'Energised' Appleton keen to make Shrewsbury impact

Michael Appleton's most successful spell as a manager was his three years at Oxford United from July 2014 to July 2017

New Shrewsbury Town head coach Michael Appleton is keen to make an immediate impact despite coming in at such an awkward time for the relegation-haunted bottom club.

The 49-year-old Mancunian, who did his best work in management in his time at Oxford United and Lincoln City, has not worked since losing his job at Charlton Athletic in January 2024 - and he admits that he was actually looking to get back in the hot seat next season.

"I was sat at home two to three weeks ago," he said. "I've had a bit of a break from the game. And in my head it was that I want to be back in the dug-out for the start of the season."

But then came the call from Town's director of football Mickey Moore to fill the breach left by Gareth Ainsworth's sudden departure for Gillingham.

And now, with his new side 14 points adrft of safety, Appleton faces the daunting task of leading League One's bottom club against pacesetting, big-spending Birmingham City on Saturday at St Andrew's.

It is the same challenge Ainsworth faced when he took over at Oteley Road in November - and Shrewsbury responded with a 3-2 victory.

The odds on lightning striking twice this weekend are now even longer, but Appleton is keen to quickly show that he has what it takes to lead the club beyond the initial nine games he has been contracted for.

"When I first spoke to Micky Moore they just wanted to bring in an interim manager and deal with these nine games," he added.

"I didn't expect the phone call and the conversation that I had.

"It's an added bonus for me. Hopefully that will work in favour of the football club.

"I'm energised and ready to go again. And I'm sure getting closer to that ninth game there'll be a discussion of what that looks like after that."

Appleton's managerial stints

Michael Appleton took Oxford United to the EFL Trophy final in 2017, when they lost at Wembley to Coventry City

6-14 Feb 2011: West Bromwich Albion (caretaker) - Played 1, drawn 1

10 Nov 2011- 7 Nov 2012: Portsmouth - Played 51, won 13, lost 27

7 Nov 2012-12 Jan 2013: Blackpool - Played 13, won 2, lost 3

12 Jan 2013-19 Mar 2013: Blackburn Rovers - Played 15, won 4, lost 6

4 July 2014-1 July 2017: Oxford United - Played 173, won 78 , lost 49

17-25 Oct 2017: Leicester City (caretaker) - Played 2, won 2

23 Sept 2019-1 May 2022: Lincoln City - Played 143, won 55, lost 55

17 Jun 2022-18 Jan 2023: Blackpool - Played 29, won 7, lost 13

8 Sept 2023-23 Jan 2024: Charlton Athletic - Played 28, won 8, lost 9