Derek Adams takes on new role at Plymouth months on from being sacked by Morecambe

Former manager Derek Adams has returned to Argyle as the club’s new Director of Football with responsibility for the men’s first team.

Adams joined Argyle as manager in 2015 and enjoyed a successful four years in the South West that included a promotion to League One.

Since then, the 50-year-old has had three spells at Morecambe, and time at both Bradford City and Ross County, and now returns as Director of Football.

Adams’ role will manage the men’s first-team structure and support Head of Football Operations David Fox and Head Coach Tom Cleverley, providing strategic guidance rather than day-to-day coaching responsibilities.

Chairman Simon Hallett is delighted to see the Scot return and commented: “Derek is someone who knows Argyle well after a long period of time here as manager.

“He has extensive knowledge across all areas of the football pyramid in both England and Scotland and will provide valuable support to both David and Tom 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.”

Argyle Chief Executive Paul Berne added: “We are all aware the situation we are in is not good enough and the Board believe bringing in someone of Derek’s experience will support us as we work to improve.

“He will work closely with the men’s football staff as we approach a busy period of fixtures and head towards the January transfer window.

“He has the experience and expertise to contribute immediately to planning and decision making and I look forward to seeing him back at Home Park.”

Derek will begin his new role on Monday, and we will have his first interview back at the club exclusively on Argyle TV next week.

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Here’s how fans reacted as Derek Adams takes on a new role at Plymouth months on from being sacked by Morecambe…

@Hopey_Media: Love this! Glad to see Derek back in football 👏

@ArgyleMemes: We’re so back babbbby!!!!

@TomSagee: “First task, sack cleverley and give myself the job”

@prouty_0205: 44 feckin 2 pass and move

@ripdan25: never thought I’d see the day that I’d miss you, welcome home, now show these useless twats just what it means to play for this club please and thank you 💚

@Bruntyy: Good appointment! Knows the club and supporters very well and can help TC in the day to day football tasks. Interesting to see how DF and DA will work together though! Fingers crossed as a team they can get the results to improve quickly 💚

@FeedTheSpud: I’m so torn on this; Great experience in the game and will surely bang some heads together but another with no experience of the actual role he’s taking. Glad the board realise the need for change and leadership – still need more. #pafc

@MaccaSouth: Derek Adams as DOF is fantastic business. A club man, who won’t settle for mediocrity. It is however the biggest statement of backing cleverley whether it means L2 or not, he’s not going anywhere. Hopefully having Derek to support and sort the backroom, Clev will thrive? #pafc

@jm_bell95: The club has changed exponentially since Derek left. He left under a cloud after a poor four months. The majority of his four year reign was tremendous theatre if nothing else. He will not stand for performances we’ve seen of late. Still massive pressure on TC #pafc

@reecemoore613: Brilliant appointment. However, it was almost a year since Dewsnip left, and we were told we didn’t need a director of football and that was now a new role that foxy does. Also Derek isn’t a data man, are we moving away from just data

@Fraser1874: This is a bit like chucking a toaster in the bath when someone is drowning. Extraordinary that this shyster keep’s on getting gigs. Fair play to him I suppose #PAFC #SPFL

@DanNewnham: The most desperate, random, weird, very very bad but funny, utterly shite thing the argyle board could do?! What on earth are they thinking?! Funny though I guess

@t_fenlon: 2018: Simon Hallett is owner of Plymouth Argyle, with Derek Adams Head of Football, rotting at the bottom of the third division. 2025: Simon Hallett is owner of Plymouth Argyle, with Derek Adams Director of Football, rotting at the bottom of the third division. It’s hilarious.

@OffTheLineBlog: It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see what is going to happen here, does it…

@MorecambeFCFeed: Unbelievable stuff, hope it works out well 👏

@Niall_pafc: I remember when Derek had the position of Manager and Football Operations lets rolle that back fully!

@Aaronpress1: Now just to sack Cleverley and get a decent manager in to work with Derek.

@lxwiscooke_: Finally someone who actually gives a shit about the club💚👍🏽

@lwestlake7: So basically what they are saying is we haven’t had a structure in place for the 1st team in the last 2 years

The King has returned 👑 #pafc https://t.co/DJidvGPKZK pic.twitter.com/Wb5KjKP2iT

— Joe (@jm_bell95) November 11, 2025