Bristol Rovers' relegation battle rivals appoint ex-Portsmouth and Blackburn boss as new manager

Bristol Rovers’ relegation rivals Shrewsbury Town have confirmed the appointment of Michael Appleton on a short-term deal which runs until the end of the campaign.

The Shropshire side have hired the 49-year-old as a direct replacement for head coach Gareth Ainsworth, who made the bombshell decision to drop down 20 places in the Football League ladder to take the reins at 19th place League Two side Gillingham in a shock turn of events.

Ainsworth lasted just four months at Crowd Meadow and left The Shrews bottom of the table with just 28 points from 37 matches after recording just five victories in 22 matches in charge of the club.

Appleton inherits a team 14 points adrift of safety, with Bristol Rovers currently sitting in 20th position with 42 points from 38 games heading into the final relegation run-in.

A step closer to home for Gareth Ainsworth

Former Shrewsbury boss Gareth Ainsworth has claimed that the chance to move back to the south-east of England was a huge factor in him deciding to leave the midlands for a crack at the Gillingham job.Making his first public comments since taking the job, he told the club media team: “The last week has been crazy. Coming here was a huge decision. Last summer Gillingham approached me and (assistant) Richard Dobson when were both out of work.

“We held out for something that didn't happen. It’s a move that excites me because there’s a plan in place for the next two seasons. And the bonus of living at home is big. Being away from home has been tough for me.”

Ainsworth returned to manage in the fourth-tier of English football for the first time since his Wycombe days in 2018 when he steered the club to automatic promotion in third position.The 51-year-old has achieved two promotions as a player and a further two as a manager - and is tasked with leading the Gills back to the third-tier for the first time since 2022 under Florida-based property tycoon Brad Galinson, who now oversees proceedings behind the scenes.

“Michael was my number one target”

Former Manchester United midfielder Michael Appleton is about to embark on his eight managerial venture of his career and he inherits a team that are essentially destined for the drop barring a massive shift in fortunes. The 49-year-old has previous experienced at the likes of Portsmouth, Blackpool, Blackburn, Leicester City, Lincoln City, Charlton and Oxford United (where he notably gained promotion).

Appleton reconvenes with Richard O’Donell, who worked closely with him at Lincoln, Blackpool and Charlton in a move which director of football Micky Moore admits he’s thrilled with after acting quick to get a new leader in the dugout. Moore told BBC Sport: “It’s been a difficult seven days. But once Gareth Ainsworth made the decision to leave, it was important we acted quickly to get the right man to guide us through the remainder of the season.

“Michael was my number one target. I’m thrilled that over the last 24 hours we’ve been able to get a deal over the line - with Michael and Richard joining us until the end of the season.”

Shrewsbury are without a win in nine matches and begin life under Appleton with an unenviable trip to face runaway leaders Birmingham City. However, the Shrews did record a shock 3-2 victory in their last game against the Blues back in November in Ainsworth’s first match in charge.

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