Bristol City move felt like right time -Skubala

Michael Skubala guided Lincoln to the second tier for the first time since 1961 [Rex Features] Bristol City manager Michael Skubala says it was the right time to move to Ashton Gate after clinching promotion to the Championship with Lincoln City. Skubala led the Imps to the League One title last season despite having one of the smallest budgets in the division, but will start next season in the dugout with the Robins. Speaking to BBC Radio Bristol, he said he was looking forward to a "new challenge". "It was a really tough decision to leave Lincoln, I have nothing bad to say about the club, a great club to work for, great leadership, great ownership," Skubala said. "We did a great job there, the challenge was to get promoted [to the second tier] for the first time in 65 years. We had a plan to do that in five years, and we did it in three. "But it felt like it was the right time to move to an ambitious club that wants to get promoted as well. It's hard to leave a club when you have been successful, but I love a challenge and a new challenge. "The more I dig deeper into it with Bristol City, the more I thought this is an amazing and exciting project. "I always say to try and leave a job better than when you started and I feel like I did that at Lincoln." Lincoln had spent seven seasons in League One before promotion and Bristol City are currently on the joint-longest run of consecutive campaigns in the Championship. "We have aspirations for the Premier League, but that will take time, Rome was not built in a day," Skubala added. "I had some near misses at Lincoln before last season, but we have got to have ambition, that North Star to aim for. "I am really excited to get going, and am looking forward to it." Skubala appointment sets tone for Robins future - Ellis Budgets, contracts, and a robust hiring process Bristol City's move to appoint Roy Hodgson as interim boss for the remaining few weeks of the 2025-26 campaign allowed them to undertake a "robust" hiring process, according to Skubala. The 43-year-old has had spells at Leeds United, The FA and UEFA, and is well known to recently-appointed Robins sporting director James Ellis. Skubala did confirm that, despite speculation, he had not signed a contract with Lincoln for the upcoming season before moving to Ashton Gate. "It was a robust process, and I think that is a good thing because it allows the club to get to know you and vice versa, you need to make sure everything is aligned in terms of process. "Fans may have got frustrated but there was no rush. I didn't sign a new contract at Lincoln. "I worked with James 20 years ago, I class him as a friend but this is a professional relationship too, we want to win football matches together." To do that, Skubala will have to hit the ground running to get his squad in order, before potentially dipping into the transfer market with the support of a "competitive" budget. Money, however, should not be too much of concern to the new man at Ashton Gate, given the Lincoln squad he guided to the League One title last season was built from the fifth-smallest financial backing in the division. "I just want to concentrate on winning football matches," Skubala said. "If you get the wheels turning, and the fire and the engine under the place going, then you can achieve anything. We are reviewing the squad, but all the players we like we want to keep. "My job over the next 12 months is to try and ignite the fans and get them going, they are so passionate about the club and this city." Latest Bristol City news, analysis and fan views