Ghanaian defender James Abankwah to work under new manager Michael Appleton at Charlton Athletic

Ghanaian versatile defender James Abankwah will be working under new coach Michael Appleton at Charlton Athletic.

The youngster who joined the English club on loan from Italian top-flight side Udinese, will now be under the guidance of Appleton who was recently unveiled as the club’s new Head coach.

Appleton, who has taken control of 420 games across each of English football’s top-four divisions during a successful coaching career to date, has signed a two-year contract with the club.

Charlton’s Technical Director Andy Scott led the recruitment process, supported by Managing Director James Rodwell and Simon Lenagan, Sporting Director of the club’s owners Global Football Partners. 

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Scott commented: “The appointment of Michael comes following an in-depth recruitment process. We had a clear idea of the type of person we wanted, the way they work and how they manage.

“When speaking to the various candidates that we met, Michael demonstrated very clearly that he would have the ability to take the current group and mould them into a successful team. 

“He has worked at the very top level so he understands what high standards are required to win. He is a leader on the grass, as well as in the dressing room, has a winning mentality and has had many positive and negative experiences as a manager that have shaped him into the coach that we believe will be the best person for the job. 

“He is a coach who knows what it takes to get a team promoted. He has a track record of working with, and developing, young players, which is vital given our outstanding academy. In addition, he has experience working in a modern set-up where his responsibilities are on managing a group of players and getting the best out of them on the pitch.”

Over the last decade Appleton has twice created successful sides with a young, developing core. He led Oxford United to promotion to League One in 2015/16 with a youthful squad that included a host of emerging talents such as Kemar Roofe and John Lundstram. The U’s then narrowly missed out on the play-offs in the club’s first campaign back in League One the following season.

He took Lincoln City to the 2020/21 League One play-off final, getting the best out of another up-and-coming squad, with Brennan Johnson, now of Tottenham Hotspur, enjoying a breakout season under his guidance.