Sergej Jakirovic: Hull City's Premier League return is built on pride, fight and a 5-4-1 that is confounding the elite
Hull City are back in the Premier League and head coach Sergej Jakirovic says the city's pride fuels his side's fight. The 49-year-old, speaking to Sky Sports after defeat at Fulham, insists one loss will not derail a season that has already included a 2-0 win over Manchester United.
- Fixture: Hull City vs Brentford, Premier League, Sunday 2pm kick-off
- TV: Live on Sky Sports Golf from 12.30pm
- Head coach: Sergej Jakirovic, 49, appointed after promotion from the Championship
- Last result: Fulham away – defeat, no shot on target
- Key absentees: Hidemasa Morita (match fitness), Ilyas Ansah (yet to feature), Robinio Vaz (out), Matt Targett (twisted ankle)
Team news
Hull City's squad is stretched, with only Tottenham Hotspur having more players out. Summer signings are still working towards full fitness. Hidemasa Morita, 31, signed from Sporting in mid-July, has had only 10 to 12 group sessions. Ilyas Ansah, a 6'4" striker from the Bundesliga, is yet to get on the pitch. Robinio Vaz, on loan from Roma, made four substitute appearances but is now out. Matt Targett has a twisted ankle. Jakirovic said: "We have a spine from last season" and the aim was to "add more quality players".
What was said
"I am very proud of this achievement and the people are proud. It is not easy to get promotion and play in the Premier League. We see how difficult it is. There will be ups and downs, this is normal. But we showed already that we can compete."
"One defeat and now we will surrender here? We will give up? No. It is about trying to improve."
"In my nature, I am a fighter and I will never surrender. No matter who is the opponent, we will have our chances. We just have to fight, to stick together, to stick to the tactical plan."
"It is always around 30 to 35 percent which is completely normal for me because I watch other games and there are better teams with more experience that also have that much possession. It is not about possession, it is what you do with it."
"It is about the way we lost this game. We did not show anything. We did not even have a shot on target."
"My team is giving everything on the pitch because when you look after the game at the GPS, it is very good in terms of running, high-intensity sprinting. They are giving everything but this is still football. We have to play much better with the ball."
The numbers
Hull City sit in the top half of the Premier League table ahead of the weekend. They have won 2-0 at home to Manchester United and won at Coventry City, and drawn with Aston Villa, Chelsea and Everton. Their possession average is 30 to 35 percent. Only Tottenham Hotspur have more players out injured. Jakirovic's previous club Kayserispor were in the bottom three when he took over in January 2025; he produced top-four form to lift them out of the bottom six.
How to watch
Hull City vs Brentford is live on Sky Sports Golf from 12.30pm on Sunday, with kick-off at 2pm.
Jakirovic's blueprint: low possession, high courage and a counter-attacking threat
Jakirovic has implemented a 5-4-1 formation out of possession designed to make Hull hard to break down, but the plan is to counter-attack quickly. No team in the Premier League is moving the ball quicker up the pitch. "We decided to play one system that brings us stability," he said. It is not just a low block; Hull harry and press, and those counter-attacks require ambition. "We play much braver with the ball, courage, good movements," Jakirovic added.
The head coach is unbothered by low possession numbers. "It is not about possession, it is what you do with it," he said, pointing out that "it is about how you can create chances and make it difficult for the opposition". There is still an expectation that the team will evolve, especially with the return of injured signings. "We have signed some players who very good, especially on the ball. But they have had injury problems," he said.
Jakirovic's journey from academy coach to the Premier League is a source of pride. "I do not know too many coaches who start like I do in the academy and then, step by step, come here. It is a big privilege and I am very proud of this journey. It is not easy to get the chance here, especially from my country. But you have to use your opportunity." He added: "Football is my life. But, at the end of the day, it is just sport. It is disappointing sometimes but we have to enjoy every game because it is a special privilege to play in the Premier League."
Talking points
- Injury crisis: Hull have a lengthy absentee list, with only Tottenham worse off. The return of Morita, Ansah and Vaz could be pivotal.
- Counter-attacking style: The 5-4-1 has already frustrated Manchester United, Aston Villa, Chelsea and Everton. Can Brentford cope with Hull's quick transitions?
- Response to Fulham: Jakirovic demanded more aggression, better decisions and improved ball retention after a display with no shot on target.
What happens next
Hull City host Brentford on Sunday at 2pm, live on Sky Sports Golf from 12.30pm. Jakirovic will demand a reaction to the Fulham defeat as his side look to build on their top-half position. "We know our target," he said. "The fans are incredible."
Frequently asked questions
What is Hull City's formation under Sergej Jakirovic?
They play a 5-4-1 formation out of possession, designed to be hard to break down, with a focus on quick counter-attacks. Jakirovic said: "We decided to play one system that brings us stability."
Who is injured for Hull City?
Hidemasa Morita is building match fitness after only 10 to 12 group sessions. Ilyas Ansah is yet to feature, Robinio Vaz is out, and Matt Targett has a twisted ankle. Only Tottenham have more players out.
What did Jakirovic say about the Fulham defeat?
He said: "It is about the way we lost this game. We did not show anything. We did not even have a shot on target." He demanded more running, duels, aggression and better decisions against Brentford.
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