THE IMPS SELECT APPLETON AS THEIR NEW BOSS
CLIMBING the football pyramid will be the main priority for Michael Appleton after being appointed the new Lincoln City manager on a contract until June 2023.
The 43-year-old left his role as West Bromwich Albion under-23 coach to succeed Danny Cowley, who left the Imps earlier this month to take charge of Huddersfield Town.
It is Appleton’s first managerial role since leaving Oxford in June 2017 to become assistant manager at Leicester, having also had spells in charge of Portsmouth, Blackpool and Blackburn Rovers.
But Lincoln chairman Clive Nates insists Appleton is the right man to take last season’s League Two champions to the next level.
“I am delighted that we have secured the appointment of Michael Appleton as our new first team manager and have total confidence that he is the right man for the job,” he said.
“Michael has all the qualities we have been searching for to continue our progress as a club, having spent three very successful years at Oxford United, where he achieved promotion to League One.
“Although it is pleasing that we have made an appointment in just under two weeks, the priority has always been to undertake a proper due diligence process and make the right appointment for the long-term benefit of the club, regardless of the length of the process.
“Thanks to a remarkable three years of success and progress, we have a momentum to carry forward.”
Former Albion player Appleton only took his job within the Championship club’s academy in August.
Baggies sporting director Luke Dowling said: “We are obviously disappointed to be losing a coach of Michael’s calibre. But he felt he could not refuse the opportunity to return to league management and we reluctantly accept that.”