Michael Appleton ready to take back seat on his return to West Brom

But having spent more than a decade at the Baggies as first a player and then a coach, he was more than willing to answer the call.

Yesterday, the 43-year-old returned to the training ground where his coaching career started to join Shan’s backroom staff ahead of the final push for promotion.

“There’s still plenty of staff around so there were a few recognisable faces when I walked through the door which is good,” he told the Express & Star on his first day.

“Even on the playing staff, the likes of Chris Brunt, James Morrison, Boaz Myhill, Craig Dawson were here.

“That’s always easier when you walk through the door for the first time.”

Appleton’s career has grown since those days when he climbed through the coaching ranks in the academy before becoming first team coach under Roberto Di Matteo and assistant manager to Roy Hodgson.

He’s subsequently gone on to manage Portsmouth, Blackpool, Blackburn Rovers and Oxford United in his own right.

He remains an aspirational manager, but the sentimental pull of Albion makes it one of the few clubs he would agree to return to in this manner.

Despite his experience, he was quick to dissuade concerns he was there to lead from the shadows.

Shan, who has delivered six wins from his nine games so far, remains in charge.

“For me, it can only work if I take a back seat and be a shoulder to lean on,” said Appleton.

“If he wants to pick up the phone to me when we leave, if he wants to have one-on-ones with me in the building, I will be here to observe and give my opinion on what I’m seeing and what we can do to improve.

“The reality is, he’s in charge and he’s the manager. I very much know my role within that.

“I did it last year with Leicester City with two very different managers with different personalities and I had to adapt to those circumstances, and I’ll do the same again.”

Appleton was assistant to Craig Shakespeare and Claude Puel at The King Power Stadium last season.

Speaking to him, you get the impression both his character and his own personal relationship with Shan will allow this dynamic to flourish.

“Jimmy had been working with the under-16s for about four years when I left for Portsmouth,” said Appleton.

“We’ve stayed in touch, as I have with Darren (Moore) and (academy manager) Mark Harrison over the years. That makes it an easy transition.”

In fact, after nearly eight weeks of working under Shan, the arrival of Appleton and Steven Reid at this stage of the campaign may provide a fresh boost ahead of the play-offs.

“The play-offs are very different to the league, there’s a different pressure on them,” said Appleton.

“Jimmy just felt he needed a bit more experience. Someone who has been involved in big games as a manager in a senior role.

“I’m sure there were three or four other candidates capable of doing that role but he said he felt comfortable with myself and with us knowing each other from way back when it would make it easier.”

Appleton was in Di Matteo’s backroom staff when Albion won promotion out of the Championship, so he knows what his role entails in the business end of the season.

“It’s up to myself, Jamie (Smith) and Steven (Reid) to keep Jimmy on an even keel and get him thinking as clearly as he possibly can.

“I’m just delighted I’ve got an opportunity for a month or so to be involved in these types of games, that’s why we get into football.”