Huddersfield Town have been forced to explore other options after it emerged that Lincoln City head coach Michael Skubala is ‘unlikely’ to succeed Lee Grant.
The Terriers are on the search for a new manager after parting company with Grant last night. The decision came following a 3-1 defeat at Burton Albion, which stretched their recent barren run to just three wins in 12 league games.
Despite that, the West Yorkshire-based side remain in the play-off places. However, they are now level on points with seventh-placed Luton Town, who possess a game in hand.
Huddersfield Forced To Change Tack After Skubala Stance Revealed
News emerged this morning that Huddersfield had immediately set their sights on Imps boss Michael Skubala. The interest is of little surprise, with the 43-year-old having built a stellar reputation at Sincil Bank.
Having replaced Mark Kennedy in November 2023, the ex-Leeds United coach almost secured a League One play-off spot in his first season in charge before a mid table finish a year later. Lincoln now look to be genuine promotion contenders and currently sit second in the table, 10 points clear of the managerless side.
As a result, journalist Pete O’Rourke has claimed that a move to the Accu Stadium is unlikely. Instead, the former Premier League side are now set to switch their attention to Liam Manning.
Former Norwich and Bristol City boss Liam Manning has emerged as the frontrunner to be the new Huddersfield Town manager. Lincoln boss Michael Skubala was also a target but he is unlikely to leave Lincoln. #htafc #WeAreImps pic.twitter.com/sbYxUjlq3R
— Pete O’Rourke (@SportsPeteO) January 18, 2026
The 40-year-old is out of work after an ill-fated stint at Norwich City came to an end after just 17 games in November. Therefore, a drop down to League One – where he hasn’t managed since leaving Oxford United in late 2023 – could be on the cards.
Why Huddersfield’s Pursuit Of Skubala Was Always Set To Fail
Skubala’s stock continues to rise amongst his peers in League One. Ironically, it was Lee Grant who recently named his counterpart as the best manager in the division prior to the two sides meeting on New Year’s Day.
As such, Huddersfield’s interest in the Imps coach was always doomed to fail. He is under contract until the end of the 2027/28 campaign, whilst he is at one of the most well-run and stable clubs in English football.
It’s not the first time that the Terriers have come knocking on Lincoln’s door, having taken Danny Cowley in 2019. Of course, the two clubs were in different divisions back then and there is a valid argument to say that a similar move now would be a step backwards, or at the very most, sideways.
Skubala has his head screwed on and it’s inevitable that he will get a job higher up the football pyramid at some point. There’s absolutely no reason for him to take a risk right now.