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Hull City have been told that they will be in for a difficult season following the appointment of Sergej Jakirovic.
Hull City sacked Ruben Selles following the conclusion of the 2024/25 Championship season, despite the former Tigers boss successfully steering the club away from relegation on the final day.
This season, Acun Ilicali has opted to turn towards Sergej Jakirovic to lead Hull City – the sixth manager since the Turkish business mogul took over the club from the Allam family.
Unfortunately, it is set to be a huge challenge for Jakirovic this season because of the financial implications that the club faces, with restrictions in place prohibiting the club from spending fees on permanent and loan deals for players.
Hopes are not high in East Yorkshire as the 2025/26 Championship season looms, with one expert suggesting that Ilicali has turned to the wrong man to lead the club ahead of what could be a highly difficult campaign.
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Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic handed poor report as ‘abysmal’ Acun Ilicali record rings true
Following the dismissal of Ruben Selles from Hull City, it came as a surprise to see the Tigers turn to Sergej Jakirovic, an untested coach at Championship level.
Such an appointment made has led to EFL expert Ryan Dilks, via the Second Tier Podcast, suggesting that he is the 23rd best manager at Championship level, with Wrexham’s Phil Parkinson the only coach lower than him.
Dilks spoke about the reservations that he has for the Hull boss, particularly highlighting the previous jobs he has undertaken in his career.
“If said manager has an exciting CV behind them, we can almost overlook the unknowns about them. Unfortunately for Sergej Jakirovic, five months in the Turkish League, preceded by spells in Croatia, Bosnia, and Slovenia, it’s not an exciting CV.
“For full disclosure, he did a good job at his last club, Kayserispor. He kept them up despite not making a single signing last season. He also won the Croatian League with Dinamo Zagreb.
“Now, he may end up being a success. We just don’t know. But out of all the managers new to the league from abroad this season, he’s definitely the least convincing based on his CV.
“Add in the fact Hull’s ownership and their record with managers from abroad is utterly abysmal, and Jakirovic is having to deal with issues off the pitch as well as on it.”
Sergej Jakirovic already faces an uphill task at the MKM Stadium
This season will be a massive challenge for Sergej Jakirovic, who you could argue has been handed a tough deal with the club’s restrictions kicking into play after he joined the club.
There are hopes that he can replicate his success from last season with Kayserispor, who were also under financial issues, but doing so in the Championship is a new kettle of fish.
Despite Hull City fans being clearly against the sacking of Ruben Selles last season, they will rally support behind Jakirovic in what could be a difficult period for the club.
Supporters will just hope that Acun Ilicali realises the restrictions and how that could mould the task for Jakirovic, with there being an expectation that he will be given time to deliver on more realistic goals this season.