Hull City are looking for a new manager following the departure of Spanish boss Ruben Selles after guiding the Tigers to Championship survival earlier this month. Twelve months on from Acun Ilicali’s decision to dispense with Liam Rosenior’s services, the Tigers are again on the lookout for a new man at the helm.
Since Rosenior was moved on in early May last year, City have appointed and sacked, Tim Walter, given Andy Dawson two games in caretaker charge, and then appointed Selles.
That search has begun again with Championship experience high up on the agenda for Ilicali. Here’s a look at some possible replacements….
Miron Muslic
Muslic only arrived in England back in January and signed a three-and-a-half-year contract at Plymouth Argyle, but did a fine job in taking it to the final day. There was also an FA Cup win over Liverpool thrown in for good measure.
It looks likely he will leave Home Park in the summer following their relegation, but there will be plenty of potential suitors if that does indeed happen, providing clubs are willing to pay a substantial release fee.
Gary O’Neil
The Englishman did a fine job at Wolves after a flying start to life in the Molineux hotseat after being harshly dumped by Bournemouth, and was linked with some big jobs. Unfortunately, a really poor start to the season in the Premier League saw him lose his job in December. He’s since been linked with jobs at Blackburn Rovers and Southampton.
O’Neil would represent a huge coup for City if they could pull it off, though at this stage, it would be deemed quite unlikely that it could happen.
Alex Neil
The Scotsman delivered what was described as an ‘outstanding’ presentation when he was interviewed by City prior to Selles’ appointment. A promotion winner from both League One and the Championship, the 41-year-old knows how to build strong, efficient sides capable of being successful. Neil ended up at Millwall and came within a whisker of guiding the Lions to the play-offs, but indications suggest he could leave this summer.
If Neil had been appointed instead of Selles, some supporters may have viewed it as underwhelming, but given the job he did at The Den in the second half of the season, many may well have changed their viewpoint.
Dean Smith
A vastly experienced manager, Smith has had spells with Walsall, Brentford, Aston Villa, Norwich City and Leicester City. After breaking a club record for 10 straight wins, Smith guided Villa back to the Premier League by beating Frank Lampard’s Derby County at Wembley. He currently manages in the US with Charlotte FC.
Emre Belozoglu
One from left field but a manager Acun Ilicali has considered previously. The former Inter Milan, Newcastle United and Atletico Madrid midfielder was capped more than a hundred times by his country during an illustrious playing career. As a manager, he’s held the top job at Istanbul Basaksehir and Ankaragücü. The 44-year-old is currently in charge of Super Lig outfit Antalyaspor.
Rob Edwards
Edwards was highly regarded for the work he did at Forest Green, which got him a move to Watford. Unfortunately, he lasted just 10 games at Vicarage Road before moving to arch-rivals Luton Town. It was there that he made history by taking the Hatters into the Premier League. Despite his best efforts, Luton were relegated and struggled to adapt to life back in the Championship, losing his job early in the New Year.
Marti Cifuentes
Put on gardening leave by QPR before the final game of the season, Cifuentes has forged a reputation for playing an attractive style of play at Loftus Road, winning 27 of his 82 games in charge. The Spaniard had been linked with the job at West Brom.
Ryan Mason
The former City man has forged a good reputation during his relatively short coaching career at Tottenham, whilst having a couple of interim spells in charge of the first team.
Now assistant to Ange Postecoglou, Mason has been working with the Australian, but could be set to forge his own path in management and has been linked with the job at The Hawthorns.
Who do you think should be the new Tigers head coach? Have your say in the comments below….