Acun Ilicali made the most of his latest trip to East Yorkshire on Monday and crowned it by hosting a fans’ Q&A session, having earlier introduced new head coach Sergej Jakirovic to the media.
More than 150 fans crammed into the Kingston Suite on one of the hottest days of the year so far at the MKM Stadium to hear from the owner and quiz him on the latest developments at City.
By his own admission, it’s been a tough year for Ilicali with his role at Fenerbahce taking significant focus, but with that spell now behind him, it’s full steam ahead for the Tigers.
Here, we take a look at the moments you may not have seen…
An impromptu transfer meeting
Ilicali is somebody rarely off his phone, given the nature of his livelihood. But in keeping with his media background, this was almost like a piece of scripted television in front of the watching Sky Sports cameras.
On stage and mid-answer, Ilicali took a phone call and asked for a minute, before heading off stage to convene a transfer meeting with sporting director Jared Dublin, who was sitting at the back with Martin Hodge and Mustapha Yokes.
The watching crowd filed off for a drink and comfort break, while Ilicali, still on the phone, discussed with Dublin. Was it about Louie Barry, Oscar Zambrano, Oli McBurnie or somebody else? I guess in the fullness of time we’ll find out. Unfortunately, so some, the next fan question wasn’t querying the contents of the call…
Despite that, it was one of those bizarre moments Acun has the power to generate and will be remembered as the highlight of the night.
Transfer talk
Ilicali said in an interview with Hull Live recently that the club’s striker problem had damaged his soul, and he repeated those comments throughout.
So it was no surprise that after a flurry of fairly standard questions, he was hit bluntly with the one about Oliver McBurnie. While he played it with a straight bat, he did say the club were trying to sign two strikers. And keen not to make one sound better than the other, he just said both were good.
He was also careful not to heap too much pressure on getting the deals done or overhype them for fear of the deal falling apart, as we’ve seen in previous years.
Elsewhere, he was asked about Louie Barry’s imminent arrival amongst others, and batted back questions about players wanting to leave, reiterating his belief that if they want to leave, they can, refusing to stand in their way.
The owner also spoke about Oscar Zambrano, explaining how he expected to get a deal done in the near future while he explained that Ryan GIles could be given a chance, though he did confirm the club were keen to sign a left-back.
He also explained how he didn’t want to use up all five loan slots too early in the summer and would wait until later in the window.
Making the decisions
Curiously, he said that of all the players signed since he arrived in January 2022, he felt 10 were unsuccessful. Of those 10, Ilicali said around five were picked by the manager, with him suggesting that’s why transfers at City are a collaborative approach.
He said last summer that Jose Mourinho had told him that he (JM) wasn’t the best judge of a signing, and that’s something he’s stuck to.
While Jakirovic will have a say in signings and the ultimate veto if he doesn’t want a recommendation, he will not have full control when it comes to deciding everything. He will recommend players, he will, of course, be heavily involved, but Ilicali says the process will be collaborative.
Ladies latest
There have been a host of well-publicised issues with Hull City Ladies in recent months, with some long-term issues finally beginning to surface.
Ilicali was asked about the chances of the Ladies’ club being integrated into the main football club, given that some of the obstacles have now been removed. As in previous years, the owner said it’s not on the agenda for the time being, but didn’t rule it out further down the line.
Under the microscope
While it’s not quite Welcome to Wrexham or the Arsenal/Manchester City equivalent, Ilicali will have the Sky cameras following him for periods over the next few months and all that began on Monday.
The broadcaster will follow the Turkish businessman around at different points and chart his ownership of Hull City. They believe the way he runs the club is quite unique, and they think there’s a story to tell.
Sky Sports will be around the training ground, in team meetings, at the MKM and everywhere that City go in the coming days and weeks.
So, don’t be surprised if you see a cameraman following him around the MKM Stadium or the training ground over the next few months.
Transfer pledge
The job facing City this summer is to sign a striker. It’s glaringly obvious, given what happened last season. The challenge for the club is to fix it.
Ilicali admitted that he hadn’t delivered properly in that area, and said it was his ambition to put that right this summer. Talking the talk has never been the problem; walking the walk has been.
You cannot deny City have signed some very good players under Ilicali’s stewardship; Philogene, Seri, Tufan, Carvalho, Delap, Morton and so on, but they’ve really found it difficult to add genuine quality in the number nine position. That’s ultimately what they’ll be judged on over the next few weeks, and Ilicali knows the pressure is on.
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