Adams resigns as Wycombe manager

It saddens me to have to leave before finishing the job I started Tony Adams

Wycombe Wanderers have accepted the resignation of manager Tony Adams.

The former England captain, 38, who took over in November 2003 but failed to stop the club being relegated, told the team on Tuesday he was leaving.

Adams said in a statement: "It is with regret that I resign from the post of manager due to personal reasons."

Wycombe chairman Ivor Beeks said: "The club would like to thank Tony for his 12 months of involvemen and wish him every success in the future."

But Beeks was unhappy with the way Adams' resignation had been leaked to the media before he had had time to talk to him.

News that Adams was leaving became public hours before the board accepted his resignation at a meeting held at 1700 GMT.

"It is most unfortunate that the resignation was disclosed during the day to members of the media before a formal meeting with myself," Beeks added on the club's website.

"We are now embarking on finding a successor. A statement regarding the short-term management at the club will be made within the next 24 hours."

In his statement, Adams said he thought the Chairboys had the makings of a good team.

Adams said: "I would like to thank everybody connected with Wycombe for the time I have spent with them.

"I believe the team is in early development and it saddens me to have to leave before finishing the job I started.

"I am sure (head coach) Pete (Cawley) and the players can continue with their good work and achieve all the success that they are worth and is their due."

Wycombe finished bottom of the table last season and, despite a promising start to the present campaign, they have again struggled.

Wycombe went top of League Two on 11 September after a win at Southend but they have since earned just four points from the last 24 available as they have plummeted down the table.

Associate director Alan Parry, the Sky Sports commentator and a lifelong Wycombe fan, denied that Adams had been pushed out after recent results.

"Nobody in the football club has put any pressure on him to leave," said Parry.

"I think this is a decision entirely of his own making."