Appleton appointed as Blackburn Rovers boss (From Lancashire Telegraph)
When news happens, text LT and your photos and videos to 80360. Or contact us by email or phone.
Appleton appointed as Blackburn Rovers boss
6:03pm Friday 11th January 2013 in Sport
Michael Appleton
BLACKBURN Rovers have confirmed that Michael Appleton has been appointed as the club's new manager.
Appleton spent today in talks at Ewood Park and leaves his job as Blackpool boss to take over at Rovers, with assistant Ashley Westwood also making the move.
The duo have put pen to paper on two-and-a-half-year deals as Appleton succeeds Henning Berg as boss, although caretaker manager Gary Bowyer will take charge for the final time at Wolves tonight.
Rovers were granted permission to speak to Appleton and Westwood on Thursday night and the duo arrived at Ewood this morning, accompanied by their lawyer, before finalising personal terms.
Appleton said: “I am delighted to be joining such an historic club.
"This is a fantastic opportunity for me and I am excited about the challenge we have ahead of us.
"I can’t wait to start working with what is a very talented group of players.
“I’d like to thank everyone at Blackpool for their efforts during my time there and the chairman for allowing me to come here.
"I wish them all the best for the future.”
Rovers’ managing director Derek Shaw said: “We are delighted to welcome both Michael and Ashley to the football club.
"They are both highly regarded within the game and we are confident that they have the drive and ambition to take this club forward.
"We will do everything in our powers to support them in our quest to make an instant return to the Premier League.”
Comments are closed on this article.

Comments (135)
6:08pm Fri 11 Jan 13
ROVERSPAL1 says...
6:08pm Fri 11 Jan 13
Is Eckersley playing? says...
6:08pm Fri 11 Jan 13
leitchy says...
6:09pm Fri 11 Jan 13
kazluvsrovers says...
Fingers crossed...
6:09pm Fri 11 Jan 13
YarkshahRover says...
6:10pm Fri 11 Jan 13
leitchy says...
Shebby time to leave!!
6:11pm Fri 11 Jan 13
8 Ball Deluxe says...
Good luck Mr appleton and good luck Rovers COYB.
BRAG can go suck an egg.
6:12pm Fri 11 Jan 13
bed and breakfast man_! says...
6:13pm Fri 11 Jan 13
merlinrabbit says...
6:14pm Fri 11 Jan 13
padlebrfc says...
This guy has a clean sheet, let's try to create the famous twelfth man and back him all the way.
6:14pm Fri 11 Jan 13
stu82 says...
6:14pm Fri 11 Jan 13
bed and breakfast man_! says...
6:15pm Fri 11 Jan 13
Rover_gem says...
Welcome to the madhouse Mr Appleton, underwhelmed but has my 100% backing nonetheless. COYB - 3 points for Mr Bowyer tonight to say thanks please :)
6:16pm Fri 11 Jan 13
Frostboy says...
6:16pm Fri 11 Jan 13
Norman T Wangler says...
6:17pm Fri 11 Jan 13
padlebrfc says...
Lets not get on anybodies back for a change of direction, lets look on the bright side, the global advisor may well have been ignored or over ruled.
6:19pm Fri 11 Jan 13
padlebrfc says...
The unrest has been reported by the BBC, surprise surprise there are no quotes. It is only rumour without a quote.
6:20pm Fri 11 Jan 13
blackburn82 says...
6:22pm Fri 11 Jan 13
padlebrfc says...
We'll get by ok without you.
6:22pm Fri 11 Jan 13
dallydally says...
6:23pm Fri 11 Jan 13
passingfootball says...
6:23pm Fri 11 Jan 13
leitchy says...
Now Shaw has got his way will Shebby leave or fight back....cause off the field they need to work together.!! And clearly cant.
Watch this space....!
6:24pm Fri 11 Jan 13
ROVERSPAL1 says...
6:24pm Fri 11 Jan 13
Stone Island: says...
6:25pm Fri 11 Jan 13
fabinribblevalley says...
6:26pm Fri 11 Jan 13
To.guy says...
6:27pm Fri 11 Jan 13
hasslem hasslem says...
Hope your stay is a prosperous one for Rovers and for you.
Enjoy Ewood and Brockhall. Did you know that Brockhall used to be a madhouse.....when i say "used"....
6:28pm Fri 11 Jan 13
jogalot says...
Bowyer was only ever temporary. I hope they reward him well.
6:28pm Fri 11 Jan 13
Frostboy says...
6:31pm Fri 11 Jan 13
Fyrover says...
6:33pm Fri 11 Jan 13
vicn1956 says...
6:35pm Fri 11 Jan 13
77'sss says...
Yes you guessed it , the money
Good luck M.A your gonna need it. But I would suggest that you start looking for a new role, come the end of the season , if we haven't gone up you will get the sack, and if by a miracle you do achieve promotion, venkies will bring in another of there people to replace you, sucks don't it
Never mind think of the money your probably the highest paid manager outside of the prem, And
Yes I would do the same, given the chance
6:35pm Fri 11 Jan 13
hasslem hasslem says...
6:36pm Fri 11 Jan 13
RoversSwiss says...
Thanks to GB, it was good while it lasted.
BRAG OUT
6:37pm Fri 11 Jan 13
Is Eckersley playing? says...
ng!. ..
6:38pm Fri 11 Jan 13
hasslem hasslem says...
6:38pm Fri 11 Jan 13
ford10 says...
6:39pm Fri 11 Jan 13
EwoodShewouldnt says...
6:39pm Fri 11 Jan 13
goldfinger59 says...
Superb Mon.
6:40pm Fri 11 Jan 13
real betis hotpot says...
6:40pm Fri 11 Jan 13
To.guy says...
6:40pm Fri 11 Jan 13
jgb12348 says...
This set up is just a massive
PUN-JAB-I N THE BACK!
Please don't be upset you have more than shown that as stand in,
your efforts have been outstanding.Well done, (VENKY'S) do not realise what they have done to this club”
6:45pm Fri 11 Jan 13
daver72BRFC says...
6:45pm Fri 11 Jan 13
M.DANNY says...
Shebby is Venky's man in charge to look after Ewood Park.We have tried the cowboys now try the Indians.Indiana Patel is in charge of our beloved BRFC.Looks like the Indians are taking over everything even the family silver .
6:46pm Fri 11 Jan 13
leitchy says...
Hope we now don't get a negative response from the players??
Taxi 4 Shebby...!?,
6:48pm Fri 11 Jan 13
Forever Blue & White says...
6:48pm Fri 11 Jan 13
PersianRover says...
GB IN!
6:48pm Fri 11 Jan 13
JPainter90 says...
Best of luck to Appleton, hopefully he has what it takes but as of his Blackpool record I'm doubtful. Anyway, it's done now. Hopefully Venky's will give him the financial backing he will need.
6:49pm Fri 11 Jan 13
Colne lads back says...
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
K L U
U T C
6:51pm Fri 11 Jan 13
To.guy says...
6:51pm Fri 11 Jan 13
Captain Dreckley says...
Come on you blues. Tonight for Bowyer
6:51pm Fri 11 Jan 13
lusorover says...
All true and decent Rovers fans will get behind Appleton and give him every chance to show what he can do.
Gary Bowyer and Terry McPhillips can be immensely proud of what they have done and I hope they come out of this no worse off than previously. Thanks chaps.
6:52pm Fri 11 Jan 13
Dan11 says...
-
I heard he likes to play fairly direct and defensively sound at Pompey so I expect the opposite of Kean in that respect. Many clean sheets and wins to come I hope!
6:59pm Fri 11 Jan 13
To.guy says...
7:00pm Fri 11 Jan 13
srvp28 says...
Welcome Mike Ashley... sorry, Mike and Ashley! ;)
7:01pm Fri 11 Jan 13
RoversMCMLXXV says...
Like a lamb to the slaughter (or chicken)
Good luck Appleton - you're gonna need it at Hellwood
7:03pm Fri 11 Jan 13
RoversMCMLXXV says...
7:03pm Fri 11 Jan 13
baldie says...
7:04pm Fri 11 Jan 13
LittleRonnieHildersley says...
Anyway, time to get behind Appleton after tonight - the circus isn't his fault.
7:04pm Fri 11 Jan 13
dangerous dave says...
OUT WITH THE LOT OF THEM - THEY ALL DESERVE ONE ANOTHER.
7:06pm Fri 11 Jan 13
bypass06 says...
7:06pm Fri 11 Jan 13
FCBurnley says...
7:06pm Fri 11 Jan 13
Norfolk & Goode says...
Good luck tonight to the team and a massive thanks to Gary Bowyer in particular
7:07pm Fri 11 Jan 13
baldie says...
er poetry.
7:11pm Fri 11 Jan 13
blueblooded says...
He's been placed in charge of setting up the academies in India.
Shaw and Agnew won by doing the Kean and went crying to the one with the real balls.
Brother Balaji is peeved, but has no authority over the modestly distributed porker.
7:11pm Fri 11 Jan 13
ossybsting says...
7:12pm Fri 11 Jan 13
Bill Carson says...
If Venky's only bought Rovers as a commercial vehicle to advertise their products on the european sub-continent, it pleases me no end that it has failed so spectacularly. You reap what you sow....
7:17pm Fri 11 Jan 13
Captain Dreckley says...
Come on you blues. Tonight for Bowyer
7:18pm Fri 11 Jan 13
plymouthrover says...
7:22pm Fri 11 Jan 13
midas says...
.
He does look like Bez after a weekend bender though!!
7:24pm Fri 11 Jan 13
Dublin rover says...
7:24pm Fri 11 Jan 13
Stone Island: says...
7:25pm Fri 11 Jan 13
Captain Dreckley says...
7:25pm Fri 11 Jan 13
Colne lads back says...
SLAG OFF EACH OTHER
SLAG OFF OWNERS
SLAG OFF WALKER FAMILY
SLAG OFF KEANO
SLAG OFF BERG
SLAG OFF BACKROOM STAFF
SLAG OFF ME
SLAG OFF THE GROUND STAFF
ETC ETC
AND NOW SLAG OFF APPLE-HEAD
IT ONLY HAPPENS AT TRAMPWOOD COMEDY SHOW
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
THERE'S ALWAYS ACCY STANLEY TRAMPER BOYS
K L U
U T C
7:27pm Fri 11 Jan 13
blueblooded says...
We're not far from a play off spot, currently on a winning streak and have plenty of games to make good. Let's just get behind Appleton and be the 12th man and ignore the circus behind us. A two and a half year contract means like Kean, we are stuck with him for better or worse and one only has one option if as a supporter we want to get our team back to the top ranks whence we came from and that is get behind the new manager and team.
I couldn't go today for health reasons, but I'll be cheering the team on at the next game come what may in the farcical tenure of Venky's, hoping we've turned a corner and can get back to the important task of supporting the team on the ground.
CoYB!
7:30pm Fri 11 Jan 13
stick to football says...
Good luck to Appleton & Westwood - hope they get a free hand to manage without interference but this is Ewood after all
7:32pm Fri 11 Jan 13
Colne lads back says...
Apprentice clown joins the TRAMPWOOD circus on three month trial.
7:33pm Fri 11 Jan 13
To.guy says...
7:33pm Fri 11 Jan 13
blueblooded says...
7:35pm Fri 11 Jan 13
To.guy says...
7:37pm Fri 11 Jan 13
Colne lads back says...
7:38pm Fri 11 Jan 13
To.guy says...
7:41pm Fri 11 Jan 13
To.guy says...
7:47pm Fri 11 Jan 13
Philadelphiarover says...
I hope the boys get something from the game tonight as a thank you to a great job well done to Gary Bowyer and his assistant.
I hope we can keep Gary around at the club for a role as an emergency 'Tony Parkes'. I wouldn't be surprised if he isn't picked up to manage a club soon though. He certainly deserves a crack at managing. I would have liked to have seen him get a longer stint with the first team here. He seemed to be able to motivate the team, when others couldn't and he was good in front of the cameras and press.
Thanks for all your efforts in the last three games.
7:48pm Fri 11 Jan 13
Colne lads back says...
K L U
U T C
7:52pm Fri 11 Jan 13
cruzy_cruz says...
Who will take over from him in the summer?
Sham and shambles
7:55pm Fri 11 Jan 13
Colne lads back says...
7:55pm Fri 11 Jan 13
formerover says...
7:56pm Fri 11 Jan 13
Harwoodstblue says...
8:01pm Fri 11 Jan 13
Dukes says...
VENKYS OUT AND APPLETON OUT
8:17pm Fri 11 Jan 13
cactus rover says...
8:30pm Fri 11 Jan 13
George.White.Bread says...
8:39pm Fri 11 Jan 13
wilyrover says...
8:40pm Fri 11 Jan 13
BananaClarets says...
If he does fail (which as a Claret I hope he does) it will be a combination of your ridiculous owners undermining him and not giving him long enough to turn it around, combined with the moronic faithful (you lot) having a go at him from day one and not giving him a chance.
Keep up the good work ....idiots!
8:45pm Fri 11 Jan 13
Angry From Accrington says...
8:47pm Fri 11 Jan 13
Venkys HaHa says...
8:50pm Fri 11 Jan 13
Dchampy says...
e-named" in the Harry Potter films? Can he weave his magic?
Personally, I would have liked GB to have stayed until the end of the season. He seems to have the youngsters playing for him.....
9:03pm Fri 11 Jan 13
77'sss says...
Yeh baby
9:13pm Fri 11 Jan 13
stefjam says...
9:33pm Fri 11 Jan 13
venutius says...
Im just a bit scared that if Appleton does well, a footballing giant like..... 'Bournemouth" may come along to lure him away.
Imagine a manager jumping ship to go off to Bournmouth...patheti
c!
9:44pm Fri 11 Jan 13
Nuttall Street says...
Appleton's experience at Portsmouth in delaying with a club run in administration will come in very handy though. Were the other candidates spoken to insolvency practitioners?
TOTAL BOYCOTT, HOME AND AWAY! NOW. "ROTTEN TO THE" COAR OUT! VENKYs OUT! THE GLOBAL ADVISER OUT! SHAW AND AGNEW OUT? BLASTED "NOT WANTED" APPLETON OUT!
9:44pm Fri 11 Jan 13
burnleyglentoran says...
Not really mate, just shows Appleton is a mercenary who just aint got no class!
As for you lot - five managers and its only January!!!!
BRKFC - THE INTERNATIONAL LAUGHING STOCK NEAR SHADSWORTH
9:58pm Fri 11 Jan 13
Nuttall Street says...
10:11pm Fri 11 Jan 13
moh says...
10:14pm Fri 11 Jan 13
jim 2012 says...
10:25pm Fri 11 Jan 13
buzzinfly says...
10:27pm Fri 11 Jan 13
moh says...
10:29pm Fri 11 Jan 13
flyingv1 says...
10:44pm Fri 11 Jan 13
silverstan says...
10:51pm Fri 11 Jan 13
RoversMCMLXXV says...
I see you've been watching Rovers on TV again.... closet Rovers fan as well as a cross dresser eh? Don't be shy, just admit you're like all the other slack jawed bin-liner wearing hillbillies - obsessed with all things BRFC.
Now go and take a good look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself, am I a real man? Or am I nothing more than a mincer boy who spends most his time acting all big 'n' tough on here whilst dreaming of getting smashed up the brown star by a rugby team.... ooh you naughty girl
By the way Tracy, where did you get educated? I'd sew them if I was you because they failed miserably.
11:07pm Fri 11 Jan 13
i8dingles says...
11:19pm Fri 11 Jan 13
yellow man says...
11:20pm Fri 11 Jan 13
Road Runner Road Runner says...
Although that said, Mr Murphy was kinda keen in abstaining of your arrival ! Quite a strange response, if not a cute reply, considering he was posed the question at the final whistle by the sneaky interviewer !
You'll get the support you need from the vast majority up to a point, but hey, that's life................
Good luck.
Arte et labore
11:21pm Fri 11 Jan 13
RoversMCMLXXV says...
11:37pm Fri 11 Jan 13
hasslem hasslem says...
not sure murphy's heart is in it, or has been since he arrived. certainly has made it hard for supporters to take to him.
however, enough about murphy, singh, venkys, tweedle dee and tweedle dum, mike appleton - - - the question every rovers supporter wants to know is when is the big show.
i have heard that you have had some ants tatoo'd on your arse.....crawling from your hole.......name the date and time and remind the cops to turn off the cctv outside the town hall.
11:39pm Fri 11 Jan 13
Harwoodstblue says...
12:07am Sat 12 Jan 13
flyingv1 says...
I would call him/her a thick lad/lass, but that is not fair on thicko's
He/she does his/her best, bless him/her
12:27am Sat 12 Jan 13
noddy57 says...
12:34am Sat 12 Jan 13
Road Runner Road Runner says...
Hope your not referring to Adam, by the way !!!!
Arte et labore
8:56am Sat 12 Jan 13
Accy Phil says...
12:30pm Sat 12 Jan 13
greenscreener says...
12:58pm Sat 12 Jan 13
submin01 says...
1:45pm Sat 12 Jan 13
owd nick says...
(Am I alone in thinking Villa were actually a worse team than Rovers last season?).
Anyway, their fans are behind their team, their players, their club despite their dire position.
Real supporters, Villa fans.
OK things under Venky's are dire, but real Rovers fans will have their say and then get down to Ewood and get behind their team, manager (whoever it is this week) and staff.
Forget the clowns in charge, forget the idiots at BRAG, BRSIT and the rest, who appear to be either totally incompetent or just about capable of raising enough money to buy a dog kennel from Pets at Home.
Rovers like any other team are absolutely nothing without their fans, and in my honest opinion, if you are no longer prepared to get down to Ewood and support them through thick and thin then you no longer have the right to criticise the manager staff and players.
You lost that right when you turned your back on them.
1:50pm Sat 12 Jan 13
noddy57 says...
2:03pm Sat 12 Jan 13
flowersorseaman? says...
2:19pm Sat 12 Jan 13
owd nick says...
2:33pm Sat 12 Jan 13
submariner1 says...
3:05pm Sat 12 Jan 13
owd nick says...
Garry Bowyer stated quite clearly several times that he didn't want the job full time, he isn't stupid, just like Tony Parkes wasn't stupid.
With the idiots in charge, the constant fighting behind the scenes and some of the fans constantly looking of someone, anyone local to blame for everything and anything who can blame him?
We don't know about Appleton yet do we? It's pretty obvious he's Shaw's man which is hopefully the beginning of the end for Shebby, especially if Appleton hits the ground running and we continue to pick up points.
And if Shebby goes the infighting should be over, then perhaps we will start to get some stability back in the club.
4:27pm Sat 12 Jan 13
andyproc says...
6:59pm Sat 12 Jan 13
dutchyjohn says...
It was well understandable that the players and managers head was not on the game last night ,they must be sick too of all the outright lies being told to them.
It seems the only qualification you need is a bald head ,a bad win record and not be loyal to the club.
The word from Blackpool supporters was that he was totaly unsuitable ,Oyston was very happy to lose the guy and get the next managers first year wage paid for by Rovers, if he was so good why could he not equal Holloway's record.
At Portsmouth all he did was pick the same players as he had a very small squad these players were playing out of their skin.
The guy has no loyalty to any club any offer to him and he will be off.
Why has he got a 2 1/2 year deal ,as was stated ,no promotion and he is out.
The only way to let this shower know how the supporters feel is by staying away and not let this shower walk over the supporters.
Those who keep going help to keep Rovers the laughing stock of football.
8:41pm Sat 12 Jan 13
Keen O to Get Kean Out says...
9:19pm Sat 12 Jan 13
jim 2012 says...
if i was ten years old
9:21pm Sat 12 Jan 13
jim 2012 says...
9:53pm Sat 12 Jan 13
jim 2012 says...
the fans didn't appoint any of the managers caretaker or otherwise
venky,s and venks agents did that
steve kean who burnley fans seem to hold in such high regard had the worst
record in the history of a club that have been around one hundred sixty three years hence the protest
as for Appleton could turn out to be
the next mark hughes or the next
steve kean time will tell
11:35pm Sat 12 Jan 13
hornbypeggy says...