A former Leeds United caretaker manager looks set to switch one Championship team for another.
Former Leeds United interim boss Michael Skubala looks set to leave Lincoln City just weeks after overseeing their historic promotion to the Championship.
A near three-year spell at the LNER Stadium has been Skubala’s first permanent job in management, his only previous experience coming in temporary charge of Leeds during their 2022/23 relegation campaign. Replacing Jesse Marsch, he oversaw a 2-2 draw at Manchester United before defeat to the same opponents and a loss against Everton.
Skubala enjoyed a brilliant 2025/26 campaign in charge of the Lincoln, guiding them to a 103-point League One title and return to the Championship for the first time in 65 years. The 43-year-old was recently named the League Managers’ Association League One manager of the season and caught the eye of a more established second-tier rival.
Bristol City were swiftly named as a potential suitor for Skubala before eventually turning their sights onto Bournemouth assistant coach Tommy Elphick. The former defender, however, has reportedly opted to remain on the south coast to work under new coach Marco Rose.
BBC Sport recently reported that having been informed he was no longer a candidate for the Bristol job, Skubala signed a new deal with Lincoln containing a £1million release clause. But there has been a fresh twist with suggestions those in charge at Ashton Gate have had a change of heart.
Michael Skubala Bristol City twist
The Telegraph’s John Percy provided a surprising update via X on Friday. He wrote: “Bristol City are close to appointing Michael Skubala as their new head coach. Skubala has been offered the job and is set to leave Lincoln City after achieving promotion from League One. Negotiations ongoing but close to an agreement. Three-year deal.”
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Skubala now looks set to succeed hugely experienced manager Roy Hodgson, who returned to Bristol in an interim capacity to see out the season. The Robins finished 12th in the Championship, 11 points off the play-off places having snuck in a year earlier during Leeds’ 2024/25 title-winning campaign.
Should a deal be agreed and switch confirmed, Skubala will hope to establish himself as a Championship boss with a Bristol side aiming for a top-six finish. The former Leeds caretaker has quickly become one of the EFL’s most promising coaches, having cut his teeth as an academy boss initially at Thorp Arch.
Skubala spent time in charge of the Under-21s before his temporary promotion to head coach, helping to develop the likes of Archie Gray, Max Dean and Darko Gyabi. Following his interim head coach spell, the former England youth coach was handed a first-team assistant role before leaving to forge his own path later in 2023.
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