"Sold a dream with Tim Walter" - Hull City concern raised as Sergej Jakirovic deal looms | OneFootball

FLW’s Hull City fan pundit has outlined his concerns of another overseas manager entering the frame after Acun Ilicali’s previous track record.

This article is part of Football League World’s ‘Terrace Talk‘ series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Hull City are ramping up efforts to appoint a new manager ahead of next season.

The Tigers parted ways with Ruben Selles despite the Yorkshire club retaining their Championship status on the final day, with the club deciding to head in a new direction.

It now appears Hull are closing in on the Spaniard’s successor, with Kayserispor coach Sergej Jakirović reportedly closing in on a move to the MKM Stadium.

Summer preparations will undoubtedly begin to progress once a new coach is appointed, and FLW’s Hull City fan pundit has offered his thoughts over the imminent arrival of Jakirovic.

Mixed feelings over Hull City, Sergej Jakirovic appointment

Speaking to Football League World, Hull City fan pundit Ben Collier has backed Sergej Jakirovic to be a success given his previous experience, but worries do linger over the previous failed appointments by owner Acun Ilicali.

Collier said: “First thing, this is undoubtedly the biggest decision our owner has had to make. He’s been flirting with a few managers over the last couple of weeks. A lot of controversy has been around the subject. However, it looks like Sergej Jakirovic will be the new manager.

“When you’re a Championship club, you can’t exactly reach for the stars, we’re not in the Premier League, we’ve got to look where we can, and when you look at his CV, he looks to have done a very impressive job at three or four other clubs. He’s yet to have a bad season in his career, and that’s rare.

“A manager that comes to the Championship usually you can see some warning signs or something to fear, but on face value, his style of play, his track record, the way he gets fans involved at stadiums, means I really think this could be a good appointment.

“We do have to be wary of the fact that we got sold a dream with Tim Walter just over a year ago, and the owner did a very good job of getting us excited. He does do a good job of speaking and explaining himself when, in hindsight, some of the stuff he says isn’t quite accurate.

“However, he looks like an impressive manager, with a unique style of play who could come straight into the side, build the team he wants over the summer and get this team back to where it was under Liam Rosenior. I really hope this guy is the best person for the job.

“I would be lying if I said I didn’t have a couple of doubts, because we’ve had a handful of managers already in Acun’s tenure, but I do think we are due a manager that comes in and changes things. He makes the point about Nottingham Forest being an example of constantly changing manager until one fits the bill. I do think there’s some logic in that, and I really hope it’s correct.

“I’m excited, apprehensive as well, but excited more than anything. He gets a lot of respect everywhere he goes, and the current job he’s worked in, he’s done absolute miracles and if he can do a job as good as this year, then I will be happy.”

Collier added: “It’s also worth noting that a lot of Hull City fans want an English manager that’s been around the leagues for a while now, as our current owner has brought in a couple of controversial ones like Shota Arveladze and Tim Walter.

“However, I am more in the bracket of it’s a good manager, it’s a good manager, they’ll win wherever they go. He’s done good work in Europe, so why not? Unlike Walter, he seems to have a bit more of a CV about him, so as far as I’m concerned, bring it on, get him in and let him get the players he wants so we can start working for next season.”

Hull City should look to the future with optimism under Sergej Jakirovic

Sergej Jakirovic is a manager who has built up an impressive pedigree over the last eight years of his managerial career.

After spells with Sesvete, Gorica and Maribor, Jakirovic led Zrinjski Mostar into Europe for the 2022/23 campaign after winning the top-flight by 27 points. His team would fall short against Sheriff Tiraspol in the UEFA Champions League first qualifying round, before losing to Slovan Bratislava on penalties in the Conference League play-off round.

He also took Rijeka into the Conference League in 2023/24, but the Croatian outfit would exit against eventual quarter-finalists Lille, losing 3-2 on aggregate.

Jakirovic has also transformed Kayserispor's fortunes, as the club went from third-bottom at the time of his arrival, finishing eight points clear of Bodrum, who were relegated in 16th place, while he has recorded eight victories from 17 league matches this term.