Nigel Adkins
Encyclopedia
Nigel Howard Adkins is a former footballer and is the current manager
of Championship Club Southampton
.
, Wigan Athletic
and Bangor City
. He graduated from the University of Salford
in Physiotherapy.
in the League of Wales
, where he was at the helm for the Citizens' title wins in 1994 and 1995.
by Scunthorpe United
chairman Steve Wharton in November 2006, following the departure of the previous manager, Brian Laws
. Adkins had previously held the role of physio at the club. After his spell as caretaker he was appointed as permanent manager on 7 December 2006.
As Adkins had been promoted to the manager's seat from the role of club physiotherapist, Scunthorpe supporters chanted
"Who needs Mourinho
, we've got our physio!" on the terraces of Glanford Park
in his honour.
Adkins guided Scunthorpe to promotion from League One to the Championship with three matches to spare on 14 April 2007, and they went on to seal the divisional title to end an absence of more than 40 years from the league's second tier. The Sun
newspaper named Adkins the "emergency boss of the year" in an article that looked at the match winning average of replacement bosses in the 2006–07 season following the departure of the previous manager.
Scunthorpe were relegated from the Championship the following season, but returned via the League One playoffs in May 2009, playing at Wembley in consecutive months, having played Luton Town
in the final of the Football League Trophy on 5 April.
They struggled once again in the higher division, but this time avoided relegation by finishing 20th and being five points clear of Sheffield Wednesday – the last relegated club.
on 12 September 2010 after the Saints and Scunthorpe United
agreed a compensation package. Adkins has signed a three year contract, and is joined there by his former assistant at Scunthorpe, Andy Crosby
. He gained his first victory in charge in his third game winning 1–0 at Sheffield Wednesday
, with Lee Barnard
scoring the only goal. The good start to his tenure continued and he guided Southampton into the play-off part of the table for the first time in League One on 2 November 2010 after a 4–0 win over Dagenham & Redbridge
. After this result, the club joined the League One promotion rush, which was expected of them at the start of the campaign, and before the slow start. On the clubs 125th anniversary match, Adkins saw his side beat Peterborough 4–1. This was the sixth home win in a row, the best home form for the football club since 1992. Adkins guided his team into the top two for the first time since being relegated, after a 4–0 win over Exeter City
on New Year's Day 2011 and managed a victory against Premier League opposition in Blackpool
just one week later, taking his side into the 4th round of the FA Cup
. Just three days later it got even better as he led his side to a 6-0 win away to Oldham Athletic and in the process recorded their fifth straight victory. During Adkins' first transfer window at the club, he secured the contract of highly rated winger Adam Lallana
for a new 4 and a half year contract. He signed winger Dany N'Guessan
on loan from Leicester City, and signed Jonathan Forte
on a 3 and a half year contract from Adkins' former club Scunthorpe United
.
Under the guidance of Adkins, The Saints achieved a club record of clean sheets in one season. Beating the previous record of 19 set by Peter Shilton
in the early 80s. Adkins guided his side to promotion into the The Championship
after a 3–1 home win against Walsall
on 7 May 2011, earning his third Football League One
promotion in his managerial career. He also got acknowledged by the footballing authorities as he won the League One Manager of the Month
for April 2011 after winning seven of the eight games that month and putting Southampton on the brink of promotion.
He then broke a 12 year hoodoo of not winning on the opening day of the league season by beating Leeds United at St. Mary's by three goals to one and send them straight into second in the The Championship
. In the process, he also broke a record by leading Southampton to seven consecutive league wins for the first time in their history.
Two subsequent away wins, against Barnsley (1-0) and Ipswich (5-2) kept Southampton top of the The Championship
. The club record of consecutive league victories extended to 10 after a 1-0 win at home to Millwall
. They suffered a minor blip in their next game, a 3-2 defeat at Leicester City
but bounced back winning 3-1 in the second round of the Carling Cup at Swindon Town
. Adkins then guided The Saints to two successive home wins in a week; 3-2 over Nottingham Forest
and 4-1 against Birmingham City
.
Scunthorpe United
Southampton
Manager (association football)
In association football, a manager is responsible for running a football club or a national team. The manager of a professional club is responsible directly to the club president. The position of manager is almost exclusively used in British football...
of Championship Club Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
.
Playing career
As a player, Adkins was goalkeeper for Tranmere RoversTranmere Rovers F.C.
Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system...
, Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
and Bangor City
Bangor City F.C.
Bangor City Football Club are a semi-professional Welsh football club from the City of Bangor. The club compete in the Welsh Premier League, being ever present since the league was founded in 1992....
. He graduated from the University of Salford
University of Salford
The University of Salford is a campus university based in Salford, Greater Manchester, England with approximately 20,000 registered students. The main campus is about west of Manchester city centre, on the A6, opposite the former home of the physicist, James Prescott Joule and the Working Class...
in Physiotherapy.
Managerial career
Adkins was in charge of Bangor CityBangor City F.C.
Bangor City Football Club are a semi-professional Welsh football club from the City of Bangor. The club compete in the Welsh Premier League, being ever present since the league was founded in 1992....
in the League of Wales
League of Wales
The Welsh Premier League is the national football league for Wales. It has both Professional and Semi-Professional status clubs and is at the top of the Welsh football league system. Prior to 2002, the league was known as the League of Wales, but changed its name as part of a sponsorship deal...
, where he was at the helm for the Citizens' title wins in 1994 and 1995.
Scunthorpe United
Adkins was appointed caretaker managerCaretaker manager
In association football, a caretaker manager is someone who takes temporary charge of the management of a football club, usually when the regular manager is dismissed or leaves for a different club. However, a caretaker may also be appointed if the regular manager is ill or unable to attend to his...
by Scunthorpe United
Scunthorpe United F.C.
Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One....
chairman Steve Wharton in November 2006, following the departure of the previous manager, Brian Laws
Brian Laws
Brian Laws is an English former footballer and manager, most recently of Burnley.Playing as a defender, Laws made over 100 appearances for each of Burnley, Middlesbrough, and Nottingham Forest. In 1994, Laws became player-manager of Grimsby Town before taking a similar position with Scunthorpe...
. Adkins had previously held the role of physio at the club. After his spell as caretaker he was appointed as permanent manager on 7 December 2006.
As Adkins had been promoted to the manager's seat from the role of club physiotherapist, Scunthorpe supporters chanted
Football chant
A football chant or terrace chant, is a song or chant sung at association football matches. They can be historic, dating back to the formation of the club, adaptations of popular songs, or spontaneous reactions to events on the pitch. They are one of the last remaining sources of an oral folk song...
"Who needs Mourinho
José Mourinho
José Mário dos Santos Félix Mourinho is a Portuguese football manager and the current manager of Real Madrid. He is commonly known as "The Special One".Mourinho is regarded by some players, coaches and critics as the best ever coach in football....
, we've got our physio!" on the terraces of Glanford Park
Glanford Park
Glanford Park is a football stadium in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, England, and the current home of Scunthorpe United. It is the smallest stadium by capacity in the Championship ....
in his honour.
Adkins guided Scunthorpe to promotion from League One to the Championship with three matches to spare on 14 April 2007, and they went on to seal the divisional title to end an absence of more than 40 years from the league's second tier. The Sun
The Sun (newspaper)
The Sun is a daily national tabloid newspaper published in the United Kingdom and owned by News Corporation. Sister editions are published in Glasgow and Dublin...
newspaper named Adkins the "emergency boss of the year" in an article that looked at the match winning average of replacement bosses in the 2006–07 season following the departure of the previous manager.
Scunthorpe were relegated from the Championship the following season, but returned via the League One playoffs in May 2009, playing at Wembley in consecutive months, having played Luton Town
Luton Town F.C.
Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was...
in the final of the Football League Trophy on 5 April.
They struggled once again in the higher division, but this time avoided relegation by finishing 20th and being five points clear of Sheffield Wednesday – the last relegated club.
Southampton
Adkins joined SouthamptonSouthampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
on 12 September 2010 after the Saints and Scunthorpe United
Scunthorpe United F.C.
Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One....
agreed a compensation package. Adkins has signed a three year contract, and is joined there by his former assistant at Scunthorpe, Andy Crosby
Andy Crosby
Andrew Keith "Andy" Crosby is an English footballer / assistant manager who plays as a defender. He is now Nigel Adkins' player-assistant manager at Southampton.-Career:Crosby was born in Rotherham, South Yorkshire...
. He gained his first victory in charge in his third game winning 1–0 at Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
, with Lee Barnard
Lee Barnard
Lee James Barnard is an English footballer currently playing for Southampton.Born in Romford, London Borough of Havering in 1984, he attended Billericay's Mayflower County High School.-Playing career:...
scoring the only goal. The good start to his tenure continued and he guided Southampton into the play-off part of the table for the first time in League One on 2 November 2010 after a 4–0 win over Dagenham & Redbridge
Dagenham & Redbridge F.C.
Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club , informally known as Daggers, is an English association football club based in Dagenham, in the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham, East London. It was formed in 1992 after a merger between Redbridge Forest and Dagenham...
. After this result, the club joined the League One promotion rush, which was expected of them at the start of the campaign, and before the slow start. On the clubs 125th anniversary match, Adkins saw his side beat Peterborough 4–1. This was the sixth home win in a row, the best home form for the football club since 1992. Adkins guided his team into the top two for the first time since being relegated, after a 4–0 win over Exeter City
Exeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...
on New Year's Day 2011 and managed a victory against Premier League opposition in Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
just one week later, taking his side into the 4th round of the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
. Just three days later it got even better as he led his side to a 6-0 win away to Oldham Athletic and in the process recorded their fifth straight victory. During Adkins' first transfer window at the club, he secured the contract of highly rated winger Adam Lallana
Adam Lallana
Adam David Lallana is an English footballer who currently plays as an attacking midfielder for Championship club Southampton. Born in St Albans, Lallana began his career with Southampton as a youth player in 2000...
for a new 4 and a half year contract. He signed winger Dany N'Guessan
Dany N'Guessan
Djombo "Dany" N'Guessan is a French footballer who currently plays for Millwall. He is an attacking player by nature, and plays often on the left-hand side, although he can also play on the right and up front or just behind the strikers....
on loan from Leicester City, and signed Jonathan Forte
Jonathan Forte
Jonathan Ronald James Forte is an English-born Barbadian footballer who plays for Preston North End on loan from Southampton as a forward.-Club career:...
on a 3 and a half year contract from Adkins' former club Scunthorpe United
Scunthorpe United F.C.
Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One....
.
Under the guidance of Adkins, The Saints achieved a club record of clean sheets in one season. Beating the previous record of 19 set by Peter Shilton
Peter Shilton
Peter Leslie Shilton OBE is a former English footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He currently holds the record for playing more games for England than anyone else, earning 125 caps....
in the early 80s. Adkins guided his side to promotion into the The Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
after a 3–1 home win against Walsall
Walsall F.C.
Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second...
on 7 May 2011, earning his third Football League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
promotion in his managerial career. He also got acknowledged by the footballing authorities as he won the League One Manager of the Month
Football League One Manager of the Month
The Manager of the Month is an association football award that recognises the manager adjudged best for each month of the season in the Football League One, the third tier of English football. The recipient is chosen by a panel assembled by the League's sponsor and announced alongside The...
for April 2011 after winning seven of the eight games that month and putting Southampton on the brink of promotion.
He then broke a 12 year hoodoo of not winning on the opening day of the league season by beating Leeds United at St. Mary's by three goals to one and send them straight into second in the The Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
. In the process, he also broke a record by leading Southampton to seven consecutive league wins for the first time in their history.
Two subsequent away wins, against Barnsley (1-0) and Ipswich (5-2) kept Southampton top of the The Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
. The club record of consecutive league victories extended to 10 after a 1-0 win at home to Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
. They suffered a minor blip in their next game, a 3-2 defeat at Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
but bounced back winning 3-1 in the second round of the Carling Cup at Swindon Town
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
. Adkins then guided The Saints to two successive home wins in a week; 3-2 over Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
and 4-1 against Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
.
Managerial statistics
| Team | Nat | From | To | Record | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | D | L | Win % | ||||
| Bangor City Bangor City F.C. Bangor City Football Club are a semi-professional Welsh football club from the City of Bangor. The club compete in the Welsh Premier League, being ever present since the league was founded in 1992.... |
 |
1993 | 1996 |
|||||
| Scunthorpe United Scunthorpe United F.C. Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One.... |
 |
6 November 2006 | 12 September 2010 |
|||||
| Southampton Southampton F.C. Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club... |
|
12 September 2010 | present |
|||||
| Total | ||||||||
As a manager
Bangor CityBangor City F.C.
Bangor City Football Club are a semi-professional Welsh football club from the City of Bangor. The club compete in the Welsh Premier League, being ever present since the league was founded in 1992....
- League of WalesLeague of WalesThe Welsh Premier League is the national football league for Wales. It has both Professional and Semi-Professional status clubs and is at the top of the Welsh football league system. Prior to 2002, the league was known as the League of Wales, but changed its name as part of a sponsorship deal...
: 1993–94, 1994–95
Scunthorpe United
Scunthorpe United F.C.
Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One....
- League OneFootball League OneFootball League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
champions: 2006–07 - League OneFootball League OneFootball League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
Play-off winners 2008–09 - Football League TrophyFootball League TrophyThe Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
Runners-Up 2009
Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
- League OneFootball League OneFootball League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
Runners-Up: 2010–11
Individual
- League One Manager of the MonthFootball League One Manager of the MonthThe Manager of the Month is an association football award that recognises the manager adjudged best for each month of the season in the Football League One, the third tier of English football. The recipient is chosen by a panel assembled by the League's sponsor and announced alongside The...
February 2007 Scunthorpe UnitedScunthorpe United F.C.Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One.... - League One Manager of the MonthFootball League One Manager of the MonthThe Manager of the Month is an association football award that recognises the manager adjudged best for each month of the season in the Football League One, the third tier of English football. The recipient is chosen by a panel assembled by the League's sponsor and announced alongside The...
April 2011 SouthamptonSouthampton F.C.Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club... - Winner of the final quarter of the Castrol LMA Managers' Performance table 2010-2011 season SouthamptonSouthampton F.C.Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...