Michael Skubala is poised to lead Lincoln City into its historic first second-tier season since 1961 next term, with distance appearing between him and the vacant managerial position at established Championship side, Bristol City.
Following Gerhard Struber’s departure in early March, Bristol City made the nostalgic move to place Roy Hodgson in charge until the end of the season, leaving them now on the hunt for a new permanent boss.
The early stages of their search reportedly identified the title-winning boss as a preferred appointment, after a dominant season for the Imps. Skubala masterminded Lincolns’ promotion to the Championship in early April, before sealing a comfortable League One title with an impressive 103 points amassed.
And the 43-year-old remains steadfastly committed to the Lincolnshire outfit, with Pete O’Rourke reporting that he will resist any Bristol City contact to remain at Sincil Bank into the 2026/27 campaign.
Celebrations To Continue In Lincoln
It’s been a dream campaign for the Lincoln faithful, culminating in promotion by a massive margin of 26 points, where they were treated to a staggering 31 league victories. Tens of thousands of people attended Saturday’s open-top bus parade around the city to celebrate the success of a season where they made the League One competition appear grossly inadequate.
And after a weekend of festivities, the good news keeps on rolling with reports that Skubala will not be leaving for Ashton Gate. While there was never a suggestion of any official approach from the West Country, the cooling of interest will come as some relief for Imps fans.
The former Leeds United caretaker has taken to his first number one role like a duck to water, instilling an entertaining and effective brand of football in his players that they were able to perform consistently well throughout the season. The base of his dream season has been the unity he created between the coaching staff, players, and fans, a chemistry that has turned them into a fearsome prospect for anyone.
Why Disrupt the Well-Oiled Machine?
Having led his side to a points haul only bettered at the third-tier level by Birmingham City last season under Chris Davies, and matched by Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2014 under Kenny Jackett, interest in the fledgling head coach is no surprise.
You just have to see how well the Blues made the step up, Davies leading them to a tenth-place finish, closer to the play-offs than relegation; while Birmingham were heavily financially backed and had recent experience of the Championship in comparison to Lincoln, it does underscore the feeling that the grass isn’t always greener.
He will always be seen as a hero in those parts, and regardless of how next season unfolds, his legacy with Lincoln should always be remembered fondly. Bristol City, who have become synonymous recently with assuring mid-table security in the Championship as a bare minimum, may have represented a relatively risk-free move for Skubala, but there is no more secure a place for him right now than leading Lincoln from the front into next season.
Having achieved the League One title with one of the smallest budgets, it is a testament to the tactical acumen and management skills Skubala possesses. Even though the competitive level is set to increase tenfold come August, add in the positive financial implications that come with promotion, who knows what the former England futsal head coach can achieve with this squad next season?
Bristol City Want More Than Championship Security
Bristol City, long accustomed to Championship mediocrity, is eager to break the cycle and establish itself once again as genuine promotion contenders after their play-off adventure in 2025.
The club’s hierarchy is ready to invest in the squad and infrastructure, but first must hire a manager capable of taking them to the next level. They need someone who can not only identify and nurture talent but also foster a winning mentality throughout the club and sustain it without suffering from inferiority in a strong-looking Championship lineup next season.
With John Mousinho of Portsmouth also reportedly in the frame for the Ashton Gate gig, the board’s focus seems to be on a dynamic, tactically astute manager who can offer long-term stability. For the Robins, the appointment of their next manager is about realising their maximum potential and graduating from regular mid-table tedium to a Premier League-ready team.
