Lincoln’s Dynamic Duo Leads Championship Return at Middlesbrough
Lincoln City’s Dynamic Duo: How Two Best Friends Are Leading a Football Club Together
The Unlikely Arrival at Training
Imagine this: it’s a normal Tuesday at Lincoln City’s training ground. Suddenly, a big lorry pulls up with "KGB" written on the side. Everyone laughs—has the Soviet Union come to spy on their secret set pieces?
Fun Fact: This wasn’t a spy mission! It was just a funny coincidence that perfectly captures the relaxed, happy atmosphere at this club.
Lincoln City (nicknamed "the Imps") just got promoted to the Championship—England’s second-highest football league—after 65 years away. That’s like your grandpa’s favorite team finally making it back to the big stage!
Meet the New Bosses: Not One, But Two!
When their previous manager Michael Skubala left for Bristol City (after getting 103 points and that historic promotion), Lincoln did something unusual: they appointed two joint head coaches.
Tom Shaw & Chris Cohen: The Dream Team
| Coach | Background | Specialty |
|---|---|---|
| Tom Shaw | Former assistant coach | Attack & offense |
| Chris Cohen | Former Hull City defender | Defense & organization |
Why two bosses? The club didn’t just pick two random people and say "figure it out." These two have:
- Worked together for years
- Driven to work together every day
- Played golf together on days off
- Shared the same football philosophy and life values
IMPORTANT POINT: This isn’t like Liverpool’s failed 1998 experiment with Roy Evans and Gérard Houllier. That was "two men put together and told to do the same job." Shaw and Cohen chose each other and evolved naturally.
How Their Partnership Actually Works
1. Divide & Conquer
- Cohen watches the defense
- Shaw watches the attack
- They’re rarely side-by-side on the training pitch—they watch from different angles
2. Check & Challenge
"We have minor disagreements throughout the week to get to what we think is the right plan. By Thursday/Friday we’re super aligned." — Tom Shaw
3. Shared Final Say
- They debate privately, decide together
- The "bickering" stays on the golf course
- Players don’t call them "gaffer" or "boss"—just Tom and Chris
4. Support Staff Handles the Rest
- Paul McShane (ex-Hull defender) runs some sessions
- David Preece oversees goalkeepers
- Analysts crunch data after every session
The Club’s Smart, Steady Growth
Lincoln City isn’t just lucky—they’re built different.
From Potato Fields to Premier Facilities
- 2016-17: Reached FA Cup quarter-finals as a non-league team
- Prize money → Built first-ever purpose-built training ground (between an old RAF base and a potato field!)
- Promotion to Championship → £9 million upgrade for stadium & training site
- More expansion planned!
Philosophy: Develop, Don’t Just Buy
- Jack Moylan → Developed in academy → Sold to Cardiff for record fee
- Shaw & Cohen were key to that development
- Club rewards internal progression (both coaches were assistants)
Summer Preparation: Smart, Not Splashy
| Middlesbrough (Opponent) | Lincoln City |
|---|---|
| Spent £20M+ on new players | Spent a quarter of that in 142-year history |
| Big budget, big names | 14 new contracts + 2 signings + 3 loans |
The Strategy: Keep the promoted squad together, add depth, trust the system.
The Underdog Mindset
Bookmakers say: "Favorites to go down."
Lincoln says: "Perfect."
Chris Cohen’s Honest Take:
"We hope we’re underestimated. We hope big clubs turn up at our stadium (Sincil Bank) and take us for granted. Our players have heart and passion—that wins games."
Proof They Belong:
- Beat Derby County 2-1 in Carabao Cup (Championship rivals!)
- Not a "punchline" for relegated teams like West Ham
- In the Championship on MERIT
First Big Test: Middlesbrough Away
Saturday at the Riverside Stadium.
Middlesbrough = Big spenders.
Lincoln = Smart planners.
The Coaches’ Game Week Routine:
- Monday-Wednesday: Debate, disagree, analyze
- Thursday-Friday: Fully aligned, 100% behind the plan
- Saturday: Execute together
A Personal Journey Worth Celebrating
When they got the job:
- Shaw was on holiday in Greece
- Cohen was in Spain
- First 2-3 days: Signing contracts, happy tears
- Then: Enjoyed the pool with families
"Our families know each other and really get on. A big moment in our careers—doing this together." — Tom Shaw
Summary: Why This Matters
| What Makes Lincoln Special | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Joint head coaches who are genuine best friends | Natural evolution, not forced arrangement |
| Complementary skills (defense/attack) | Covers all bases, shares workload |
| Club philosophy = develop players + continuity | Sustainable, not shortcuts |
| Underdog mentality | Fuel, not fear |
| Smart investment (training ground, contracts) | Builds foundation, not hype |
Bottom line: Lincoln City isn’t just surviving in the Championship—they’re showing how trust, friendship, and shared vision can run a football club. Two coaches, one brain, one heartbeat.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Q: Has a joint manager setup ever worked in English football?
A: Rarely. Liverpool tried it in 1998 (Evans & Houllier) and it failed. But Lincoln’s duo grew into the role naturally over years—making this unique.
Q: Who makes the final decision if they disagree?
A: They don’t go public with disagreements. They debate privately until both agree, then present a united front. The "final say" is shared.
Q: Why don’t players call them "gaffer"?
A: It’s intentional. They want a collaborative environment, not old-school hierarchy. "Tom and Chris" = approachable, modern leadership.
Q: How can Lincoln compete with teams spending £20M+?
A: They don’t try to outspend—they outthink. Continuity, player development, tactical unity, and squad togetherness are their "transfer budget."
Q: What’s the biggest challenge ahead?
A: The volume of games in the Championship (46 league matches + cups). That’s why they added 3 loans and 2 signings—to handle the schedule without breaking their core group.
Kick off your evenings with more football stories—Lincoln City just wrote a beautiful new chapter.