Appleton is set to stay as manager of Lincoln
LINCOLN Town boss Michel Appleton has reportedly turned down the chance to become West Bromwich Albion manager.
The former Albion midfielder and coach was considered a leading contender to replace Sam Allardyce after the 66-year-old’s departure in May.
Appleton, 45, made 38 appearances for Albion as a player before moving into coaching with the club.
But Sky Sports are reporting he has informed Baggies chiefs he does not want the job, preferring to see through his project with Lincoln instead.
Appleton guided Lincoln to the League One play-offs last season and the Imps were beaten by Blackpool in the final at Wembley.
They looked as good as any team Burton Albion faced last season, sweeping to a 5-1 win at the LNER Stadium and grinding out an efficient 1-0 win in the return.
But Appleton faces a busy summer after a season in which five of his key players were on loan and all have returned to their parent clubs.
Meanwhile, City remain on course to secure significant fresh investment this summer.
The Imps have been in talks with an American businessman who is keen to get involved in the club.
The individual is not expected to come on to the board, although that is a possibility in the future.
The final details of the investment are being tied up and it is expected to be rubberstamped this month, according to our sister paper, the Lincolnshire Echo.
As a result, additional funds will be available for the club’s playing budget ahead of next season, plus other projects, like improvements at the LNER Stadium.
Speaking about the investment recently, Imps chairman Clive Nates said: “It will certainly help to increase the playing budget. But there are a lot of other things that we’re trying to do.
“We want to improve the EPC (Elite Performance Centre) and there are lots of things we’re trying to do at the stadium.
“Next year, we’ll look at the expansion of the Stacey West. Even this year, there’s going to be quite a lot of
work done around the stadium.
“We’re also putting in a new pitch which is going to cost a few hundred thousand pounds.
“There’s no doubt more money is extremely helpful and it’ll help us improve both the playing side and infrastructure development.”
Appleton says the investment is required as the club looks to build on their fifth-place finish last season.
“It’s [the investment] what will be needed,” said Appleton following the play-off final defeat to Blackpool.
“You’ve only got to see some of the movement we’ve seen already in our division with some of signings that some of the bigger clubs have made already.”
MORECAMBE goalkeeper Kyle Letheren has signed a new deal to remain with the newly-promoted club for a further year.
The 33-year-old joined from National League side Chesterfield in January and made 24 appearances last season, helping the club win promotion to League One for the first time in their history when they beat Newport County in the playoffs.
“I just want to meet the challenge head on and hopefully we can carry on our momentum,” he told the club website.
FLEETWOOD Town have signed 20-year-old forward Ryan Edmondson on a season-long loan deal from Premier League club Leeds United, where he has made two first-team appearances.