Hull City’s new centre back Semi Ajayi says manager Sergej Jakirovic is pushing the players to a new standard with the Tigers having already seen a clear benefit from his coaching. The new arrival has not held back in his praise for the new Tigers boss, who arrived shortly after Ajayi’s signing was confirmed.
The Nigerian international has settled in well to his new surroundings after leaving West Bromwich Albion at the end of last season. Key to that has been the welcome from his new team-mates, but also how much he is enjoying working under Jakirovic, a centre-back himself in his playing days.
Describing the manager as a ‘serial winner’, the head coach who led Dinamo Zagreb to a league and cup double in 2024 has impressed Ajayi, who is approaching the new season with a genuine excitement. Asked how he has found life under his new boss, Ajayi said: “Really good, he’s been very, very clear in what he wants from the boys.
“He’s pushed us a lot, and obviously he’s a serial winner, so he wants to win and that’s what he demands from us. We’re all really looking forward to working with him this season and we’ve already started to see the fruits of it already.
“The players made it very easy for me to settle in. There’s a lot of top players here as well, so that’s made my life a lot easier.”
Jakirovic’s style has been welcomed by those who were at the club this time last year when Tim Walter’s approach appeared to not sit so well with some of the team. City fans will be hoping the positivity generated within the squad can be carried into the new season against a backdrop of external concerns over transfer fee restrictions and transfer embargos.
Supporters will get a first chance to see what progress has been made when the Tigers take on Stockport County this weekend. The game comes on the back of what Ajayi says was a very productive and positive week in Turkey, capped by two friendly victories.
“To go to Turkey, get two wins and also put in a lot of good work on the training pitch is all we can really ask for,” adds Ajayi. “It keeps that confidence building and we get a little bit of momentum. It’s all about building habits, the results were not the be all and end all, it was about building habits, gaining the fitness and obviously building the relationships that we’re going to need throughout the season. So we’ve managed to do that.
“The facility we stayed at was was top class, had everything we needed to prepare ourselves as players and athletes. We’ve been able to get some really, really good work in and also bond as well.”
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