“Yeah, they’ve put the rest of us under pressure, haven’t they?” laughs Lincoln City’s new head coach. “Cheers, guys.”
By us, Skubala is referring to what he calls “career coaches, people who’ve earned their stripes in the grind of the game”, as opposed to illustrious former players or managers on their umpteenth trip around the block.
As Skubala recounts his 22-year journey to Sincil Bank, the sheer scale of that grind quickly emerges.
“I started coaching very young, when I was about 19,” says the 41-year-old, a talented youth footballer whose attempts to forge a pro career were scuppered by his diminutive stature as a teenager.
“I was coaching Barwell in what was then the Dr Martens Premier. Then I went out to do a degree in sports science and psychology. After that I became a PE teacher and started working in academies - Coventry, Forest, a little bit at Leicester.
“Daytimes, I’d be teaching in school. Three evenings a week, I’d be out driving the minibus to games, all that sort of stuff.
“Then I moved into more of a director of football role at Loughborough, where I was managing eight teams, all the staff and coaches. Amongst that, I was in and out of the FA doing little bits of work.
“They asked me to do a futsal role, which is something I’d started at Loughborough. I left, came back, ended up working with the England teams at under-17s, 18s and 19s. That was wonderful. Eventually, I went into Leeds, and from November last year I was working with the first team.”
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Pride at the park is perfect for Paul
EVERYONE deserved a pat on the back was Paul Warne’s verdict as his Derby County side hung on for all three points.
ACE HARRIS NETS TOP AWARD WITH GOAL RUSH
STRIKER Mark Harris has led the Oxford United assault on the second tier – and now it’s landed him the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month award for August.
SEASIDE LATE SHOW GIVES BRUCE BUZZ
IN HIS first match back in football, new Blackpool boss Steve Bruce admitted this was a tense encounter.
CLEMENCE GETS BLUEBIRDS TO
BARROW boss Stephen Clemence was delighted with his side’s multi faceted performance as they beat Grimsby to continue their strong league start.
KARL FUMES DESPITE LATE SUB HEROICS
KARL Robinson was delighted to see Salford City come back from behind to beat Cheltenham Town thanks to Hakeeb Adelakun’s second-half brace.
PATIENCE REQUIRED OVER NEW BOY ALZATE
HULL City boss Tim Walter says fans will have to wait to see “perfect” midfielder Steven Alzate unleashed on the Championship
DOM AIMS TO HAVE A BALL AT THE O'S...
DOM Ball is eager to use all his experience to help Leyton Orient achieve ‘something special’ this season.
DEL-BOY IS CUSHTY FOR CLEVERLEY
ALTHOUGH it needed a second-half strike from Tom Dele-Bashiru to rescue a point for Watford against Coventry, Hornets’ relieved head coach Tom Cleverley was determined not to point the finger at his slow-starting players.
MACKEMS' PERFECT RECORD IS ROO-INED
WAYNE Rooney expressed his delight after his first Championship win as Plymouth Argyle boss came by beating previously unbeaten leaders Sunderland at the death.
Spanish starlet is seizing his big chance
SUNDERLAND'S failure to sign an established striker this summer left fans apoplectic, but Eliezer Mayenda is doing his best to quell the dissent.