Leeds United got lucky when Michael Appleton chose Blackpool over Elland Road
Leeds United had a major search on over the summer to find a new assistant manager and it took more time than they would have liked.
They eventually brought in Rene Maric to fill the void but not before they considered other viable candidates including former Manchester United number two Chris Armas.
He opted to return to the United States of America after his time at Old Trafford had come to an end which saw the Whites turn their attention to Michael Appleton.
The 46-year-old had been Lincoln City manager for three years and coached the Imps to some great success in League One before Leeds United came calling.
Appleton must have considered it greatly but when Aston Villa poached Neil Critchley from Blackpool to be Steven Gerrard’s number two, he went and took the manager’s role at Bloomfield Road, according to The Athletic.
Given Appleton’s experience and knowledge of the English game, it could have been seen as a missed opportunity in so many ways but they might have actually got away with one.
The Tangerines currently sit 16th in the Championship despite a number of teams below them having struggled all season when they were expected for better form.
More importantly, he is not used to being anybody’s number two ever since he began in management with Portsmouth in 2011 and that transition could be difficult for him.
The contacts he has in English football wouldn’t necessarily do much good for Leeds United either with every English player coming with a huge premium in transfer fees.
Maric’s broader vision for the European and World game should open many more doors for Jesse Marsch and Victor Orta in so many aspects that Appleton does not really compare.
In other Leeds United news, a feisty encounter in the Papa John’s Trophy saw one Whites starlet do himself no first-team favours.