Bristol City have begun checking on the availability of potential managerial candidates as they weigh up Michael Skubala’s future, according to reports.
The 44-year-old was only handed the reins at Ashton Gate in May, signing a three-year deal. His appointment came following a standout season at Lincoln City, who stormed to the League One title with 103 points.
It was the Imps who gave the former Leeds United coach his first permanent managerial role in 2023. He immediately hit the ground running, taking the club from the bottom half of the table to the fringes of the play-offs within a matter of months.
After a mid-table finish the following year, Lincoln became headline news last season when they won League One at a canter, finishing 12 points clear of runners-up Cardiff City. Despite ending the club’s 65-year wait for second tier football, he opted to make the move west when Bristol City came calling.
Disastrous Start Prompts Early Vote Of Confidence
The Robins have endured a difficult opening third of the campaign. They currently sit 17th in the Championship and entered the international break on the back of a humbling 5-0 home defeat against Norwich City.
Michael Skubala leaves the pitch following Bristol City’s 5-0 defeat against Norwich. 😬#BristolCity pic.twitter.com/ZvHslQmvqT
— The Football Lowdown (@FBLowdown) November 7, 2026
Unsurprisingly, this led to calls for Skubala’s head from the stands. This prompted chief executive Charlie Boss to publicly intervene, where he spoke to club media to address the situation:
“The game against Norwich was a long way short of our standards and in the days that followed there have been a lot of tough and honest conversations around the building.
“Earlier this week the board met and we agreed to give Michael Skubala the opportunity to turn around the home form.”
City have won just two of their eight home games thus far, whilst Skubala’s former club Lincoln also left Ashton Gate with a 1-0 victory in September.
Skubala Could Still Face Chop
Despite the vote of confidence, it is claimed that the Robins are actively on the lookout for replacements. According to journalist Alan Nixon, the club are ‘making background checks on managers’ and are ‘checking into availability and costs of candidates’.
It is also stated that there is money available to pay the compensation required to axe Skubala now and a decision could be taken this month.
With the international break having given the manager a temporary reprieve, all eyes will be on their return to the field next weekend. The task doesn’t get any easier though, with a trip to title contenders Middlesbrough on the horizon.
As Boss said though, it is the home form that is of particular concern. Their next fixture in front of their own supporters comes on November 24th, with Wrexham providing the opposition.
