It is understood the 60-year-old will be replaced by current head of recruitment Lee Dunn, who will step up to support sporting director Ben Knapper at Carrow Road.
Norwich plan to replace Dunn by hiring a new recruitment chief, with a decision now to be made whether to look externally or to promote internally, as part of a wider shake-up of the club’s football leadership team.
City’s head of football development, Dean Rastrick, is also understood to be in talks over taking a similar role at Premier League side Everton. He returned to the club in 2023 to succeed Steve Weaver after a prolonged spell at Tottenham.
“Neil has been an incredible servant to Norwich City, and his contribution cannot be overstated,” said Knapper, quoted on the club’s official site. “I’ve been fortunate to work very closely with him during my time here and his knowledge, passion and love for the club has been clear to see.
“He has been an invaluable support over recent years, and he will rightly go down as a club legend for his contributions and many achievements over an incredible four decades.
“Everyone associated with the football club is grateful for Neil’s fantastic service across his many roles. He will depart with the appreciation and very best wishes of our players and staff, and I’m sure he will remain close by and connected to the club moving forwards.”
Adams has had a number of roles in a long association with the Canaries. He made over 200 appearances for Norwich as a player, returned to coach in the academy in 2008 before in 2011 taking on a full-time coaching role with Norwich’s academy, becoming the manager of their under-18s side.
City later on Friday morning released a personal message from Adams.
“In a few months’ time when I drive out of the training ground for the last time, I’m pretty sure that despite what will undoubtedly be an emotional and surreal experience, my overriding feeling will be one of immense pride,” he said, on the club’s site.
“Proud of the service that I have given to the club. Proud of the manner in which I have applied myself on every single day that I have worked here in my various capacities over the past 30 years. Proud of what I have achieved.
“I will also be eternally grateful that I have had the opportunity to have such a long career at this fantastic football club.”
Adams’ led City’s youngsters to a memorable FA Youth Cup triumph in 2013, beating Chelsea 1-0 at Carrow Road and 3-2 at Stamford Bridge in a two-legged final.
After Chris Hughton’s sacking, Adams stepped into the dug-out at senior level on an interim basis before being handed the permanent job in May 2014. He took charge of just 32 games prior to resigning, with Alex Neil going on to lead the team to promotion via the play-offs.
Adams returned to City as loans’ manager at the end of July 2015, after a brief spell with England U17s. He was eventually appointed to the newly-created role of assistant sporting director under Stuart Webber in September 2021.
Dunn, who has worked closely with Knapper, is set to continue his progress through the ranks at Norwich. He joined the club in 2013 as a match analyst and has gone on to work in the club’s recruitment department before he was appointed head of recruitment in 2021.
Knapper publicly praised the transfer chase led by Dunn that secured the services of Mathias Kvistgaarden in the summer of 2025, after City exercised a buy clause to sign the Dane ahead of reported interest from France, Germany and the Premier League.