The Managers: Micky Adams, 2002-2004

[davieG]

Club Historian John Hutchinson resumes his feature on Leicester City's managers with a look back at Micky Adams' tenure in the early 2000s.

 

Micky Adams’ two and half years in charge of Leicester City were eventful to say the least after he had to operate under some extremely challenging circumstances, with little money to spend.

As a player, left-back Micky was a regular at Third Division Gillingham before making nearly 250 top flight appearances with Coventry City (1983-1987) and Southampton (1989-1984) either side of a spell at second tier Leeds United. He subsequently had spells at Stoke City and Fulham.

His first managerial post, in March 1996, was at Fulham. Taking over when they were 91st in the league pyramid, he not only preserved their league status, he also led them to promotion the following season, winning the Divisional Manager of the Year award in the process.

He was then replaced by Kevin Keegan in September 1997 because the new owner Mohamed Al-Fayed wanted a high-profile name. After spells at Swansea City, Brentford and Nottingham Forest (as Dave Bassett’s assistant) Micky became Brighton and Hove Albion’s manager in April 1999.

Reminiscent of his feats at Fulham, he prevented the cash-strapped Seagulls from falling out of the league in 1999 before leading them to promotion as fourth tier champions in 2001, once again winning the Divisional Manager of the Year Award.

Three months later, in October 2001, he left Brighton, challenging for promotion to the Championship, to join Leicester City, who were struggling in the Premier League. He came as assistant to Bassett who had been appointed to replace Peter Taylor.

When relegation from the Premier League was confirmed towards the end of the season, Micky took over as manager, with Bassett becoming Director of Football.

 

Adams was manager of City's last match at Filbert Street. 

The following season, the first in the new stadium, Micky’s side was never out of the top two in the table from September onwards, in spite of the fact that in October 2002, the Club went into administration for four months.

Despite this, and under the handicap of a transfer embargo, Leicester City were promoted back to the Premier League by finishing second to Portsmouth.

Micky’s strategy for survival in the Premier League was to bring in experience. John Curtis, Ben Thatcher, Keith Gillespie, Riccardo Scimeca, Les Ferdinand, Lilian Nalis, Steve Howey and Craig Hignett all made their Foxes’ debuts in August 2003.

Hampered by financial constraints, the team struggled and defeat on the last day of the season at Highbury - against unbeaten champions Arsenal - was to be Leicester City’s last game in the Premier League for 10 years.

 

The Foxes manager guided City to promotion despite administration. 

After a disappointing start to the Championship season, Micky resigned in October, despite pressure from the Club not to do so. He was replaced, on an interim basis by Dave Bassett, who was helped by Howard Wilkinson.

Micky’s managerial career continued for another 10 years at Coventry City, Brighton and Hove Albion again, Port Vale twice, Sheffield United, Tranmere Rovers and Sligo Rovers.

Micky currently makes regular appearances on LCFC TV, predominantly commenting on Development Squad fixtures.

https://www.lcfc.com/news/1121588/the-managers-micky-adams-20022004

 

[Heathrow fox]

I will always remember listening to radio Leicester after we beat Reading at the start of 02/03 season.We had won convincingly but he was trying to explain what a shambles the club was in.He sounded suicidle.I think the next two seasons knocked the stuffing out of him.That 02/03 campaign was a cracker.Would love to buy the bloke a beer to say thanks.

[Corky]

I've given my views in the other thread but I will say I'm grateful to him for overseeing winning the final match at Filbert St which deserved a victorious finale and also winning the opening game at the new stadium- just little footnotes in the history of the club.

[foxfanazer]

Did a brilliant job for us all things considered. Top bloke

[The Horse's Mouth]

Can't help but feel sorry for Micky, in terms of how his career panned out. You'd have probably said after his departure he'd have been round championship for years but at the end of the decade was managing in league two. 

[J.Lisemore]

Did extremely well under the circumstances. Will always remember the fantastic partnership he formed in Dickov and Deane.  

[Voll Blau]

His autobiography is a pretty bracing read at times. Good that he's still involved with the club, and you can still see him jogging round Harborough occasionally.

[Fox92]

2002/03 everyone for sale yet got us promoted and told he's got no money to spend. Great great job. Seems like a good man too.

[foxes_rule1978]

did a good job with limited resources after Taylor almost destroyed the club.