Tigers have eye on new head coach

HULL City are in advanced talks about making Sergej Jakirovic their next head coach, true to owner Acun Ilicali's word that they were closing in on a new first-team boss who wasn't a household name in the Championship.

- By PETER SMITH

Hull have spent the close season trying to find a replacement for Ruben Selles, who joined the club mid-way through 2024/25 after a short and troubled spell as boss from Tim Walter.

Selles secured their status in the division on the final day but was quickly given the heave-ho.

Ilicali, advised by sporting director Jared Dublin the former Stoke City transfer chief - worked through a five-man shortlist while based in Mayfair last week and is hoping he can now close a deal for 48-year-old Jakirovic, who has been in charge of Kayserispor in Turkey since January.

Jakirovic a former Bosnia and Herzegovina defender - stepped into management in 2017 and served a series of clubs in Croatia and Bosnia before his move to Turkey.