Tony Adams yesterday became the latest England captain to flop as a topflight club manager when Premier League side Portsmouth announced he had been fired after four months in charge.

The 42-year-old former Arsenal defender, who took over after Harry Redknapp moved to Tottenham, follows in the long line of England stars who failed to succeed as managers.

Seventh manager to leave

Bobby Moore, Bobby Charlton, Bryan Robson and, more recently, Blackburn's Paul Ince, were among those who struggled as managers. Ince was sacked in December, and Adams became the seventh Premier League manager to leave this season.

"It's not turned me off management, I just have to make sure I get all the parameters sorted out before I walk into the next one," Adams said. "I have seven years now in my coaching and management positions and it's all learning.

"In an ideal world, I would go in at the beginning of the season, you get your group of players, you get a fair budget for the league and realistic expectations. It has certainly not been my case."

Adams guided Pompey to only two points from a possible 27 in its last nine Premier League games.

The club has also been knocked out of all cup competitions, including the UEFA Cup. Portsmouth is 16th in the league standings, one point above the relegation zone after losing 3-2 at home to Liverpool on Saturday.