Brackley boss Cowan named Shrewsbury head coach

Brackley Town manager Gavin Cowan has been appointed Shrewsbury Town's new head coach, replacing Michael Appleton at the League Two club.

Cowan is a former Salop defender and made 30 appearances for the club between March 2005 and January 2007.

The 44-year-old has been with National League side Brackley since May 2023 and took the club up to the fifth tier in 2024-25 by winning the National League North title.

He will be assisted at Croud Meadow by former Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Dave Edwards and Cowan's number two at Brackley, Jamie Haynes.

"It's an honour and a privilege to be Shrewsbury Town's head coach," Cowan told the club website., external

"The last few days have been a whirlwind, but I'm incredibly excited about the challenge ahead and the opportunity to represent this special football club once again."

Shrewsbury parted company with Appleton on Wednesday with the club two points above the relegation zone in League Two after a run of one win in 11 matches.

The club said they had agreed a "compensation package" with Brackley to facilitate the appointment.

Cowan's first game in charge will be Saturday's home match against Barnet.