Lincoln City: Michael Skubala appointed new head coach

Michael Skubala has been unveiled as the new head coach at Lincoln City.

The 41-year-old replaces Mark Kennedy at the Sincil Bank helm.

The division's newest boss is well known to United boss Simpson through their time working together for the Football Association.

Skubala was coach with England's Under-18s during Simpson's World Cup-winning tenure as Under-20 boss.

The two have been in touch since then, with Simpson speaking to Skubala about Carlisle's loan move for Alfie McCalmont last season, at a time Skubala was Leeds United's Under-21 head coach.

Carlisle drew 1-1 at Lincoln in September (Image: Barbara Abbott)

Skubala, who also had a spell in caretaker charge at Elland Road, now takes charge of a Lincoln side who sit ninth in the third tier.

Upon his unveiling, the new Imps boss told the club website: "It feels great to be here, it has been a really warm welcome and I'm looking forward to getting going.

"I've been here for a couple of games in the past few weeks and I've seen how important the fans are for the young players and how they can push the team.

"I'm really excited to work hard with the players every day, to meet the fans and be part of Lincoln City. I feel something here that I felt when I moved to Leeds, which is how important the supporters can be to the club."

Lincoln chairman Clive Nates described Skubala as "one of the most exciting young coaches in the game right now" and that he had come out on top of a "global" list of 15 potential candidates.

"We see this as a progressive appointment - Michael shares our ethos on player development, style of play and ambition," he added. "He has a clear vision for how he implements this and a track record of developing talented young players."

Carlisle drew 1-1 at Sincil Bank in September, a month before Kennedy's sacking. The clubs will meet again at Brunton Park on April 1.