Michael Skubala Targets Coaching Staff Blend at Bristol City; Ashton Gate 2026

Key Points

• Bristol City have officially appointed Michael Skubala as their new first-team manager on a three-year contract until 2029
• The 43-year-old succeeds interim manager Roy Hodgson, who took charge after head coach Gerhard Struber was sacked in March 2025
• Skubala won the League Managers’ Association League One manager of the season award after guiding Lincoln City to promotion to the second tier for the first time in 65 years
• Bristol City are yet to confirm the complete make-up of Skubala’s coaching staff at Ashton Gate
• The new manager has revealed that Bristol City are in a “good place” regarding his coaching team formation
• Skubala’s target is a “blend” of new and existing staff members at Ashton Gate
• Skubala will officially start work on Tuesday, 9 June 2026 at Bristol City’s High Performance Centre
• Before Lincoln, Skubala led Leeds United’s Under-21s as Head Coach and briefly served as Interim Head Coach for Leeds’ first team in three Premier League games
• Bristol City CEO Charlie Boss stated Skubala’s “leadership qualities stood out through the interview process”
• Sporting director James Ellis described Skubala as “highly regarded as a young British manager with a track record of improving individual, team and club performance”

Bristol (Bristol Express News) June 11, 2026 — Bristol City are yet to confirm the complete make-up of new manager Michael Skubala’s coaching staff at Ashton Gate, though the Robins manager has revealed the club are in a “good place” regarding the formation of his coaching team. As reported by the Bristol Post, Skubala has stated that a “blend” of new and existing staff members is the target at the West Country club.

Why Hasn’t Bristol City Confirmed Skubala’s Coaching Team Yet?

The composition of Skubala’s coaching staff remains unconfirmed as the club continues its recruitment process. As reported by the Bristol Post, Bristol City are in a “good place” when it comes to the make-up of Michael Skubala’s coaching team, with the manager revealing that a “blend” of new and existing staff is what they are targeting at Ashton Gate.

Skubala, who was appointed on a three-year deal on 28 May 2026, will officially begin work on 9 June 2026 at Bristol City’s High Performance Centre.

The delay in confirming the full coaching team appears to be part of the manager’s deliberate approach to building his staff structure.

What Did Michael Skubala Say About His Coaching Staff Plans?

As reported by the Bristol Post, Skubala has revealed that Bristol City are in a “good place” regarding the make-up of his coaching team, with the manager stating that a “blend” of new and existing staff members is the target at Ashton Gate.

In his first interview at Bristol City, recorded on 9 June 2026, Skubala said he is

“ready for the challenge ahead” and expressed that he’s

“delighted to take up this exciting opportunity”.

He added:

“I’m 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”.

How Did Michael Skubala Earn His Appointment at Bristol City?

Skubala won the League Managers’ Association League One manager of the season award after guiding Lincoln City to the second tier for the first time in 65 years by winning the League One title.

As reported by ITV News West Country, the 43-year-old has signed a three-year contract and succeeds former England boss Roy Hodgson, who was put in caretaker charge of the club after head coach Gerhard Struber was sacked.

Before joining Lincoln City, Skubala led Leeds United’s Under-21s as Head Coach before moving to the first team staff in the Premier League.

He also briefly served as Interim Head Coach for Leeds’ first team, taking charge of three Premier League games.

What Do Bristol City Officials Say About Skubala’s Appointment?

Bristol City CEO Charlie Boss said:

“We are delighted that Michael has agreed to be our new manager. Michael’s leadership qualities stood out through the interview process and were clearly evident during a title-winning season with Lincoln City. We are excited about what he will bring to Bristol City”.

Boss added:

“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”.

Sporting director James Ellis stated:

“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”.

Ellis further emphasized in a discussion with Bristol City’s official website that Skubala underwent a “thorough” selection process prior to his appointment, and that the appointment

“establishes the direction for the next two to three years”.

What Happened at Lincoln City After Skubala’s Departure?

In response to Skubala’s departure from Lincoln City, Lincoln has named Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw as joint head coaches.

This managerial change at Sincil Bank follows Skubala’s successful promotion campaign that earned him the LMA League One manager of the season award.

Background: The Development of Michael Skubala’s Bristol City Appointment

Bristol City’s search for a permanent manager began in March 2025 following the dismissal of Gerhard Struber, who had been appointed to succeed Liam Manning at Ashton Gate in June 2025. The club brought in former England coach Roy Hodgson as an interim solution, with Hodgson completing the 2025-26 season on a temporary basis after Struber’s departure.

The managerial search proved lengthy and complex. Bristol City initially attempted to secure Tommy Elphick, Bournemouth’s assistant coach, but that attempt fell through.

Skubala was a candidate for the position but turned down the opportunity initially, leading Lincoln to secure a new contract for him at Sincil Bank.

Reports indicated that Skubala secured a new contract at Lincoln last week after learning he would not be receiving the Bristol City role at that time.

However, Bristol City remained interested and reopened talks, with journalist John Percy of The Telegraph revealing that negotiations had reopened and Skubala was close to making the switch from Sincil Bank to Ashton Gate.

Negotiations were ongoing but close to an agreement, with a three-year deal on the table. The deal was confirmed on 28 May 2026, with Skubala signing a contract running until 2029.

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Prediction: How This Development Will Affect Bristol City Supporters and Players

The formation of Skubala’s coaching staff with a “blend” of new and existing members will directly impact Bristol City supporters through the team’s tactical approach and performance consistency in the Championship. Fans will likely see a transition period as the mixed coaching team establishes new training methods and tactical systems, with the “good place” status Skubala mentioned suggesting the process should move smoothly without major disruption to pre-season preparations.

Bristol City players will experience the immediate effect of Skubala’s leadership qualities that CEO Charlie Boss highlighted as standing out during the interview process. The manager’s track record of improving individual and team performance over short periods, as noted by sporting director James Ellis, suggests players should expect accelerated development in their skills and tactical understanding.

The blend approach to coaching staff means existing players may maintain continuity with familiar coaching voices while new staff members bring fresh perspectives, potentially reducing the adjustment period compared to a complete coaching overhaul.

The three-year contract commitment until 2029 provides stability that benefits both players and supporters, establishing what Ellis described as

“the direction for the next two to three years”.

This long-term approach contrasts with Bristol City’s recent managerial instability, including Struber’s dismissal after less than a year and Hodgson’s interim spell, giving players confidence in a sustained project rather than another short-term appointment.

Pre-season preparations being “well underway” according to Skubala means players will begin working under the new manager’s system immediately, with the “important and exciting few months ahead” indicating intensive preparation for the Championship season.

The blend of coaching staff should facilitate comprehensive player development, combining existing knowledge of the club’s culture with new methodologies from incoming staff members.

For Bristol City supporters in the West Country, the “warmest of welcomes” promised by CEO Boss reflects the club’s expectation that Skubala will connect with the fanbase.

The manager’s excitement about meeting supporters suggests he understands the importance of fan engagement, which could strengthen the relationship between the club and its community during his tenure.