Leeds United former caretaker Michael Skubala appoints assistant who began career at Thorp Arch
Former Leeds United caretaker boss Michael Skubala has appointed an assistant manager whose coaching career began at Thorp Arch to his new staff at Bristol City.
Skubala left Lincoln City at the end of the season having guided the Imps to a League One title, and took the managerial vacancy at Bristol City. The 43-year-old was made head coach of Leeds United Under 21s in 2022 and then stepped up into a caretaker role with the first team following Jesse Marsch's sacking. Skubala left Elland Road in order to pursue a managerial career in senior football and took the Lincoln City job.
Now Marsch has added another Thorp Arch connection to his backroom team at new club Bristol City ahead of their 2026/27 Championship campaign. Ian Burchnall has become Skubala's assistant manager having coached previously in Norway, Sweden, Scotland and with the Jamaican national team.
Burchnall spent three years at Leeds United coaching in the academy before moving to Bradford City's academy and then taking charge of the University of Leeds team. Later he spent time as head coach of Norwegian club Viking FK, Östersunds FK in Sweden and then both Notts County and Forest Green. Burchnall then held assistant manager roles at Anderlecht, with the Jamaican national side and most recently at Aberdeen.
Skubala said: "Ian is a great first addition to my coaching staff and an excellent coach, having been a head coach and an assistant manager across Europe, including the Premier League [with Wolves]. He will bring real experience and dedication to improving players whilst bringing great energy every day on the grass and he can’t wait to get started with the players next week.”