Lincoln have faith in double act as they return to second tier

Lincoln City embarks on their Championship campaign with an unconventional management structure, appointing joint head coaches Tom Shaw and Chris Cohen following Michael Skubala's departure to Bristol City. The dual leadership represents a significant gamble in modern football, where collaborative management remains relatively rare at the second tier level. Skubala's achievement of guiding the Imps to 103 points and promotion after 66 years outside the Championship demonstrated the club's upward trajectory, setting a formidable benchmark for his successors. Shaw and Cohen's appointment signals the club's commitment to continuity despite the dramatic transition, with both assistants transitioning from supporting roles into joint leadership responsibilities during a transformative period.

The newly promoted side faces an immediate test against Middlesbrough in their opening fixture at the Riverside, a club that has invested significantly with over £20 million in summer transfers. Lincoln's financial resources contrast starkly with their opponents, having spent only approximately £5 million across their entire 142-year history, underscoring the economic disparity they must overcome. The Championship represents a dramatic step up in competition, with established clubs possessing substantially greater resources and recruitment power. Despite these challenges, Shaw and Cohen bring extensive experience from their previous roles supporting Skubala's successful promotion campaign, understanding the infrastructure and mentality required for Championship football.

The joint coaching model represents a calculated departure from traditional single-manager structures, though historical precedent offers cautionary tales of collaborative leadership struggles in elite football. Lincoln's relaxed atmosphere heading into the season suggests internal confidence and unity despite the unconventional arrangement. The club's management believes their collaborative approach can harness complementary strengths while maintaining the winning culture established during their promotion season. Success in the Championship will likely determine whether this experimental structure becomes a blueprint for other ambitious clubs or serves as another cautionary example in football's continuing evolution of coaching philosophy.