Appleton to make most of Baggies chance

08 February 2011 18:30
Michael Appleton insists he is ready to take his big chance at West Brom after being placed in caretaker charge of the Barclays Premier League strugglers. The 35-year-old stepped in following the sackings on Sunday of manager Roberto Di Matteo and assistants Eddie Newton and Ade Mafe. Appleton, who is set to take charge of the side for the first time in Saturday's crunch meeting with West Ham, has been at the club for a decade having initially moved to The Hawthorns as a player in 2001. Having worked with the academy and reserve sides at West Brom, Appleton was appointed first-team coach in 2009, and he cannot wait for his first taste of Premier League management. He told Albion Player: "It's going to be fantastic. The circumstances behind it I would have liked to be a little bit different but it will be a proud moment for me. "I had to lose my career at what I thought was a young age. Since that day happened I've only ever wanted to be a manager. I didn't expect it to be this way or maybe this soon at this level but it doesn't faze me."

Source: PA