Outgoing Albion boss Micky Adams has urged fans to get behind his successor.

"Brighton have terrific and resilient spectators," he said. "They have been through the mill, but they are in a better position than when I first joined them.

"I'd ask them to get behind the new manager. They've got a chance of being successful this season."

Adams' contract with Leicester as Dave Bassett's assistant will run until 2004. Bassett's deal expires in June 2003 and Leicester chairman John Elsom confirmed he hopes Adams will eventually be No. 1.

"These appointments provide a strategic opportunity for management succession," said Elsom. "Our team is on the floor at the moment and we are looking for Dave and Micky to pick them up with their experience and enthusiasm."

Bassett ended a 10-month exile from management since leaving Barnsley last December when he succeeded the sacked Peter Taylor at Filbert Street yesterday.

He immediately vowed to keep Leicester in the Premiership but, together with Adams, faces an enormous task to revive the Foxes. They are currently bottom and were hammered 6-0 at home by Leeds in the Worthington Cup on Tuesday.

Bassett said: "If Leicester were up at the top of the table myself and Micky wouldn't be given the chance.

"I think my middle name is Red Adair! My reputation is such that I am used to situations like this. I accept it. Managers get pigeonholed like this. I am happy to be in this situation.

Asked about his working relationship with Adams, Bassett said: "We have worked very closely together. The buck stops with the manager, however. The idea is for Micky to use my experience and learn.

"I think Micky is the young sexy one and I'm the old codger. I am not going to be going on forever.

"I have had the experience of 20 years as a manager. I look forward to the day he replaces me. It would prove he has been successful and I have."

Adams said: "I am delighted to be working with Dave once again and with a Premiership club. I had mixed emotions about leaving Brighton behind - it is a great club.

"The disappointing thing about working in lower leagues is there is no pyramid system to the higher league. Foreign coaches and designer managers are wanted now.

"The system, though, is failing brighter managers in the lower leagues."

Asked whether he hopes to be at the helm when his contract expires, Bassett continued: "I may stay here or it might be I'll call it a day - I'm open-minded about that.

"But Micky wants to get the opportunity. He wants to find a time when he takes charge of a team and he wants a bit of security.

"It's not as important for me to have a five-year contract.

"Micky is a good coach but I intend to be involved too. We'll liaise - but it's important Micky learns some of the management side of dealing with things."

He continued: "We'll assess the existing staff - I'll look at every one individually.

"We're not going to hatchet anyone - but if we feel we need someone we'll speak to the board."

Elsom also thanked the Seagulls for allowing Adams to leave for Filbert Street.

The chairman said: "I'd like to thank Dick Knight for the co-operation and professionalism afforded to us by himself and the Brighton board in our discussions."

He would not be specific on how much money was available, adding: "There's not a lot of money in the kitty - but I am quite deliberately never specific."

He said one of the potential candidates, Harry Redknapp, was never actually offered the job, but had he taken it Bassett would have still been involved in the new regime.

Elsom said: "If Harry had come Dave was coming with him.

"But it was actually a natural follow on when Harry - who had not been offered the job - said 'I'm staying at Portsmouth'.

"We then furthered the thoughts about a combination of Dave and Micky, who has a growing reputation in this country as an up and coming manager."