Kevin Phillips stunned as Michael Appleton turns down West Brom
We’re delighted to welcome former West Brom striker Kevin Phillips as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Hawthorns…
Kevin Phillips is stunned by Michael Appleton’s decision to stay at Lincoln City amid reported interest from West Brom.
Earlier this week, Sky Sports journalist Rob Dorsett reported on Twitter that the Lincoln manager had told the Baggies he’s not interested in a return to The Hawthorns to succeed Sam Allardyce in charge.
He joins a long list of managers who the Albion have failed to appoint since Allardyce walked away from the Black Country club at the end of the Premier League season.
Phillips is baffled that Appleton would turn down the chance to manage a club he’s previously played for and coached at.
However, he feels the Lincoln boss will have done his homework on the Baggies before turning them down.
When asked by West Brom News why Appleton might have rejected a Hawthorns return, Phillips said: “Only Michael can answer that but if it’s true, it’s quite surprising that you would turn down West Brom to stay at Lincoln.
“Being a West Brom supporter, whether Appleton is your choice or not, you would think he would snap their hand off to manage them. He may have done his due diligence and background investigations and doesn’t fancy it.
“It’s another concern for the Baggies moving forward.
“Michael has done a fantastic job at Lincoln, he’s been very loyal. There’s not a lot of loyalty in football these days but he’s shown he is.
“But from West Brom’s point of view, when you get managers turning down jobs turn, there’s always a slight concern.”
Appleton took charge at Lincoln in September 2019, quitting his role as Albion’s Under-23s manager less than two months after accepting it.
In February, he signed a four-year contract at Sincil Bank and it seems as though the former midfielder is more willing to honour that contract than the one he agreed with the Baggies a couple of years ago.
In other West Brom news, Chelsea have signed this young Baggies talent.
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