No visitor can escape the fact that Hull City are back. Lampposts are adorned with the declaration "We are Premier League," and flags in windows read "Dare to Dream." Sergej Jakirovic made it happen.
"I am very proud of this achievement and the people are proud," he tells Sky Sports. "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."
Spend any time with the 49-year-old, an imposing but engaging figure, and his ability to inspire and galvanise becomes clear. He spoke to Sky Sports after losing to Fulham, yet he exudes confidence, calm and steely defiance. "One defeat and now we will surrender here? We will give up? No. It is about trying to improve." Hull have done exactly that on his watch, going into the weekend in the top half of the Premier League table.
It was Hull's fourth promotion to the Premier League, and the most unexpected, given they finished 21st the year before. Jakirovic arrived with a reputation forged by winning the title in Bosnia with Zrinjski Mostar and a double in Croatia with Dinamo Zagreb. But his work at Kayserispor in Turkey feels most relevant now. He took over a side in the bottom three and produced top-four form to lift them clear of the drop.
"In my nature, I am a fighter and I will never surrender," he says. "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." That plan has already troubled teams this season, starting with a 2-0 win over Manchester United on the opening weekend, followed by a win at Coventry and draws against Aston Villa, Chelsea and Everton.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing