Lincoln City Women have confirmed that they have appointed Lee Mitchell as their new manager.
Mitchell, who acted as assistant manager to Richard Cooper until his departure in January, will take over with immediate effect.
His first game will come at the beginning of April, as the Imps travel to West Bromwich Albion in the FA Cup second round.
Lee is experienced as a coach, and his coaching career has seen him work across the globe. Beginning at Preston North End, Lee has worked in both the USA and the United Arab Emirates ,working across several different sports.
‘We want to get back, and we want to get back playing’
Unlike their male counterparts, Lincoln City Women have been forced into yet another break following the third national lockdown. Their last game came on December 20 in a remarkable 10-0 win over Burton Albion.
However, Lee and his squad are hopeful of getting back to action soon.
“As of right now, we are still in an FA Cup competition,” he said. “So we are thinking ‘do we prepare to come back? And do we come back for cup and league, or one or the other?
“We don’t really know, but all I know is from mine and the players’ point of view is we want to get back, and we want to get back playing.”
With no football to play currently and a potential threat of the 2020/21 season being abandoned, he is taking over as manager in unusual circumstances.
Speaking about how he is preparing the squad, he said: “What we are doing at the moment is staying focused on the things that we can control. At the minute, we are just planning on finishing the season, whatever that might mean, and when we get the green light to get back, that’s what we will do.”
Ambitions for the future
Lee has one clear goal for the Imps: promotion.
Lincoln City women are currently third in the FA Women’s National League Midlands Division One, sitting behind Wolves and Doncaster Rovers Belles.
Wolves are the dominant force in the division, but that is not stopping Lee from targeting promotion.
He said: “It is no secret, we want to get promotion out of this league and that is what we will be working towards.
“It’s a tough league, and the women’s team is doing very well. You will see a lot of success with them and winning games, but I’ve seen the teams in this league, and if you don’t turn and bring your ‘A game’ you won’t beat anybody.”