Lincoln City’s new head coach Michael Skubala spoke to the media for the first time since his appointment on Monday.
Speaking to LincSport, the former Leeds United U21s head coach said: “I think it’s the right time to step out [of Leeds] and step into Lincoln. And hopefully take all of those experiences working with some of the top players in the world everyday to come and hopefully support these players to improve everyday.”
Skubala has a varied coaching career, spanning over 20 years. At Leeds he most recently led the U21s, while also being the first team assistant head coach and even leading the team in three Premier League matches as caretaker boss in February.
He said: “I’ve worked with young players for a bit, and I’ve also worked with older players as well. I’ve been coaching older players in different roles since I was probably 18, 19.”
And added: “My first job was actually in National League South, working with semi-pro players at the age of 19 when I first took that job. So, I know what it takes to work with older players.”
Skubala takes the job at Lincoln with the team sitting 9th in SkyBet League One. He said: “Part of my job is supporting the leadership here to improve everything around the club, as well as the team. Hopefully we can move the club to the next level, that I think everyone wants to go to.”
On what he’s seen so far:
Skubala revealed in his first interview with the club that he had watched a couple of Lincoln games at the LNER Stadium prior to his appointment.
He said: “I look at them as characters. I know lots of people will come and look at the team as what’s in the building technically, tactically, but I was just trying to watch the characters in the team.
“I think a good coach can improve tactical and technical and things like that, I think that’s our job, but you’ve got to get under the wheels of the character of the group because that’s not as easy to improve.”
He has taken a lot away from those couple of games he was in attendance for. The Nottingham-born coach said: “One thing I saw was good characters. Players like Lasse [Sorensen], Alex Mitchell or Jake Vale, all those types of players that you can see have really big hearts. That’s one thing that excites me about this group.”
What to expect from the new head coach:
Skubala has a difficult first few games in charge. The Imps travel to Stevenage on Saturday 18th, to Leyton Orient for a re-scheduled game on Tuesday 21st before hosting Barnsley on Saturday 25th.
He said: “It’s tricky. As we know those teams [Stevenage and Barnsley] are up there, but even Leyton Orient away is going to be tricky. I think in this league going away is difficult for anybody on a Tuesday night. It’s a tough start, but there’s now easy game in any league.”
The former England Futsal head coach outlined what his goal is in the immediate future. He said: “If we can move it on slowly while winning, that’s the best thing.”
He added: “Players aren’t robots. We have to understand that if you try and change things too quickly, that it can work against what we’re trying to do. We have to be patient. They have to get to know me, I have to get to them as characters, but also as players.
Asked what will make a great Lincoln City player under his management, he said: “Brave to get on it when it’s the right time and brave to go after that when we haven’t got it. Hard-working, I don’t think some of the brilliant basics, as I like to call them, you can never get away with in football. But, big heart and a little bit of technical finesse to cause problem for the opposition as well.”
On his move away from Leeds United:
Michael left his post at Leeds United to come to Lincolnshire. Most recently the U21s head coach, he was worked alongside three first team managers and even led to the side at Old Trafford during his time in caretaker charge.
Skubala said: “My time at Leeds has been amazing. I loved Leeds and I don’t mind saying it. This club attracted me away from what I believe is a really good job, and I enjoyed it. But, this was just too good to turn down.”
And added: “I would have nothing bad to say about Leeds, I’ve absolutely loved my time there with the fans, with the club, with the players, working with the first team for 9 months, 10 months.”
The Imps’ first test under their new head coach comes on Saturday as they travel to Steve Evans’ robust side, looking to kick-start his reign with three points.