Swansea City make an approach for a different EFL manager amid departure talks which could see Steve Cooper off to Crystal Palace.
The Welsh outfit have approached Lincoln City manager Michael Appleton about being their new manager, Football Insider exclusively reveal.
After finishing in the Championship playoffs for two seasons in a row now, they have turned their attention to finding a successor to Steve Cooper as he closes in on the Crystal Palace job.
A Swans source has told Football Insider, who tend to be accurate when it comes to managerial talk and expected appointments, that 45 year old Michael Appleton, is the leading contender to replace Cooper and soundings are taking place.
FI SOURCES! 👀
– Swansea City have approached Lincoln City manager Michael Appleton about being their new manager.
– Appleton is the leading contender to replace Cooper who is closing in on the Crystal Palace job.
Details: https://t.co/2JIQiYphNk#scfc #Swans #ImpsAsOne pic.twitter.com/BxLz9PUTWy
— Football Insider (@footyinsider247) June 26, 2021
Cooper is now the top favourite to take over at Selhurst Park after negotiations with Lucien Favre collapsed, like many others have of late.
It’s believed that Appleton held talks with West Brom earlier this month but his old club were unwilling to pay compensation to prise him from Lincoln.
They have instead appointed Barnsley boss Valerien Ismael which has since gone down well with Baggies fans.
The Imps and Swansea enjoyed similar campaigns last season as they were beaten in the League One and Championship playoff finals.
Appleton has been in charge of his current club for almost two years and penned a new four-year deal with the club in February.
Appleton insists he has happy at Lincoln and says the speculation should be seen a compliment for the whole club.
“It not just be a compliment for me, but for everyone at the club, in terms of staff, players and board,” he told LincolnshireLive after the 2-1 win at Wigan which kept City at the top of the League One table earlier in the season.
“The reality is, when you get linked to a really good jobs like that, it’s because you’re doing well. Listen, it’s not just about me, it’s about everyone who was out there today, staff included.
“I’m enjoying what I’m doing here with Lincoln. We’re in a fantastic position. That’s not something I’m looking to step away from.
“We are where we are for a reason, because we’ve been very consistent,” added Appleton, whose Imps contract runs until June 2023.
“As I said at the start of the season, it’s a process, a process of getting better and better and progressing through the weeks, the months and the years.
“Hopefully we’re still in the early stages. If that’s the case, we’ve got a lot of growth ahead – and if we’ve got a lot of growth while fighting at the top of the league, it’s shows you how far we can go.”
However, he was denied the second promotion of his managerial career by his former club Blackpool at Wembley in May.
Will he be raring to go against at Sincil Bank knowing that they’ve got something and look likely to battle for a place into the second tier of English football next season or does he jump ship? He’s been loyal so far.
The 45-year-old has previous experience of managing in the Championship with the likes of Blackpool, Portsmouth and Blackburn Rovers.
Swansea have a strong recent history of appointing young progressive coaches after Cooper replaced Graham Potter.
Potter quit the Swans to take over at Brighton & Hove Albion and has established himself as one of the Premier League’s brightest young managers, linking him most recently with Tottenham.
Cooper has spent two full seasons in charge of the club and has failed to earn promotion after finishing in the play-off positions twice.
Fans reacted as Swansea reportedly make approach for EFL manager Michael Appleton amid departure talks…
@jackjiffy: Michael Appleton’s barmy army….that’s a gob full…Mickey Fruits barmy army 👌👍👍
@ronaallleeds: Cooper for palace Job wow – how did that happen 😂😂😂😂
@ForeverAYellow: He’s a great manager, don’t get me wrong, but I genuinely think Swansea can do better
@dan_lear83: #swans I would take this!
@returnofthemaff: Hmm always been a fan of his, definitely worth an interview
@comps39602499: Good appointment
@DanielJJames2: Take that
@SCFCMarley_: Am I the only one who doesn’t want this
@danieldaviesj7: Oh my yes pls
@HolySnorlax: Not opposed to this at all
@ioanstephens: No thanks 🙂
@TheTrueJackYT: He won’t be a bad appointment imo
@jonathanruss4: If true. Absolutely yes. Great record playing entertaining football on small budgets. Superb in the loan market.
@JamesFleming03: not mad at that at all. would be a great appointment
@KieranCraig2016: If this is the plan then get it done ASAP, I’d rather go into pre season knowing who’s gonna be boss. Has contacts too so will attract some good players
@scfctheo: Yep yep yep this would be a really good choice
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