Neil Adams resigns as Norwich manager: FA Cup defeat sees manager walk away

The Canaries are three points off the play-offs in the Championship after a strong start to the season

Neil Adams has repaid Norwich City’s faith by guiding them to second in the Championship (Getty Images)

Neil Adams has resigned as manager of Norwich, the Sky Bet Championship club have confirmed on Twitter.

The 49-year-old took the decision to stand down in the wake of Saturday's disappointing 2-0 defeat to Preston at Deepdale in the FA Cup third round.

Norwich sit seventh in the table, three points adrift of a play-off place and 10 points behind East Anglia rivals Ipswich who occupy the second automatic promotion position.

Adams took over from Chris Hughton for the final five games of last season but was unable to keep the Canaries in the Barclays Premier League.

He was given the role on a permanent basis during the summer but despite a promising start to the season, City find themselves off the pace for a top-two finish.

A statement on the club's official website, http://www.canaries.co.uk: "Norwich City can confirm Neil Adams has resigned as manager with immediate effect. The process of appointing a new manager to take the club forward is already under way.

"Meanwhile, first-team coach Mike Phelan will take charge of team matters until the new manager is confirmed.

"Former Canary winger and successful youth team coach Adams will take a break from the game before returning to work for the club in July, in a role to be confirmed at a later date.

"Adams was appointed to the first-team manager's position on a full-time basis in May 2014 after a brief five-game spell as caretaker at the end of the 2013-14 Barclays Premier League campaign.

"Following the Sky Bet Championship defeat at Reading on December 28, the Canaries currently sit seventh in the league table. After Saturday's FA Cup third-round exit at the hands of Preston North End, Adams met for discussions with the board and agreed to resign.

"The club would like to thank Neil for his hard work and dedication during his time as manager and over many years as a player and coach. Everybody at Norwich City looks forward to working with him again when he returns in the summer.

"The club will not be commenting any further at this time."

Adams had come under fire from Norwich fans following a run of one win in 10 Championship games but a four-game unbeaten run appeared to have seen them turn the corner.

After a 1-0 win at Wigan, they rattled in 11 goals in two home thrashings of Huddersfield and Millwall either side of earning a 2-2 draw at fellow promotion hopefuls Derby before a 2-1 loss at Reading was followed by another early cup exit.

Adams said in the statement: "I firmly believe we are still on course for a crack at promotion back to the Premier League. That is where this club belongs.

"However, I feel it is in the best interests of the team that an immediate change is made in order to ensure a positive impact on results.

"It goes without saying I sincerely hope the team achieves success this season and I would like to say a huge thank you to the supporters who have backed me during my tenure as manager."

PA