Don't applaud for him if you don't want, but if your reasoning is because people don't applaud when you or others go back to an old job, then that's silly. I hate to break it to ya but people don't applaud in GENERAL at normal jobs..so what does not applauding when you go back to an old job have to do with anything?
People do applaud at sporting events however...and one of the things people applaud for at sporting events is when a former great coach or player comes back.