• The Championship

Blackpool appoint Appleton as new boss

ESPN staff
November 7, 2012
Michael Appleton is off to Blackpool © Getty Images
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Blackpool have announced the appointment of Michael Appleton as the club's new manager, replacing the departed Ian Holloway.

Appleton leaves Portsmouth to take the job at Bloomfield Road, after Holloway exited the club to take the vacant manager's post at Crystal Palace. He has agreed an initial one-year rolling contract.

"Getting the opportunity to come to a club that has had a lot of success over previous seasons is obviously a big part of wanting to be a part of it," Appleton said.

"I met a few of the coaching staff a little bit earlier, we just had a bit of a chat and I got a feel for the place. I'm just desperate to meet the players now and crack on with the job."

Joining Appleton in the move from Fratton Park will be Ashley Westwood, who has been named as the club's new first team coach. Steve Thompson will continue as assistant manager.

Appleton added: "As a new manager coming in you want to bring a few ideas to the new football club and the team, but I think they've got to be small steps in doing that because if it's not broken then don't mend it, just tweak it a little bit."

Appleton was recently linked with the vacancy at Crystal Palace, as well as prior jobs at Burnley and Bolton. In difficult circumstances at Fratton Park, he won 13 games, drew 11 and lost 27 of his 51 matches in charge.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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