Hull City owner Acun Ilicali: People think I changed coaches because of ego. It was lack of ego'

Acun Ilicali describes Hull as therapy and will attend Wembley as Hull face Middlesbrough for a place in the Premier League. Ilicali, a Turkish media mogul known for popular television production, bought Hull in January 2022 and oversaw frequent coaching changes and high-stakes league battles. After Grant McCann was removed, Shota Arveladze took over and the team struggled, followed by Liam Rosenior and then Ruben Selles, each leaving after disappointing league outcomes. Sergej Jakirovic was appointed as part of a reset, and Hull ultimately finished sixth, then beat Millwall over two legs to reach the playoff final. Hull also experienced setbacks including being affected by Southampton’s removal from the final amid spygate.

"I love the city for me, it's therapy, the Hull owner, Acun Ilicali, says of his second home. Running a football club is not particularly therapeutic but after almost four-and-a-half-years at the helm, the Turkish media mogul will have his day at Wembley on Saturday when the Tigers face Middlesbrough for a place in the Premier League."

"The entertainment theme has continued at Hull, creating a tumultuous and gripping reality that has featured head coaches coming and going, and playoff and relegation battles. Everything aligned this season, the team securing sixth place on the final day before defeating third-placed Millwall over two legs. Hull have even been victims of Southampton's removal from the playoff final amid spygate."

"Ilicali bought Hull in January 2022 for 20m from the Allam family, whose popularity sank after a plan to change club's name to Hull Tigers. Grant McCann was removed as head coach by Ilicali and Shota Arveladze catapulted in, the team lumbering to 19th. Ilicali's first full season brought a 15th-placed finish, bettered a year later by Liam Rosenior, who finished three points off the playoffs in seventh before being relieved of his duties."

"The Bosnian Sergej Jakirovic was plucked from relative obscurity, his most recent job a brief spell at the Turkish side Kayserispor, as part of a great reset. Understandably, the predictions were that another campaign of toil was in store but Hull have confounded expectations and their season would make a fine documentary. Ilicali does not try to downplay the achievement."

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