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Micky Adams makes sensational return to Albion

10:41pm Thursday 8th May 2008

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By Andy Naylor »

Micky Adams is making a sensational return as Albion manager.

He has agreed a three-year contract and will be unveiled by the club at a press conference today, seven years after leaving for Leicester.

Adams, 46, takes over from Dean Wilkins who has been offered his former role as first team coach after steering the Seagulls to seventh place in League One this season.

Chairman Dick Knight said: "The board felt we need a manager with more experience to help the club make the great leap back into the Championship.

"It's vital that we get back there as quickly as possible, before we get to our new stadium at Falmer."

Knight broke the news to Wilkins last night.

"We very much want him to stay," the chairman said. "His strengths lie in coaching and the development of players.

"For obvious reasons Dean is in shock and we don't expect him to come up with an answer yet. He needs to think about it and we will do everything to persuade him to stay."

Are you glad to see Micky Adams back?

Your Say YourArgus

Ped, Sussex says...
10:46pm Thu 8 May 08

You bet I am!! Hope Deano stays though.

Daz, Peacehaven says...
10:53pm Thu 8 May 08

FANTASTIC - What a shock. Obviously this means it has been brewing for a while, so I'd imagine DK was behind ALL of the contract offers and not Wilkins!!

Wayne Kerr, East Ham says...
10:59pm Thu 8 May 08

Great, I always thought that Adams was a brill centre back when he was at Arsenal. Good on you matey

Portslade Pete, Portslade says...
11:04pm Thu 8 May 08

Just as I said on this site yesterday..Adams is back.
Now wait for Virgo to return and Lewes to become our feeder club.
They say never go back....but there has to be an exception to every rule. Who released the 10 players?

Cap'n Pugwash, In a Daze says...
11:06pm Thu 8 May 08

And who says being an Albion supporter is dull and boring?

Who saw this coming?

shocked, says...
11:08pm Thu 8 May 08

It is not april the first, I am sure that the one glass of wine has not gone to my head and when did do become a Thai business man.

Wilkins in shock, I am not surprised!

Martin, Coventry says...
11:08pm Thu 8 May 08

Mardy Micky Back in Football Management then.

The guy was awful, he nearly relegated Coventry City my club. Expect him to sign his favourite player Adam Virgo on loan and sidekicks Adrian Heath and Alan Cork alongside him

I wish you luck Brighton and i think you'll need it

grant, brighton says...
11:14pm Thu 8 May 08

Bit of a shock never expected this.i wonder if any of the freed players will be staying now.

Phil, Bognor says...
11:17pm Thu 8 May 08

If Virgo is really his fave player, he is on a free from Celtic, so more likely to try and sign him rather than get him on loan.

samuel, brighton says...
11:18pm Thu 8 May 08

Thankyou Dean wilkins!!! i feel hes done a great job and was improving all the time. i also feel sorry for him as he was greating the side that he wanted and started playing good football at times. however good luck to adams once again!
UP THE SUPER SEAGULLS!!!

tauntongull, taunton says...
11:20pm Thu 8 May 08

martin micky is a legend.see u in the championship next season thats if u guys survive next season lol xx

john, lewes says...
11:22pm Thu 8 May 08

Bold or Stupid? I can't decide. If I was pushed for an answer I'd say stupid. I don't care what you think of Wilkins, you have to feel sorry for the guy. He is not some journey man manager who has trawled the lower reaches of the football league for years; he is a Brighton man. More so than Micky Adams. I like Micky - he did an excellent job - but is my memory playing tricks? Didn't he jump ship at the first offer ... assistent to a club that was about to be relegated? No doubt about it, this is an odd decision. Oh well, life is never dull as an Albion supporter. I've done 30 years. Here's to the next 30!

Fun-lovin, Hove says...
11:23pm Thu 8 May 08

THANK GOD!!!! DEAN WILKINS DESERVED THE SACK!! WOOHOO!!! DEAN WILKINS WILL NOT BE MISSED!!!!!!!!!

Fun-lovin, Hove says...
11:27pm Thu 8 May 08

THANK GOD!!!! DEAN WILKINS DESERVED THE SACK!! WOOHOO!!! DEAN WILKINS WILL NOT BE MISSED!!!!!!!!!

Richard, Hastings says...
11:29pm Thu 8 May 08

Absolute and utter disgrace. Wilkins deserved FAR better than this.

I thought this was a club with principles. Sadly not.

Wilkins has a small playing budget, loses his captain half way through the season and other key players and STILL finishes 7th.

Knight should step down after this debacle. He is taking the club backwards.

Greg, brighton says...
11:33pm Thu 8 May 08

You idiot - "Dean Wilknis deserved the sack" Have you any idea what you are talking about? It's people like you who balance the IQ ratios for the rest of the country. Dean Wilkins did an excellent job on limited resources. Bar a mid season revolt led by an overrated **** from Ireland Wilkins would have got us into the play offs. Then it becomes a lottery. Wilknins made mistakes - as do all managers (exactly what has Adams done since he's left?) but he didn't deserve this. His public relations and player interaction of the pitch has obviously cost him dearly. Even so I feel sorry for the guy and I suspect the next time he meets Knight to give him his answer about his knew role it will be to lay one on him. I expect him to leave and I expect someone like Portsmouth to snap him up and get him to run their youth. A mistake to do this Dick. A big mistake.

phil, bognor says...
11:34pm Thu 8 May 08

Club with principles? Clubs with principles don't force their captain out or Sack their manager for finishing just outside the play offs in his first season as manager!

Shocked.

Rob, Lindfield says...
11:36pm Thu 8 May 08

Where the hell did that come from! Just saw it on sky sports news and had to check here to believe what I was seeing. I feel for Wilkins as he has vastly improved the team but this is surely a step in the right direction. I just hope Dean stays with us as he is crucial to the development of our youngsters. UP THE ALBION!

phil, Btn says...
11:39pm Thu 8 May 08

Greg wrote:
You idiot - \"Dean Wilknis deserved the sack\" Have you any idea what you are talking about? It\'s people like you who balance the IQ ratios for the rest of the country. Dean Wilkins did an excellent job on limited resources. Bar a mid season revolt led by an overrated **** from Ireland Wilkins would have got us into the play offs. Then it becomes a lottery. Wilknins made mistakes - as do all managers (exactly what has Adams done since he\'s left?) but he didn\'t deserve this. His public relations and player interaction of the pitch has obviously cost him dearly. Even so I feel sorry for the guy and I suspect the next time he meets Knight to give him his answer about his knew role it will be to lay one on him. I expect him to leave and I expect someone like Portsmouth to snap him up and get him to run their youth. A mistake to do this Dick. A big mistake.
I agree with everything you said. What the hell are you doing Dick? I have NEVER question your judgement, but I am tonight. This is madness. I wonder if you will be shocked by this reaction from the fans. Not all see Adams as god. He was good for us, but we need to move forward - not back. I feel so sorry for Wilkinsl he didn't deserve this. All the time with Brighton and they dump on him like this. A disgrace.

John, Lewes says...
11:46pm Thu 8 May 08

This is so wrong. I just can't make sense of it. We have an excellent back line and a strike pair that will get us out of this division. Sort midfield with a perm and a couple of loans and we are up. Wilkins was so right for the job for next year and now this happens. Thank Wilknis for all that you done. Please stay. I need to recheck the club's webiste to make sure I'm not dreaming.

DJ, WORTHING says...
11:59pm Thu 8 May 08

Shocked saw it on Sky Sports, do feel for Wilkins, you can moan groan critisize however leading the team to 7th place with low budget is good, hope he stays at the club and works alongside Adams! good to have him back but shockied by the move

Chris A, Hove says...
11:59pm Thu 8 May 08

I'm sure there was a lot in what Paul Reid and others said about Wilkins. I think it will be very difficult, if not impossible, for him to stay after his demotion from the top job. I'm sure Wilkins will be livid with Knight - and the chairman's comment about "a manager with more experience" won't have done much for his mood either.

We had 1 too many coaches before this decision - now we've got 2 too many! Adams (manager), Wilkins or replacement (first-team coach), White (coach), Chapman (reserve-team coach), Hinshelwood (director of football) plus a goalkeeping coach and youth coaches. White is a joke who should certainly go - and maybe 1 of the others too.

joe a, hove says...
12:04am Fri 9 May 08

The timing is very interesting - only a day after the (non-)retained list! I wonder whether Wilkins and Knight disagreed over the list.

debbie, shoreham says...
12:06am Fri 9 May 08

this is discusting - that man dick knight stands on the pitch on saturday and says how wonderful job dean has done this season and then on the thursday sacks him - dick knight you are a joke - the only person that should go is Dick !!!

Simon, Crowborough says...
12:12am Fri 9 May 08

Thank the Lord..Best news I've heard for years!! I'm ecstatic! I've been begging for Mickey back all season and I can't believe it's happened! He will get the place buzzing again next season. Goodbye diamond formations,playing for draws in must win matches,silly tactics boards and comatose post match interviews!! WELCOME BACK MICKEY!!

Vince, Shoreham says...
12:22am Fri 9 May 08

Fantastic news, and Adams and Wilkins would potentially be a be winning combination. However, the way it has been done is a bit of a concern, and I think Dean could well be tempted to look elsewhere. He's proved he can manage and has tactical astuteness, although initially I was worried about his failure to address our attacking shortcomings. Micky will certainly ensure that a more positive and attacking dimension is added to the team. Could Zamora and Virgo be tempted back?
I feel sorry for Dean, and the shabby treatment he has suffered. I hope that the reason for such a dramatic and lightening appointment can be explained and the hurt can be healed, but Dean will feel he has been punched below the belt. For Brighton's sake I sincerely hope he stays and gives HIS club the benefit of his great coaching skills.

Suggs, House of Fun says...
12:53am Fri 9 May 08

How can any club almost certainly lose Dean Wilkins but possibly keep Dean White? Madness!

blueseagull, hastings says...
1:15am Fri 9 May 08

well i totally agree that wilkins certainly did a very good job on a very small budget and certainley deserves far better! but was he the man to take us to the next level?! Im not convinced, he would prob get us up but what then?! whereas Adams, well what can you say? what a difference he will make just by being at the club before even doing anything! so sorry for dean (an albion legend!) please stay as coach what a team you 2 would make! if not (can understand why!) hopefully get success elsewhere n thx for all you have done. ps "micky adams blue and white army!"

pauli, hove says...
1:19am Fri 9 May 08

Anybody else old enough to remember when Mullers returned following the disgraceful sacking of Chris Cattlin? The return of the Messiah it was not. Mullers ended up leaving for Palace. Enter Barry Lloyd and a downward spiral.

Don't get me wrong. I really hope Deano stays and forms a winning team with Mental Mickey, but history does have a nasty habit of repeating itself.

Brighton_tom, kent says...
1:28am Fri 9 May 08

I feel ever so bad for dean wilkins. he has done such a good job this season and to be replaced like this is a disgrace. i am a fan of micky adams but over the season i think deano has done a superb job and could have easily taken us up next season.

smudge, At Sea says...
1:54am Fri 9 May 08

pauli wrote:
Anybody else old enough to remember when Mullers returned following the disgraceful sacking of Chris Cattlin? The return of the Messiah it was not. Mullers ended up leaving for Palace. Enter Barry Lloyd and a downward spiral. Don't get me wrong. I really hope Deano stays and forms a winning team with Mental Mickey, but history does have a nasty habit of repeating itself.
Barry Lloyd, downward spiral? Didn't he get us a promotion & one game away from the big-time again?

peter woolman, miami says...
2:26am Fri 9 May 08

Dean Wilkins gives Brighton 100% in every way and what does he get? A good stab in the back by Dick Knight and his followers. Et tu Brutai !! Loyalty deserves nothing to Dick Knight etc. but someone who left them in the lurch is welcomed back !! A failure returns as the messiah. Doesn't make any sense except to the Brighton boar.

Matt T, NJ says...
2:54am Fri 9 May 08

My first reaction was fantastic that Mickey is back. But now having thought about it I feel really bad for Deano. You cannot question his integrity and loyalty to this club, and must be feeling disappointed and angry. I just can't understand how you can sack a manager and have his replacement installed the next day. Either Wilkins has been put in the picture a while back or this was all done behind his back. Deano can count himself very unlucky as 11 places is a remarkable improvement given resources. What's going on?

Reginaldo, Muddy Field. says...
4:34am Fri 9 May 08

Whilst it is sad news for Deano...and thanks for a fill in job well done...we now have a proper manager back. Never saw it coming, but what welcome news it is. If Deano can get over the shock ( and I don't blame him if he thinks he should walk..but I hope he doesn't). Then I think we have the people in place to get us up and lead us to Falmer. The future is bright...the future is Micky Adam's blue and white army.

Justin, Burgess Hill says...
7:23am Fri 9 May 08

Technically I think Dean Wilkins knows the game and I would have not been upset to see him try for another season. It seemed that the team was just starting to take his shape with our signings and the clear out. That said, I do think that Micky is a better man motivator and worked wonders with us before.

However - his record since leaving has been far less impressive.

If I was DW I don't think I would be able to stay on in a reduced capacity, which is a shame as I think he is a detailed, excellent coach.

I guess the proof of DK's move will be in next seasons pudding.

Shaun, Brighton says...
7:58am Fri 9 May 08

Kinght is a legend - Been saying bring back Adams for months now and it has fnally happened - Well done!!.

I hope Wilkins doesn't stay as i would prefer to See Micky bring in his own people - Get rid of White too!!.

SEAGULLS!!!!

pip, Hove says...
8:10am Fri 9 May 08

Disgraceful - why would you want to work for someone who rewards you by sacking you? Wilkins has been a loyal servant to the club Adams is an opportunist and will leave at the first offer of a better job. The club needs stability.

jude, horsham says...
8:18am Fri 9 May 08

i'm a fan of mickey, but this is a disgrace... dean has does a fantastic job on the pitch, always has time for the fans off the pitch.. you just can't turn the clock back.... i fear this will end in disaster but hope i'm prooved wrong.... dean please stay, even with the knife in your back.....

drew, Burgess Hill says...
8:28am Fri 9 May 08

I have to say this is a surprise and I am half way through eating my first hat. Thought MA was a great manager for the short spell he was with us before but lets not forget he walked away from us before and of course he would jump at the opportunity to work he again because he is currently unemployed and the last club on his cv is Colchester! I tend to think that you should never go back so hopefully his second spell will not tarnish his legendary status. DW big failing seemed to me to be a failure to get the team motivated. As a coach I think he will be a big loss and after the improvement last season it is a disgrace and brings shame on the club that he has been treated this way. I don't expect him to stay but who knows, I could be eating the second hat of the day if he does.

Craig, Brighton says...
8:47am Fri 9 May 08

All I Say Is . . Keep The Faith :D

Luke, Brighton says...
8:53am Fri 9 May 08

Dean did a terrific job this season and seventh place is a good achievement, especially compared to the season before. I do however feel that his strength is in coaching players rather than managing them. I feel sorry for him, and congratulate him on what he achieved this season. However with Micky back in the front seat if Dean were to stay and coach I feel we have an excellent chance of at least the play-off's next season. Shame for Dean, and I do feel sorry for him. However it's great to see Micky back and I hope he can re-live his past sucess here.

Nick, Brighton says...
8:53am Fri 9 May 08

Dean W did not deserve this. This was his first full season and I truly believe that if we had not endured the contract wrangles at Xmas we would have made the play-offs. Micky is popular down here (but he had a certain Zamora at his disposal) and Dean finished 7th in a division higher without him. Dean must be feeling betrayed and bewildered. He should have been given time to finish what he started and then judged. This is unfair.

STEPHEN, BRIGHTON says...
8:54am Fri 9 May 08

Its a well deserved taste of your own medicine for wilkins. Now maybe he knows what its like to give your all for a club and do well and then still be let go when something better comes along

colin, once hove says...
8:54am Fri 9 May 08

mmmm, interesting.
so happy that mickeys back but feel awful for wilkins.
the guy did a great job this season, but is he the man to take us on to the next stage?? cant see him staying and that would be a shame.
DK is an odd one...cant fathom him out. clear to see that he was behind the contract wrangling, and mid season cost us dear...definitely starting to question his state of mental stability. if come this time next season and we are promoted, then its a great move, but if it doesnt and we struggle, who could say wilkins couldnt have done a better.....

Steve, London says...
8:59am Fri 9 May 08

Keegan anyone? If Adams loses his first 10 games I'll absolutely LOVE IT!

On a serious note I feel Wilkins has been harshly treated but I hope he swallows his pride and works alongside Adams to push this club forward.

Dave, Upstairs says...
9:05am Fri 9 May 08

Good decision. Just a bit harsh to let Deano do all the sackings. The playing squad for next season must have been pre-agreed with Micky before Dick passed on the instructions to Deano!!

Royster, Brighton says...
9:15am Fri 9 May 08

I am very pleased as it was some of the best football I have seen out the Albion under Adams. I think he'll get the best out of Murray too.

Have to say I feel for Wilkins he had done a good job it hard conditions. I hope he stays on as coach as I think he has a lot to offer and will work with Adams now he has some managerial experience.

Micky Adams Blue & White Army!

Relative of a Player, says...
9:18am Fri 9 May 08

None of you have a clue, Wilkins lost the faith of ALL of the players long ago!!! Wilkins made the squad miserable comes across all calm to the press but is an erratic animal with the squad, widely known he has psychological issues with anger management. He may have got them to nearly the play offs they would have been higher with a manager who motivates rather than ridicules. Lets list the players who have complained about him, Hammond (Albion Stalwart) O'Callahagn, Reid - countless others seething behind the scenes, glad Wilkins gone, these players can get back to enjoying their football, also Wilkins must be desperate for a job to stay on as first team coach knowing that all of the players hate him!! good riddance!

Dave, says...
9:19am Fri 9 May 08

Gutted for Dean Wilkins. Brighton to the core and then dumped on from a great height. Hope he stays, so he can take over again when Micky jumps ship again.

mr punch, brighton seafront says...
9:25am Fri 9 May 08

I would like to say that i'm pleased to see mickey back but I'm a bit apprehensive. Yes, I remember the return of mr "sour grapes" Mullery followed by the joke that was barry lloyd but that was when the club was run by a pair of idiots. Steve in London you mentioned Keegan, I hope you were joking as he's a big baby who will jump ship as soon as things get tough. At the end of the day I'll support whoever is the Albion boss. We should've got Sven!!

bha fc, brighton says...
9:37am Fri 9 May 08

theres only one mickey adams come on the albion

Glen, Haywards Heath says...
9:43am Fri 9 May 08

Good to see Micky back but just hope DW will agree to work under him again. All these commenting that we got to 7th position on a very small budget but didn't Adams get us promoted from this league on an even smaller budget? Welcome back Micky!

David, Worthing says...
9:59am Fri 9 May 08

Sorry to see Dean ousted, but he never looked comfortable in the role and was at times too technical.
If a change had to be made Adams was the right choice. All those who slag off DK, have they not thought that as the main money is coming from a certain poker player the decision wasn't his?

Glen, Haywards Heath says...
10:00am Fri 9 May 08

Glen wrote:
Good to see Micky back but just hope DW will agree to work under him again. All these commenting that we got to 7th position on a very small budget but didn't Adams get us promoted from this league on an even smaller budget? Welcome back Micky!
Correction...Adams built the team for Taylor to then get us promoted from this league!

Bobby Zamora's Right Boot, Haywards Heath says...
10:02am Fri 9 May 08

Unbelievable - the Messiah returns. Micky leading us out at Falmer, it was written in the stars.

Best news i've heard in years, no one has ever inspired such passion in the blue & white strips.

Simbo, Cardiff says...
10:05am Fri 9 May 08

I smell a rat!

All this talk about new sponsers coming in, have they laid down their conditions to Mr knight and given him a list of players to dismiss, are they prepared to inject substantial monies into the club to replace those players gone, do they demand putting in their own manager, {MA}, is Mr Knight preparing to step aside? Time will tell.............

Wee8.Palace, Nottinghtam says...
10:19am Fri 9 May 08

Is our beloved club moving the same way as others, with this shoddy treatment of a loyal and successful stalwart. Dean Wilkins may not be the best ever Albion manager, but he was doing fine, improving. and the league doesn't lie. This is as outrageous as Sven getting the boot at Man city. I loved Mickey Adams, along with Liam Brady, Chris Catlin and Mullerys first days. But they are memories of great year past. A lot has happened since and I reckon this could be all be a mistake waiting to happen. Wilkins will walk, If Adams winssome matches and gets an offer, he'll jump, then what. Dean White or Barry lloyd for manager?? very short sighted, knee jerk mistake.

Number Six, Sompting says...
10:27am Fri 9 May 08

Good old Brighton. Gets it wrong again. You sack the manager for doing badly. not finishing seventh with precious few resources. Can't see Dean staying after a kick in the nuts like that.

What next? Bring back Mullery? Or Joe Melia? Shame Cloughie's dead!

Hugh Jarce, Highbury says...
10:29am Fri 9 May 08

Wayne Kerr wrote:
Great, I always thought that Adams was a brill centre back when he was at Arsenal. Good on you matey
Legend

Tim, Eastbourne says...
10:31am Fri 9 May 08

I suspect that the stresses of managing/coaching have got to DW. He has had spells of illness during the season and has looked decidedly washed out at some interviews. Whether or not MA can deliver remains to be seen but I'm trying to read between the lines with regard to the funding for Falmer. Does this move suggest that the money's in the bag? (otherwise Adams may not have agreed to join?) Whatever the situation I'm feeling a bit twitchy about the subject in view of current financial turmoil - and that an announcement or an update is perhaps overdue.

never wrong dave, Brighton says...
10:37am Fri 9 May 08

The players hated the man.I would like to give a big thank you to all the moaning fans,the real fans that is.Not the weak and gay like King Wombat.Now please the real fans lets get Wilkins,White,and hinshelwood out the club,and let Micky bring in his own people.Very good day.Thank you Dick Knight.

Gizza, Sweden says...
10:43am Fri 9 May 08

This will put bums on seats again, and add added morale (Kevin Keegan?)
Dick has made the right decision for the club!
Hope DW stays though.

gaza, worthing says...
10:55am Fri 9 May 08

great news end of.

GJ, Eastbourne says...
10:59am Fri 9 May 08

I can't see any way that Dean Wilkins can stay now. The players just wouldn't know who to report to or listen to. Too many cooks and all that. Wilkins and Adams will have different ideas and styles, otherwise there would have been no point making the change.

Benny Dorm, Spain says...
11:45am Fri 9 May 08

debbie wrote:
this is discusting - that man dick knight stands on the pitch on saturday and says how wonderful job dean has done this season and then on the thursday sacks him - dick knight you are a joke - the only person that should go is Dick !!!
You are yet another idiot bringing your NSC bile to this site.

Are you Dean Wilkins or his wife>

You are certainly not the bearer of 'The Truth'. That's for sure.

Cap'n Pugwash, Brighton says...
11:54am Fri 9 May 08

GJ wrote:
I can't see any way that Dean Wilkins can stay now. The players just wouldn't know who to report to or listen to. Too many cooks and all that. Wilkins and Adams will have different ideas and styles, otherwise there would have been no point making the change.
The players won't know who to report to? Are you kidding?

Do you seriously think that Adams will let any of the players doubt who is in charge?

Also-this might suit Dean Wilkins. He hasn't seemed comfortable in charge and let's face it, his strength is his coaching.

Dr Bandler, Hove says...
11:59am Fri 9 May 08

WELL DONE DICK KNIGHT!!! Welcome back Micky - me and my pal will be looking forward to next season now. No more turgid football.

steve sallis, Eltham-london says...
12:02pm Fri 9 May 08

what a total joke!!
Where is the loyalty in todays game.
Crap ground, no money and gets the team to 7th and then gets sacked!!!
Joke!

Georgie Worst, Australia says...
1:32pm Fri 9 May 08

To all you detractors, there is a little matter of a 2.8 million quid loss? There is no room for sentiment....we wont have a club or directors to moan about if we continually accept 7th as a good achievement !After watching our ups and downs over the past 60 years !!!! WELCOME BACK MICKEY and watch out the championship !
Our prospects now look a lot brighter...DW was yesterdays news and todays fish and chip wrapper !

George L, Hove says...
1:39pm Fri 9 May 08

Georgie Worst wrote:
To all you detractors, there is a little matter of a 2.8 million quid loss? There is no room