The fresh Bristol City, Michael Skubala link that may worry Lincoln City | OneFootball

Bristol City's new sporting director, James Ellis, could have a big say in Michael Skubala jumping ship from Lincoln City to Ashton Gate

The Bristol City managerial hunt is down to two names, and after it seemed all but certain that Michael Skubala would choose to remain at Lincoln City, recent revelations mean that is no longer the case.

The Telegraph reported on Wednesday afternoon that the Robins had narrowed things down to a couple of candidates as they bid to replace the departing Roy Hodgson, who oversaw the final seven games as interim following Gerhard Struber's sacking.

Bournemouth's assistant Tommy Elphick was surprisingly one of the names, given his lack of experience as the number one boss, but what was also a surprise to Lincoln fans, especially, was the fact that their manager was still an option, too.

Skubala and his Imps side hit headlines this season following their remarkable League One-winning campaign, posting an incredibly impressive 103 points, going unbeaten in the final 29 games of the term and securing second-tier football for the first time since 1960/61.

It was a project that he'd overseen since he arrived in 2023, and even after Bristol City activated his release clause on May 12, the consensus was that the 43-year-old would be saying "thanks, but no thanks," following the talks and remaining at Sincil Bank.

But some key changes at the board level at Ashton Gate in the last week have perhaps piqued Skubala's interest in moving on.

Michael Skubala has past relations with the new Bristol City sporting director, James Ellis

On Monday, it was revealed that Bristol City had hired former Arsenal technical director James Ellis to be their new sporting director.

Chief exec at Ashton Gate, Charlie Boss, confirmed in that statement that Ellis had been advising on candidates for the new Head Coach role ahead of next season, identifying and meeting with people he believes to be right for the job.

Unfortunately for Lincoln, Ellis and Skubala have a long history together, having both spent time at Loughborough University in coaching or at board level, with their separate paths crossing during that time.

It's no surprise to see that Ellis' arrival at Ashton Gate coincided with the Imps' boss being elevated to the final two, when it seemed that he was set on staying at his current club despite the interest.

And, even with the somewhat exciting unknown element to his counterpart, Elphick, it would be assumed that Skubala's experience and the brilliant season he has just had would have him as the favourite to become the new Bristol City boss, if he wants to take the job.

The Robins finished in the Championship play-offs last season under a bright coach plucked from League One in Liam Manning. While technically a second-tier side now, it seems like they may be looking seriously at Lincoln for their next managerial hire.

Losing Michael Skubala would be a real gut-punch to Lincoln City

While it would be naive to suggest that Lincoln had everything in place to adapt to being a small fish in the big pond of the Championship, some critics felt that the Imps would be well-suited to second-tier football almost immediately with the personnel they had in place.

The Imps remarkably went into the summer with every one of their important players and squad players who weren't on loan already contracted into next season, meaning that a whole squad overhaul wasn't needed.

Additionally, per Fotmob, Lincoln had the lowest possession average in League One; they were fourth-bottom in accurate passes per match, a top-eight team in terms of accurate long balls, and also scored the most set pieces.

In a way, they approached games as the underdog this past season, so they wouldn't have had to modify their game to be one where they'd expect to have less of the ball, like Birmingham City had to do this season, or Cardiff City will likely have to do next.

The seasoned veterans that Lincoln has at the club definitely helped the Imps get into the Championship, but they were coached in a way by Skubala, which got the best out of them.

That's not to say that a new manager won't be able to do the same if the 43-year-old does decide to leave for new pastures in Bristol, but having to replace someone so integral to their impressive campaign definitely wouldn't have been on the higher-ups' wishlist at Sincil Bank this summer.