Micky Adams

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Lore & Background

Adams joined Brighton & Hove Albion as manager in April 1999. He led the club to the Third Division title in 2000–01, winning the division's Manager of the Season award (his first such award came with Fulham in 1996–97, when he won the Second Division Manager of the Season). After leaving Brighton, he moved to Leicester City as an assistant before being named their manager in April 2002. He took Leicester to the Premier League as First Division runners-up in 2002–03 but resigned in October 2004 after failing to keep the club in the top flight. He then took charge at former club Coventry City in January 2005, losing his job in January 2007. Adams returned to Brighton in May 2008, though his second spell in charge only lasted for nine months. He was appointed manager of Port Vale in June 2009 before departing for Sheffield United in December 2010. He failed to prevent United from being relegated into League One and was dismissed in May 2011, which enabled him to return to Port Vale as manager. Despite starting the season in administration, he led Vale to promotion into League One in 2012–13. He resigned as Vale manager in September 2014 and took charge at Tranmere Rovers the following month. He left Tranmere with the club bottom of the Football League in April 2015. He managed Irish side Sligo Rovers for three months starting in August 2015. After leaving management in 2015, he started his football consultancy business.

In Their Own Story

The 2000–01 season at Brighton saw Adams build a side that won the Third Division title, securing promotion and the Manager of the Season award. His return in May 2008 was brief—nine months—and he departed without repeating his earlier success. The contrast between the two spells captures the volatility of football management: a championship-winning high followed by a short, unsuccessful second act.

Reader's Guide

Adams' Brighton legacy rests on the 2000–01 Third Division title and his second Manager of the Season award. He did not play for the club, so his connection is purely managerial. His first spell (April 1999 to some point after the 2000–01 title) brought silverware; his second (May 2008 to early 2009) ended quickly. For fans, his achievement in leading Brighton to the title remains the defining moment of his time at the club.

Did You Know?

• Adams won the Second Division Manager of the Season award with Fulham in 1996–97, then the Third Division Manager of the Season award with Brighton in 2000–01.
• He led Brighton to the Third Division title in 2000–01.
• His second spell as Brighton manager lasted only nine months, from May 2008.
• After leaving Brighton, he took Leicester City to the Premier League as First Division runners-up in 2002–03.
• Adams started his football consultancy business after leaving management in 2015.