Michael Appleton: Shrewsbury Town part company with head coach

BBC Radio Shropshire’s Sports Editor Nick Southall

Michael Appleton knew when he became the Shrewsbury head coach that he was going into a tough job.

Previous high-calibre managers with proven track records like Paul Hurst and Gareth Ainsworth struggled to stem the run of losses which ultimately led to relegation from League One, with that downward momentum continuing in League Two.

All three worked under Director of Football Micky Moore, up until his departure just weeks into the new season.

By that stage Moore had already been a big influence, managing last summer’s poor recruitment campaign.

Appleton’s win ratio doesn’t look good but he will argue that this current transfer window is his first where only he controls who he signs. His staunchest allies will say that he probably needed three transfer windows to assemble a squad fit enough to wear the blue and amber. Sadly, many managers aren’t afforded that time these days.

He signed six players in January and the majority look good additions.

But, it’s not ideal having to conduct major surgery to a squad not entirely of his own choosing last summer, whilst embroiled in a relegation battle.

Ultimately, time ran out.

The risk of falling out of the Football League has prompted Shrewsbury to act.

Time will tell if the change works, or whether the least risky option was in fact to stick with Appleton.