Phil Brown transformed Hull City in 2006, Sergej Jakirovic should expect similar ‘pressure’ now

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Hull City ended their search for a new manager on Wednesday, as Sergej Jakirovic signed a two-year contract with the Tigers.

Jakirovic emerged as a leading contender for the post at the MKM Stadium after Hull City sacked Ruben Selles in May.

Fans will be hopeful he hits the ground running despite it being set to be the Bosnian’s first taste of English football with Hull in the Championship.

If Jakirovic could emulate the beginning of Phil Brown’s career, he would be beloved by the Hull faithful.

Brown has recently spoken about the pressures at Hull City, no matter how difficult the situation the club finds itself in.

• READ MORE: Hull City’s managers ranked by win percentage, can new appointment Sergej Jakirovic join the list?

Phil Brown on how the expectations can quickly change at Hull City

Hull City were battling relegation in the Championship when Phil Brown was promoted to manager after being first-team coach under Phil Parkinson at the club from the start of the season.

Brown would get them out of danger and keep them in the division in the 2006/07 season.

As performances improved and Brown asked for investment, the pressure and expectations soon changed.

Speaking to World Football Index, Brown said: “Ten minutes into my first session, I stopped everything and said, ‘What the hell are you doing at the bottom of the league?’ The quality was obvious, as we had players like Ian Ashbee, Andy Dawson, and Dean Marney. They were underachieving.

“We survived relegation with a win at Cardiff – Dean Windass scored that day. Then the new owners came in. Adam Pearson stepped aside and said, ‘They have been watching you for 17 games. They know what you’re about.’ I then got the managerial job permanently.

“The owners had a three-year promotion plan and gave me money to spend, but with that came pressure. After a shaky start, we hit a great run of form. Suddenly, it was, ‘We expect promotion now.’ That’s football.”

Big expectations for Sergej Jakirovic at Hull City

Despite Hull City surviving relegation from the Championship last season and the fact the club were recently put under a transfer embargo, there will still be huge expectations from their owner.

Acun Ilicali has seen a number of managers leave the club in his ownership of the club, with Liam Rosenior departing after failing to reach the play-offs, while Ruben Selles left the club despite keeping Hull in the division.

Jakirovic will be expected to have a stronger season at the helm of the club this campaign, with the hope being he can guide them to the Premier League.

It is unknown how long he will last in charge if he cannot meet the expectations of Ilicali.