Derek Adams

Adams started his professional career with Aberdeen, but failed to make a first-team appearance. He moved to English side Burnley, making a couple of league appearances in the mid-1990s before returning to Scotland with Ross County in 1996. Adams was transferred to Motherwell in a deal worth £200,000 in 1998 and spent six years at Fir Park, including a short loan spell with Ayr United. Adams was one of a number of players affected by the club's administration problems, accepting a pay cut in April 2002. Adams failed to win any trophies during his time with Well, although he scored in the 2002–03 Scottish Cup semi-final defeat against Rangers. In 2004, Adams agreed a pre-contract move back to Aberdeen, spending a year at Pittodrie before being transfer-listed and leaving for Livingston in 2005.

Ross County (first spell)

In 2006, Adams returned to Ross County as player–coach. In November 2007, Adams was promoted to the role of player–manager, having served as caretaker manager since October. Despite the terms of Adams' appointment, his last playing appearance was in October 2007. He led Ross County to the Scottish Second Division championship in 2008, earning promotion to the First Division. At the age of 33, Adams became the holder of the UEFA Pro Licence, which is the highest coaching badge in the senior game. The next year, Adams led Ross County to the 2010 Scottish Cup Final, notching upset victories over SPL sides Hibernian and Celtic. County lost 3–0 to Dundee United in the Final.

Hibernian assistant

Adams left Ross County on 11 November 2010 to join Hibernian as assistant manager to Colin Calderwood. Adams has had several disciplinary cases considered by the Scottish Football Association during his coaching career. At one point he was due to be banned for a number of matches, but he won an appeal against part of the suspension. Adams was then suspended for further matches, a sanction which Hibs appealed against. While this appeal was ongoing, Adams described the whole disciplinary process as distressing.

Ross County (second spell)

Adams left Hibernian on 19 May 2011 to return to Ross County as manager. In his first season back at County, Adams guided the club to the 2011–12 Scottish First Division championship and promotion to the…

Derek Watt Adams was born on 25 June 1975 in Glasgow.

Player

Ross County

Scottish Challenge Cup: 2006–07

Manager

Ross County

Scottish First Division: 2011–12 Scottish Second Division: 2007–08 Scottish Cup runner-up: 2009–10 Plymouth Argyle

EFL League Two second-place promotion: 2016–17 Morecambe

EFL League Two play-offs: 2021 Individual

PFA Scotland Manager of the Year: 2011–12 Football / EFL League Two Manager of the Month: October 2015, September 2016, December 2020, November 2024 EFL League One Manager of the Month: February 2018