Tony Adams: Granada name ex-Arsenal and England captain head coach

Last updated on .From the section European Footballcomments104

Tony Adams
Adams won four top-flight titles during his playing career with Arsenal

Former England and Arsenal captain Tony Adams has been appointed head coach of Granada until the end of the season.

Adams replaces Lucas Alcaraz, who was sacked on Monday after a 3-1 home defeat by Valencia that leaves them 19th in La Liga.

The 50-year-old had been working at the Spanish club since November and is vice president of the company owned by Granada's club president.

His first game will be at home to Celta Vigo on Sunday.

Adams left Azerbaijan side Gabala in 2011 and previously managed Wycombe Wanderers and Portsmouth.

He has worked alongside Granada's president John Jiang in his role as vice president of the Chinese businessman's DDMC company and has been sporting director for Chinese Super League club Chongqing Dangdai Lifan.

Adams played 669 times for Arsenal between 1983 and 2002, spending 14 years as captain, and won 66 England caps.

Analysis

Spanish football writer Andy West - read more here

"It would make much more sense for Adams' new role to be a temporary one, buying some time while the club makes longer-term plans for next season and beyond.

"Certainly, Adams being named permanent manager would not fit very well with the 'Spanish structure' he spoke about in his interview last month.

"And until today, everything Adams had said about his role at Granada suggested that he was happy to take a backroom director's role rather than holding ambitions to become first-team manager, and that remains the most likely scenario beyond the current season.

"But considering his strong relationship with the club's owner, of course he could end up getting the job on a permanent basis."

Comments

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104 comments

  • Comment posted by Emile Heskey for England Captain, at 15:41 10 Apr 2017

    Very much doubt he can make much of a difference...but hey, can't do any worse than Gary Neville!

  • Comment posted by Glad All Over - CPFC, at 15:40 10 Apr 2017

    Absolute disgrace that they have given a foreign manager the job rather than a young homegrown coach.

  • Comment posted by Fatbobslim, at 16:36 10 Apr 2017

    tobythelegendkid.

    What I find hilarious is that you think your opinion counts. By the way your term "random guy" means nothing. This random guy has 66 England caps, spent 14 years as captain of Arsenal and beat alcoholism. Can you let us know what you have done in your sad little life!!

  • Comment posted by NeilT, at 15:41 10 Apr 2017

    The first sentence should read: "...until the end of the season or until sacked, whichever is sooner."

  • Comment posted by Yeahbaby, at 15:49 10 Apr 2017

    So he has got a job courtesy of his association with the Club President. I hope he makes a good fist of it, would be nice to have another English manager out there I suppose

  • Comment posted by View from the North, at 16:00 10 Apr 2017

    He couldn't manage Channel 5 never mind Granada!

  • Comment posted by Emile Heskey for England Captain, at 16:00 10 Apr 2017

    @9. tobythelegendkid

    You really are an attention seeking little drama queen aren't you?

  • Comment posted by lampardovergerrard, at 16:31 10 Apr 2017

    good luck to him, he cant lose... they expect relegation so its win-win, even as a chelsea fan i use to love watching him play for england, pure class, one of the first to comfort gareth southgate after THAT penalty, seems like a genuine guy who has some demons but he was too good a player to be out of the game.

  • Comment posted by Johnnythunder, at 19:48 10 Apr 2017

    Collosus of a defender. He and Keown struck fear in countless opponents. He is the player, defender, leader so sorely missing from Arsenal now.

    And I had the privilege of meeting him and his wife at a restaurant many years ago. I asked the manager if it was ok to have a photo with him and he replied "Sir, Mr Adams is here for a meal with his wife". No sooner had he gone, over comes Adams.

  • Comment posted by Ohmatron, at 16:03 10 Apr 2017

    Wow. A lot of angry people! All the best Tony

  • Comment posted by ash1407, at 19:50 10 Apr 2017

    To even mention Carragher in the same sentence Adams is laughable and insulting in equal measure...

  • Comment posted by FirminoTheSaviour, at 19:47 10 Apr 2017

    @ Dannyboy New Improved

    Unlike you i've only supported 1 team my whole life.
    I am a tiny bit jealous that you got to support MU under Ferguson, City under Mancini and now Chelsea under Conte but unfortunately being a plastic fan dosn't interest me.....

  • Comment posted by A_Mason, at 19:12 10 Apr 2017

    It's negative comments and British perceptions that stop us moving out of the English game or even getting into it.

    Loose your small minded comments and give a fellow Brit some support.

    I hope he makes a great job of it!

  • Comment posted by Largewomble, at 16:50 10 Apr 2017

    Spurs fan and always respected him, great how he turned his life around and that Euro 96 team loves em all. Good luck and hope it goes better than Wycombe

  • Comment posted by Peter A, at 15:50 10 Apr 2017

    Training commences today with Tony leading donkey rides in the center circle.

  • Comment posted by justice96ynwa, at 21:54 10 Apr 2017

    80. Posted by ash1407
    @62. Firmino.... Outside of Liverpool Carragher is virtually unheard of
    I thought none of our fans came from Liverpool, so our fans haven't heard of him? You don't half talk nonsense

  • Comment posted by metalzimmerman, at 21:22 10 Apr 2017

    Nothing but great admiration for TA. Brave to face his demons. A truly great player and a football legend. How Arsenal must wish they had players like him now. An honest, brave and tough defender, he could move a bit quick as well. I wish him well in everything he does and I`m a Brighton supporter.

  • Comment posted by mando, at 20:16 10 Apr 2017

    Tony Adams is a character Arsenal are missing on and outside the pitch. His nickname, Mr Arsenal, is not a coincidence.

  • Comment posted by john-not-in-hendon, at 19:45 10 Apr 2017

    @82 they could certainly do with him at palace tonight..thats for sure...

  • Comment posted by Surrey Soothsayer, at 19:41 10 Apr 2017

    Adams wasn't just the best defender in the Premiership; he was the best of all time. They'd do a lot worse than putting him in stone on the 4th plinth.

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