Journalist Pete O’Rourke has confirmed what I suggested earlier today – that Michael Skubala is unlikely to leave the Imps for Huddersfield Town.
The Terriers sacked Lee Grant yesterday, yet another boss they have got rid of, following their 3-1 defeat against Burton Albion. Very early reports suggested that they were interested in Skubala, but like me being interested in owning a Ferrari, it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen.
O’Rourke has reported that they’re already looking at Liam Manning as Skubala would be ‘unlikely’ to leave Lincoln. Given that over the years they’ve taken Gary Taylor-Fletcher, Danny Cowley, Harry Toffolo, Lasse Sørensen and Sean Roughan, it’s nice to finally get a report that suggests they won’t be taking a prized asset of ours.
Former Norwich and Bristol City boss Liam Manning has emerged as the frontrunner to be the new Huddersfield Town manager. Lincoln boss Michael Skubala was also a target but he is unlikely to leave Lincoln. #htafc #WeAreImps pic.twitter.com/sbYxUjlq3R
— Pete O’Rourke (@SportsPeteO) January 18, 2026
As I said earlier, there are so many reasons Michael wouldn’t take the Huddersfield job. Firstly, we’re in with a real chance of promotion, and to be the manager that achieves promotion on an 18th-placed budget would be massive for his CV. Also, he’s built something here, a team he envisaged, players he has developed, and a style that is working and drawing attention. Sure, you’d leave that for a club where time is often afforded a boss, like Middlesbrough or maybe Preston North End, but Huddersfield? They’ve seen more sackings than Peartree Productions in 1997 (niche joke, that), and have less stability than a three-legged dog.
Is it worth the risk? Huddersfield have sacked a young manager who has them sixth, maybe two or three places lower than their budget. Is that really failure? He’s been afforded little time, just like the four or five bosses before him, probably going back to Danny Cowley, so why would a man with a great reputation ruin that for a six-month stint at Huddersfield? Sure, they’d pay more money, but in May, if he has got us promoted, he’s going to be in line for jobs with much more to offer than Huddersfield Town.
I’m not kidding myself that we’re bigger than Huddersfield; of course, we’re not. We are better, though, and that counts for something. Huddersfield could pay Michael more money and significant compensation for a rash sacking, should he fail to get them into the play-offs with a squad assembled haphazardly by three different managers. He could be set up for life with a few million, but does he want that?
Also, we’re right on the cusp of something here. The change of chairman ushers in a new era, one potentially which sees a little additional investment. We won’t be signing strikers for £750,000 willy-nilly like Huddersfield, or spending £3m on a player one winter only to loan him to a divisional rival six months later, but I feel we’re growing, slowly and effectively. Michael is a clever guy; he’ll see that and know right now that Sincil Bank is a good place to be for his career.
I didn’t flinch when I saw 2025 Huddersfield were interested in Michael Skubala, not as much as I did when 2019 Huddersfield wanted Danny Cowley. I didn’t believe Danny would leave because of things he said about not moving in the season and taking the right roles, but there was an obvious chance to progress. I don’t believe Michael will leave because of who he is, not what has been said. He’s methodical, he’s reserved, and he works quietly and efficiently, but he does need space to work and time to grow a squad. For Michael, I firmly believe bigger things than Huddersfield await. I firmly believe bigger things than us await as well.
Space and time are not words Huddersfield Town’s owners pay any attention to, and that’s really good for us.