Lincoln set to lose manager weeks after promotion as new Championship rivals swoop in

Bristol City are closing in on the appointment of Michael Skubala as their new manager, talkSPORT understands.

The Lincoln City boss is set to complete a move to Ashton Gate after guiding the Imps into the Championship.

Getty

Skubala has been in charge of his current club since November 2023.

It marked his first permanent managerial role in first-team football after a year as Leeds United’s under-21 manager.

He has also previously worked with England’s under-18 side as well as spells managing at Nottingham Forest and Coventry City’s academies.

The 2025/26 season saw Lincoln secure promotion from League One as champions under the 43-year-old.

Their 103-point haul clinched a return to the second-tier for the first time in 65 years.

Skubala’s side won 31 of their 46 league matches, losing just five times in League One all season.

After securing promotion in April, they ended the campaign 12 points clear of second place Cardiff City.

However, Skubala is now expected to depart for a Championship rival by becoming the Robins’ new boss.

Bristol City’s manager hunt

Bristol City are currently without a permanent manager following Gerhard Struber’s sacking in March.

The Austrian was replaced by Roy Hodgson on an interim basis for the final seven matches of the season.

Getty

Hodgson subsequently guided the club to a 12th place finish, although they ended the campaign 11 points adrift of the play-offs.

It means the Robins will now embark on their 12th successive season in the Championship next term.

Following Hodgson’s departure at the end of the campaign, a number of candidates have emerged for the Bristol City job.

Talks were previously held with Portsmouth boss John Mousinho after he secured Championship survival with Pompey.

Meanwhile, the club also approached Bournemouth’s Tommy Elphick earlier this month.

The Cherries’ assistant manager is set to remain at the Vitality Stadium, though, as part of new boss Marco Rose’s backroom team.

Getty

Bristol City are one of four clubs in next season’s Championship currently without a manager.

Blackburn Rovers, Burnley and Watford are also yet to confirm who will be in the dugout at the start of the campaign.