Ex-Fratton Park chief Appleton departs Lincoln
FORMER Pompey boss Michael Appleton has left his role at Lincoln following a disappointing season.
The surprise announcement came after a 2-1 victory over relegated Crewe on the final day of the campaign.
Despite Saturday’s triumph, his Imps side ended up 12 points above the League One relegation zone in 17th position.
It has been a difficult season after narrowly missing out on
Championship football last term, when Lincoln lost 2-1 to Blackpool in the play-off final at Wembley.
Appleton spent more than two-and-a-half years at Sincil Bank, after replacing current Pompey boss Danny Cowley in September 2019.
In total, he managed 142 games in all competitions winning 58, and recently saw his side lose 3-2 at Fratton Park.
Ina statement, the 46-yearold failed to reveal the reasons behind his departure, but instead was full of compliments of his time in Lincolnshire.
Appleton said: ‘It has been a privilege to manage Lincoln City over the past three seasons.
‘While this season did not match the highs of the last, we have still had some memorable performances and results. ‘Clive Nates (chairman) and the board, the players and all the staff throughout the club, have been fantastic colleagues over the past three years and I thank them all for their backing.
‘I am sure they will continue to drive the club forward on and off the pitch with some really impressive foundations in place for the coming years.
‘I would like to thank all of the supporters who have got behind me and the team.
‘Lincoln City is a special club which will always be close to my heart.’
Nates said he and Appleton, who spent some time away from the club last summer after being diagnosed with testicular cancer, had spoken in recent weeks and agreed that ‘this summer was a good time for him to look for a challenge elsewhere and for us to find someone to build on his work over the past three years’.