Bristol City have confirmed the appointment of Lincoln City boss Michael Skubala as their new head coach on a three-year deal until the summer of 2029, following the end of Roy Hodgson’s interim tenure.
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The Robins announced in an official statement shared on Friday evening that the 43-year-old would be the man to succeed the former England, Inter Milan and Liverpool boss on a permanent basis, after reportedly paying a release clause included in his deal to prize him away from the LNER Stadium.
Skubala guided the Imps to promotion to the Championship last term as League One winners in his second full season in charge of Lincoln, while also winning the division’s EFL and LMA Manager of the Season awards. However, he will instead take charge of the Reds in the second tier.
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On his appointment, the 43-year-old the club’s media team, “I’m delighted to take up this exciting opportunity. I’ve had some really positive conversations with the board and James Ellis, who have been very clear about the club’s ambition.
“I’m ready for the challenge ahead and looking forward to meeting the players, staff and supporters. Preparations for pre-season are well underway, and we have an important and exciting few months ahead.”
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Skubala will officially start work at the Robins High Performance Centre on Tuesday, June 9, a little over a week before the summer transfer window opens and around a fortnight before fixtures for the 2026/27 Championship campaign are released.
Having, self-admittedly, played an important role in the decision to sack Gerhard Struber and appoint Roy Hodgson on an interim basis midway through the March international break, Reds’ CEO Charlie Boss feels there is cause for excitement with the new structure in place in BS3, including sporting director James Ellis.
“We are delighted that Michael has agreed to be our new manager,” Boss added in the club’s official statement. “Michael’s leadership qualities stood out through the interview process and were clearly evident during a title-winning season with Lincoln City.
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“We are excited about what he will bring to Bristol City. As we build towards the new season, we now have in place a sporting director in James Ellis, who has experience of the highest level of club football, and a manager in Michael who has a track record of getting a club promoted.
“I want to thank City fans for their support as we completed our search for the right person to lead our first team, and I know they will join me in giving Michael the warmest of welcomes to the West Country.”
Ellis himself added, in his first comment since joining the club earlier this month, “We have appointed someone who is highly regarded as a young British manager with a track record of improving individual, team and club performance over a short period of time, leading to an outstanding promotion campaign with Lincoln City.”
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