Hull City: from nearly relegated to Premier League champion in a magical season
Under Jakirovic's command, Tigers complete historic ascent after dramatic finish at Wembley
May 23, 2026
Hull City has written one of the most unlikely chapters in English football history. After finishing 21st in the Championship last season, the Tigers secured promotion to the Premier League this Saturday, in a dramatic final against Middlesbrough, at Wembley Stadium. Oli McBurnie's goal in the final minutes sealed a campaign that overcame transfer embargoes, changes in planning, and all expectations.
The Tigers' surprising trajectory
No Hull City fan would have dared to dream of this season's ending. The club finished the 2023-24 Championship in 21st place, just four points above the relegation zone. However, under the command of Sergej Jakirovic, the team initiated an impressive reaction that culminated in qualification for the playoffs. In the semifinals, Hull faced Millwall, the third-placed team with a 10-point advantage in the regular table. Even as underdogs, the Tigers secured a spot in the final. The final against Middlesbrough repeated the scenario: again against a better-positioned opponent, again with the odds against them. McBurnie's goal in the 88th minute turned the dream into reality and put Hull back in the main English football scene after several seasons of absence.
Jakirovic: from controversy to national hero
Bosnian coach Sergej Jakirovic arrived at Hull with a controversial reputation in England. His name was marked by the 9-2 thrashing suffered by Dinamo Zagreb against Bayern Munich in the Champions League, a match that resulted in his dismissal days later. However, the 49-year-old commander turned criticism into praise throughout the season. Jakirovic inherited a limited squad due to the transfer embargo imposed on the club last summer, due to late payments to other teams. The sanction forced the board to work only with free transfers and loans, making the campaign even more unlikely. The coach's relaxed style created a conducive environment for the players' evolution, who responded with deliveries on the field. In the post-game press conference, Jakirovic himself admitted the emotion: 'When Oli scored, I thought I was dreaming and that this was a movie. Many players cried with happiness. It's an incredible journey'
Las Vegas and the price of glory
Hull City's management promised a trip to Las Vegas as a reward if promotion was achieved. The club's owner, Acun Ilicali, confirmed the celebration in grand style: the players will embark for the American city this week. The coach, however, preferred a different path: 'This is a trip for the players. I will be with my family in Croatia. We have a beautiful coast there. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but that's not for me,' Jakirovic declared with his characteristic humor. The decision contrasts with the team's moment of euphoria and illustrates the commander's personality, who asked for calm before the challenges that lie ahead in the Premier League.
Challenges and prospects for the elite
The achieved promotion represents only the first chapter of a new story. Hull City will return to the Premier League with structural limitations that require careful planning. The transfer embargo, although it may be revised, indicates that the club will need creativity in the market. The television revenue from the English elite offers financial sustainability, but the competitiveness demands quality reinforcements. Jakirovic will have the mission of maintaining the level that led him to success, now against more powerful rivals. The history of other clubs that rose after unlikely campaigns shows that permanence in the elite requires continuous work. Hull will face a crucial transfer window to define their chances of stability in the 2025-26 season.