New model Adams moves into management

When it was suggested to Tony Adams a few years ago that he might one day take over at Highbury, he responded: "Manager of Arsenal? Give us a break. It's very demanding being a manager. I need a life first. I fancy a bit of skiing and painting."

The former England captain has evidently put away his easel and been on the piste enough. After a year of retirement from an 18-year playing career in which he endured at least a couple of visits to rock bottom and back, he became the manager of Wycombe Wanderers yesterday. Typically for the new model Adams, he promised to use all his life experience to help the struggling Second Division side out of their own spot of bother - they lie bottom of the table - while conceding he still has plenty to learn.

"I've got my own ways and my own ideas," he said. "Some of them, I imagine, would be completely useless but some may be good. We'll see."

Adams, 37, has signed a three-year contract at the Causeway Stadium and becomes the permanent successor to Lawrie Sanchez, who was sacked at the end of September. John Gorman, who has been the caretaker manager since then, will stay at the club for an unspecified period to help Adams adapt to his first managerial job. His first test comes on Saturday against Swindon in the FA Cup. "I thought it was important John was here to assist me and give me all the help I'd need," Adams said.

Gorman, a former England assistant manager, is confident that Adams can turn Wycombe's fortunes around. "He is and always will be a winner," he said. "He has proved that in his career. [But] Tony will need help and I want to help him."

Adams has been linked to several managerial vacancies since hanging up his boots at the end of Arsenal's 2002 Double season. Instead he started a three-year degree in sports science to add to his Uefa B coaching licence. He opted for the Wycombe post after consulting Celtic's Martin O'Neill, a previous incumbent.

"University has been really interesting but it's nothing like getting your hands dirty and getting some experience," Adams said. "It was something I was going to do one day, somewhere. It just happens to be the right time for me at the moment."

He hopes to combine the approach of managers he has worked for or admired. "George Graham's resilience, Martin O'Neill's enthusiasm, Arsène Wenger's empathy and sensitivity, and the ideas of Terry Venables," he said. As for coping with pressure, he knows a thing or two about that having been jailed for drink-driving, having fought alcoholism and having won every domestic honour in England.

"I'm a member of Alcoholics Anonymous and in three weeks' time if I've gone grey and I'm pulling my hair out I'll probably go to a meeting," he said. "We are what we learn and hopefully I've learned a bit."

Adams brushed aside questions about his striker Jermaine McSporran, who was quoted as saying on Tuesday: "Tony Adams has carved himself a great career as a player and it would be a great opportunity for him. He looks promising but he's unproven as a manager, and will he be able to stick it?"

Adams joked: "Jermaine McSporran, he's on the list! When there is change there is fear. Obviously they [the players] don't know me but that is part of the excitement. My priority is the players. I don't mind if he [McSporran] fears me a little bit."

Gorman said he had spoken to McSporran about his comments. "He wanted to say he was disappointed I was not staying as manager," Gorman said. "In no way is he not going to be behind the new manager."

Adams said that his first task would be to shore up a leaky defence. "They have conceded a lot of goals this season and so we are going to be doing a little bit around that area and helping the players to improve," he said. "There are other things I need to do, and it is not necessarily about results. If I get the guys in the best psychological shape, physical shape, then maybe we can take them on to success."