Adams snubs Arsenal return to take coaching job in China

LONDON: Tony Adams has snubbed a full-time move back to Arsenal to take a job in China.

It is the second blow to Arsene Wenger’s academy this month after fellow Gunners legend Thierry Henry left, having been told by Wenger to choose between his TV work with Sky and the North London club.

Earlier this summer Adams was offered a job alongside Henry working as an Under-18 assistant with the Gunners.

But, according to the Telegraph, the former Gunners captain travelled to China this week and has now accepted a lucrative job as the head of Chongqing Lifan’s academy.

Adams has been working with the Gunners youth set-up on a casual basis this summer and it appears that cash may have swayed his decision to head back abroad.

Adams has been director of football for Azerbaijan outfit Gabala, and has previously bossed the club in 2010-11.

And it seems he has again decided to challenge himself abroad – this time in the central Chinese province with the most easterly side in the country.

Chongqing Lifan finished eighth in the Chinese Super League last season and are sat 12th out of 16 teams this time around.

The club are not one of those to have spent mega money as part of the “Great Haul of China” and their hope is that Adams can help the club’s youngsters prosper.

His exit from Arsenal leaves a hole assisting Kwame Ampadu in the Gunners academy, run by Andries Jonker.

Former Swedish midfield ace Freddie Ljungberg works with the Under-15s, while former defender Steve Bould is assistant boss to Wenger.

But the loss of Adams will no doubt frustrate fans after Henry walked away from the club a fortnight ago.

Adams, 49, has been out of frontline management since 2011 after stints at Wycombe, Portsmouth and Gabala.

He spent his entire 19-year playing career as a Gunners defender, making 674 appearances while scooping four league titles, three FA Cups, two League Cups and the Cup Winners’ Cup.