Sergej Jakirovic has “agreed in principle” to become Hull City’s next manager. That is according to Turkish news agency DHA, who say the Bosnian will receive a salary of £2m per year at the East Yorkshire club. The length of his contract was not mentioned in the report.
Jakirovic is currently in charge of Turkish side Kayserispor. The Super Lig club, who are currently 12th in the table, face Samsunspor in their final fixture of the season on Sunday. The DHA report states Jakirovic “will say goodbye” to Kayserispor this weekend before moving to the MKM Stadium.
Former Dinamo Zagreb coach Jakirovic led Kayserispor out of relegation zone after taking over in January with the club third-bottom. They are now eight points clear of the drop zone.
Jakirovic has previously managed Sesvete, Gorica, Maribor, Zrinjski Mostar and Rijeka. The 48-year-old managed Dinamo in this season’s Champions League before his surprise move to Turkey. His managerial win ratio is just short of 60 per cent.
Hull Live understands talks with Kayserispor remain ongoing, with owner Acun Ilicali hopeful of concluding a deal to bring the Jakirovic to City as soon as possible. Compensation will be due to the Turkish club as Jakirovic still has over a year left to run of his existing contract.
Jakirovic emerged as Ilicali’s number one choice early on in his process of appointing a replacement for Ruben Selles. City have been without a permanent boss since dispensing with Selles’ services over a fortnight ago. Jakirovic, who has joint citizenship with Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia, enjoyed a 20-year playing career across Europe as a defender capable of playing in midfield before switching to management.