September 20, 2019 6.00 pm This story is over 53 months old

It’s official: Imps unveil new first team manager

A new era has begun

Lincoln City have begun a new era after appointing West Bromwich Albion’s under-23’s coach Michael Appleton as their new first team manager to replace the departed Cowley brothers.

Appleton, 43, has signed a contract to keep him at Sincil Bank until the summer of June 2023.

Jamie McCombe and Andy Warrington were put in charge of first team affairs at Lincoln with support from Jez George, the club’s Head of Football, after brothers Danny and Nicky Cowley departed to join Championship side Huddersfield earlier this month.

McCombe and Warrington will lead the Imps out against one of Appleton’s former clubs Oxford in Saturday’s League One clash.

Appleton will take over the management of team affairs for the first time on the morning of Monday, September 23.

This means his first official game in charge of the club will be against one of his other former clubs when the Imps travel to face Blackpool on Friday, September 27.

Appleton, who previously had a loan spell with the Imps in 1995 where he made four appearances, had caretaker manager spells at West Brom and Leicester. He has also been in charge as manager at Portsmouth, Blackpool, Blackburn and Oxford.

Clive Nates, Chairman at Lincoln City, said: “I am delighted that we have secured the appointment of Michael Appleton as our new First Team Manager and have total confidence that he is the right man for the job.

“Michael has all the qualities we have been searching for to continue our progress as a club, having spent three very successful years at this weekend’s opponents, Oxford United, where he achieved promotion to League One as well as a number of exciting cup runs, including two visits to Wembley in successive years in the EFL Trophy.

“Although it is pleasing that we have made an appointment in just under two weeks, the priority has always been to undertake a proper due diligence process and make the right appointment for the long-term benefit of the club, regardless of the length of the process.

“Thanks to a remarkable three years of success and progress, we have a momentum to carry forward. The board remains committed to continuing the transformation of the club with the aim of establishing ourselves higher in the football pyramid.”

He added: “I would like to express my appreciation to Jamie McCombe, Andy Warrington and David Bridges for taking charge of first team affairs in exceptional circumstances. I have been in the country throughout this process and have had the chance to witness first-hand their hard work and dedication and I wish them and the boys the best of luck on Saturday.”