Tony Adams is looking to add a legendary forward to
Portsmouth’s backroom staff with the new manager revealing he is
considering approaching former Arsenal team-mate Dennis Bergkamp
about a role at the South Coast club.
Having been named as Harry Redknapp’s replacement at Fratton
Park, Adams is looking to shape his support team and has already
held talks with another Gunners favourite in former defensive
partner Martin Keown.
But the Pompey boss also has his sights set on Bergkamp who is
currently undertaking a fast-track training scheme working
alongside Marco van Basten as a coach at his first club Ajax.
After beginning his own managerial career with a difficult spell
at Wycombe Wanderers, Adams spent time in Holland with Feyenoord
perfecting his trade and clearly admires the country’s coaching
system that has produced world greats like Johan Cruyff, Van Basten
and Bergkamp in the past 50 years.
But Adams is yet to meet the man with whom he won two league
titles under Arsene Wenger.
“I want my staff sorted sooner rather than later, really by the
weekend,” Adams told The News. “I'm meeting with a few people and
having conversations with a couple of old friends.
“I've had a positive meeting with Martin. Then there's Dennis,
who is taking the youth team at Ajax and is a good, good man.
“I've not spoken to him, but there are a few people I still need
to talk to.
“It's an important part. I've got some good people still at the
club, which is great, but I need my people in and the sooner I can
do that the better.
“Mind you, you don't have to be an old Arsenal player.”