Lincoln City’s Unusual Joint-Head-Coach Model Enters the Championship

Lincoln City promoted two assistant coaches—Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw—to become the only joint-head coaches in English professional football. The club elevated them after former head coach Michael Skubala left for Bristol City, opting to promote internally rather than hire an external manager.

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In the 2022-23 season Lincoln City won the League One title with a bottom-half budget, achieving the second-highest points total ever recorded in the third tier. The promotion was described as a “mini-miracle” and set the stage for the club’s first foray into the Championship.

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The step up pits Lincoln’s newly-crossed £8 million annual revenue against the Championship’s financial giants. West Ham United’s revenue sits at £227 million, more than £40 million lower than the previous year, while Middlesbrough, Lincoln’s recent EFL Cup opponent, paid up to £20 million for striker Will Lankshear. Lincoln’s historic spending on transfer fees remains under half of that amount over its 142-year history. By the end of the summer, £9 million will have been invested in the stadium and training ground, providing a tangible legacy for a club of modest means.

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Both coaches stress continuity and mutual trust as the foundation of their partnership. Cohen highlighted the autonomy granted by former manager Skubala, noting it fostered a stable environment for players. Shaw emphasized open dialogue with the squad, saying the club’s mindset must focus on each game rather than lofty celebrations. Both acknowledge the financial disparity but stress a consistent process and a “what’s next” mentality to navigate the challenges of the higher league.

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• “Michael gave us an incredible amount of autonomy out on the grass,” — Cohen. The

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• “There’s just a fondness of each other, how we work and then as people that has grown over time,” — Tom Shaw

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• “We drive in together, we drive home together,” — Chris Cohen

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• “We’ve had good conversations with the players and the leadership group about this,” — Tom Shaw

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• “We’re always about what’s next, understanding the challenges in front of us – how do we grow it, how do we evolve it, how do we make it better?” — Chris Cohen

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