Michael Appleton

Michael Antony Appleton (born 4 December 1975) is an English professional football manager and former player, most recently head coach at EFL League Two club Shrewsbury Town.

As a player, he operated as a midfielder, in a nine-year career that began in 1994 and ended 2003. His playing years were cut short by a serious knee injury. He began his career as a professional for Manchester United. While there, he had brief loan spells at Wimbledon, Lincoln City and Grimsby Town, before securing a permanent transfer to Preston North End in 1997. He moved on to West Bromwich Albion in 2001, playing at the West Midlands club for two seasons, ending his playing career there.

Following his retirement, he became a coach with West Brom, and served as their caretaker manager for one match after Roberto Di Matteo was placed on leave. On 10 November 2011, he earned his first managerial appointment at Portsmouth, before he became manager of Blackpool a year later. After just over two months as Blackpool manager, he left his post with the Seasiders to take charge of Blackburn Rovers in January 2013. He was relieved from his duties on 19 March that same year. In July 2014, he was appointed manager of Oxford United, and led the club to promotion to League One in his second season.