Winners and losers from Hull City appointing Sergej Jakirovic include Alfie Jones and £4m star

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Hull City’s search for a new manager is over, as Sergej Jakirovic signed a two-year contract with the Tigers on Wednesday.

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

The 48-year-old arrives from Kayserispor, where he implemented an exciting and attacking philosophy, leading his side to a 13th-place finish in the Turkish Super Lig.

Now, the Bosnian is set to experience his first taste of English football with Hull in the Championship. So, with that said, here are the winners and losers from his appointment.

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Winners from Hull City appointing Sergej Jakirovic

Abdulkadir Omur

Jakirovic has implemented a 4-2-3-1 system at his previous clubs, encouraging his full-backs to push high and a creative playmaker to float in behind a striker.

That is why Abdulkadir Omur can benefit from the Bosnian’s appointment. Following a difficult 2024/25 campaign, where he made just 12 starts in the Championship and spent the second half of it on loan at Caykur Rizespor, the 25-year-old can now be handed a new lease of life.

Omur was often shoehorned into a role on the right wing under former managers at Hull but his best position is arguably at number 10, and that is where the ‘Turkish Messi’ can use his creative skillset, low centre of gravity and fleet-footed dribbling to finally showcase his talent in England.

Gustavo Puerta

Hull triggered the permanent signing of all-action midfielder Gustavo Puerta following a successful loan from Bayer Leverkusen, and he is someone else who can benefit from the arrival of Jakirovic.

The former Dinamo Zagreb manager implements two box-to-box midfielders in his style of play, encouraging both to contribute defensively and offensively.

Puerta is known for his tigerish ability to win possession back, as well as his capacity to drive forward with the ball and break lines. In a high-octane, attacking system, the Colombian can play an integral role.

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Losers from Hull City appointing Sergej Jakirovic

Alfie Jones

Alfie Jones’ defensive frailties were exposed towards the end of last season, as his lack of concentration and speed often put the Tigers into trouble.

Selles dropped Jones to the bench for the final five matches of the campaign, and instead preferred a partnership of Charlie Hughes and John Egan.

With Jakirovic promoting fast, counter-attacking football and overlapping full-backs, Jones could continue warming the bench as he’s not the quickest off the mark.

Therefore, the 27-year-old could be a loser from this appointment, as it’s probable he could keep the duo of Hughes and Egan, or even sign defenders himself.

Ryan Giles

With Jakirovic using a four-man defence, wing-back Ryan Giles is naturally someone who doesn’t benefit from the Bosnian’s appointment.

The 24-year-old, who was signed from Luton Town for £4 million last year, is more of an attacking wing-back as he doesn’t possess the defensive capabilities to be a competent left-back.

Giles failed during a loan spell at Middlesbrough last term, despite returning to the Riverside with high hopes and now he comes back to East Yorkshire with less chance of becoming a regular fixture in the starting lineup.

Realistically, the Tigers need to sign a left-back who is capable of defending and attacking, leaving Giles surplus to requirements.