Hull City's Championship playoff triumph in May was a shock. They started the season as relegation favourites, operated under a transfer embargo, and conceded 66 league goals, the fourth-highest. Now another minor miracle is required for Premier League survival.
McBurnie Key to Survival Hopes
Much may hinge on Oli McBurnie, who scored 19 goals last season, succeeding in the top tier where he has struggled before. But there is no lack of optimism in East Yorkshire. “Think about us like a volcano,” says Hull’s owner, Acun Ilicali. “It’s boiling right now and it’s going to erupt.”
Hull intend to follow Sunderland’s template by making 14 new signings, albeit on a smaller budget. So far 11 have arrived, including Jack Butland, Hidemasa Morita, Matt Targett, and the club record buy, central defender Nobel Mendy, from Rayo Vallecano for just over £20m.
Transfer Market and Injuries
“The transfer market is very slow,” said manager Sergej Jakirovic, who covets Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor and Swansea’s Zan Vipotnik. “But, in the last seven days of the window, it will become very, very quick.”
His cause has been hindered by pre-season injuries, with an arm problem suffered by Butland threatening to keep him out until Christmas. The consensus is that Hull will have long since become a lost cause by then, but Jakirovic holds one ace card: an exceptionally powerful team spirit driven by leaders like veteran central defender John Egan.
Off-Field Picture
In June, Hull faced a near certain six-point deduction. They avoided it by selling goalkeeper Ivor Pandur and midfielder Aidon Shehu for a combined £8.5m. Ilicali has pledged not to overspend and has invested around £78m on new players.
The owner-fan relationship is unpredictable and slightly conflicted. Ilicali, on his fifth manager since 2022, was welcomed when he took over, but now polarises supporters. A high point was treating 320 fans to a holiday in Antalya in November 2022; a nadir was the transfer embargo last season. The playoff triumph ensures many give him the benefit of the doubt.
Manager and Star Signing
The 49-year-old Jakirovic, born in Mostar, says his life was shaped by the 1990s Balkan war. “It was life or death,” he has said. After arriving from Kayserispor in June 2025, he led Hull to sixth place and beat Middlesbrough in the playoff final. He led Dinamo Zagreb to a Croatian double in 2024.
Japan defensive midfielder Hidemasa Morita joined from Sporting Lisbon after four trophy-laden years. He played regular Champions League football last season and has 40 senior caps. Morita opted not to renew his contract to experience Premier League football, fending off competition from Ipswich.
Stat Attack and Breakthrough Player
Hull were second-bottom for expected points, 53.1, and would have been relegated if underlying performances determined results. It was remarkable they won promotion and will be even more surprising if they stay up.
The 22-year-old central defender Charlie Hughes was Hull’s young player of the year last season. His ballplaying ability is matched by combative defending. He will miss the start of the season after hernia surgery but is expected back by early autumn.
Canada winger Liam Millar made three appearances at the World Cup as they reached the knockout stage. “It was an unbelievable experience,” said the 26-year-old. “We want to inspire the next generation and I think we did Canada proud.”
