West Brom bring in Michael Appleton to assist James Shan
Albion are adding Michael Appleton to their coaching staff to help out caretaker boss Jimmy Shan.
Appleton, a former player and coach at The Hawthorns, will rejoin the Baggies early next week on a short-term deal until the end of the season.
The 43-year-old is being drafted in to bolster Shan’s backroom staff ahead of the play-offs.
Albion last week brought back another former player, Steven Reid, to assist under-23s boss Shan, who stepped up to take on the managerial role following last month’s sacking of Darren Moore.
Shan said: “I’m delighted with the appointment and the news. Obviously Michael is a person with great experience.
“He is going to be a huge addition to the backroom staff.”
Former midfielder Appleton made 38 appearances for the Baggies during a three-year spell between 2001 and 2004.
He joined the club’s coaching staff after a knee injury forced his retirement. He spent one game as caretaker boss following the sacking of Roberto Di Matteo in 2011, working as assistant for both the Italian and his successor, Roy Hodgson.
Appleton’s managerial career has taken in spells at Portsmouth, Blackpool, Blackburn and Oxford.
He has been out of work since leaving Leicester, where he was assistant to both Craig Shakespeare and Claude Puel.
Shan continued: “I think it is vital, with the timescale we have, that somebody coming in had an idea of the fabric of the club.
“I myself am aware of Michael. I am aware of his personality traits and he knows mine.
“Steven played under him when he was on the coaching staff. He fully understands the club.
“I spoke to him at great detail and length on Thursday and how I see his role. How I see him fitting in to the team and how he sees himself fitting into the team.
“From my perspective having someone who has vast experience, been there and done it, I can tap into him as a bit of a mentor.”
Appleton said: "Jimmy picked up the phone and asked if I was able to come in and help through a very important time at the club.
"He was keen for me to be there and to tap into myself and my experience of being in big games.
"I know Jimmy, Jamie and Reidy well.
"I spent 10 years at West Bromwich Albion as a player and a coach and I've got fine memories.
"I know a lot of people at the club and I look forward to getting back and seeing through what will hopefully be a very successful period over the next month or so."
