Hull City’s Ilicali: ‘I changed coaches due to lack of ego’

Hull City owner Acun Ilicali described the city as “therapy” and said Saturday’s Championship playoff final against Middlesbrough at Wembley represents the culmination of nearly four and a half years of running the club, with a Premier League place at stake.

Ilicali, a Turkish media mogul often compared to Simon Cowell, produces popular television shows in multiple countries and started his career as a sports reporter.

Under Ilicali, the club has experienced a tumultuous reality with frequent coaching changes, playoff and relegation battles, and even a “spygate” incident involving Southampton. “It is never dull in Hull,” he said.

Ilicali bought Hull City in January 2022 for £20 million from the Allam family. He removed Grant McCann and appointed Shota Arveladze, with the team finishing 19th. A 15th-place finish followed, then Liam Rosenior came seventh, three points off the playoffs, before being dismissed.

Last season Hull survived relegation on goal difference, costing Rubén Sellés his job. Ilicali then hired Sergej Jakirovic from relative obscurity, and the team unexpectedly secured sixth place on the final day and defeated third-placed Millwall over two legs to reach Wembley.

“Leicester’s [Premier League win] is the biggest glory in British football for me, ever,” Ilicali said. “And this year, I think, considering what we have done, it’s a completely incredible story. I hope I can make the miracle completely finished.”

Ilicali acknowledged mistakes, particularly the appointment of Tim Walter in 2024, who won only three of 18 matches. “If you think you are not the cleverest or the most intelligent person in the world, then you have to accept that you make some mistakes,” he said. “People thought I was changing the coaches because of my ego, but I was changing my coaches because of my lack of ego.”

Hull has reduced reliance on loan players; every starter in the 2-0 win at Millwall is owned by the club. Sporting director Jared Dublin has shifted toward longer-term recruitment. Ilicali said he has spent more than £100 million and sees significant value in the squad.

Ilicali admitted his role as Fenerbahce vice-president from summer 2024 caused a distraction, but said Hull now benefits from his full focus. The opponent was confirmed as Middlesbrough only on Wednesday night, adding drama to the high-stakes final.

“Wembley is a place that I suffered when I was a kid with Turkish national team games and now I am going to Wembley for a final as an owner of a club that I bought four years ago,” Ilicali said. “It means a lot to me. Wembley stadium, the dream of our fans filling the stands with their flags – amber and black, colours I love so much – all around … Imagining it is getting me excited.”

If Hull wins, the team will celebrate in Nevada, with “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas,” Ilicali said. He maintains close relationships with players but is more businesslike with coach Jakirovic, meeting weekly for dinner. “Take me like a little ambulance. If they need something, I’m there,” he said.

Ilicali is reluctant to think beyond Saturday but acknowledged the risk of relegation if promoted. “Most of the promoted teams are relegated,” he said. “So, are we in danger? We are in big danger. But, if you are afraid of things like that, you will never get success. So, if you go to the Premier League, what I expect is first learning to lose. And I hope we learn quickly from our losses, progress and try to survive the first season.”

Since Hull booked their Wembley spot, nerves have run high, compounded by the “spygate” incident. “I don’t celebrate goals very much,” Ilicali said. “When we score goals I don’t move too much. Because I only celebrate when something is completely finished.”