Brighton and Hove Albion have appointed Mike Cave as sporting director on a permanent basis, ending a short period of uncertainty in the club’s football structure.
Brighton confirmed the decision on Monday. Cave will report directly to chief executive and deputy chairman Paul Barber.
The appointment follows Jason Ayto’s exit in June. Training Ground Guru reported that Ayto left Brighton after nine months, with Cave stepping up to oversee all sporting areas on an interim basis.
Cave joined Brighton from Fulham in November 2022 as assistant technical director. He later became technical director and has now taken the senior football role permanently.
Brighton Restore Clear Chain Of Command
This is an important appointment for Brighton’s football structure.
The club’s model depends on quick decisions across recruitment, data, academy planning and first-team squad value. Cave now becomes the senior figure charged with helping align Fabian Hurzeler’s tactical needs with Brighton’s longer-term strategy.
The timing is also significant. Albion are preparing for European football, a busy pre-season and further squad decisions before the new campaign.
Read Brighton has already covered how Hurzeler’s squad will travel to France for a pre-season camp before their European play-off. Cave’s appointment gives that preparation a clearer football structure above it.
The decision also brings continuity. Cave has worked inside Brighton’s system since 2022 and has already held key technical roles at the club.
For Barber and Tony Bloom, the move restores stability after Ayto’s short spell. For Hurzeler, it places a familiar operator above the football department before pre-season decisions harden.
