Michael Skubala

Michael Skubala
Skubala as assistant manager of Leeds United in 2023
Personal information
Full name Michael Skubala
Date of birth (1982-10-31) 31 October 1982 (age 41)
Place of birth Nottingham, England
Team information
Current team
 Lincoln City (head coach)
Managerial career
Years Team
2023 Leeds United (caretaker)
2023– Lincoln City

Michael Skubala (born 31 October 1982) is an English football coach who is the head coach for EFL League One club Lincoln City. He is a coach with over 20 years coaching experience at different levels including Premier League and youth international football. He has coached across England national teams with a unique background of futsal and football more akin to South American or European coaches.

Coaching career

Early career

Skubala started his coaching career whilst teaching PE at Lutterworth College in Leicestershire. Alongside his job at the school, he had a number of coaching roles including at non-league club Barwell as-well as Coventry City and Nottingham Forest academies.

He subsequently became director of football at Loughborough University, renowned for sporting excellence, before being headhunted by the FA, where he became head coach of England national futsal team.[1] Between 2017 and 2020, he guided them to their highest world ranking in two decades and played a key role in the development of future Premier League player and Wolves captain Max Kilman.[2][3][4] Skubala then progressed to work with the England U18's, whilst also working at UEFA as a football advisor.

Leeds United

In July 2022, he was appointed head coach of Leeds United U21's.[5]

In February 2023, Skubala was appointed interim head coach of English Premier League side Leeds United, alongside coaches Paco Gallardo and Chris Armas, after the sacking of head coach Jesse Marsch.[6][7][8] After Leeds drew their first game away under Skubala 2–2 at Manchester United, it was announced that he would remain in charge for a second match four days later: the home tie against Manchester United.[9] The club also announced that Skubala would remain in the role while the search for a permanent manager continued,[10] and Skubala said he did not see the temporary role as an 'opportunity' for him.[11] After the appointment of Javi Gracia as head coach, Skubala was promoted to first-team coach at Leeds[12]

Lincoln City

On 13 November 2023, he was appointed the head coach of League One club Lincoln City.[13] His first game ended in a 1–0 defeat to Stevenage.[14] His first Lincoln City win came the next game, beating Leyton Orient 1–0.[15] He was nominated for the February 2024 Manager of the Month, picking up 16 points from 6 unbeaten games.[16] His unbeaten run would continue into March, taking 13 points from the next 5 games, including 5–1, 6–0 and 5–0 wins, got him another manager of the month nomination.[17]

Managerial statistics

As of 6 April 2024[18]
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team From To Record
P W D L Win %
Leeds United (caretaker) 6 February 2023 21 February 2023 3 0 1 2 000.0
Lincoln City 13 November 2023 Present 27 12 9 6 044.4
Total 30 12 10 8 040.0

References

  1. ^ "Pressure cooker". coachesvoice.com. 23 September 2018.
  2. ^ Miller, Nick. "Skubala has trodden an unusual path - it makes him a fascinating coach to watch". The Athletic. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  3. ^ "Former Leicestershire school teacher takes charge of Leeds United at Manchester United". www.leicestermercury.co.uk.
  4. ^ "Mike Skubala appointed as new England Futsal head coach". www.thefa.com.
  5. ^ "Michael Skubala appointed U-21's Head Coach". www.leedsunited.com. 28 July 2022.
  6. ^ "Trio to take chare of Manchester United fixture". www.leedsunited.com. 6 February 2023.
  7. ^ "Michael Skubala is taking on the big pitch". thesquareball.net. 7 February 2023.
  8. ^ "Michael Skubala profiled as Leeds United coach faces media following Jesse Marsch sacking". leeds-live.co.uk. 12 February 2023.
  9. ^ "Leeds' Skubala to stay in charge for Man Utd game". BBC Sport.
  10. ^ "Skubala to continue as Leeds manager". BBC Sport.
  11. ^ "Leeds United: Interim boss Michael Skubala does not see role 'as an opportunity' for him". BBC Sport. 16 February 2023. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  12. ^ "Leeds United confirm the appointment of Javi Gracia". The Athletic.
  13. ^ "Skubala is City's new head coach". Lincoln City FC.
  14. ^ "Stevenage 1–0 Lincoln City". BBC Sport.
  15. ^ "Leyton Orient 0–1 Lincoln City". BBC.
  16. ^ "Sky Bet League One Manager and Player of the Month nominations". EFL. 5 March 2024. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  17. ^ "Sky Bet League One: Manager & Player of the Month nominees". EFL. 10 April 2024. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  18. ^ "England- Michael Skubala - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 15 February 2022.

External links