Appleton new Pompey manager

Portsmouth have appointed West Bromwich Albion assistant head coach Michael Appleton as the club’s new manager.

Appleton, 35, has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal to take over at Fratton Park, with the post his first as a manager.

Appleton had previously worked with both Roy Hodgson and his predecessor Roberto Di Matteo at the Hawthorns, and enjoyed a nine-year playing career, eventually cut short by a knee injury, that started at Manchester United.

“I’m delighted and excited to be taking the job and hopefully I can share that enthusiasm and excitement out around the club,” Appleton told Portsmouth’s official website.

“It’s going to be a progressive challenge. You get judged on results and the first team is the most important thing, but we want to build the infrastructure of the club, developing the academy and hopefully along the line getting our own training ground. Things like recruitment will be key.”

“Hopefully, with a sensible approach, we can take the club forward.”

“It was very difficult to leave West Brom because I had spent nearly a third of my life there and had made a lot of good friends and worked with good people.”

“But it was time for me to take on a different challenge, and this is one I’m really excited about.”

“Portsmouth have fantastic traditions and the supporters are renowned throughout the football world for being very loud and getting behind the team. We want to give them something to shout about.”

“A few years ago Portsmouth were a successful Premier League club. I would like to think I can help the people at the football club achieve that again.”

Portsmouth chief executive David Lampitt said the club were looking for a young, up-and-coming new manager and that Appleton fitted the bill.

“We are delighted to welcome Michael as our new first-team manager,” he said.

“He fought off very strong opposition to get the job from a high quality field of candidates.”

“Michael has an excellent track record as a coach with a positive mentality about the game and the way it should be played.”