Hull City closing in on big addition to Sergej Jakirovic's coaching team - he's worked under Steven Gerrard | OneFootball

Hull City are reported to be talks with Steven Gerrard's former assistant Dean Holden to become the number two to Sergej Jakirovic.

Hull City are reported to be close to appointing Steven Gerrard's former assistant Dean Holden to become new Tigers boss Sergej Jakirovic's number two.

The Tigers appointed Jakirovic as their new head coach following their disappointing 2024-25 season, which saw them finish in 21st place in the Championship, only avoiding relegation on the last day of the season.

Ruben Selles paid for this underachievement with his job - despite the fact he's now Sheffield United boss - and with Jakirovic now appointed, the search is now on for somebody to assist him as preparations begin for the new season.

Hull have so far brought in three new players to bolster their ranks: Dillon Phillips and Semi Ajayi have arrived from Rotherham United and West Bromwich Albion respectively, while Moroccan midfielder Reda Laalaoui has joined from FUS Rabat. Further reinforcements are expected before the end of the summer transfer window.

Dean Holden identified by Hull as assistant to Sergej Jakirovic

The Daily Mail reports that Hull are closing in on the appointment of Steven Gerrard's former right-hand man from his time at Saudi Arabian side Al Ettifaq, Dean Holden, as the club's new assistant manager.

They have previously reported that Holden has turned down the opportunity to take over as the head coach of the Turkish club Adana Demirspor following their relegation from the Turkish Süper Lig at the end of the 2024-25 season, and that there has been interest in him from other clubs in England as well as the United States of America.

Holden was previously the assistant head coach at Adana Demirspor, who finished bottom of the Süper Lig in 2024-25 with just two points from their 36 games.

This paltry total included a twelve-point deduction, though they would still have finished twelve points adrift at the foot of the table without it.

Acun Ilicali has returned to Turkey for this potential appointment

Dean Holden had a distinguished playing career which took in ten clubs in England, Iceland and Scotland.

Since then, he's held managerial or caretaker managerial positions at Oldham Athletic, Bristol City and Charlton Athletic, and was hired in February 2024 as assistant to Steven Gerrard at the Saudi Arabian club Al Ettifaq.

He left the club in November 2024 by mutual consent, but was appointed at Adana Demirspor as assistant the following January. The problems at the club predated his arrival by a considerable degree, and it's no surprise that he rejected the head coach's position at the club, considering their difficulties.

That Hull have taken an interest in Holden confirms that the problems at this club were far greater than Holden could have ever hoped to be able to deal with in his position.

Not for the first time, Acun Ilicali is turning his attention to his home country when it comes to making this appointment. New head coach Sergej Jakirovic's previous position was as the head coach of another Turkish club, Kayserispor.