Lincoln release Clucas & offer coaching role

Sam Clucas first joined Lincoln City in 2009

Lincoln City have not taken up an option to extend Sam Clucas' stay with the League One club, but have extended an open-ended offer for the midfielder to join the coaching staff.

The 34-year-old former Swansea and Hull City midfielder made just eight appearances and scored one goal for the Imps after re-joining them after 15 years away in January.

He had been playing in the National League with Oldham when he signed, having dropped to non-league level after leaving Rotherham United following their relegation from the Championship at the end of the 2023-24 season.

When Clucas signed, Lincoln boss Michael Skubala said "Sam is 'coming home' towards the end of a fantastic career" - with his initial deal running until the end of the season, while the club had a further 12-month option to extend his stay with his hometown club.

But after Lincoln finished 11th in the table he has been released alongside Tyler Walker, Ali Smith and Jay Benn.

Although, the club clearly expressed a desire to have him back.

"Clucas is keen to continue his playing career, but the Imps have made clear the door is open for him to start his coaching journey with the club when he is ready to do so," the club said in a statement on its website.

Meanwhile, Lincoln have taken up options to extend the stays of 25-year-old striker Ben House and defender Adam Jackson, 30.

Sean Roughan, Zane Okoro and captain Paudie O'Connor, who has been in talks with Lincoln about a new contract since February, remain is discussions about remaining with the club beyond the end of their contracts in the summer.

"He has been an amazing leader," Skubala said of 27-year-old O'Connor on the latest edition of BBC Radio Lincolnshire's Red Imps Club podcast.

"He has been phenomenal for this club, in my eyes. He has grown, even in the time I've been here he has improved, become a better player and become more of a leader.

"Of course any player of his age wants to try and play at the highest level they can. And it's not always about money, sometimes its about having the opportunity to go and test themselves.

"Our job is to convince Paudie that we want him to be part of us and how we grow in the near future.

"It's not a case of finances in this situation, but it's a question of does he want to lead and keep moving this club in the direction we want him to, and do those two things align?"