Former Brighton and Wolves manager Mike Bailey dies aged 84 | OneFootball

Former Brighton and Wolves manager Mike Bailey has died aged 84. He led Albion into contention for a UEFA Cup place and to the best league finish of the club’s first 120 years, appreciation for his work growing long after he left.

According to TheArgus.co.uk, Bailey took charge with clear targets and tight constraints, crediting Alan Mullery’s groundwork and accepting that limited gates at the Goldstone meant sales would fund signings.

After Mark Lawrenson’s summer move to Liverpool, he added Tony Grealish and Jimmy Case. Built on defensive solidity, Albion rose to sixth in December after a midweek win at Southampton, then sat eighth when they won 1-0 at European champions Liverpool in March.

They won only once in the next 11, attendances dipped below 11,000 before Wolves visited late on, and the slide was widely pinned on Bailey bowing to pressure to change his plan. The campaign ended 13th, seen as disappointing at the time.

That placing remained their best league finish until 2021-22, when Graham Potter’s team scored three after the break against West Ham to climb from an in-play 13th at half-time to ninth on the final day.

Bailey left midway through the following season, later coaching in Greece and serving as Portsmouth’s reserve-team boss. His photograph is displayed in the media room at Wolves, where he captained the club to League Cup success at Wembley.

Source: TheArgus.co.uk

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