"I have no doubt" - Derek Adams touted for big Plymouth Argyle move if Tom Cleverley is axed | OneFootball

FLW's Plymouth fan pundit believes that it may only be a matter of time before the new Director of Football takes charge of a game

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Derek Adams is back at Plymouth Argyle for the first time since April 2019.

The legendary Pilgrims boss was confirmed as Argyle's new Director of Football this past Tuesday, his first job since he was relieved of his duties as Morecambe manager after the Shrimps were taken over by Panjab Warriors.

The 50-year-old is a well-liked, well-respected character at Home Park, spending four years in the Argyle dugout and overseeing the club's return to League One in 2016 after six seasons in the fourth tier.

However, the atmosphere around Plymouth at the moment is toxic at best, and not one that the news of a returning Adams has been able to turn around immediately. Argyle are currently bottom of League One and on a six-game losing run in all competitions.

Tom Cleverley's position as the Pilgrims' manager is hanging on by a thread, and some Plymouth fans are speculating whether Adams' return could be a way to plug the gap in the dugout between the former Watford boss and whoever comes next if the 36-year-old is sacked.

Plymouth Argyle fan pundit speculates whether Derek Adams will become the next Pilgrims boss

Luke Hodge, FLW's Plymouth fan pundit, has commented on whether he feels that a returning Adams should be the man to take the reins if Tom Cleverely departs Home Park in the coming weeks.

"I have no doubt that Derek Adams will find himself in the hot seat when Tom Cleverley is relieved of his duties," he said.

"Whether that will be a permanent thing or a temporary appointment, I'm not so sure, but I sort of think that he's been put in that position [as Director of Football] for the eventuality of that happening."

Plymouth are currently in the midst of an extended break, after their matchup with Bradford City was postponed due to international call-ups.

If Cleverley was to be removed from his position before Plymouth return to action, a decision would likely have been made already. Therefore, all signs point to the former Watford boss being in the dugout for the trip to Port Vale, their sixth straight away game in all competitions, on November 22.

With both sides in the bottom four, that game at Vale Park is of upmost importance, and Hodge believes that it'll be a very hostile Home Park the week after if the Pilgrims don't come away with three points.

"It's likely that there'll be another loss a week on Saturday when we play Port Vale, and then it's our first home game for a long time the week after against Northampton Town," he explained.

"If Cleverley is still there, especially having lost to Vale, it could turn quite toxic, and I think at some point, depending on that result, his time as manager of Argyle could become untenable, and I think Derek Adams could be the person to step up, definitely as a temporary manager.

"Then, it'll be interesting to see what they'll do moving forward."

Plymouth Argyle may be wary of giving the job to Derek Adams full time

If there does come a situation where Adams returns to the Home Park dugout for the first time in over six years, Argyle fans will be wary about him getting the job full-time, as they'd arguably want someone with a more impressive resume.

Adams' time as Plymouth manager a decade ago is well-remembered, as was his first stint as Morecambe boss following on from his departure from Devon, where he also won promotion to League One.

However, since departing the Shrimps for the first time, he's had time at Bradford City, overseen a return to Ross County, where he began his managerial career, and has returned to Morecambe twice more. In those four jobs, his win percentages read 24.3%, 27.3%, 16.7% and 25.9%.

Barring a few months towards the tail end of the 2022/23 campaign when he first returned to Morecambe and four months in the Scottish Premiership, those stints have come in League Two.

Plymouth need someone with a proven track record in League One, and unfortunately, Adams does not have that.

The 50-year-old could steady the ship for a few games and raise spirits if he were to take over from Cleverley if the 36-year-old gets sacked, but the decision makers at Home Park will be smart to ensure that he doesn't outstay his welcome if he ends up back where he was a decade ago.