Bradford City have appointed Derek Adams as their new manager for 2021-22 season in League Two.
Adams’ appointment comes just over 24 hours after he resigned as Morecambe manager, having guided the Shrimps to promotion on Bank Holiday Monday with a 1-0 victory over Newport County following extra-time in the 2020-21 League Two Play-Off Final.
Speaking on his decision to join Bradford City who will now spend a third season in the fourth-tier of English Football after finishing 13th this season, Adams said: “Today is a great day for me. This a fantastic football club to come to and we have a big opportunity to try and earn promotion.”
Adams also spoke of setting promotion as the target at every club he has been at and believes that Bradford fans can play a part, commenting: “Next season, my aim is to take us beyond this division and into Sky Bet League One. That is the pressure I put on myself, wherever I go, and I try to handle that pressure as well as I can.
“We have passionate supporters. The Bradford City fanbase is fantastic and was a big pull for me to come here. They want their manager to share the same passion, which is what I am here to do.”
Adams also spoke about looking to bring an exciting style of football to Valley Parade with supporters set to return next season, adding: “We want to be a team that plays on the front foot and excites people when they come here. Hopefully, next season, we can get the supporters back to Valley Parade and have the place bouncing.”
Bradford’s Chief Executive Officer, Ryan Sparks spoke of feeling ‘delighted’ to appoint Adams as manager, although he also paid tribute to Morecambe’s Co-Chairmen – Graham Howse and Rod Taylor for showing ‘their understanding and cooperation’ in recent days after waiting for their play-off campaign to conclude.
Sparks confirmed that Adams was their intended managerial choice and pointed to his qualities as to their decision to appoint him, saying: “He is a winner, works extremely hard, understands what it takes to build and sustain a successful side and has proven his ability to help teams at this level progress at an impressive rate.”
Adams’ personality and agreement with the club’s vision also made him the idea choice as someone who “… fits into the culture we are trying to build, as we work towards achieving our on-field ambitions.”
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