Even after a week that has shaken English coaching to its core, the future of the game in this country remains in good hands.
The Football Association overlooked those on their doorstep this week by appointing Thomas Tuchel as England’s third overseas coach this century. It left many to question the FA’s coaching structure and the quality of the coaches themselves.
Yet the latter point is beyond doubt. There are numerous examples but perhaps the best is to be found in League One, where Lincoln boss Michael Skubala is building a reputation as a top-class coach of the future.
Only Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta have suffered fewer defeats in 2024 than Skubala, even though Lincoln’s budget is dwarfed by many in the third tier. League leaders Birmingham, who visit Sincil Bank on Saturday, shattered the League One record by paying Fulham £15million for forward Jay Stansfield.
Skubala, 42, made his senior coaching debut in one of the most difficult environments, in charge of a struggling Leeds United side at Old Trafford. Leeds led Manchester United 2-0 early in the game and eventually hung on for an impressive point. In just 90 minutes, Skubala had planted his flag in the ground.
Former futsal coach Michael Skubala has made an impact in charge of Lincoln
Only Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta have suffered fewer defeats in 2024 than Skubala
The one-time England futsal coach is approaching his first anniversary as Lincoln boss and he has them fifth in the table, four points behind Blues. There has already been interest from Championship clubs and it seems inevitable that Skubala will coach at a higher level.
So how does Tuchel’s appointment sit with the type of coach who will have his eye on that job one day?
‘It doesn’t worry me too much that he is from another country if he is the right person for the job,’ Skubala tells Mail Sport. ‘I’d like to see England do well and wish him the best of luck.
‘But I know some really good English coaches who haven’t been given an opportunity maybe because they’re English. Graham Potter has done great, Eddie Howe has done great. I’m an English coach and we are all custodians of English coaching.
‘Part of my nature is to say ‘We’re all right. We can coach as well’ whether that’s development, competitive matches – whatever the environment. You feel you have to do well. I enjoy that challenge.
‘To get the best jobs in the country – England, Premier League – you’re competing with everyone around the world. I’m not sure I’d want a leg-up 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 don’t get chances
The head coach oversaw a 2-2 draw with Manchester United as caretaker manager of Leeds
As director of football at Loughborough University, Skubala taught Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna
Skubala did not have a professional career but in coaching terms, he is a veteran. As director of football at Loughborough University, he taught Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna, one of the brightest young coaches in the country. While in charge of the England futsal side, 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 aged 28, has already led RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich and is now Germany’s national coach. He is still only 37.
Skubala is similarly innovative. He and his staff have used artificial intelligence to record thousands of set pieces taken around the world and built the information gleaned from those into their training sessions. The Imps believe that if they can score at least seven more goals than they concede from set pieces, it will put them right in the mix for promotion.
‘We innovate,’ he explains. ‘We try to find ways to win but we try to find ways to do things differently off the pitch. We find ways to invest in players we think we can sell.
‘Coaching across the game has improved. It was seen as a talent in previous years but to me it’s a vocation. The ‘coaching age’ of someone is important.
While in charge of England’s futsal side Skubala worked with West Ham defender Max Kilman
Skubala and his staff have used artificial intelligence to help his side prepare for games
‘You can be an ex-player who comes out of the game at 36 and coach for a year. Then you can be a ‘professional’ coach who has been coaching for nearly 20 years. Those two might be the same age but their coaching age is different.
‘I’m not saying one way is right or the other is wrong. Some of the top coaches in the Premier League might be young but they have been coaching for 10 or 15 years and they’re a long way down the route to being successful.’
Birmingham coach Chris Davies is three years younger than Skubala and his team will be favourites on Saturday. Huge investment from the club’s US owners means there is substantial pressure on Davies to deliver promotion at the first time of asking.
Skubala adds: ‘League One is exciting this year. Birmingham have spent a lot but there are 10 clubs who have spent a lot of money. They maybe have an upper hand because of their level of investment but it’s not an easy league for anyone to get out of. ‘
