Former Blackburn Rovers striker Matt Jansen believes Sergej Jakirovic is an upgrade on Ruben Selles, who was fired at the end of the Championship season.
Jakirovic met the media for the first time since replacing Selles as Hull City boss on Monday, as he finally takes charge in the first week of pre-season training ahead of the big kick-off early next month.
The job facing Jakirovic is huge, given City only survived on the final day of the season by virtue of having a better goal difference than Luton Town, who succumbed to a second straight relegation.
City struggled all season and needed a Matt Crooks goal at Portsmouth, coupled with a heavy defeat for the Hatters to ensure they remain above the dreaded relegation line, but the challenge for the new head coach is to turn the Tigers from strugglers to contenders.
Selles has since landed on his feet by replacing Chris Wilder at promotion favourites Sheffield United, but Jansen believes City’s appointment of the Bosnian is an upgrade on the Spaniard.
Despite that, the ex-England Under-21 international has echoed the usual warnings about how perilous the Championship is, and how many challenges lie in wait for the former Dinamo Zagreb chief.
“I didn’t know of him, but when I looked at his win percentage, it’s nearly 60 per cent in his management career,” Jansen told Live Casinos. “I think another one that’s going to be difficult. It’s such a tough league with such good teams in it.
“It would be an improvement if he can improve on last season, and then see where he goes and build again. I think again that will be a good season for him.
“I think Sergej Jakirović is an upgrade on Ruben Selles. I don’t know much about him, but looking at his win percentage, you can’t argue with it. The stats don’t usually lie and the proof in the pudding will be how well he does in his first year and see if he can build on it.”
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