Michael Skubala talked about why he left Leeds United to take up the vacant Lincoln City head coach position, speaking to LincSport‘s Jamie Johnson.
The new Imps head coach left his post as Leeds United U21s head coach to move to Lincolnshire. He said: “I think it’s the right time to step out [of Leeds] and step into Lincoln. And hopefully take all of those experiences working with some of the top players in the world everyday to come and hopefully support these players to improve everyday.”
Skubala was appointed on Monday, after what Lincoln chairman Clive Nates described as a “robust recruitment process”.
The Nottingham-born coach has been the first team assistant head coach at Leeds, and took charge of three Premier League games earlier on this year.
After Jesse Marsch was sacked by the club, Skubala took caretaker charge for a short spell. That included a 2-2 draw against Manchester United, at Old Trafford.
On his time at Leeds United, he said: “My time at Leeds has been amazing. I loved Leeds and I don’t mind saying it. This club attracted me away from what I believe is a really good job, and I enjoyed it. But, this was just too good to turn down.”
Skubala has been coaching for over 20 years, taking an unconventional route to his first permanent head coach role in senior football. He has coached in various academies, held a post in the England U18s national team and even led England’s Futsal team to success.
He added: “I would have nothing bad to say about Leeds, I’ve absolutely loved my time there with the fans, with the club, with the players, working with the first team for 9 months, 10 months.”
Skubala has admiration for his former club, and the feeling seems mutual. In a club statement, Leeds United have said: “Everyone at Leeds United would like to thank Michael for his effort and time spent developing players, and for taking over as interim head coach of the first team in difficult circumstances last season.”
Added that: “We now wish him every success at the LNER Stadium and for the future.”
Writer’s View:
Michael Skubala could prove a shrewd appointment for Lincoln City, who have a track-record of taking on head coaches who’re on their way up the English football ladder.
Skubala has a tough few games to start his reign, travelling to Stevenage and Leyton Orient before hosting Barnsley. However, under interim head coach Tom Shaw, the Imps did show promise of good things to come.
The former Leeds man clearly has good feeling towards the Yorkshire giants and hasn’t left the club on bad terms. For Lincoln, that could prove to be a good thing.