Former Plymouth Argyle manager Derek Adams made sporting director
Adams will take on the wider role after re-joining the club in October 2025
Last updated 15th Oct 2026
Plymouth Argyle have announced former manager Derek Adams has been appointed as the club's sporting director.
The club said Adams will take on the wider role after re-joining the club for an initial 12-month period.
He will lead all football strategy and development at Argyle, including the men's first team, sports science and the academy on a permanent basis and continue to report to Chief Executive Paul Berne.
The club said he has brought a wealth of experience since rejoining the club in October 2025.
David Fox, who was the head of football operations will now take on an expanded role as Head of Football Operations and Recruitment.
Fox will continue to oversee football operations and will now also lead the club's player recruitment strategy.
He will report to Adams.
The club said Fox will make sure talent identification, player acquisition and football administration all align with its overall strategy and aims.
He will also take responsibility for overseeing the pathway for players as they develop in the academy and move into the first team squad.
Argyle Chief Executive Paul Berne commented:
“It is very pleasing to confirm Derek and David into their new roles. These appointments cement the way we have been working over the last 12 months, and bring continued stability to the football club, which I believe is important to our success.
"Derek brings a wealth of experience, which makes him well-suited to driving the strategy of the footballing side of the club, and leading the development of our Academy progression, following the investment in the facility at Foulston Park.
"David has already been working significantly on our talent identification and recruitment work during the past 12 months, and he builds on this good work by taking direct responsibility for this area. In addition, his knowledge of the EFL is a real benefit in helping us to bring players from the Academy and support them to progress into the first team environment.
"Derek and David are already working successfully with Tom and his coaching staff, and are ably supported by the data analysis, scouting and operations teams. Their appointment therefore allows us to clarify roles and to continue these ways of working.
"Results in recent times have been good, but we are not resting on our laurels and will continue to look for ways to continually improve. In confirming these changes, we will hopefully go on to greater success.”