52AM

  15. jw I agree with all your sentiment. I think Tony Adams­ is a great appointment and I think if he can hold on to­ the key players they will finish in a strong position­ once again. Just a slight correction though Adams was a­ good old fashioned lump of a centre half, heart of the­ defence not midfield.

    From D, on Tue 28 Oct 10:47AM
  16. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    This hilarious, I was getting ready for a boring time­ till Xmas. Lets get this straight, he has no brain and­ no skill with people. He frowns, folds his legs and­ speaks aka David Brent style in order to appear­ intelligent, its as funny as politicians arm movements­ in oder to look forceful and confident.

    Come on he­ will be sacked very soon and back on the booze just in­ time for New years Eve, Cheers!!!

    Hee Haw......

    From brap999, on Tue 28 Oct 10:42AM

  17. It was inevitable that Adams would get the job­ but........... I agree with your sentiments - not the­ brightest of managers around. Harry made Pompey. Just­ look at the players he brought in. Those who have­ regained their England places have all given the credit­ to Harry for revitalising their careers. I think the­ change at Spurs will be immediately apparent and, like­ others, I await with interest the mid-season transfer­ window. New goalkeeper, strikers, defence? How many­ will be ex Pompey?

    From Monty, on Tue 28 Oct 10:37AM

  18. Tony adams is a survivor: he held arsenal and england­ together in mid field less we forget,forget the first­ team he mananged: every one starts some where. also he­ has joe jordon to back him up. good team and english ­ jw bton

    From jw3956, on Tue 28 Oct 10:35AM

  19. How cynical the comments have been - obviously people­ with nothing better to do than to see all the­ negatives, remember people do develope over the years­ and also learn from their mistakes and who wouldn't­ do a runner from Wycombe!! do they have any history, I ­ think not. Only time will tell I wish him well.

    From npedwar, on Tue 28 Oct 10:33AM

  20. I think its a great appiontment im a man utd fan and­ think that tony adams will do portsmouth proud another­ english manager in the prem its gotta be good

    From alan, on Tue 28 Oct 10:33AM
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