MORECAMBE have announced that Derek Adams has left the club – paving the way for him to be unveiled as the new City boss.

The Bantams have been confident of wrapping up their hunt for the next manager in the next 48 hours.

That is likely to be accelerated now that the man identified as their number one choice is no longer with the Shrimps.

A statement this morning said: “Derek Adams has today left Morecambe Football Club to pursue an opportunity elsewhere.”

It is understood that Adams has been the primary target for chief executive Ryan Sparks since being interviewed for the post in December.

The Bantams decided to keep Mark Trueman and Conor Sellars in position at the time – and promoted them to a permanent role two months later – after pulling the club clear of immediate relegation danger.

But Adams has remained on City’s radar as he defied the odds to guide Morecambe into League One for the first time in their history.

The 45-year-old clinched his fourth promotion as a manager on Monday when the Shrimps beat Newport in the play-off final.

It sealed an incredible transformation for the club with the lowest wage budget in the EFL.

They were bottom when Adams took charge in October 2019 and were favourites to be relegated before a ball was kicked in the season just gone.

Morecambe co-chairman Rody Taylor said: “Derek did a fantastic job during his year and a half at Morecambe, not only guiding the club into League One but also acting as a catalyst for positive change and encouraging everybody at the club to aim higher.”

City have been without a manager since dispensing with the services of their joint-bosses as soon as the league campaign finished. They have offered both new positions at the club and expect them to stay.

Adams has another year left on his contract at Morecambe and City would have to agree compensation.

Speculation about the Scot’s arrival at Valley Parade has been rife in recent weeks but he has consistently played it down to focus on the play-offs.

Adams led Morecambe to a club record 78 points – finishing just one outside the League Two automatic promotion places – with 23 wins. They were the third highest scorers in the division with 69 goals.

Meanwhile, City defender Finn Cousin-Dawson was not involved as Northern Ireland under-21s came from behind to beat Scotland 2-1 in yesterday’s friendly at Montrose.

Cousin-Dawson was named on the bench but did not come on for Gary Crosby’s side, who are currently north of the border for a week-long training camp preparing for the upcoming Euro 23 qualifiers.

The 18-year-old will get another chance on Saturday when the teams meet again.