Hull City’s search for a new manager has come to an end after the Tigers confirmed the appointment of former Dinamo Zagreb chief Sergej Jakirovic. The Bosnian has penned a two-year contract, plus a 12-month option at the MKM Stadium after the Tigers paid compensation to Kayserispor for the remainder of his contract.
As reported by Hull Live late last month, City have been in talks with the Bosnian’s representatives for the past few weeks after he emerged as Acun Ilicali’s number one choice to replace Ruben Selles, who was sacked just under two weeks after the Championship season came to an end with the Tigers surviving on the final day of the campaign.
A former defensive midfielder, Jakirovic arrives at the MKM Stadium with Marko Salatovic (assistant), Marin Ivancic (fitness) and Andjelo Roguljic (analysis) in what will be a new-look coaching team, though club legend Andy Dawson and goalkeeping coach Erbil Bozkurt will remain as part of the backroom staff. City are also working on appointing another member of staff to his coaching setup, but the Bosnian will decide between two options, both of whom are experienced former English footballers.
Jakirovic took over at Kayseri in late January with the Turkish club third bottom of the Super Lig and heading for relegation, but a terrific run of form saw him guide Kayserispor away from danger and to a 13th-place finish, taking 29 points from the final 17 matches.
One of his stand-out results came against Ilicali’s Fenerbahce when his improving team drew 3-3 at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium back in late April, and his side beat Emre Belozoglu’s Antalyaspor 3-1 shortly after, a manager Ilicali had earlier considered for the role.
While talks had been ongoing with his representatives, the 48-year-old took charge of his final game last Sunday, and it was a dramatic affair. His side, playing away to Samsunspor, were leading 1-0 deep into added time, before succumbing to a 2-1 defeat which secured the hosts third place and a spot in next season’s Europa League.
By that point, Jakirovic had been dismissed in the 77th minute along with a member of the club’s technical staff. After being hit by bottles thrown by the home crowd, City’s new boss sarcastically applauded the spectators and was given his marching orders by the referee in a controversial moment.
The 48-year-old will be tasked with sparking a revival at the MKM Stadium after last season’s near-miss with what would have been a humiliating relegation to League One for Ilicali, who is now on his fifth permanent manager since buying the club in January 2022.
Jakirovic’s first task will be to get acquainted with his new surroundings and squad, ahead of their return to pre-season training at the start of July, as well as thrashing out pivotal transfer plans, before he returns to Turkey for the club’s week-long training camp at the Turkish FA’s Riva headquarters, just outside Istanbul followed by a first domestic friendly away at Stockport County.
By that point, City will know the makeup of their schedule for the new season, with the Championship fixtures set to be released on June 26, along with the draw for the opening round of the Carabao Cup. City’s 2025/26 campaign will kick off over the second weekend in August, between Friday 8 and Monday 11 depending on broadcast selections.
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