Hull City head coach Sergej Jakirovic admits the ongoing issues with the EFL have slowed down the club’s recruitment, but says he remains positive and optimistic.
City have been slapped with a transfer fee restriction by the EFL, meaning they cannot pay any fees for permanent or loan signings until their appeal is heard, which is frustratingly dragging on.
So far, the club have signed Dillon Phillips and Semi Ajayi, with Reda Laalaoui and Gustavo Puerta’s moves on hold for the time being because of the fee restriction situation. Defender Akin Famewo is expected to join, but the Tigers have so far been unable to add to their attacking ranks, which for a squad that finished last season as the lowest scorers, is a major concern.
They’ve also seen Sean McLoughlin leave for Blackburn Rovers, with Alfie Jones and Steven Alzate set to follow the Irishman out of the exit door, leaving the squad short in depth and quality.
Jakirovic, though, says experience tells him to be prepared for any eventuality, and admits the transfer window is far from an enjoyable period for managers.
“I know in this job I’m prepared for everything. I have experience so I hate the summer because it’s very long, too long,” the Bosnian told Hull Live.
“You can lose a player on August 31 at 23:59 p.m. (or whenever the window closes), so it’s very difficult for us coaches, but we have a plan. We know which players will make transfers away from the club, and we will have a replacement for them. Of course, this situation with the embargo, with the appeal, maybe it has slowed us down a little bit.
“Yes, of course it’s hard. It’s hard because we had our targets in the first week or when we started pre-season, but then all of a sudden, we had the shock (of the EFL news). It’s hard, but we must stay positive, we must stay optimistic.
“The lads are working very hard, so I must respect that. What we have, we play with. It’s obvious that we have some positions that we need better quality and maybe faster players in, but we’re working every day, and I hope we will bring some new players in.”
City owner Acun Ilicali has come in for strong criticism from some supporters for the situation the club have found themselves in. But despite a growing frustration amongst the fans, Jakirovic says the Turkish businessman remains positive about getting the right players in to improve the squad.
“He’s positive,” Jakirovic said of Ilicali. “Since we first met, we’ve had good energy. We are on the same page, and we’re looking forward. We’re trying everything to make Hull City better.”
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