Lincoln City’s promotion push ended with a record 103 points, a feat that set the stage for a historic move into the Championship. After Michael Skubala accepted Bristol City’s offer, the club promoted former assistants Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw to a joint‑boss role, a rare experiment in modern football for the team future in.

Previous joint‑boss experiments have fizzled, from Houllier and Evans at Liverpool to Livermore and Clemence at Tottenham. Only one successful partnership, John Sillett and George Curtis, lifted Coventry to FA Cup glory in 1987. Lincoln’s choice echoes that rare success, but its modern incarnation hinges on a shared vision rather than legacy for the next.

Chief executive Liam Scully said the duo were already integral to the 2025‑26 campaign, running training and steering team meetings. Their collegial approach under Skubala yielded the 103‑point tally, and the club’s succession committee deemed continuity the least risky option for its first Championship season in 65 years of English football history and growth plans.

By retaining a familiar partnership, Lincoln City preserves the momentum that carried it to promotion. The move signals a pragmatic strategy over novelty, prioritising proven chemistry over untested theory. For the Imps, the decision offers stability as they step into a league where experience will be as valuable as talent at the start of the season.