Ex-Arsenal captain Tony Adams appointed Granada head coach

Former Arsenal captain Tony Adams has been appointed as the head coach of LaLiga strugglers Granada until the end of the season.

Granada have replaced Lucas Alcaraz with Adams after Sunday’s 3-1 home defeat against Valencia left them 19th in the table, seven points from safety with seven games to play.

Adams, 50, who spent his whole playing career with Arsenal, winning four league titles, has previously managed Wycombe Wanderers, Portsmouth and Gabala.

This is his first managerial post since ending his role at Azerbaijan Premier League side Gabala in November 2011.

Adams is the vice-president of DDMC, the company of Granada’s president John Jiang.

He has been working at Granada since last November, overseeing football operations, a role he also took on at Chinese Super League club Chongqing Dangdai Lifan, another side owned by DDMC. 

Alcaraz had been in his third spell as Granada boss, but lasted only six months in the role, paying the price for a run of form that had seen them pick up one point from six matches.

Adams’ first match in charge will be at home to Celta Vigo on Sunday, before he travels to face Jorge Sampaoli’s Sevilla on April 21.

“After carefully evaluating the current situation of the team following recent results, Granada CF has decided to end the third managerial spell of Lucas Alcaraz leading the first-team squad,” read the club’s statement.

“During this most recent spell at the helm, the Granadino coach managed 24 matches in LaLiga and two in the Copa del Rey, of which there were four wins, six draws and 14 defeats in the league, plus one win and one defeat in the cup.

“Taking his place until the end of the current campaign will be Tony Adams, DDMC vice-president and who Granada CF places all its confidence in as interim head coach of the first team.

“The club wishes to thank Lucas Alcaraz for his work and dedication leading the team, both personally and professionally, whilst wishing him all the best for the future.”

Adams played for Arsenal between 1983 and 2002, with the club honouring him with a statue in 2011. Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp also received that tribute.