Acun Ilicali (foto: pigac.si)
Hull City owner Acun Ilicali eyes Serbian coach Slaviša Jokanović to steer the club out of relegation trouble, banking on his proven record of promotion to the Premier League.
Acun Ilicali, the ambitious owner of Hull City and a major investor in NK Maribor, faces turbulent times in both his football ventures. While Maribor struggles to keep pace in the Slovenian league, Hull City is in even greater peril. The Tigers sit precariously in 22nd place in the Championship, dangerously close to relegation to League One.
Following the dismissal of German coach Tim Walter, Ilicali is under pressure to make the right managerial choice to stabilize the team and guide them to safety. According to reports in England, the leading candidate for the job is Serbian tactician Slaviša Jokanović, a coach well-versed in navigating the challenges of England’s second tier.
Jokanović boasts a strong resume in the Championship, having achieved promotion to the Premier League twice: first with Watford in 2015 and later with Fulham in 2018. Known for his tactical acumen and ability to galvanize squads in difficult circumstances, Jokanović could be the ideal candidate for Hull’s uphill battle.
The 55-year-old coach, a former standout midfielder, has been out of work for over a year, with his last stint at Russia’s Dinamo Moscow ending in 2022. Despite his absence from the sidelines, Jokanović’s experience in English football and his track record of success have made him a top choice for Hull City.
Should Ilicali secure Jokanović’s services, Hull City fans will hope the Serbian can repeat his Championship heroics and steer the Tigers away from disaster.