All Blacks chief makes shock move to Premier League club

Anthony is a highly respected performance leader with more than 25 years’ experience at the top end of elite sport.

He spent 14 years with New Zealand Rugby, holding senior roles including head of high performance, high performance player development manager, and high performance sports science manager — contributing directly to one of the most consistently successful sporting programmes in the world.

Before rising through the ranks in New Zealand, Anthony worked in the UK with Gloucester Rugby as head of strength and conditioning and also served in strength and conditioning roles with Canterbury and the Crusaders back home.

His skill set spans high‑performance leadership, multidisciplinary player development, strength & conditioning, performance science and elite culture building. Anthony is known for shaping winning environments and player pathways, having overseen development programmes across age groups and national squads.

Sporting director Jason Ayto said:
"We're delighted to welcome Mike to Brighton & Hove Albion. His track record within one of world sport's most successful high‑performance systems speaks for itself. Mike has an exceptional ability to build environments where players, coaches and teams can thrive, and his expertise will strengthen every part of our performance structure. We’re excited for him to get started."

Technical director Mike Cave added:
"Mike’s experience in developing players and high‑performing teams at the very top level is rare. He has spent decades shaping elite cultures and helping athletes maximise their potential. His arrival is another important step in our strategy to build sustainable success across the club. We're very pleased to have him on board."