- Key Points:
- Ben King has been named as the new set piece coach by Bristol City.
- The 35-year-old was formerly an analyst for set pieces at Sheffield Wednesday.
- King has previously been involved as the head of coaching at Accrington Stanley and under-18s coach of Walsall.
- Bristol City ranks among the joint top set-piece scorers in the Championship along with West Ham United, scoring six goals (nearly half of their total 11 goals).
- Under manager Michael Skubala, former Lincoln City were the joint best scorers in terms of set pieces in the League One last year with 30 goals.
Bristol, Bristol City FC (Bristol Express News) October 06, 2026 – In an effort to maintain and further refine their tactical edge during dead-ball situations, Bristol City have officially announced the appointment of Ben King as their new set-piece coach, as detailed by the club. The 35-year-old arrives at Ashton Gate following a previous stint as a set-piece analyst with Sheffield Wednesday, bringing a wealth of specialized knowledge to the Championship club’s coaching staff.
Beyond his time at Hillsborough, King’s managerial and development resume includes serving as the head of coaching at Accrington Stanley and operating as Walsall’s under-18s coach. Speaking to the club’s official website, as reported by BBC Sport, head coach Michael Skubala emphasized the strategic value of the new addition:
“We know his expertise can help us at both ends of the pitch and we are looking forward to working together and improving even further on our already strong set pieces.”
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How Successful Have Bristol City Been From Set Pieces This Season?
The appointment arrives while the Robins are already thriving in dead-ball scenarios. Currently, Bristol City stand as the Championship’s joint top scorers from set pieces alongside West Ham United, having netted six goals through these situations. Notably, these six goals account for more than half of the team’s total 11-goal tally so far this campaign, underlining just how vital set-piece proficiency has been to their overall attacking output.
This focus on structured, high-yielding dead-ball scenarios aligns closely with the tactical philosophy of the coaching staff. As highlighted by BBC Sport, head coach Michael Skubala’s previous Lincoln City side achieved identical dominance last season, finishing as the joint top set-piece scorers in League One with an impressive 30 goals. With King now integrated into the setup, the club aims to leverage this specialized expertise to sustain their momentum in the English second tier.
Background of the Particular Development
Set-piece coaching has evolved from an afterthought into one of the most critical specialized departments in modern professional football. Over recent seasons, clubs across the English Football League (EFL) and the Premier League have increasingly invested in dedicated analysts and coaches specifically tasked with maximizing efficiency from free-kicks, corners, and throw-ins.
For Bristol City, maximizing marginal gains has become paramount in a highly competitive Championship division where fine margins frequently separate mid-table security from a push for the play-offs. Ben King’s recruitment reflects a broader industry trend where clubs leverage data-driven analysis and specialized coaching to punch above their weight in dead-ball efficiency, building directly upon the methodology already championed by Michael Skubala during his tenure at Lincoln City.
This tactical development is poised to significantly impact Bristol City’s players, coaching staff, and loyal fanbase. For the squad, the introduction of a dedicated specialist like Ben King means more structured, granular preparation on the training ground, which can directly translate into higher conversion rates during tight league fixtures.
For the supporters at Ashton Gate, who have already witnessed over half of the team’s goals stem from set pieces this term, this appointment signals ambition and a commitment from the club’s hierarchy to reinforce existing strengths. If King can successfully replicate or even amplify the dead-ball success he and Skubala have achieved previously, the Robins can expect a more resilient, unpredictable attacking threat that could well prove decisive in securing vital points throughout the remainder of the Championship campaign.
