BBC Radio Lincolnshire have confirmed Bristol City have triggered Michael Skubala’s release clause.
However, it is very important not to panic, because this isn’t a new development. Skubala’s release clause was triggered last week, and reporting which has taken place since then supersedes this news. Bristol City did trigger the release clause, as it appears they have with another manager, and they did have permission to speak to Michael.
However, it is my understanding that the club’s hierarchy are not concerned by interest in our head coach. The train of thought is that any interest is natural and expected, given the team’s performance this season. It would be odd if teams were not interested in a young, record-breaking manager with the season he has just had on his CV.
Indeed, stories which have dropped since this triggering of the release clause include Michael opting to stay with the Imps, and Bristol City turning their attention to John Mousinho, the Portsmouth boss. Nothing has changed over the weekend at all.
Indeed, it is worth remembering that Michael recently signed a new long-term deal and has been involved with planning for next season. The current planning is for our first Championship season in more than half a century, and the role Michael and his team play in that has not currently changed, before, during or after the release clause has been triggered.
At this moment in time, it does not feel like Michael is getting ready to leave; quite the opposite. He has often spoken about long-term planning, and how the club can afford a head coach time. At the end of last season, he said the journey was ‘only just beginning’, and if there is any manager I have believed over the last 20 years, it is Michael Skubala.
He might yet go to a bigger club. An offer might come in that changes the game and nobody would begrudge him that. However, this news is perhaps a little older than it is being packaged as. Still worth listening to the podcast, though. The BBC team do a grand job during the season, so they’re worth listening to when the games stop as well.
As you were.
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