Adams was Wycombe Wanderers manager for 12 months in 2003-04
Assistant manager Tony Adams is in talks with Portsmouth about succeeding Harry Redknapp, BBC Sport understands.
Portsmouth were left managerless after Redknapp's shock move to Tottenham following Juande Ramos's dismissal.
Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie said on Sunday the club would take its time finding a manager after Redknapp left the club late on Saturday.
But BBC Radio Solent believes Adams, who has been at Fratton Park since 2006, is a serious contender.
Former Wycombe Wanderers boss Adams and first-team coach Joe Jordan took charge of the team for Sunday's 1-1 draw against Fulham.
Ex-Arsenal defender Adams, Jordan, former Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce and ex-Chelsea manager Avram Grant are among the contenders to take the job full time, but Storrie refused to provide any clues.
Redknapp has already put in a good word for Adams and Jordan.
"I spoke to Peter about it and said 'you've got Joe and Tony, and they are both terrific guys'," Redknapp said.

"Joe is very experienced, Tony is up-and-coming in the managerial game and works very hard. I don't think either of them would do any harm, for sure."
Redknapp rejected an approach by Newcastle in January to replace Allardyce.
And Storrie said he wished something similar had happened when Tottenham came calling.
"Nothing would have given me greater pleasure if Harry had rung me on Saturday night and said 'Look Peter, I've thought it over and I want to stay', like he did with Newcastle.
"But on this occasion the lure of Tottenham was too much."
Storrie insisted there were no financial problems at the club and that decisions would continue to be driven by owner Alexandre Gaydamak.
"In the summer we sold Sulley Muntari for a club-record fee and sold Pedro Mendes but used most of that money in bringing in Peter Crouch and Younes Kaboul and a couple of loan players," he said.
"If we were to sell players we would re-invest and bring other players in. We've got a very, very good squad here, a quality side and when January comes we'll approach it then.
"Sacha Gaydamak has owned this club for two-and-a-half years and has continued to put finance into the club to bring in players.
"It will be his decision in January whether he wants to continue that growth and expand."
Meanwhile, Jordan expressed his surprise at the speed of Redknapp's departure, while also wishing him the best.
"It was a bit of a shock I must admit, but Harry is a good manager and you expect that good managers will be wanted by big clubs," said Jordan.

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"The speed of it has surprised a lot of people and it was a shock to me."
Jordan added: "I think it is important that they can get the right man.
"They've got to take a deep breath and take stock of events over the past 24 hours and then take things from there."
Crouch joined Portsmouth from Liverpool in the summer, but the England striker said he did not feel let down by Redknapp's departure.
"He was a big reason why I came to the club, but I'll move on and I wish him all the best," said Crouch, who scored against Fulham.
"It was a complete shock and I would have loved him to remain at Portsmouth.
"But Tottenham are a massive club, I did my YTS there so I know how big a club it is and if he can get them to where they should be that would be fantastic.
"These things happen in football so I am never that surprised. We will carry on regardless and continue our good season."