The Tigers owner looks ahead to what could be a very exciting 2026 for the club
Hull City owner Acun Ilicali has praised the club’s supporters for sticking by the Tigers when the chips were down earlier in the year and believes their rewards are coming as he approaches the fourth anniversary of his takeover.
In his New Year’s address, the Turkish businessman admits there were plenty of ups and downs in a year which saw City survive relegation from the Championship on the final day of last term back in May, courtesy of goal difference, before changing manager and then being hit with a flurry of transfer restrictions by the EFL just days after Sergej Jakirovic was appointed head coach.
Twelve months on from being entrenched in a relegation battle, the Tigers sit fourth in the Championship and are just two points off the automatic promotion places after Monday night’s fine 1-0 win at rivals Middlesbrough as 2026 dawns.
Victory over Stoke City in front of a capacity New Year’s Day crowd at the MKM Stadium could see the Tigers move second in the table and the progress this season, coupled with the fans’ backing, has left an indelible mark on Ilicali.
“All I can say is this year, I felt completely belonging to Hull City,” Ilicali told Hull Live. “When bad things happen, it makes you more united, and it makes your relations stronger, and our fans showed me how strong our relations are, what beautiful people they are. When we had the success at the end of the season, plus this transfer ban, I will never forget their support and belief in us.
“They believed in us even if there were so many rumours and dirty talk from so many. Journalists wrote so many bad things about us. They didn’t believe them. They believed in us. They believed in our project and passion.”
At the start of the season, City were the pundits’ predictions to be embroiled in a relegation battle, but under Jakirovic, they’ve defied the critics and have since been labelled as the Championship’s great entertainers.
Only Coventry City have scored more than the Tigers’ 40 in the opening 24 games, with Frank Lampard’s men the only side to have won more than Jakirovic’s outfit, form which defies the summer predictions, with Jakirovic written off before a ball was kicked.
“For me, it was an unforgettable year, and I’m so happy to be here,” Ilicali continued. “I think they (the fans) believe in us, and we showed them that we deserve their belief, and now the success we have after choosing a coach who was unknown in the summer, makes me proud.
“There were so many negative criticisms from outside of Hull, as you know, from football experts, putting Sergej as one of the worst managers at the beginning of the season and putting City as the candidate for relegation.
“Our fans knew that we had a strong squad. Our fans knew that we brought good players, and they never cared about it. They showed their full support, and now we are in a very good position. Of course, the end of the season is the most important, but I can say that all of us are living our dream.
“I see on social media how they’re proud of their team and talking to other teams, being proud of their team, and I’m so happy to make them proud at the moment.
“I’m sure that we will have more success because everything is working well now, and we are on the right track. Let’s see what we live together, but whatever we live, I’m sure that we are a strong family, and I feel every moment.”
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