The managerial merry-go-round often sees the same names pop up at various clubs, meaning ex-Imps are likely to feature as managers of EFL clubs.
It always used to fascinate me as a kid, looking at former Imps who went on to manage at bigger clubs. Lennie Lawrence and Jim Smith were two who always used to jump out, but the likes of Ian Branfoot and John Ward also piqued my interest as a kid. Were they four of the greatest managers we never had?
Possibly. It got me wondering, as I lay awake for the umpteenth night in a row, how many current EFL managers have passed through the tunnel at Sincil Bank? It certainly smells like a ‘not a lot of news due to the international break’ type of article, doesn’t it?
Premier League – no managers
It won’t surprise you to know that no former Imps are currently managing in the Premier League. We have faced one of the managers as players – David Moyes featured for Preston in 1994 in the same side as David Beckham and Matt Carmichael.
Championship – two managers
There are currently two ex-Imps managing in the Championship, but neither had stellar Imps careers!
Chris Wilder, currently at Sheffield United for a third time, had a brief spell on loan with us in 1999. He came from Sheffield United then, appeared three times and returned to the Blades. He later appeared against us a few times for Halifax Town, before retiring.
He’s only been with the Blades for 23 days, having replaced Ruben Selles last month. However, collectively, he has been in the Blades dugout on 307 occasions, and counting.
The other Championship manager who also appeared for the Imps has even fewer outings for us than Wilder. Alan Sheehan appeared in one game, the 3-2 win against Burton that signalled our final outing pre-Covid. He gave away a penalty in that game, and was released at the end of the season.
He’s now in charge of Swansea City, but coming under increasing pressure. He’s had 233 days in charge, and while they’re currently 12th in the Championship, there is a feeling he is underachieving.
League One – no managers
Unusually, there are no former Imps currently managing in League One.
League Two – five managers
There are five managers in League Two who have also represented Lincoln City in some way.
Scott Lindsey was part of Chris Sutton’s backroom staff, and was even caretaker at the club for a short while. The 53-year-old was interim after Sutton left and Steve Tilson came in, and he remained on the coaching staff until our relegation.
He’s not having the best of time at Crawley, his second stint in charge. They’re currently 21st in the table, and looking at a season of struggle.
Michael Appleton is struggling harder. The former Imps boss, who took us to a play-off final in 2021, is in charge at Shrewsbury, but they’re dropping like a sack of unwanted kittens. They’re second bottom with just six points from 11, and as with Lindsey, there are calls for him to go.
Gareth Ainsworth is enjoying life at the other end of the table. His Gills side went on a record-breaking unbeaten run at the end of last season and the beginning of this campaign, halted by Harrogate Town. He has since left to have heart surgery, and under caretaker Richard Dobson, they’ve lost two, taking their losing streak to three.
Speaking of Harrogate Town, Simon Weaver is their boss, and he’s the longest-serving manager in the EFL. He’s been with the Sulphurites since May 2009, well over 16 years. Despite being one of the smallest clubs in the league, with a tiny budget compared to others, they’re a respectable 16th in the table.
Last, but not least by any means, is Danny Cowley. The most successful manager in Imps history in terms of trophies, Dan and Nick are still plying their trade in the EFL, closer to their Essex home. They’re almost two years into their stay at Colchester, and while they’re currently 19th, a recent 6-2 win against Chesterfield has heightened a hope they’ll push back up the table soon.
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