DEREK Adams has revealed the personal touch that convinced Mark Trueman to join his City managerial team.

The former boss initially decided to stay on in a new link role to work between the under-18s and senior squad.

But that was then upgraded to become the right-hand man for his successor – a job that Trueman has jumped into during the first week of pre-season training.

Adams said it was a straightforward conversation once the pair had the chance to sit down together.

He said: “I think that it was a lot easier once I spoke to Mark face-to-face.

“Speaking on the telephone is one thing but I gave him the ideas we have going forward and allowed him to have his suggestions as well. That was important.

“Mark is a very good coach and did a fantastic job with Conor (Sellars) to take over in interim charge. They were in difficult circumstances and they gave Bradford City the platform to go forward.

“Mark had obviously taken the opportunity to go down to work as the coach in between the first team and the youths.

“But once I’d spoken to him face-to-face, taking over as assistant manager was something that he wanted to do. It’s an avenue that I think he will enjoy.”

Promoting from within is something that has worked well previously for Adams. At Plymouth, he gave club stalwart Paul Wotton his first break in coaching as the number two.

He added: “I think it’s very important. I did the same at Morecambe with John McMahon as well.

“Having people in the building who are respected can only help.

“You don’t always want to go into a football club and have too many different people all the time.

“Yes, change is good at times but continuity can have a very good effect as well.”

Asked if the link role will still be part of Trueman’s duties, he said: “It could be but we all have a part to play between the under-18s and the first team. He will be concentrating on the first team.”