LCFC Appoint Michael Appleton As Assistant Manager

- Leicester City confirm the appointment of Michael Appleton as the Club’s Assistant Manager
- The 41-year-old joins City after managing Portsmouth, Blackpool, Blackburn Rovers and Oxford United in the Sky Bet Football League over the past six years
- First Team Manager Craig Shakespeare worked with Appleton during their time together within the Academy structure at West Bromwich Albion
- Appleton will join the Foxes squad when they meet up for pre-season training ahead of the Premier League Asia Trophy in Hong Kong later this summer

Leicester City Football Club is pleased to confirm the appointment of Michael Appleton as the Club’s new Assistant Manager. 

Appleton, 41, joins the Foxes after three years as manager of Oxford United. He has signed a three-year contract and will link up with First Team Manager Craig Shakespeare’s staff when the Foxes reconvene for pre-season training next month.

Craig Shakespeare said: “I am delighted that the Club have been able to bring a coach of Michael’s standing to Leicester City. Michael and I worked together at West Bromwich Albion and it quickly became clear that he possessed all the qualities and the integrity required to enjoy a successful coaching career.

“During his transition from a player to a coach, before later becoming a manager, Michael has already achieved great success in the game. Over the course of his three years at Oxford United, he has been acknowledged by many as one of the most talented and knowledgeable coaches in English football.

“That expertise, as well as his excellent coaching acumen, made him the perfect choice as Assistant Manager. I am sure that he will be a huge asset to Leicester City as we strive to achieve our objectives over the coming seasons.”

Shakespeare worked with Appleton within West Bromwich Albion's backroom team for five years between 2003 and 2008. Two years later, following a promotion to the position of first team coach under Roberto di Matteo and a one-game stint as caretaker manager, Appleton left The Hawthorns to take charge of Portsmouth in the Sky Bet Championship.

After subsequent spells with Blackpool and Blackburn Rovers in the second tier, the former Manchester United, Lincoln City, Grimsby Town, Preston North End and West Brom midfielder guided Oxford to promotion from Sky Bet League 2 as runners-up in 2016. His side registered 24 victories, 14 draws and just eight defeats across the 2015/16 campaign.

During his three-year tenure at the Kassam Stadium, Appleton’s Oxford also became known as a side capable of defeating teams from higher divisions in both domestic cup competitions. In January, 2017, they overcame eventual Championship champions Newcastle United 3-0 at home in the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round.

Twelve months earlier, whilst still in League 2, the Oxfordshire outfit also enjoyed a memorable 3-2 Third Round triumph over Premier League side Swansea City following an earlier 4-0 success away at second tier Brentford in the First Round of the EFL Cup in August 2015.

Appleton joins the Foxes with a reputation as one of the country’s most dynamic young coaches having also taken Oxford to consecutive Football League Trophy Finals over the past two seasons. Last term, the U’s finished in eighth place on their maiden campaign back in League 1, just four points off the play-off positions