Howard Kendall believes Neil Adams' recruitment decisions have already pointed to a successful career as a first-team manager.

Adams played under Kendall at Everton, and cited the legendary Toffees player and boss as one of his prime influences in turning to a career in coaching and management once his playing days were done.

Now Adams is taking on his first permanent shot at first-team management with Norwich City, after his interim spell at the end of last term.

And to help him out, he brought in his former Oldham manager – and Kendall's former Everton team-mate – Joe Royle as football consultant at Carrow Road.

'I was with Joe a few days ago and it's fantastic to see him back in football – I think Neil's appointment of Joe is absolutely perfect,' said Kendall.

'In terms of Neil's, not lack but shortage of experience in the big time, you've now got someone onside who's done everything. I think it's absolutely brilliant thing for Norwich to bring Joe in.

'He's really intelligent, Joe – and the fact Neil has made that appointment is, I think, proof as to why Neil can do well as a manager. He doesn't see it as a threat to his job or what he's trying to do, but as someone who's done it all and can help him out.'

Kendall added: 'I remember signing Neil and he was such an exciting and positive player, and hopefully he takes that into his management.

'I remember going to do some scouting at Stoke – I was looking at the left winger, and ended up signing the right winger, who was Neil… I just wish him all the best.

'I'll be honest, he didn't strike me as someone who'd go into coaching and management back then. But he's worked hard and he probably looked at it and thought, I want to be involved in that side of it. So all credit to him.

'There is a lot of luck involved in football and that end to last season would have been hard – but he was expected to lose those last four games. And in that situation, it's about how you get on behind the scenes – that becomes more important.'