Lincoln City Place Faith in Joint Head Coaches Shaw and Cohen as They Return to Championship

Lincoln City will begin their 2026–27 Championship season under the leadership of joint head coaches Tom Shaw and Chris Cohen. This appointment follows the club’s historic promotion to the second tier for the first time in 66 years, marking a new chapter in their long history.

Shaw and Cohen take over from Michael Skubala, who guided the Imps to an impressive 103 points last season before departing for Bristol City. Both former assistants at the club, their promotion reflects Lincoln’s strategic choice to maintain continuity amid change by promoting from within the existing coaching staff.

The club has embraced a distinctive managerial structure for this campaign, with the dual head coach system aiming to avoid the pitfalls of past joint managerial ventures in English football, such as the unsuccessful partnership of Roy Evans and Gérard Houllier at Liverpool. This approach underlines Lincoln’s commitment to innovation while building on the foundations laid last season.

Lincoln City’s season opener is scheduled for Saturday at the Riverside Stadium against Middlesbrough. The visitors have invested heavily, spending over £20 million on summer signings. In stark contrast, Lincoln’s total expenditure over their entire 142-year history amounts to roughly a quarter of that figure, highlighting the scale of the challenge they face in the Championship.

Despite the daunting task ahead, the atmosphere within the club remains positive and relaxed. A humorous moment this week saw a lorry marked "KGB" park near the training ground, sparking playful speculation among staff about Soviet espionage on their tactics. This light-hearted incident reflects the calm and focused environment fostered by Shaw and Cohen as they prepare their squad for the step up in competition.

Looking forward, the joint head coaches will be tasked with establishing Lincoln City as a competitive Championship club. Their progress and ability to navigate the rigors of the second tier will be closely watched by supporters and pundits alike, as the Imps seek to defy expectations and secure their place at this higher level.

For more details, visit The Guardian.