Michael Skubala is set to stay at Lincoln City after agreeing a new contract with the League One champions.
The Imps boss’ future has been up in the air for the past few weeks, with the former Leeds United man in the final two candidates to take over at Bristol City.
Skubala Era Continues
However, the uncertainty of whether Skubala would stick around at Sincil Bank has been put to rest, with Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke stating that the 43-year-old has agreed a new contract with Lincoln.
Having last signed a new deal with the Imps in 2024, which was believed to contain a seven-figure release clause which was activated by the Robins, the City manager has since led his side to an improbable third-tier title, eclipsing the 100-point barrier and breaking a new record for consecutive victories in the division.
It was reported earlier this week by BBC Radio Lincolnshire that the hierarchy at the club would offer their head new terms, having already revealed he is the highest-paid manager in their history.
Skubala was down to the final two for the vacant role at Ashton Gate, with Bournemouth assistant Tommy Elphick the other contender as his future remains in the air following Andoni Iraola’s exit from the Cherries.
Portsmouth boss John Mousinho was previously tipped with a switch to Bristol City, but interest quickly grew cold and has now been tipped with a switch to Stoke City amid rumours that Mark Robins may be given the axe.
No-Brainer Decision
Michael Skubala has loved his time at Lincoln City and the club have likewise adored what the 43-year-old has brought with him, so it is fairly obvious that they would come to terms and agree a new contract.
It was probably an inevitability regardless of interest from third parties like Bristol City, with Skubala deserving to be recognised for this season’s success which has lifted the Imps into the Championship for the first time in a generation.
His project at Lincoln has been ticking on nicely for a long time and now will surely continue to do the same in the Championship, where he will hope to keep them up before pushing on to greater things either with the Imps or elsewhere.
Robins Left With Elphick
News of a new contract essentially guarantees that Bristol City will have Tommy Elphick as their new manager, handing the Bournemouth assistant his first role in the hot seat.
Alongside Iraola at Dean Court, the former Cherries defender has been masterminding perhaps the shock story of the Premier League season, taking the Dorset club to their first ever European campaign with a sixth-placed finish.
Having previously stated he would want to take the leap into senior management, he should be afforded the time and resources he needs at Bristol City, a club which perhaps underachieved following a season of chop and change in the wake of Liam Manning’s failed move to Norwich City.
