Neil Adams admits he could have to consider leaving Norwich if there was no role for him in the new first team set-up.

Adams is on a shortlist of potential candidates to replace Chris Hughton at Carrow Road after his five-game spell failed to prevent the Canaries' Premier League relegation.

Malky Mackay continues to be strongly tipped as the leading front-runner although Norwich's FA Youth Cup winning coach has made it clear he would find it difficult to go back to his previous academy role after a taste of frontline management.

Adams accepts, however, the final decision is now out of his hands. Chief executive David McNally has labelled him a 'serious, credible option' in recent days as City's board edge towards unveiling a new boss.

'I call it my club and I mean that. This is where I played virtually week in, week out so you will always have an affinity,' said Adams. 'I have coached here for however long and managed the team and been pleased by the response and if I had to leave of course it would hurt and you hope it would not come to that.

'The last five games of the season showed what Norwich should be about and if I am fortunate to get the manager's job that will be the sole objective - winning a lot more games than not. You saw that with the rise from League One. Everyone knew what Norwich was about. They might not know now. We don't know how many players stay or go but what has to happen is supporters have got to see a Norwich City team and know what they are about.'

Adams admits playing departures are inevitable over the summer.

'I have no doubt there will be one or two who maybe feel they need to move on,' he said. 'Those are decisions for the manager to make. It is a fact of life you will have a task on your hands to keep them all. How big a job is it over the summer? It depends on how many people you can keep and how many come in. There will need to be some players come in to bolster the squad with different qualities. We need to score more goals. That goes without saying but the key is keeping our best players.'