Michael Appleton: West Brom one of the only clubs I would do this for
Returning coach Michael Appleton has admitted there was an emotional pull that brought him back to the Baggies.
Appleton started his short stint on caretaker boss Jimmy Shan’s backroom staff yesterday.
The former coach, who has since been a manager at four clubs, confirmed Albion was one of the only places he would agree to such a role.
But he wants to help deliver ‘something special’ at the end of this month.
“When you spend the best part of 10 years somewhere, you have got (an emotional pull),” he told the Express & Star after watching his first training session.
“When I’m out of work, there’s probably three or four results I look for every Saturday and West Brom is always one of them.
“That’s only natural when you spend the amount of time I did here.
“I couldn’t see me doing this and coming into a club with three or four weeks to go in the season at any club.
“There’s probably only one or two clubs out there I would have done that for.”
Appleton has been brought in to give Shan an experienced shoulder to lean on during the play-offs. And he’s eager to help deliver promotion.
“It would mean a great deal,” he said. “I’ve done it before. When we went up with Robbie (Di Matteo) I was first team coach and it was great.
“I was also here with Tony (Mowbray) as his reserve team coach when we lost to Derby in the final so I’ve had the highs and lows.
“It would be fantastic. It just turns a season, which at times in the Championship feels difficult and long, into something pretty special.”
Appleton still has aspirations of a managerial career, and when he was asked if he would agree to be a member of backroom staff for such a short stint elsewhere he said: “No, because it’s such a one-off in a sense.
“It’s been a clever move by the club, and I’m not just saying that because I’m sat here.
“I’m just one of three or four people who could be sat here.
“It’s a clever move to give someone an opportunity to expand on the knowledge already at the club and in the team and try and help them through a difficult period.”
