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.
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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.
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"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
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