Blackburn appoint Appleton as their Manager

New Blackburn boss Michael Appleton

Michael Appleton has been appointed as the manager of Blackburn Rovers. The club officially confirmed that he has signed a two and half year contract with the club. The managerial post had been vacant at Blackburn following Henning Berg’s 57 day stint with the club. This appointment means that Appleton is the third manager to manage Blackburn this season after Steve Kean and Berg.

The 37 year old English man had been at Blackpool only for 64 days, having joined from Portsmouth, before taking over Blackburn. The club confirmed in their official website that Appleton’s understudy at Blackpool, Ashley Westwood, has also signed a two and half year contract to become the assistant manager of the club.

In a statement on the club’s website the Rovers’ managing director Derek Shaw said, “We are delighted to welcome both Michael and Ashley to the football club. They are both highly regarded within the game and we are confident that they have the drive and ambition to take this club forward. We will do everything in our powers to support them in our quest to make an instant return to the Premier League.”

The new Rovers manager said, “I am delighted to be joining such an historic club. This is a fantastic opportunity for me and I am excited about the challenge we have ahead of us. I can’t wait to start working with what is a very talented group of players.”

The club also confirmed that reserve-team coach Gary Bowyer, along with Terry McPhillips, will take charge of Friday’s clash against Wolves, with Appleton starting in his new role next week.