The Baggies ex-player and coach is back at The Hawthorns and will now be managing the West Brom Under-23s.
A number of West Bromwich Albion fans have taken to Twitter to give their thoughts on the news that Michael Appleton has been appointed as the Baggies’ new Under-23s manager (official website).
The 43-year-old returned to The Hawthorns in April under caretaker boss Jimmy Shan and has now accepted Albion’s offer to succeed Jamie Smith, who recently accepted the opportunity to become Darren Moore’s assistant at Doncaster Rovers.
Appleton’s association with West Brom began when he moved as a player in 2001 and ending his playing career there, subsequently becoming a coach with the club, and served as their caretaker manager for one match after Roberto Di Matteo was placed on gardening leave.
He then left The Hawthorns to have managerial stints at Portsmouth, Blackpool, Blackburn Rovers and Oxford United, before becoming Craig Shakespeare’s assistant at then reigning Premier League champions Leicester City in 2017.
“I know the club so well – it will be my third spell and that certainly helps,” Appleton, whose side will be playing in the Division Two of Premier League 2, told the official Albion website.
“I’m going to have to get up to speed in terms of the young players I’m working with. From my point of view, I’ve been out for a year now, save for those few weeks at the end of last season, and when I spoke to Luke I knew very, very quickly that this could be a great outcome for both parties.”
Here is what some West Brom fans said on social media regarding the announcement:
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
