New Shrewsbury Town manager Michael Appleton has hinted that he views his latest position as an opportunity to further his career.
It’s been a turbulent week for the Shropshire-based club. Already staring relegation to League Two in the face, they had to contend with the sudden departure of manager Gareth Ainsworth, who opted to take the vacant position at Gillingham.
The Shrews didn’t waste any time in naming a successor though, bringing in former Lincoln City and Charlton Athletic boss Appleton on Thursday. The 49-year-old has been out of work since January 2024 when he departed the Valley, but had spent the previous five years in League One with various different clubs.
“Opportunities Come” – Appleton Already Thinking Of The Future
Appleton will take charge of his first game this afternoon against champions-elect Birmingham City. It’s the toughest possible start but with Shrewsbury bottom of the table and 14 points from safety, it’s fair to say that focus is starting to shift onto next season.
Speaking ahead of the game, the ex-Oxford United boss admits he sees himself at the club at the beginning of the 2025/26 campaign, although a strong end to this season could lead to opportunities elsewhere:
“I don’t at all (see the move as a risk) if I’m being honest. The reality is my stance is very clear.
“I want to be in the dugout or a dugout come the start of next season. Now, hopefully, you know, over the next nine games, I can do well enough and the team can do well enough so people start talking about myself in a positive light. And if that’s the case, you know, whether that’s here or elsewhere, opportunities come.”
Writer’s View
Although this is an interesting admission from Appleton, it is true that he has had to take a job to try and rebuild his reputation. He did a decent job at Lincoln but his stints at Blackpool and Charlton were ones to forget. Shrewsbury is arguably a job that represents little risk. Nobody gives them a prayer of surviving in League One but if he can go down with a fight and then have a decent start to next season, it gives him a chance of moving back up the football pyramid. He does only have a contract until the end of the season, so it’s wise to try and put himself in the spotlight once again.
