Adams planning for next season with relegated Morecambe

Derek Adams is in his third spell as Morecambe manager

Morecambe boss Derek Adams says he expects to be in the dugout next season as the club attempt to bounce back after relegation to the National League.

The Shrimps' 18-year stay in the Football League came to an end as defeat by Salford City on Easter Monday brought a second relegation in three seasons.

Speaking to BBC Radio Lancashire, Adams admitted a difficult season off the pitch, with the club battling an uncertain financial future, had taken its toll.

But the 49-year-old Scot insisted he remains committed to the club and confirmed he is already making plans for life in the fifth tier.

Asked directly whether he would remain at the club next season, Adams said: "Yes. I'm under contract so I'll be here next season and players are under contract as well.

"We have to find out what the budget is for next season. It didn't matter what division we were in, we still have to have a budget and we will have to wait what that is.

"But we are going to have to be in the play-off places next season, there is no doubt about it. We understand how competitive a league it is but for us to go down a division, that has to be our ultimate aim."

Morecambe have been up for sale since September 2022 and face an uncertain future outside of the EFL.

Adams hopes to find out about next season's budget at a board meeting next week before the final game of the season against Harrogate.

The Shrimps also face a difficult penultimate match of the season at promotion-chasing Chesterfield on Saturday with Adams insisting they are keen to go down fighting.

"To lose 15 games 1-0 shows how close we were but we haven't been good enough to win those games," he said. "But we want to go to Chesterfield and put on a performance."