Michael Skubala Leads Lincoln City to Promotion, Ending 65-Year Championship Wait

The long wait for the Imps is finally over. Lincoln City have officially secured promotion to the EFL Championship, ending a 65-year absence from the second tier of English football following a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Reading on April 6, 2026.

For a club that finished 15th in the Conference just over a decade ago, the ascent to the Championship represents a staggering climb. The victory at Reading not only guarantees their return to the level they last occupied in 1961 but also caps off a season defined by tactical innovation and a relentless refusal to lose.

The Decisive Clash: Lincoln City at Reading

Lincoln entered the match needing only a single point to ensure promotion, though they also held the safety net of a potential draw between Stockport County and Bolton Wanderers. Whereas, head coach Michael Skubala and his squad opted to take their destiny into their own hands.

Skubala signaled his intent by making three changes to the starting lineup from the previous 1-0 win over AFC Wimbledon. Ivan Varfolomeev, returning from international duty with the Ukraine Under-21s, stepped in for Jack Moylan, while Ryan Oné replaced Rob Street to lead the attack. Dom Jeffries also entered the side, filling the left-wing back role in a fluid back-five formation.

The gamble paid off early. On the stroke of five minutes, Varfolomeev won a free-kick that was crossed in from the right, allowing Ryan Oné to flick a header into the bottom left corner. Oné nearly doubled the lead just two minutes later with a low cross from Reeco Hackett, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

While both sides remained dangerous throughout the match, Lincoln’s resilience held. Jack Moylan eventually added a second goal to secure the win, though a late scare from Reading’s Lewis Wing kept the traveling supporters tense until the final whistle. The 2-1 result officially confirmed their promotion to the EFL Championship.

Defying the Odds: The Numbers Behind the Rise

Lincoln’s promotion is not merely a result of a few good games, but a sustained period of dominance. The win at Reading extended the club’s record league unbeaten run to 24 games—a streak that began in November.

Perhaps most impressive is that Lincoln achieved this while operating with the 17th biggest budget in League One. In a league often dominated by clubs with significant financial backing, Skubala’s side has functioned as the ultimate overachievers. For those unfamiliar with the English pyramid, this means Lincoln has consistently beaten teams with far more resources through superior coaching and squad cohesion.

The Architecture of Success: Who is Michael Skubala?

The driving force behind this resurgence is Michael Skubala, a coach whose path to the Championship is as unconventional as Lincoln’s rise. Born in Leicestershire in 1982, Skubala began his journey teaching PE at Lutterworth College while coaching at the non-league level with Barwell and within the academies of Coventry City and Nottingham Forest.

His tactical fingerprints were first noticed on a global scale during his tenure as the head coach of the England national futsal team. Between 2017 and 2020, he guided the team to its highest world ranking in two decades. This background in futsal—a game predicated on tight spaces, rapid decision-making and fluid movement—likely informs the “innovative” style he has implemented at Sincil Bank.

Before taking the reins at Lincoln, Skubala gained high-level experience as the head coach of Leeds United’s U21s and served as the interim head coach for the Leeds United first team in the Premier League in February 2023. That transition from youth and futsal coaching to the pressures of the EFL League One has culminated in one of the most impressive managerial runs in recent club history.

Looking Ahead: The Championship Challenge

While the celebration is well-deserved, the reality of the Championship looms. The leap from the third tier to the second is notoriously steep, both in terms of quality and physical demand. Skubala has remained grounded, noting that while the fans may dream of hosting giants like Tottenham or Nottingham Forest in league games, his focus remains on the immediate work required.

The primary challenge for Lincoln will be maintaining their identity while potentially upgrading a squad that has already punched well above its weight. However, if the last 24 games are any indication, the Imps are more than capable of adapting to a higher level of competition.

Lincoln City will now begin preparations for the 2026-2027 season in the Championship, marking the start of a modern era for a club that has spent six and a half decades waiting for this moment.

Next Checkpoint: Lincoln City will announce their end-of-season reviews and summer recruitment plans in the coming weeks.

Do you think Lincoln can survive and thrive in the Championship next season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.