West Brom owners offered 'unforgiving' head coach warning by former midfielder

Mowbray was dismissed three weeks ago yesterday after his side collapsed to a critical back-to-back defeats over the Easter weekend which left promotion hopes all-but doomed.

Owners Bilkul Football were in no rush to appoint a replacement at the late stage of the campaign and used the early days and weeks to asses a shortlist and sound out candidates. It was thought the decision-makers would give time for league seasons around the continent to come to a close to give more clarity on out-of-work or available bosses this summer.

Appleton, 49, was player, youth coach, first-team coach and assistant at The Hawthorns and recently took up a permanent head coach role at relegated League One outfit Shrewsbury Town. Appleton was under-18s boss and promoted to reserve manager by Mowbray with the Baggies in 2008.

"When a takeover happens there's a period of time sometimes where there is bedding in time. Clearly a couple of changes of managers doesn't help. I was a bit surprised, being honest," Appleton told the Express & Star.

"Obviously I know Tony well. I worked with him, worked for him in the past at West Brom.

"He's a top, top manager. He plays a brand of football that is exciting and has got a great record with young players and a good record in the Championship.

"So I was a little bit surprised and disappointed for him."

Appleton's playing career ended prematurely as he was forced to retire due to injury shortly before his 28th birthday. He started his coaching career at The Hawthorns and remained there until a first managerial role at Portsmouth in late 2011.

The Salford-born coach has since managed Blackpool, Blackburn, Oxford, Lincoln and Charlton. He also assisted former Baggies colleague Craig Shakespeare at Leicester.

Albion are expected to favour a young head coach for their next appointment and have been linked with several youthful candidates.

"It will be interesting to see what route they go down," added Appleton.

"There is a little, sort of, formula at the minute where a lot of clubs are going down the young coach, first-timer (route), that sort of stuff. It's great for the young coaches out there, you've got to start somewhere.

"But the Championship is pretty unforgiving and if you lack a little bit of experience in that league then you are going to suffer, you are really going to suffer."

Former Manchester United youngster Appleton briefly returned to The Hawthorns as under-23s boss in August 2019, but took over at Lincoln the following months.