Adams: I could've turned it around; +++ MICKY ADAMS SACKING.
Byline: By Andy TurnerMICKY ADAMS insists that he could have put Coventry City back on the winning track if he had been given more time.
Adams, who was accompanied by wife Claire and daughter Madison when he reported to the Ricoh Arena for yesterday's showdown with the Sky Blues board said: "I'm devastated because it's not been a disastrous tenure and that's what I can't understand. I genuinely believe that I could have turned it around.
"Unfortunately the football industry is such that you do not get time to do that but I think what I have achieved at this club should have bought me more time.
"I came in when the club was scrapping against relegation and gave them a fantastic send-off at Highfield Road. I don't think that could have gone any better.
"I had one full season and finished eighth. The squad is undoubtedly better and hopefully that will be my legacy."
Adams admitted that the writing was already on the wall once City had been beaten 2-0 at home by Bristol City in Tuesday night's Ricoh replay - a result that cost the Sky Blues at least pounds 250,000.
"It's been a decision that's been on the cards for a while, or so I'm led to believe," he said. "I'm bitterly disappointed but I understand and respect the decision.
"We're all judged on results - it's as simple as that, and we got knocked out of the FA Cup in an embarrassing way.
"The average lifespan of a manager is 18 months' long gone are the days when managers stayed at a club for 10 years.
"I was the fifth longest-serving manager in the Championship and that says a lot. Football clubs, chairmen and fans want the holy grail but how do you get that? You get there by spending an awful lot of money to buy quality players."
Adams admitted that the decision to sell home-grown star Gary McSheffrey to Championship neighbours Birmingham City was a major setback to his promotion ambitions.
"Obviously it was a big turning point because he is a quality player and you can't replace quality players that easily," he said.
"But I'm not here to throw stones at anybody because I've got too much respect for everybody at the club, including the chairman and the board of directors. I've been supported as well as I could have been in the transfer market."
Adams also claims he bears no grudges against the supporters who rounded on him on Tuesday as Bristol added to a sorry sequence of six defeats and two draws from eight starts.
"I wish them well," he said. "I know I got a bit of stick but that happens. It hurts when fans want you out but I understand their frustration.
"I'm as frustrated as they are because I'm seeing players do things that are really strange. What they were doing on the training ground was not being replicated and that is really frustrating for any manager.
"They are good players, but I can't speak for the players and I can't make a pass for them."
Asked to explain why his squad have under-performed in recent weeks, he said: "Confidence! We saw last season that when confidence is flying this place is a fortress, but they are not showing what they are capable of doing for whatever reason."
Adams has managed seven clubs in the past decade, but he stressed: "I've never been sacked on results - that's the first time that's happened to me.
"But I've not lost faith in what I'm about and what I can do. Inside I'm hurting like mad but I've got to get on with it and I'll bounce back. I want to get back into work as soon as I can - I will move on just like Coventry will move on.
"I wish everyone well at the club, the supporters and the players. Sadly I won't be part of it, but I hope they can pick themselves up at Plymouth on Monday and show people what they're all about."
Asked for the highlight of his two-year stay with the Sky Blues, he said: "The best memory was the day I arrived because that's where I wanted to be.
"I tried my best and that's all I can do."
CAPTION(S):
ON THE WAY OUT OF A JOB ... Micky Adams arrives at the Ricoh Arena, with his wife Claire and three-year-old daughter Madison, to be told his two-year stay as Coventry City manager is at an end. Picture by JAMES BALFOUR JB17-0107MICK_3
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| Publication: | Coventry Evening Telegraph (England) |
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| Date: | Jan 18, 2007 |
| Words: | 760 |
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