Ruben Selles' six months as a Tiger

LACK OF CONSISTENCY MARRIED CITY PROGRESS

- By BARRY COOPER

Ruben Selles' six-month spell as head coach at Hull City has been brought to an end by owner Acun Ilicali, less than two weeks after the season ended.

Their gutsy and stressful 1-1 draw at Portsmouth proved enough to secure Championship survival.

The Spaniard won nine of his 26 league games in charge, drawing seven and losing 11. His side scored 26 and conceded 26, taking 33 points at a rate of 1.27 points per game. The neutral goal difference ultimately proved crucial in surviving.

Selles inherited a difficult situation when he took charge before Christmas after City were beaten 1-0 at home by Blackburn Rovers, leaving bottom of the table with 15 points from 19 games - their sixth straight defeat and latest at home.

Selles' first game was a 1-1 draw at home to Watford and that was backed up by a 2-1 defeat at Coventry City.

City's first victory under Selles came when Mason Burstow curled in a delightful winner to seal a 2-1 success before Christmas, and despite losing at Preston on Boxing Day, the year ended with a fine win at play-off-chasing Blackburn Rovers.