Peter Taylor has emerged as the early frontrunner to be Albion's next manager.

It is understood that Taylor tops the list of targets for chairman Dick Knight following Micky Adams' move to Leicester.

It would be an ironic twist if Taylor lands the post, as he was sacked by Leicester at the end of last month.

Knight has revealed the three key ingredients he is looking for in the Seagulls' next manager.

Adams' successor must be experienced with some previous success and a willingness to work with the existing playing staff.

Taylor fits the bill.

He steered Gillingham to promotion to the First Division two seasons ago.

Taylor, England Under-21 manager under Glenn Hoddle, was also briefly in caretaker charge of the national side before Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Knight has already launched the hunt for Albion's eighth boss in as many years. He is drawing up a list of potential replacements following Adams' exit to Leicester as assistant to Dave Bassett.

"The key criteria is that they must have some experience," said Knight. "They must also have an ability and willingness to work with an existing squad of strong players and ideally some success already.

"My phone hasn't stopped ringing with people anxious to talk to me about it, but I am not going to take any hasty decisions."

Liam Brady has already emerged as a popular choice among fans, but he may be reluctant to quit his role as youth supremo at Arsenal for a second spell in charge of the Seagulls.

Assistant Bob Booker, appointed by Adams a year ago, is in charge for Saturday's match at Huddersfield, helped by director of youth Martin Hinshelwood.

"That takes care of the immediate future," Knight said.

"We need to move fairly quickly, because team confidence and leadership needs to be stabilised.

"Having said that, we have some experienced pros in the squad and I fully expect them to rise to the occasion in this situation."

Booker refused to reveal whether he is interested in the job on a permanent basis. "That is something I will obviously have to think about," he said.

"All I have been told at the moment is that we are in charge for Saturday. My main concern is getting a result at Huddersfield. I would love that for Micky, the players and the club."

Hinshewood, who has taken caretaker charge of Albion twice previously, said: "All the coaching staff are very disappointed Micky has gone, but we understand why.

"He has left a good bunch of people and hopefully we can carry things on. I will just give Bob all the help I can."

Adams was saying his farewells before training at Christ's Hospital School in Horsham today as the players reported back after their traditional Wednesday off.

Albion have agreed a compensation package with Leicester thought to be in the region of £300,000 for the two and threequarters seasons left on Adams' contract.

Knight added: "It pains me to say so, but the lure of the Premiership is even stronger than the excellent working relationship Micky and I have had over the past two and a half years.

"His contribution to the progress of this club has been tremendous and I am obviously disappointed that he's leaving, because Albion and Micky Adams have been good for each other.

"Micky made his own special mark in the history of the club and every Albion fan will join in wishing him every success in the future, but no one person is bigger than this club.

"With another quality manager and the new stadium at Falmer the priorities, we will continue to take Albion forward."

Albion Managers in the last eight years:

Barry Lloyd, January 1987 to December 1993 Liam Brady, December 1993 to November 1995 Jimmy Case, November 1995 to December 1996 Steve Gritt, December 1996 to February 1998 Brian Horton, February 1998 to January 1999 Jeff Wood, January 1999 to April 1999 Micky Adams, April 1999 to October 2001