By Chris Bevan

Adams admits he has a lot to learn about management

Tony Adams is considering moving abroad to further his coaching career when his contract at Wycombe Wanderers expires in 2006.

The former England captain is keen not to be labelled a lower-league boss.

"The style of management at the top level is very different from the style of management of where I am today and that worries me," Adams told BBC Sport.

"Maybe when my time is up here I may have to go into Europe because you do more coaching in those countries."

Adams, 38, who had a 18-month break from the game after ending his playing career at the beginning of 2002, would also consider another break from football to complete his education in sports psychology.

But he concedes he has a lot to learn if he wants to realise his ambition of being a top league manager in this country or elsewhere.

I could even just go and observe all the best academies around the world and learn about all the young players out there Tony Adams

"I believe good managers are in their 50s so I've got about 15 years to go. You just don't end up with the final product straight away, it's a process," he added.

"The world's about challenging yourself and it certainly is with me.

"If I do want to manage in the Premiership, La Liga or the Bundesliga then I will want the top players and my knowledge will have to be worldwide.

"At the moment if Wycombe's directors ask me who are the best 14 young players in the world, I don't know - because here I don't need to.

"I don't know who is in Sweden's under-18 side, the Bundesliga second division or in Malta. If I'm going to do my job properly long-term then I need to know who's out there.

"To gather that knowledge I could travel - go and see how it's done in the French academy, tap Gerard Houllier or go and see Marcello Lippi.

"It's quite tempting. I could even just observe all the best academies around the world and learn about all the young players out there."

"After that, if I get an opportunity in the Premiership I would be ready."

Despite his long-term plans, Adams does not rule out staying on at the Causeway Stadium beyond the end of his current deal.

"Am I enjoying it here? It has its moments," he said.

"There are more things I want to do, but that will be when my job's done here. I need it done here - and I've always fufilled every contract I've ever signed.

"I think I can do it at this level. By next year we will have a decent side.

"If I want to take us higher, which is another option, it could take 10 years to get us into the Championship and stabilise.

Adams admires Capello's adaptable management style

"It's a bit of a vogue to take managers from the continent at the moment but if you want experiences across the board, in physiology, ideas, pyschology and how to prepare a team on a hell of a budget then this is what I'm learning here.

It is to Europe where Adams has looked to for his managerial influences, and specifically Juventus coach Fabio Capello.

Adams said: "He's pretty much got the style of management where he can do anything that's needed at a club.

"He went to Roma when they were really spineless and put them to 4-4-2. He got them tough and hard to beat, and has done the same at Juventus.

"At AC Milan, he did the opposite and brought a bit of flair. I really admire that. I think all clubs are different.

"When I came to Wycombe I'd been speaking to players and other managers and the upshot was that we were a soft-touch, that you could get into us in the first 15 minutes.

"That was our reputation but we've made this side a bit more secure and hard to beat.

"I'm happy if I'm labelled with that after I'm done here - but then I'll have to go to my next team and play with a bit of flair."