Hull City chairman Acun Ilicali hits back at pundits
Hull City chairman Acun Ilicali has publicly rebuked pundits Joe Cole and Carlton Cole after they mocked the club's Premier League survival prospects on The Dressing Room podcast. Ilicali called their remarks "laughable" and said Hull are used to being underestimated ahead of their return to the top flight.
The row erupted after former England and Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole said on the podcast that he would be "stunned" if Hull stayed up this season. He also turned down the chance to be a pundit for their opening match and joked that the Tigers had "come here through the back door" and "slipped in" to the Premier League via the play-offs.
Key Takeaways
- Hull owner Acun Ilicali hit back on social media after Joe Cole and Carlton Cole mocked the club's survival chances.
- Joe Cole said he would be "stunned" if Hull avoided relegation and joked they had "slipped in" through the play-offs.
- Hull were promoted with a last-minute Wembley win over Middlesbrough in May.
- Manager Sergej Jakirovic said the criticism gives his squad motivation to prove pundits wrong.
- Hull have spent around £70m on new signings ahead of their first top-flight season since 2017.
What did Joe Cole and Carlton Cole say?
Speaking on The Dressing Room podcast, Joe Cole questioned whether Hull could survive in the Premier League. The former Chelsea and England midfielder said he had turned down the opportunity to cover their opening fixture and added that he would be "stunned if they stayed up."
Carlton Cole, who played for Chelsea and West Ham and earned seven England caps, was part of the conversation. After Ilicali's social media response, Carlton Cole posted a video defending the comments as "banter" and insisting he "loved Hull City."
Why did the Hull City chairman respond so strongly?
Ilicali, who has owned Hull since January 2022, wrote on social media that it was "disappointing to see my beautiful city criticised by people who should know better." He said the club are accustomed to being written off and enjoyed proving doubters wrong during last season's promotion push.
"For me, seeing two ex-players making fun of a deservedly promoted club, is more laughable than the things they were laughing at," Ilicali added. Hull's route to the top flight was hard earned: they sealed promotion with a dramatic last-minute play-off final victory over Middlesbrough at Wembley in May. Just a year earlier, they had only avoided relegation from the Championship to League One on goal difference.
How is Hull City preparing for the Premier League?
Manager Sergej Jakirovic addressed the controversy on Thursday, framing it as fuel for his players. "It is a great motivation to prove them wrong, if it's possible," he said. "It will not be easy but at least we can fight there. We don't have anything to lose. You play for yourself, and you show your potential on the pitch."
The club have backed their ambitions with spending. Hull have invested roughly £70m on new signings this summer as they prepare for their first Premier League campaign since 2017. Their season begins on Saturday with an opening fixture against Manchester United.
For more on how clubs navigate media scrutiny in the digital age, explore our Future Tech & AI Wonders hub.
The BBC reported the full exchange and Ilicali's statement (BBC Sport).