Jakirovic savours 'sweet' top-six finish as Hull City seal play-off spot

Sergej Jakirovic has hailed Hull City's remarkable achievement of securing a Championship play-off place, calling it a 'sweet' moment for the club. The Tigers defeated Plymouth Argyle 2-1 on the final day of the season to leapfrog Coventry City into sixth place. Jakirovic, appointed in November, has transformed a side that flirted with relegation into genuine promotion contenders.

From relegation fears to promotion dreams: Hull's remarkable turnaround

Hull City were languishing in 20th position when Jakirovic took charge, with just 15 points from 14 games. The Croatian manager instilled a disciplined defensive structure and a high-pressing game that yielded immediate results. Under his guidance, the Tigers lost only six of their remaining 32 league fixtures, climbing steadily up the table. Their final-day victory was their fourth in five matches, a run that included a crucial win over direct rivals West Bromwich Albion.

Statistically, Hull's improvement has been staggering. They have kept 12 clean sheets since January, the joint-highest in the division alongside Leeds United. At the other end, summer signing Liam Delap has scored 16 Championship goals, making him the club's top scorer since Jarrod Bowen in 2019/20. The Tigers have also conceded just 0.89 goals per game under Jakirovic, compared to 1.7 beforehand.

What the play-offs mean for Hull City and Jakirovic's future

Securing a top-six finish represents a financial windfall for the club, with the play-off final alone worth an estimated £160 million in Premier League revenue. For Jakirovic, it cements his reputation as one of the brightest young managers in the EFL. The 38-year-old has already been linked with several Championship rivals, but he has stressed his commitment to the Tigers' project.

  • Hull will face either Southampton or Norwich City in the semi-finals, with the first leg away on 13 May.
  • Jakirovic's tactical flexibility has been key: he has alternated between 4-2-3-1 and 3-4-3 formations depending on the opponent.
  • The club have already begun planning for next season, with contracts offered to key loanees Delap and Tyler Morton.

Can Hull City emulate 2016 and reach the Premier League?

Hull's last play-off success came in 2016 under Steve Bruce, when they beat Sheffield Wednesday in the final. That team featured the likes of Andy Robertson and Harry Maguire, who later became Premier League stars. This current squad lacks that level of individual quality but possesses a collective spirit that Jakirovic has fostered. Their chances will hinge on whether they can maintain their defensive solidity against more attack-minded semi-final opponents. With momentum behind them, Hull will fancy their chances of completing a fairytale promotion.

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