Former Ross County manager Derek Adams is anxious for a return to the game and believes he is older and wiser than the firebrand who made his name with the Staggies.
The 39-year-old former Aberdeen and Motherwell forward was sacked by the Dingwall club at the end of August, only four games into the new season, despite leading his club into the top flight and a place in the Scottish Cup final.
The enforced break is the longest Adams has been away from the game for more than two decades. He said: “It’s the first time I have really had time off since I started in football, but it has allowed me to get to games, take stock of things and get myself refreshed and ready to go again.
“I have to wait for the right opportunity to get back into the game. There will always be an opportunity, but I will have to weigh-up whether it’s the right one. I wouldn’t jump at the first job that comes along.”
Adams believes he has the experience to be a success again. He added: “When you’re younger, you make mistakes, but I’ve had 300 games to get over them, and along the way I have learned what works, and what doesn’t. As a younger manager you think everything works, and you can become a bit ‘gallus’, not listen to people and you think you can go into a club and change it in a minute. But when you’re older you realise some things aren’t possible.
“I am still employed by Ross County and under contract until 2016, if a job comes along, I have to reach an agreement with County, that would have to be sorted out before I can work again.
“The records will show I did a very good job with County. I was disappointed at what happened, and how proceedings took place, but I’m not going to be bitter about it. I’ve stated the facts about what happened, and have been
honest in what I’ve said.”
Adams would be happy to travel and said: “I enjoy Scotland, and the passion from the people and players, but if I have to go further afield I wouldn’t have a problem with that.
“However, other parts of the world, such as the Netherlands, are not receptive to Scottish coaching, or our culture of the game. They believe we play the long-ball. Going to Holland or Germany, and trying to tell them how to play football would be impossible. But I would go overseas in a minute, the way I coach and manage would work in a foreign country. I have worked with a director of football, and that’s what happens abroad.
“I have worked with foreign players and know how they train, how they take to the game and how to deal with their mentality, that wouldn’t faze me at all.
“I just have to wait to see if the right opportunity comes along. As for England, what I hope for is that Scottish managers go down there and do well, as they did in the past. Paul Lambert and Alan Irvine are now in the Premier League so that can help.”