Lincoln City joint-head coaches Tom Shaw and Chris Cohen are preparing to lead the Imps in the Championship at the ProAmpac Stadium following the departure of manager Michael Skubala to Bristol City in June.
The pair were appointed earlier this summer after Skubala concluded an impressive two-and-a-half years in charge by guiding Lincoln to the League One title with 103 points, securing promotion to English football's second tier for the first time in 65 years.
Lincoln interviewed outside candidates after Skubala left, but club officials took the bold step of promoting Shaw and Cohen to work in tandem. The decision was built around a unified strategy that prioritises internal staff development, aiming to preserve the collaborative structure behind their rise from the National League.
Shaw joined Lincoln's academy in 2018 and served a seven-game spell as caretaker manager prior to Skubala's arrival in 2023. Cohen, currently in his third spell with the club, had worked alongside Shaw as joint-assistant head coach since November 2024.
Both coaches carried significant responsibility under Skubala, regularly leading meetings, taking training sessions, and helping construct Lincoln's tactical game model. While a single head coach was considered, the club felt the partnership best suited their collaborative approach.
Shaw revealed to Daily Mail Sport that he and Cohen had already discussed managing together if Skubala left, though the club proposed the idea first.
"They'd thought of it first," Cohen said. "So we never had to ask for it. They came to us and said, 'This is the way we see it happening if you two are both happy to do it that way'. And I couldn't think of a better person to be sharing the chaos of being a manager in the Championship with."
Shaw added that while on-pitch work has remained similar, off-pitch media duties have increased. "There are a few more things like this to do," Shaw said. "It's been very similar on the pitch, but a few more roles off it, which have been really good challenges."
Debate over joint-manager setup
The decision to appoint joint-head coaches has sparked debate across English football. Peterborough United owner Darragh MacAnthony said this week that he hated the model, insisting there can only be one leader and calling the structure problematic.
Critics have also pointed to previous high-profile failures, such as Premier League side Liverpool pairing Gerard Houllier with Roy Evans during the 1990s.
Shaw dismissed concerns about the unconventional setup, emphasizing that the coaching team has operated this way for several years.
"We appreciate the question marks because it's not the norm," Shaw said. "But this is a way of working that we've been doing for a number of years that has brought big success. Everybody in the building knows how it works, why it works, and we'll be continuing that. We'll share duties between us, and, over time, figure out who's better at each of them. But we've known each other for a long time, and we've earned this opportunity to do it together."
Cohen explained that the pair have spent three seasons collaboratively designing weekly game plans before presenting them to Skubala for final approval. Debate within the analysis room ensured complete unity ahead of matchdays.
"For the last three seasons, we've been designing a game plan throughout the week," Cohen said. "We would then go to Michael with it, and he had the final say. By the time we went into the room, we were united. We got there through a load of disagreements and debates, but the main thing was we would live by it on a Saturday. By the time we'd leave the analysis room, we'd be completely convinced."
Their bond extends beyond football, having commuted to work together for the past three years. Shaw highlighted his deep personal and professional respect for Cohen, noting that their families have also become close.
"We've grown to love each other's company and there is massive respect," Shaw said. "I watched Chris play back in the day so I have huge respect for him as a football man and just as a bloke in general. We've got a really nice relationship, and our families know each other now too, which is another lovely thing."
Squad continuity and transfer business
The internal appointment provides continuity following a campaign that ended on a club-record 29-match unbeaten run. Lincoln extended that streak to 30 games on Saturday with a 2-1 victory over Derby County in the Carabao Cup.
Lincoln have opted against clearing out their squad for the Championship. Several promotion winners have signed new contracts, including star forward Reeco Hackett, though key player Jack Moylan moved to Cardiff City.
Five new players have joined the Imps, including highly rated Tottenham Hotspur forward Mason Melia, who was the subject of 30 loan enquiries. Lincoln also broke their transfer record to sign Romanian defender Andrei Coubis and expect to break it again before the transfer window closes.
Cohen insisted the existing squad deserves the opportunity to compete at the higher level despite face-offs against experienced managers and major clubs.
"We don't want to be one of these clubs that moves up a division and clears the decks to try and get players they think are going to be better," Cohen said. "These players are capable in the Championship. They got 103 points last year, which should give them an incredible amount of confidence. There's some big names in the division, some experienced managers we've got to go toe-to-toe with, but we feel prepared. The players deserve to go and push themselves and see how they can do at this level too. There will be some tough weekends but our job is to keep the belief in this group because we know they're good enough."
Proving doubters wrong as underdogs
Lincoln operated with the 17th largest budget in League One last season and are expected to be among the smallest spenders in the Championship. Bookmakers have made the Imps overwhelming favourites for relegation.
Shaw stressed that negative predictions provide motivation for the squad as they prepare to face former Premier League clubs.
"We've seen the script that's written for Lincoln City in the Championship," Shaw said. "That's a massive motivation for our lads. We're here to prove people wrong every week and this club has done pretty well as the underdog in recent seasons."
Lincoln begin their Championship league fixtures on Saturday against Middlesbrough. Thousands of Lincoln supporters will travel across the country to watch their team compete in the second tier.
Shaw added that the squad approaches the step up without fear. "We've got some trips to some big names and stadiums, which will feel very different, but we have no fear," Shaw said. "We want to go and have a real ding-dong at some of these ex-Premier League and big football clubs."
Cohen concluded that while results will vary, maintaining high performance standards remains the ultimate goal for the joint-head coaches.
"We're hopefully going to win lots of games, but we'll also lose and draw lots," Cohen said. "But at the end of every game we have to make sure we've put in a performance that everyone can be proud of. If we walk off the pitch feeling that it is a team we can be proud of, that will be enough. There will be days where the ball wazzes in the top corner a couple of times, and there's not much we can do. But if it's something within our control, and we do it incredibly well, we're going to overachieve again."
