Brighton's board made a decision to give manager Dean Wilkins a coaching role at the Withdean Stadium and bring back Micky Adams in order to help the club push for promotion to the Championship.
Brighton Chairman Dick Knight told his club's website: "This decision has not been taken lightly, but the board feel we need a manager with the wealth of experience to help the club make the leap into the Championship.
"Dean's strengths lie in coaching and the development of players and that is why we have offered him the role of senior coach under Micky."
Adams told the Brighton Argus: "I thought it was a great honour when I got the job the first time but to be offered the chance to come back for a second time is fantastic," Adams said. "I always hoped I would come back at some stage and I cannot tell you how excited I am.
"I've had good days since I've been away and bad days . I look back at my days with Brighton with fantastic affection and sometimes think what did I leave for but you make decisions and move on. Sometimes they are right and sometimes they are wrong.
"I have been offered four jobs since I've been out of work but it was an easy decision to come back, probably the easiest one I've had to make in my career. It's a club I hold in great esteem and I cannot wait to get started."
Meanwhile, Leamington born keeper Gary Montgomery, who was at Rotherham United after being released by City has been offered another year deal at Grimsby Town.