Even after a week that has rocked England’s coaching ranks, the future of football in this country remains in good hands.
The Football Association overlooked the people on their doorstep this week by appointing Thomas Tuchel as England’s third foreign coach this century. Many came to question the FA’s coaching structure and the quality of the coaches themselves.
Yet this last point is beyond doubt. There are countless examples, but perhaps the best can be found in League One, where Lincoln boss Michael Skubala is building a reputation as a top coach of the future.
Only Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta have suffered fewer defeats than Skubala in 2024, even if Lincoln’s budget is overshadowed by many in the third tier. League leaders Birmingham, who visited Sincil Bank on Saturday, smashed the League One record by paying Fulham £15million for striker Jay Stansfield.
Skubala, 42, made his senior coaching debut in one of the toughest environments, taking charge of a struggling Leeds United side at Old Trafford. Leeds led Manchester United 2-0 early in the match and eventually managed to hold on for an impressive point. In just 90 minutes, Skubala had planted his flag in the ground.
Former futsal coach Michael Skubala has impressed as Lincoln manager
Only Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta have suffered fewer defeats than Skubala in 2024
The former England football coach is approaching his first anniversary as Lincoln boss and is fifth in the table, four points behind Blues. There is already interest from Championship clubs and it seems inevitable that Skubala will coach at a higher level.
So how does Tuchel’s appointment compare to the type of coach who will one day have that job in mind?
“I don’t really care if he’s from another country as long as he’s the right person for the job,” Skubala told Mail Sport. ‘I would like to see England do well and wish him the best of luck.
‘But I know some very good English coaches who haven’t been given a chance, maybe because they are English. Graham Potter did a great job, Eddie Howe did a great job. I am an English coach and we are all administrators of English coaching.
“Part of my nature is to say, ‘We’re doing fine.’ We can also coach, whether it is development or competitive matches – regardless of the environment. You feel like you have to do it right. I enjoy that challenge.
‘To get the best jobs in the country – England, the Premier League – you’re competing with everyone around the world. I’m not sure I’d want to have an advantage because I’m English, but I wouldn’t want to be overlooked because I’m English either.”
Skubala approves of Thomas Tuchel’s appointment but says some English coaches are not being given opportunities
As Leeds’ agent, the head coach secured a 2-2 draw with Manchester United
As director of football at Loughborough University, Skubala taught Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna
Skubala didn’t have a professional career, but in coaching terms he’s a veteran. As director of football at Loughborough University, he tutored Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna, one of the brightest young coaches in the country. While in charge of the England futsal team, he worked with Max Kilman. Before joining Leeds in 2022, he had coaching roles at Coventry and Nottingham Forest.
Instead of turning to famous former players, more and more clubs are thinking differently about coaching appointments. Many are inspired by Julian Nagelsmann, whose playing career was cut short by injury. He took charge of Hoffenheim at the age of 28, has already managed RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich and is now national coach of Germany. He’s only 37.
Skubala is also innovative. He and his staff have used artificial intelligence to capture thousands of set pieces around the world and incorporate the information gleaned from them into their training sessions. The Imps believe that if they can score at least seven more goals than they concede from set pieces, they will be eligible for promotion.
“We innovate,” he explains. “We try to find ways to win, but we also try to find ways to do things differently off the field. We find ways to invest in players we think we can sell.
‘The coaching during the game has improved. In recent years it has been seen as a talent, but for me it is a calling. Someone’s ‘coaching age’ is important.
While in charge of English futsal, Skubala worked with West Ham defender Max Kilman
Skubala and his staff have used artificial intelligence to help his side prepare for matches
‘You can be an ex-player who comes out of the game at the age of 36 and is a coach for a year. Then you can be a ‘professional’ coach who has been coaching for almost 20 years. Those two may be the same age, but their coaching ages are different.
‘I’m not saying one way is right or the other is wrong. Some of the top coaches in the Premier League may be young, but they have been coaching for ten or fifteen years and have come a long way to success.”
Birmingham coach Chris Davies is three years younger than Skubala and his team are favorites on Saturday. Huge investment from the club’s American owners means there is significant pressure on Davies to be promoted from the first time he asks.
Skubala added: “League One is exciting this year. Birmingham have spent a lot, but there are ten clubs who have spent a lot of money. They may have the upper hand due to their level of investment, but it is not an easy competition for anyone to get out of. ‘