Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman believes that Lincoln City head coach Michael Skubala is the best manager currently in League One.
The 43-year-old secured his first permanent managerial role when he joined the Imps from Leeds United in November 2023. Replacing the outgoing Mark Kennedy, he enjoyed an excellent opening campaign at the LNER Stadium.
Taking over with the club in the bottom half of the table, a stunning second half of the season saw Lincoln rise into the play-off places ahead of the final day showdown with champions Portsmouth. However, they suffered a 2-0 defeat and were replaced in the top 6 by Oxford United, who went on to secure promotion to the Championship.
Last season perhaps underwhelmed slightly, but Skubala still secured a top half finish, despite having one of the lowest playing budgets in the division.
👏 City head coach Michael Skubala has landed the @SkyBetLeagueOne Manager of the Month award for September.
— Lincoln City FC 🇺🇦 (@LincolnCity_FC) October 10, 2025
Lincoln Heading For Genuine Promotion Push
Lincoln were predicted for another year of mid-table obscurity by many prior to a ball being kicked. Despite that, they have sat within the top 6 for much of the campaign.
A stunning September saw Skubala crowned League One’s Manager of the Month, although it is fair to say the curse regularly attributed to the award struck throughout October. The East Midlands-based outfit lost 3 games in 5 before last weekend’s triumph against Doncaster Rovers, a result which saw them move second in the table and level on points with leaders Stockport County.
In a dramatic turn of events, the Hatters were beaten 3-0 by Peterborough United on Thursday night. This saw Lincoln move to the top of the table without a ball being kicked.
Skubala Given Huge Praise
The former England futsal coach takes his team to Berkshire this afternoon to take on Wycombe Wanderers. Another win will see them cement their place at the top.
📈 @LincolnCity_FC go into the weekend top of #SkyBetLeagueOne!#EFL pic.twitter.com/LuGgp9gXfU
— Sky Bet League One (@SkyBetLeagueOne) November 20, 2025
“I’m a massive fan of Dave Challinor, so that’s not a surprise.
“Teams like Stevenage, Alex Revell, what a job he’s done, AFC Wimbledon, Johnnie Jackson, Brian Barry-Murphy took over a difficult club in Cardiff, Graham Alexander at Bradford I don’t think were expected to be up there.
“But the vote in League One goes to Michael Skubala, didn’t expect Lincoln to be challenging for automatic promotion.”
Goodman also named Coventry City boss Frank Lampard and Swindon Town manager Ian Holloway as the best the Championship and League Two has to offer.
