Michael Appleton is eager for a return to management

Former Blackpool boss Michael Appleton is eager for a return to management, admits you have to be more cautious when talking to modern players and backs Leicester and Leeds for promotion from the Championship

• Michael Appleton has revealed he is eager for a return to management 
• Appleton was most recently in charge of Blackpool, who he left in January 
• He added that you have to be more cautious when talking to modern players 

With more than 400 matches as a permanent manager in the Football League behind him, few are equipped to examine the competition like Michael Appleton.

The Manchester United academy product – once given the famous ‘hairdryer’ treatment by Sir Alex Ferguson for accepting the wrong job – has been in the game since the early 1990s but is as excited as anyone as the season approaches. 

Sheffield Wednesday face Southampton on Friday in the Championship opener to start the 10-month marathon again.

Appleton is keen to get back into the dugout after leaving Blackpool in January and remains deeply involved in football. His time out of work has been spent studying other coaches, analysing his own performance and keeping track of current and emerging players.

This is why there are not many better analysts of the Championship and Leagues One and Two, and Appleton’s assessment of the divisions is fascinating.

Ex-Blackpool boss Michael Appleton revealed he’s eager for a return to management

When he was sacked by Blackburn, Sir Alex Ferguson told Appleton to be more careful about his choice of club

‘I understand that it’s hard for owners to be patient with managers because there is a lot of pressure and expectation from supporters,’ he said.

‘League Two and the Championship are so competitive this year. There are probably 14 clubs who think they can get promotion from League Two, and about a dozen in the Championship.

‘It’s difficult to look past Leicester and Leeds in the Championship because of the quality of the squads and the standard looks higher this season than last. Look at the money spent already and I don’t think we’re near the peak of it yet.

‘In League One you have to look at Derby. They’ll be disappointed to have missed the play-offs but there is also Portsmouth, Charlton and Bolton, while Wigan, Reading and Blackpool will be competitive.

‘Wrexham and Notts County will be up there when you look at their budgets, then there is Salford, Stockport and Bradford who missed out in the play-offs. There are so many teams who will be targeting the top three.

‘But it’s tough. Results get you the sack, but if owners can hang in there and back a manager through a difficult period, then they can reap the benefits. Nowadays it’s not only fans in the ground who can put pressure on owners, but the ones on social media too.’

Like many managers, Appleton must wish he had received more patience from certain. Blackpool thought they could stay up by removing but they will begin the season in League One.

He had an excellent record at Oxford and Lincoln and showed a rare ability to handle adversity at Portsmouth when, at 35, he had to manage experienced players like Kanu and Tal Ben Haim, who had spent significant time in the Premier League. Ferguson famously berated Appleton in his office when he was sacked by Blackburn after 65 days in 2013, ordering him to be more careful in his choice of club. Appleton has done exactly that ever since.

Appleton previously had a spell as caretaker manager in the Premier League with Leicester and has backed the Foxes for promotion

Few would dispute Appleton’s ability to improve young players or produce exciting teams. When coaching, the 47-year-old is in his element. Yet times are changing.

The modern footballer is different from the player of 10 years ago. Appleton was raised in the United youth team, where standards were high and coaches ferocious.

‘I like being straight and realistic and sometimes people don’t like that,’ he said. ‘People don’t like being told what they don’t want to hear and at times you feel like you have to be a politician.

‘When you do that you feel you lose a bit of authenticity and I don’t want to become a robot. Players have changed a lot and you have to be much more careful now than 10 or 15 years ago.

‘I used to love proving people wrong but now you have to be more cautious when you speak to players. Many of the players in the EFL are probably earning more than their managers, and they’ll often outlast managers.

Appleton admitted that you have to be more cautious when talking with modern players

‘But you can get around that by setting the right culture. If you make sure the environment is right, you can be successful. That’s not simply about putting a few posters up. It’s about high standards, good communication and the right people.’

With his passion and knowledge, it is difficult to imagine Appleton will be on the sidelines for long. He will be watching games this weekend, on the phone to contacts in the game, reviewing his ideas. Just waiting for the ideal moment.

‘I’ve got no doubt I’ll be successful and as a manager all you want is a chance,’ he insists. ‘I’m not asking for the biggest budget. I know the players out there and I’ve managed in three of the four leagues.

‘I still have the hunger and desire to manage, and I’ve been an assistant manager and coach in the Premier League and I wouldn’t rule out those roles either. It will be interesting to see what comes next.’

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