Jakirović signs new Hull City deal after perfect Premier League start

Hull City have rewarded head coach Sergej Jakirović with a new contract after the club made an impressive return to the Premier League with two wins from their opening two matches.

The 49-year-old has agreed a two-year extension that will keep him at the MKM Stadium until 2028, with Hull retaining an option to extend the deal for another season.

Jakirović’s renewal comes after an extraordinary turnaround since he took charge of the Tigers in June 2025.

Having initially arrived with Hull battling against relegation in the Championship, the Bosnian coach guided the club into the play-offs and eventually secured promotion to the Premier League.

His side have carried that momentum into the new season, beating Manchester United 2-0 at home before recording a 1-0 victory away to Coventry City. Hull have also kept clean sheets in both matches.

Jakirović and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta are the only two coaches among the four managers who won their first two league games to have also recorded shutouts in both fixtures. Chelsea’s Xabi Alonso and Manchester City’s Enzo Maresca also began the campaign with two victories.

Hull’s opening-day triumph over Manchester United was particularly memorable, ending a 52-year wait for a league victory against the Red Devils.

The club said Jakirović collected an average of 1.58 points per game during his first Championship season, securing a play-off spot on the final day after Hull defeated Norwich City 2-1.

He then guided the Tigers past Millwall in the semi-finals before defeating Middlesbrough at Wembley to secure promotion.

Hull completed their play-off campaign with three successive clean sheets, making Jakirović only the third manager in the club’s history to take the team into the Premier League through the play-offs.

Reacting to the new contract, Jakirović said the support he received from the club and supporters had convinced him that Hull was the right place to continue his career.

“I have felt the support from the club and our fans from the minute I arrived, so I am delighted that this journey will continue. Hull feels like my home and I’m excited for this journey to continue,” he said.

The coach described Premier League promotion as a dream come true and praised the unity within his squad.

“Promotion to the Premier League is a dream come true. You have to believe in your work and we have a special group here who are sticking together as a family,” he said.

He added that Hull had already demonstrated their ability to compete in the top flight and promised that the team would continue working hard to make their supporters proud.

Club chairman Acun Ilıcalı welcomed the agreement, describing Jakirović as an important part of Hull’s long-term plans.

“Everyone at the club believes that Sergej is a high-quality coach and it is a big privilege to have him here,” Ilıcalı said.

He added that the coach fitted the club’s vision and had played a central role in their promotion campaign.

“We are happy that Sergej is happy here. This is a special day for us, and we look forward to our journey continuing together in the Premier League,” the chairman said.

Jakirović’s new deal represents a strong vote of confidence in the coach after he transformed Hull from relegation contenders into a Premier League side and immediately delivered a perfect start following their return to the top flight after a decade away.