How do you go about replacing the most successful manager in your club's history? If reports are to be believed, that's the task ahead of Lincoln City this week as Danny Cowley looks set to join Huddersfield Town.
Reports are emerging that suggest he's poised to take over as manager of the Terriers, leaving Sincil Bank after three years in charge. In that time, he's taken Lincoln from the lower reaches of the National League to the top of League One. In doing so, he's won three trophies, the single-most successful period in the club's 135-year history.
They also had cup success, making the FA Cup quarter-final in 2017 and twice taking Premier League side Everton close, losing 2-1 in the FA Cup in January as well as holding them to a 2-2 draw with just ten minutes of their recent EFL Cup tie, losing 4-2 late on.
However, that's history and the Imps could be about to face the next few months with Cowley's squad in place, but not the man himself to carry them forward in League One. If it happens, the club will be looking to make an equally dynamic appointment, one that inspires fans their current success can continue.
How do you replace the most successful manager in your clubs history? Carefully. We pick three men we think could do a job for Lincoln City if Danny Cowley moves to Huddersfield Town.
Michael Appleton
Appleton has been out of management for some time, but has been looking after the West Brom Under 23 side, which is where the Imps recently signed Max Melbourne.
He's got a great track record in the lower divisions and was once an Imps' player, albeit for a short loan spell in the nineties.
Gareth Ainsworth
Ainsworth is a legend at Lincoln City and still has ties to the area. He's made 97 appearances for them during the mid-nineties and earned a big-money move to Port Vale at the end of his spell.
He's still cheered even as an opposition manager and if the Imps could find the funds, he'd be a brilliant capture for them.
Michael Flynn
Flynn is an exciting, up and coming manager, much like Cowley was before his move to Lincoln.
He's taken Newport from almost certain relegation to the top of League Two and has impressed in cup matches as well.
If the Imps were looking to follow the same blueprint, Flynn would be an obvious choice.