Derek Adams returns to Ross County after Morecambe exit
Ross County name Derek Adams as Malky Mackay's replacement; the club are 11th in the Scottish Premiership and face Kilmarnock on Saturday in their first game under Adams; the 48-year-old joins from Morecambe who are ninth in SkyBet League Two
Tuesday 21 November 2023 10:35, UK
Ross County have appointed Derek Adams as their manager for a third time.
He left Morecambe on Monday morning after his release clause was met, despite the SkyBet League Two side hoping to keep the 48-year-old at the club, and hours later moved to the Highlands.
Adams, who had managed Ross County from 2007 to 2010 and again from 2011 to 2014, replaces Malky Mackay who was sacked last week after a run of eight league games without a win.
- Ross County sack Malky Mackay after winless run
- Stream the Scottish Premiership and more with NOW
- Scottish Premiership table | Fixtures | Results
- Free-to-watch Scottish Premiership highlights
Adams told Sky Sports following his appointment: "I think success for this football club is to get into the top six and in my first time here, we were able to do that.
"We finished fifth in the SPL [now known as Scottish Premiership] and It's the highest finish it's ever had in its time.
Trending
- Man City latest: Gundogan offers brutal assessment after latest loss
- Papers: Wilcox steps into Ashworth's Man Utd role ahead of Jan window
- Arsenal latest: Lewis-Skelly has bright future, says Arteta
- Arsenal 3-0 Monaco reaction
- Juventus 2-0 Man City: As it happened
- Why exact league place matters in the Champions League table
- Transfer Centre LIVE! Van Dijk: 'No word' on Liverpool contract talks
- Live Champions League table: Man City sink to 22nd place
- Verdict on 'predictable' Man City: 'If I was Amorim, I'd copy Juve'
- Spurs latest: Romero apologises for comments as Ange confirms injury woe
"So can we over time enable us to try and get to being a regular top six team? It's very difficult - we understand that with the amount of big teams in this league, and also try to eventually, if possible, get to European football."
Ross County narrowly avoided relegation last season under Mackay via the play-offs and are 11th in the Scottish Premiership, just above bottom club Livingston on goal difference.
The club's CEO Steven Ferguson said: "We are delighted to welcome Derek Adams back to Ross County Football Club.
"He returns following a successful period in England and has led over 700 games as a manager across his career.
"He knows the Highlands and our club well; we look forward to seeing him build on the solid foundations laid by Malky and his staff over the last two years and believe that Derek inherits a talented playing squad that are capable of being successful in the SPFL."
Confirming his exit from Morecambe, CEO Ben Sadler said Adams had "done an excellent job in challenging circumstances" with the club now ninth, just two points off the play-offs with games in hand.
Boyd: Adams can hit ground running at County
Sky Sports' Kris Boyd believes Adams' return to Ross County could be a good appointment.
He told Sky Sports News: "Derek Adams is not going to take time to get settled. He knows the club, he knows the people he is working with and will know the players.
"From the games I have seen, Ross County have been okay and have caused teams problems but they need to start picking up results.
"It is going to be really tight down at the bottom of the league, as it always is, but I am sure Derek Adams will fancy his chances to turn things around at Ross County and get them moving up the table."
Ross County's next five fixtures
- Kilmarnock (h) - Scottish Premiership - Saturday, 3pm
- St Mirren (h) - Scottish Premiership - Nov 28, 7.45pm
- Livingston (a) - Scottish Premiership - Dec 2, 3pm
- Motherwell (h) - Scottish Premiership - Dec 5, 7.45pm
- St Mirren (a) - Scottish Premiership - Dec 9, 3pm
Scottish Premiership and SWPL on Sky Sports
Sky Sports - This season up to 48 cinch Premiership games will be available across Sky Sports' flagship channels, including Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event, plus at least five SWPL matches. From 2024/25, up to 60 cinch Premiership will be live on Sky Sports, in addition to the SWPL.
Sky Sports News - Running 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Scottish football fans can enjoy Sky Sports News' (channel 409) rolling editorial coverage of the cinch Premiership and SWPL throughout the season.
Sky Sports Digital - Follow all the latest from Scottish football across SkySports.com and app, including exclusive features and interviews, plus dedicated live blog coverage, in-game clips from matches live on Sky Sports and free highlights.
Sky Sports Social - Alongside coverage and visibility for the league across all Sky Sports' main social media channels, the bespoke X page @ScotlandSky (formerly known as Twitter) will continue to be the home of all Scottish football content on Sky Sports.
Highlights show - Tune in for a dedicated round-up from the cinch Premiership every week on Sky Sports Football.
To download the Sky Sports app click here, to visit Sky Sports website click here.
Sky Sports is the home of domestic football in the UK and Ireland, with action from the Scottish Premiership, Scottish Women's Premier League, Premier League, WSL, EFL, and more.