Shrewsbury Town have appointed former Blackburn Rovers and Blackpool chief Michael Appleton to replace Berkshire’s Gareth Ainsworth, who ditched to join League Two Gillingham this week.
Ainsworth, who lives in Finchampstead but spent over a decade with Wycombe Wanderers, leaves the Shrews 12 points adrift at the bottom of League One and is likely to face Salop next season in the basement division with the Gills.
His exit, triggered by a contract clause, left the Shropshire outfit ‘hurt’, but they have acted fast by appointing Appleton, who has Premier League, Championship and League One experience aplenty.
In charge for the final nine matches, it look all-but certain that Shrewsbury will be relegated.
Director of football Micky Moore said: “I’m absolutely delighted – along with the Chairman and board of directors – to welcome both Michael and Richard to the club.
“It’s been a difficult seven days. But once Gareth Ainsworth made the decision to leave, it was important we acted quickly to find the right man to guide us through the remainder of the season.
“Michael was my number one target. And 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.
“I know the past few days have been difficult for supporters. Nobody likes confusion and uncertainty.
“But hopefully now, by making this quick appointment, we can all get behind Michael and Richard for the remaining nine games of the season.
Reading travel to Shrewsbury in little over 10 days looking to enact revenge for last season’s heart-breaking 3-2 defeat in which the hosts scored twice in stoppage time to snatch a win.
Only playing each other at the SCL Stadium last month, the sides drew 1-1
