MICKY Adams has been named as Colchester United's new assistant manager.The 45-year-old former Fulham, Brighton, Leicester and Coventry manager met up with the rest of the U's squad at Stansted airport on Saturday, and flew out with them to Limerick in Ireland for a five-day training camp.

By Carl Marston

MICKY Adams has been named as Colchester United's new assistant manager.

The 45-year-old former Fulham, Brighton, Leicester and Coventry manager met up with the rest of the U's squad at Stansted airport on Saturday, and flew out with them to Limerick in Ireland for a five-day training camp.

Adams is set be officially appointed as Geraint Williams' new No. 2 at the end of this week, in succession to Mick Harford, before the club begin their pre-season fixture programme with a visit to Heybridge Swifts on Saturday.

Adams made close to 700 first team appearances during his playing career, mostly as a left-back for Gillingham, Coventry, Leeds and Southampton.

His most productive time was with the Saints, for whom he played 144 games.

His managerial career began with a successful stint at Fulham, guiding the Cottagers to promotion from Nationwide Division Three during his first full season, having taken over from previous boss Ian Branfoot with the club facing relegation out of the Football League in 91st spot.

However, Adams then lost his job at Craven Cottage following the takeover of Mohamed Al Fayed, and the subsequent arrival of Kevin Keegan as the new manager.

There were further managerial roles at Swansea City (though just for 13 days), Brentford and Nottingham Forest (just one match as a caretaker manager), before he became the new manager at Brighton eight years ago.

Adams enjoyed his second promotion campaign, as a manager, with the Seagulls' Division Three title exploits of 2000-01, and he also had the distinction of regaining Leicester City's Premiership status (2002-03) during his period as the Foxes boss.

His last job was at Coventry City. Appointed in February, 2005, Adams steered the Sky Blues clear of relegation from the Championship, and then nursed them close to a play-off place the following season. They eventually finished eighth.

But an FA Cup defeat at the hands of Bristol City, together with a dip in league form, cost Adams his job at the Ricoh Stadium last January.

Now he is back in football as a No. 2 to Williams. His predecessor, Harford, will be a tough act to follow, because the former England and Luton striker played a key role in helping the U's to a fantastic 10th spot in their first ever season in the Championship last term. But Adams can draw on just as much experience as Harford, both as a former player and successful manager, to give valuable support to Williams in what is only his second year as a full-time boss.

Adams is the seventh new face at Layer Road this summer, following in the footsteps of players Teddy Sheringham, Clive Platt, Mark Yeates, Luke Guttridge, Matthew Connolly and Danny Granville.

Meanwhile, the U's promising keeper, Dean Gerken, has signed a new and improved contract.

Gerken took over the first-team duties from Aidan Davison at the mid-point of last season, and was ever-present for the last 27 games.

He said: “I'm glad it has been done and dusted before the season starts. This season is going to be a big one for me personally and a big one for the club.”

Gerken therefore joins a growing list of U's players who have signed extensions to their contracts this year, including John White, Karl Duguid, George Elokobi and Kevin Watson.