League One club Charlton Athletic has announced the appointment of former Blackpool boss Michael Appleton as their new head coach. The decision comes after the Addicks’ rocky start to the season, which led to the sacking of Dean Holden on August 27th.
Appleton, a seasoned manager with experience at clubs like Oxford United and Lincoln City, has signed a two-year contract at The Valley. The 47-year-old will be tasked with guiding Charlton to success in a league known for its competitiveness.
Dean Holden’s departure followed a string of disappointing results for Charlton, who lost four of their first five league games this season. The club’s management decided it was time for a change, and Appleton emerged as the ideal candidate to take charge.
Appleton’s appointment marks a significant change for Charlton, as he becomes their fifth different head coach in just two and a half years. The club will hope that his leadership can provide stability and improve their standing in League One.
In other football news, Arsenal’s former club record signing, Nicolas Pepe, has made a move to Turkish side Trabzonspor on a free transfer. This move signals the end of Pepe’s three-year spell at the Emirates Stadium, where the Gunners paid a hefty £72 million fee to acquire the Ivorian winger from Lille in 2019.
During his time at Arsenal, Pepe scored 27 goals in 112 appearances but struggled to consistently meet the high expectations set by his transfer fee. He spent the previous season on loan with French club Nice and had not featured in any of Arsenal’s matchday squads this season.
Pepe’s departure came as Arsenal welcomed West Ham midfielder Declan Rice in a £100 million deal earlier in the summer, surpassing Pepe as the club’s record signing.
Meanwhile, former Brighton and Chelsea manager Graham Potter, aged 48, has declined an offer to replace Laurent Blanc at French club Lyon, according to reports from 90 Min. Lyon is now considering other options, including former Wolves and Spain manager Julen Lopetegui and Lille manager Paulo Fonseca, as potential candidates for the role, as reported by Sky Sports.
