Arsenal legend Tony Adams sounded out Arsene Wenger before agreeing to resume his management career in Azerbaijan.

The ex-England skipper has signed a three-year deal worth £1million a season to boss FC Gabala.

Adams insists that Wenger's career path - managing in Japan before Arsenal - inspired him to take the job.

He told The Sun: "I took the idea to Arsene. I've got an example in front of me. Arsene was successful at Monaco but then went off to work in the J-League.

"The Premier League is not a good development ground for English managers. The sack rate is 1.3 years and getting smaller. You don't get a chance."