Michael Appleton worked with Leeds striker Kemar Roofe before and is in the running for the West Bromwich Albion job as they hurtle towards relegation.
With West Brom seemingly heading for the Championship next season, it appears that a summer clearout is inevitable, and one of the names that looks set to be on his way out is manager Alan Pardew.
Appleton – who finished his playing career with West Brom and has previously been their caretaker manager – has endured a mixed managerial career with the undoubted highlight coming in his spell with Oxford United, who he guided to promotion from League Two.
Oxford’s star man that season was Kemar Roofe as he scored 26 goals in all competitions to earn a £3 million move to Leeds United – fee reported by BBC Sport.
Roofe’s spell at Elland Road has been mixed. After an underwhelming first season where he only scored three league goals, he has been more prolific this term with nine strikes coming in the Championship.
Despite that, his performances can often come in for criticism and it is still not entirely clear what the 25-year-old’s best role is in the systems that Leeds have played this season.
If Appleton did get the West Brom job therefore, it would hardly be a surprise if he decided to put Roofe on his list of potential targets. Not only has the 42-year-old worked with the forward previously, but Roofe is also a product of the West Brom academy so may perhaps relish the chance to return if it was offered to him and Paul Heckingbottom provided any indication that he will not be a first choice next season.
West Brom are going to need to make a number of changes to their playing squad in the summer, and if it is Appleton who ultimately does succeed Pardew, it should perhaps not stun Leeds if their forward becomes a potential target for The Hawthorns outfit.
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