Neil Adams has resigned has Norwich City boss following the club’s erratic form.

Relegated last summer following three seasons in the Premier League, the Canaries started their first season back in the Championship well – their 1-0 East Anglian derby win at Ipswich Town among five early league victories.

The Blues have lost just one of their last 21 matches to rise to second in the table though, with their Norfolk rivals having won just five of their last 19 in all competitions to sink to seventh.

The Canaries thrashed Huddersfield and Millwall 5-0 and 6-1 respectively last month, drawing 2-2 at Derby in between, but then lost 2-1 at Reading in the league and, on Saturday, crashed out of the FA Cup with a 2-0 loss at League One side Preston without mustering a single shot on target.

First team coach Mike Phelan – only appointed on November 20 – will take charge of team matters until a new manager is confirmed.

Former Norwich 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 appointment as first team manager on a full-time basis last May 2014, following after a brief five-game spell as caretaker at the end of the 2013-14 Premier League campaign, drew a largely underwhelmed reaction from Norwich fans.

Adams said: “I firmly believe that 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 that 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.”

A club statement read: “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.”

Norwich take on table-toppers Bournemouth, at Dean Court, this Saturday.