Arsenal legend looking to reinvent career in Eastern Europe
Arsenal Legend Tony Adams has thrown himself back into the cauldron of management yesterday, after deciding to take charge of Azerbaijan side Qalaba FC.
The former England and Arsenal captain has been out of the game for 15-months following his removal from Portsmouth in 2009. But the former Arsenal no.6 is now ready to get back into the hot-seat and reinvent his managerial career within the depths of the unknown.
Adams has had time to reflect and consider his next managerial post, but his decision to take charge of Qalaba FC will surely have raised a few eyebrows Nationwide.
Adams has a vision in mind for the club, and has stated that he wants to build a team, a project if you will, which could see The Englishman at Qalaba FC for a number of years. He told sky sports of his plans for the Azerbaijan side:
“I was looking for a project. I am too young to retire. 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 proclamation is very clear, although he does seem to have a dig at the lack of opportunities available in England.
His first venture into management came in November 2003 when he took charge of Wycombe Wanderers. However his spell was short lived after suffering relegation with the club. He resigned in November 2004. He then became assistant manager at Portsmouth, where he learned under the guidance of both Avram Grant and Harry Redknapp. The 43-year-old eventually took charge of the club but only lasted a year as manager. Avram Grant is no stranger to management abroad, and if Adams needs it, he can always look to the Israeli for assistance and help.
Adams has high hopes that he can rebuild his reputation as a manager abroad, and has already set objectives for his new side. He will also have former Tottenham player Gary Stevens as his right hand man throughout his journey. The Arsenal legend told sky sports:
“First things first. Realistically to win the league in three years is achievable.”
He finishes off by saying:
“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 new club (Qalaba FC) is only 5-years-old, and has a stadium capacity of 2,000 (a complete opposite of what we are used to in England). So why has Adams chosen to manage a team of this size? He will want to prove that he is and can be a good manager, but deciding to head East of Europe may not be his wisest decision ever.
A Majority of fans and pundits alike will deem his decision to learn his trade abroad in an unknown league as a brave one. The desire to broaden his horizon may also be another reason why fans may think that Adams is only bettering himself in the long-term. However, some will view it as a pure sign of desperation, and that the Englishman has completely lost his marbles this time round.
Adams is still a young manager at the age of 43. He will need time to adapt and learn the game from the sidelines. There is no doubt that he will become a respected manager in the future, but it appears from his latest move that Adams wants to find his feet in management, whether Azerbaijan is the place to do this is debatable to say the very least.
Either way, all we can do is wish him the very best, because, let’s face it, he’s going to need it.
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