Appleton backed for Baggies job

Kiely thinks that in-house appointments could be a growing trend

Last updated: 9th February 2011   Subscribe to RSS Feed

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West Brom caretaker manager Michael Appleton stands a good chance of being appointed on a permanent basis, according to Dean Kiely.

Appleton has been placed in charge of team affairs at the Hawthorns following Roberto Di Matteo's sacking and he is now focusing on Saturday's crucial home match against fellow Premier League strugglers West Ham.

The long-term West Brom man, who initially joined the club as a player in 2001 before his career was cut short by injury, has admitted that he hopes to impress in his first management job.

And goalkeeping coach Kiely thinks that, despite speculation about Roy Hodgson, Steve McClaren and Chris Hughton, Appleton could become Di Matteo's full-time successor.

Kiely told Sky Sports News: "This opportunity, it has been dressed up as a caretaker role, but I'm sure Appy' is looking at it as his chance to stake a claim.

Positive

"Ultimately, what we are tying to do is win a game of football. We have set the goal within this week to get the team motivated to win a very important game on Saturday."

Kiely thinks that a trend might be beginning to emerge for in-house managerial appointments following the work of some of West Brom's Premier League rivals.

Blackburn named former coach Steve Kean as their boss after the sacking of Sam Allardyce, while Kenny Dalglish was promoted from a role in Liverpool's Academy to begin a second spell as manager in the wake of Hodgson's dismissal.

Kiely said: "Maybe the precedent has been set in terms of Blackburn, who are a big club and have appointed from within because they know the personality and what they bring.

"So, don't get me wrong, Appy' is not jumping up and down saying, 'look at me'. Appy' is just doing what he has done here for many years.

"That is, try and be successful, try and be positive, try and have an influence on players to send them out onto the pitch to win games of football."

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