CITY BOSS CANDIDATE
LINCOLN MANAGER LINKED TO ROBINS HEAD COACH VACANCY
LINCOLN City boss Michael Appleton is the latest name to be linked with the vacant head coach position at Ashton Gate.
The popular d3d4football.com website and podcast, which focuses on League One and League Two, says their understanding is that the Imps manager is City’s preferred appointment following the departure of Lee Johnson on July 4 after a 1-0 defeat to Cardiff.
The name of Appleton is no stranger to City fans. The former Leicester City assistant manager was the favourite to replace Steve Cotterill back in 2016 before the Robins appointed Lee Johnson from Barnsley instead.
Appleton also has previous experience of working with Bristol City CEO Mark Ashton, with both having combined at Oxford United previously. Ashton is well aware of what the 44-year-old would offer City, as Appleton led the ‘U’s to second place in League Two and promotion and reached two successive EFL Trophy finals.
The former West Bromwich Albion caretaker manager has found the going tougher this season since joining up at Sincil Bank last September, when he replaced Danny Cowley after he left to take charget at Huddersfield.
Appleton’s side won just eight and drew five of 25 games, and the Imps stood 17th in the English third tier when the season was curtailed.
However, Appleton worked with City midfielder Joe Morrell at Lincoln this season, with the Wales international expected to be a key figure in City’s midfield next season.
The report cites a source close to the club has suggested Ashton is keen to bring Appleton to Ashton Gate after working with him during a successful spell at Oxford. The report also says the Lincoln manager is seen as a perfect fit for the Robins who like to sign young, talented players from other EFL clubs and give them a chance to develop, something the 44-year-old was so good at while with the U’s. A list of players developed under Appleton’s coaching and sold on to clubs further up the pyramid includes Ryan Ledson, Kemar Roofe and Curtis Nelson.
The Bristol Post understands a permanent appointment is not close to being made just yet at Ashton Gate, however there could be news next week. The club are determined to get the next hiring right as they look for a head coach to help the Robins get promoted to the Premier League.