Experienced manager linked with Hartlepool United job lands Football League role
Derek Adams, who had been linked with the vacant Hartlepool United manager's job in recent weeks, has been appointed as the new director of football at League One strugglers Plymouth Argyle.
The 50-year-old had been out of work since he was sacked by Morecambe in August after the Shrimps, who endured a nightmarish 2024/25 campaign as off-field issues and financial mismanagement pushed the club to the brink of extinction, were relegated to the National League.
The Scotman's departure brought to an end a third spell at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium, with Adams regarded as a club legend in Lancashire having led the Shrimps to promotion to League One for the first time in their entire history in 2021.
Having been linked with the vacant Pools job following the sacking of manager Simon Grayson in October, Adams has now sealed a return to Plymouth, who he managed between 2015 and 2019 and led to promotion from League Two in 2016.
The Devon side have endured a challenging start to the season under new head coach Tom Cleverley and are bottom of League One having lost 10 of their opening 15 matches this term.
"Derek is someone who knows Argyle well after a long period of time here as manager," chairman Simon Hallett told the club's official website.
"He has extensive knowledge across all areas of the football pyramid in both England and Scotland and will provide valuable support to both David (Fox, head of football operations) and Tom (Cleverley, head coach) as we look to come through this challenging period.
"He is someone that has experience of tough circumstances and will work closely with all areas of the men's football department to ensure results and performances improve.
"I am pleased to welcome him back to Argyle."