Michael Appleton reveals his plans for Shrewsbury Town while the Director of Football apologises to fans for the 2024/25 season.
Appleton reveals his plans for Shrewsbury Town as he becomes their new permanent manager, signing a new two year deal.
He has outlined his vision for the club as they prepare for the 2025-2026 season in League Two, focusing on establishing a clear playing identity, building a competitive squad, and restoring pride among supporters following the club’s relegation from League One.
Appleton spoke of establishing a playing identity, assessing the squad and recruitment, leveraging youth and experience, engaging supporters and building pride while also navigating club challenges.
Shrewsbury Town Head Coach Michael Appleton talks to @footienick for Sports Hour tonight from 6 on @BBCShropSport after signing a new 2-year deal#Salop pic.twitter.com/ZfKgIUXq7k
— BBC Sport Shropshire (@BBCShropSport) May 2, 2025
🖊️ Shrewsbury Town are thrilled to announce head coach Michael Appleton has signed a new contract at the Croud Meadow.
🔷🔶 #Salop
— Shrewsbury Town FC (@shrewsburytown) May 2, 2025
STATEMENT ON APPLETON:
Shrewsbury Town are thrilled to announce head coach Michael Appleton has signed a new contract at the Croud Meadow.
Michael will now build on the impressive work he has done as interim boss after putting pen to paper on a new two-year deal.
Assistant head coach Richard O’Donnell has also committed his future to the club.
Michael said: “It’s no secret that I wanted to stay at this football club so I’m really pleased the deal is now done.
“The last few weeks have been a challenge, but I’ve been really encouraged by how the players have responded and taken on board what I’ve asked of them.
“Most importantly, I’ve learned a lot about the group — what we need going forward and who I want to be part of the journey next season.
“The club has a clear vision for how it wants the team to play. And I hope in the games I’ve had so far, you’ve seen the type of football we are working to introduce.
“The positive feedback I’ve had from supporters has been fantastic.
“That identity, though, doesn’t just happen in a few weeks, we have a long way to go.
“However, both Richard and I are determined to build a team that will really make you proud next season.”
Statement from Director of football Micky Moore: “Dear Shrewsbury Town supporters,
“I want to start this open letter by apologising to you all for how the 2024/25 season has unfolded and our subsequent relegation into League Two.
“Performances and results simply were not good enough. Mistakes have been made. And I want to say sorry to you all. You deserve better.
“For a decade, Shrewsbury Town were proud members of League One.
“Dropping out of the division hurts. And everyone at the football club shares the anger and frustration you feel.
“There are no positives to going down. One thing it does allow us to do, though, is reset.
“And that leads me on to why we have decided to appoint Michael Appleton as head coach.
“First and foremost, his style of play fits the identity we are working to instil at the football club.
“Installing a clear identity and a clear playing style is so important and it’s vital we stick to it.
“There will be supporters reading this asking why we haven’t put this identity in place before, why it is only happening now – in my third season.
“So I think it’s important I explain to you the head coach appointments that have been made during my time at the club, starting with Matt Taylor.
“Matt arrived in the summer of 2023 on the back of the team having finished 12th in League One.
“It’s important to reiterate that 12th placed finish was achieved with a massive overspend, an overspend that was not sustainable for this football club.
“Nevertheless, you cannot rip up all the things that have been done well.
“Matt was brought in to work with the 3-5-2 formation that had been in place over the previous seasons.
“Ultimately, he lost his job on the back of a run that saw him win one of his last eight games
“But Matt won 50 per cent of his home matches and he was never in the bottom four. He left the club with a 34 per cent win rate.
“Following his departure, we appointed Paul Hurst.
“I put Paul on a list of potential candidates and the Chairman went on to appoint him.
“I think the majority of Shrewsbury fans welcomed the appointment based on what Paul had achieved during his first stint in Shropshire.
“And while it didn’t work out second time around, I know he will always be fondly remembered for that first spell.
“When Paul left, the morale of the club needed lifting.
“There is nobody better at doing that than Gareth Ainsworth so I was delighted to bring him to the football club along with his assistant Richard Dobson.
“Gareth oversaw an upturn in results and performances. He lifted the club and the town.
“But he failed to win any of his last eight games in charge – and I think we all knew relegation was likely following his final match against Burton.
“Due to mine and the chairman’s relationship with Gareth, it was a big shock when he informed us of his wish to speak to – and subsequently join – Gillingham.
“Within 30 hours, we had managed to secure Michael as our head coach on a contract until the end of the season – with a view to offering him a longer deal.
“Michael perfectly fits the philosophy we want at the football club.
“And I think under his tenure, you have started to see this identity take shape.
“Just as importantly, he wants to help us produce, develop and sell our own players.
“For a club with our resources, we simply have to produce, develop and sell our own. Michael understands that. And that is why we have selected him to be our head coach.
“Finally, I just want to end this letter by explaining what you can expect from us in the coming weeks.
“Very soon, we will be publishing our released and retained list.
“We have also held discussions with our scholars and will also be announcing soon which academy youngsters will be saying with the club.
“Work is also underway on new additions for next season – with both Michael and I having been meeting regularly over the past few weeks to discuss targets.
“I know the pain of this season still very much remains.
“But I want to wish you all a happy summer and I look forward to seeing you all next season.
“Micky.”
Here’s how fans reacted on Twitter as Michael Appleton reveals his plans for Shrewsbury while the Director of Football apologises to fans…
ON APPLETON:
@theshrew88: Great news hopefully he can mount a promotion challenge next season #salop
@shrewsgav: Happy with this, but now we need a takeover to be sorted, so he isn’t operating with his hands tied.
@oliverhowells5: I’m happy we’ve done it. But I have a feeling we won’t be seeing Mickey Moore gone anytime soon unfortunately. Why would he write a letter about the appointment then leave? #salop
@KellMUFC99: Good decision. Hoping he can clear the deadwood and get some decent players in next season.
@OffTheLineBlog: I actually quite like it. Major overhaul needed; only success has come with a core of 5/6 better than the level. MA @ his best at Lincoln City with young squad reliant largely on loans. May allow #Salop to bridge financial gap to L2 rivals in 25-26. Intrigued.
@salopiankillie: Stability is what we need right now and he knows L2. Great appointment excited to see him bring his own style and players in. Got to see relegation as a positive as can be the start of something new. Take a step back to get moving again after becoming so stale in recent years.
@KatieEdwards_11: Decent – From his last interview he said some players will be shitting themselves if he did get to become manager next season. Now he staying – be interesting summer if we get a new investor in & he get the reins to get what he want in unless Moore is in charge of that again 🫣
@WWEShrew: Proper happy with this. He’s impressed me with the resources he’s been given so far, let him have a full transfer window to get the players he wants with some money behind him and you never know. Hopefully we can build some stability now
@MarcusClayson: Lads earned it tbf…… 1 win in 8 is exceptional for him.
@JackCAFC_: may as well just announce national league 26/27 while your at it😂😂😂
@WillNankivell: League 2 champions
ON DoF’S COMMENTS
@Brandon31382134: How can you discuss targets if you don’t know a budget? For if they all come out of budget your at step 1 again 😳
@BennettSbsalop:
Your resignation letter is needed…. not an apology.
Overspend that has never been proven.. Never.
You explained nothing about the appointments you made. Just a ramble about their records. It shouldn’t take till the 3rd season for a style of play
Get out of our club… #salop
@nickjames_1: ‘Identity’ seems to be flavour of the month. Reality is, there’s been no consistency in the managers and their playing styles, every manager has been ‘top of your list’ and I for one am struggling to see your purpose at the club. Overspend by SC… who has final say on incomings?
@janepittaway777: Gutted at his last sentence “…… I look forward to seeing you all next season” He’s not going to be on the released list then 😡
@EdSalop1: 23/24 lowest goals scored in our history (despite signing a £100k striker). 24/25 lowest points total since the football league introduced 3 points for a win (40 points). No young players breaking into the first team. Still talking about identity 5 managers later.
@alewis36: Fair enough you can’t argue with that . Onwards and upwards #salop
@burmo_lad: My summer would be a lot better if you handed in your notice you clown.
@svenncfc: Typical another Yes man passing of RW as his!! Such depressing words to read as well “I’ll see you next season”
@EdSalop1: Talk up Matt Taylor ✅ Slag off Ainsworth, again ✅ Mention the (still unproven) overspend from two years ago, despite Mr Chairman not mentioning it in his statement last week. ✅ These are the Chairman’s cowardly bitter words. Which is why Useful Idiot Moore remains at the club.
@Simonparry44: Mr Moore, you have absolutely no self awareness or insight as to what an awful job you have done at OUR club. People do not want to be seeing you again next season, simple
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