Appy’s honest admission over Pompey job
Pompey manager Michael Appleton Picture: Robin Jones
Pompey manager Michael Appleton surveyed the financial crisis at the club and admitted: Nobody would take this job at the moment.
The Blues boss has already won huge respect from the Fratton faithful for the way he has faced the club’s mounting problems, which are now set to lead to administration.
While Appleton has declared he has no intention of walking away from Pompey, he has been honest enough to admit he would not have taken the job in its current guise.
Appleton said: ‘I had opportunities to leave West Brom well before I came to Portsmouth but they were not right for me.
‘Coming to Portsmouth wasn’t a gamble at the time.
‘It was a secure football club with secure owners and it was all hunky-dory.
‘There was a five-year plan where they wanted to improve the infrastructure, the Academy and the squad.
‘It was all in place, so it wasn’t a gamble as such.
‘I can’t control what has happened since then.
‘The job that was in front of me at that time was different to what it is now.
‘It’s a completely different scenario.
‘I’m not bemoaning the situation. I’m just trying to deal with it.
‘So would I have taken this job on right now in the position we’re in rather than staying as assistant at West Brom?
‘I don’t think anyone would.’
Despite effectively having the rug pulled from under his feet within a matter of weeks of taking charge, the former Manchester United midfielder remains confident in his ability to lead Pompey back to the Premier League if he is given the backing.
Appleton said: ‘I genuinely do back myself and I would gladly put it in writing on a contract.
‘Given the tools, the right squad and a level playing field, I would back myself to get us out of this division – or at the absolute minimum, get in the play-offs.
‘I can’t sign that right now, though!
‘I say to the players “if we can perform and deal with all the rubbish that’s going on under these circumstances, imagine how good it’s going to be when we are all given the tools to do our job properly”.
‘Someone said to me 95 per cent of managers will never go through what I’ve been through in the past three months, ever in their careers. So if anything, it will make me stronger.’
Appleton added: ‘The only gamble was, can Michael Appleton step from being a number two to a number one?
‘It’s down to the public, the players and the fans to decide whether I can do that job.
‘I’m happy with how I’ve dealt with that so far.
‘Hopefully, Portsmouth will continue to allow me to do that role and do it to the best of my ability.’
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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Comments
There are 27 comments to this article
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appy go lucky
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 08:43 PMLets get into admin, clear the debt again, take 10 point hit which we can easily make up and survive. i am not worried at all!
Labour Insider
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 03:08 PMHow on earth did Pompey, who have become a byword for crooks and charlatans, end up with a manager of such integrity? Appleton shines out in the murky world of modern football, and is a refreshing antidote to the liars and cheats that proliferate in today's game.
cornishpastit
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 08:51 PMApologies for a second post but there is a lot of support here in Cornwall for Pompey - this guy Appleton deserves a medal along with Mr Whittingham who started the revival -- well done Pompey fans - I'm 70yrs old and I'm going to hit the gin and toast Mr Appy !!
cornishpastit
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 08:42 PMABSOLUTELY AMAZING --- the way Pompey played this evening. They were better than Blackpool - such talent all over the pitch. Futacs can only get better - he'll be such an investment - he's better than Crouch was in earlier days and the Viking is a prized asset. Ian Hollocaust gets more whinging by the day ! Go and stuff Ipswich - Pompey and AP
Bob Fraser
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 07:38 PMGreat result at Blackpool today Mr. Appleton yet another Pompey fan who is with you all the way. WITH your help I am sure we will pull through our present problems ......PUP,Play Up
alfreton exile
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 04:04 PMwell said appy you are a breath of fresh air just what we need keep your pecker up pls. as for mr andy andy well i have stated before that the man is a total waste of time and space he is only interested in getting HEADLINES for himself how many times has he said he is talking to interested parties . the only party he is talking to is himself and ali mirage and the people that do not exist. please prove me wrong andy andy . as for todays game i wish the team all the best . pup
bluelagoon
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 03:41 PMLI 125 "Michael Appleton seems to be the only person at Pompey who tells it as it is." ---- That is because like us, he has been betrayed.
thommo-senior kiti cyprus
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 03:29 PMIt has been on PFC site but not the News, that Pompey are up for 3 FL Awards for 2012. Why is that, is it because its positive news for a change?
paul-philippines
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 03:15 PMAppy states if only I have the tools, well with them tools you are gonna be 1 special Manager. Stick with us for the moment please MA, if all goes ti9s-up then from the bottom of my heart after supportin PFC for over 50years, go for the best job you can get. I love your comments to the press. Well done. I said yesterday, PCC give MA the key to the City of Portsmouth. PUP.
tangerinehead
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 02:59 PMGood luck 2day Pumpey----------You will it. Pool 6 Pumpey 1.
LI 125
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 02:17 PMMichael Appleton seems to be the only person at Pompey who tells it as it is. His approach to the near impossible conditions he is working under is nothing short of amazing.
The Moderator
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 01:41 PMBy far the best manager we have had for many a year. His attitude and approach to all of the 5hit thrown at him is second to none. I wouldn't blame you for one minute if you walked away because you deserve better than this but I sure hope you don't. Our future with you in charge will be bright and I also have confidence that you will get us into the Premiership with the right backing.
portsmouthgeezer
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 01:13 PMSince Appy has been at the club he has done us proud i hope he can get us more wins to stay up if we get 10 point deducted 12th man (make sure ya all there to fill the park at next home match ) PUP PUP
Laidlaw is a Legend
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 12:59 PMIn Appy We Trust
Blue Walter
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 12:55 PMI actually think, if we were deducted 10 points should we go into administration, that Mr Appleton would keep us in this division. If we were to go into the division below with a sound and secure future with new owners I think that, although he has said he does not want to be a League 1 manager, he would relish the challenge of restructuring the clubs playing side and getting us promotion. He is saying all the right things now and he appears to be refreshingly honest. However, we must remember he is not a life long Pompey fan and he is ambitious to become a successful manager at the top level. So everything he does that can seen to be right now and all the kudos he can create for himself in this period will evetually see his CV become very impressive, which will eventually see him leave here for a better job. Until that happens I have every faith that he will be good for us and, of course, hope he could find managing a top level club here. Also I would like to add that I wanted Shaun O'Drisscoll as manager here as he had the qualities, in my opinion, that we were looking for and considred Mr Appletons appointment as a big gamble. I am glad to be proved wrong and ironically I understand that Mr O'Drisscoll has joined Mr Cotterill at Forest.
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