Lincoln City head coach Michael Skubala has signed a fresh contract extension with the SkyBet League One club.
The Imps boss has committed his future, with a new contract running until end of the 2027/28 season.
Readying for His First Full Season in Charge:
The announcement that Skubala has signed a new four year deal with Lincoln City comes on the eve of the 2024/25 season opener, as the Imps travel to much-changed Burton Albion.
He joined the club in November 2023, after predecessor Mark Kennedy was dismissed the prior month. Following a rocky, inconsistent start, Skubala led a resurgent Lincoln on a late surge up the table.
He took the Imps to the verge of a play-off place, with only final day defeat at the hands of already crowned champions Portsmouth snatching their chances away. It was a 16 game unbeaten run that took City within reach of the top six, following a run of festive fixture that has seemed to end any possible dreams of a promotion charge.
Skubala “Really Pleased”:
Speaking to Lincoln City’s club website, the former Leeds United under-21s coach said: “I’m really pleased to have signed this extension at a really well-run club with everything set up to keep moving forward.
“The heartbeat of a club are the players and fans, it’s my job to connect them and there’s a real bond been built over the time I’ve been here. It’s important to have the backing of the fans and it can make a difference on the pitch – and if the fans keep backing the team, as they have home and away, then the club is in a good spot.
“League One will be tough this season as we know some big clubs have come into the division, but while recognising the challenges we’re also confident of being competitive.”
A Statement of Intent – Opinion:
This is a real statement of intent from Lincoln City. Announcing a lengthy new contract on the eve of the upcoming season paints a very clear picture of how valuable the higher-ups at the LNER Stadium believe Skubala to be.
Not only does it show how impactful Skubala has been since joining Lincoln, it also gives the club a safety net should a club higher up the pyramid look to poach their head coach.
City have a clear model with their players, of recruiting young, and selling on to the next level. They opted to give Skubala his first shot at a head coach’s role in the EFL, and have now secured their ‘asset’ by tying him down for four more seasons.
He has impressed during his time in Lincolnshire so far, and has now been given a resounding message of support from the powers at be ahead of his first full season in charge of the Lincoln City.