Saturday’s opponents Morecambe have named former boss Derek Adams as their new manager following Stephen Robinson’s departure for St Mirren on Tuesday.

Adams, 46, was previously in charge at the Mazuma Stadium from November 2019 until last June when he resigned to take over at Bradford, where he was sacked earlier this month.

In his previous spell with the Shrimps, Adams saw them to League Two safety in the 2019/20 campaign, then in his only full season saw them to the play-offs having only missed out on automatic promotion by a point.

They defeated Newport County 1-0 after extra time in the final at Wembley to take their place in League One for the first time. They currently sit fourth from bottom, two points from safety.

“I am really looking forward to it, we have obviously got a challenge between now and the end of the season to stay in League One, we are in the relegation zone at this moment in time,” he told the official Morecambe website.

“I know the football club well, they were very good to me when I was here before, the co-chairmen, the board of directors, the supporters, the staff and the players were fantastic, and it was an really easy decision for me to come back.”

Co-chairmen Rod Taylor and Graham Howse added: “Derek is someone who has already written himself into Morecambe history after leading the club to League One level for the first time. He knows the place inside out and now returns to make further progress with us.

“He was the manager we earmarked straight away, we knew there would be a possibility that he would come back as we have a strong relationship with him, and after a whirlwind two days, we absolutely believe he is the right person to ensure our status in League One.

“We would like to thank [goalkeeper-coach] Barry Roche for leading the team on Tuesday night against Rotherham United, which on another day, could have seen us leave South Yorkshire with a point, at least.

“This wasn’t the first time that Barry has stepped in while we looked to recruit a new manager, and we can not thank him enough for his unquestionable professionalism once again.

“We are sure you will all join us in wishing Derek the best of luck in the position, and will get behind him and the team as we look to pick up three valuable points against Ipswich Town on Saturday.”

Adams is set to take training for the first time to today ahead of the weekend home game against the Blues.

Photo: Action Images

Orraman added 10:53 - Feb 24 I can't recall specific instances, but it seems that we often find ourselves playing against clubs who have just appointed a new manager just before playing us. This normally gives the opposing team a bounce (unless your name is Cook) and Adams has happy history at Morecambe so that is something else we will have to guard against on Saturday. Hopefully with Morecambe being at home and in desperate need of points, they will try to push up to score which will be more beneficial to our game

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KernewekBlue added 11:07 - Feb 24 I'll wish Derek Adams all the best... from Sunday onwards. We need to be sweeping these teams to one side and grabbing those valuable points for ourselves. COYB
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ArnieM added 11:48 - Feb 24 Cue new manager bounce then …
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BlueySwede added 12:58 - Feb 24 Respect, but don´t focus too much on the opposition. Just play as we did on Saturday (and put the chances away) and we will be allright.
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runaround added 13:44 - Feb 24 That's a bit of a blow before we go to play there
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