Sergej Jakirovic has been rewarded for an outstanding first year at Hull City with a new two-year contract.

It keeps a coach chairman/owner Acun Ilicali days is "perfect" for a vision of the club at a place which feels like home to him.

Jakirovic led a team tipped for relegation and unable to buy or pay a loan fee for players to victory in the Championship play-off final in his first season in the job. And he has started the second with consecutive Premier League wins over Manchester United and Coventry City.

Despite being furnished with 18 new signings, Jakirovic has been shrewd enough to introduce them slowly, kicking off the campaign with eight of the play-off final team, and starting seven at Coventry.

His contract had been due to expire at the end of this season but will now run until the summer of 2028, with the club having an option to extend it by a further 12 months.

“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," said Jakirovic, who had previously managed in the Balkans, and in Turkey, where he came to the attention of Tigers Ilicali.

"Hull feels like my home and I’m excited for this journey to continue.

“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. We have shown in our first games of the season that we can compete at this level and be dangerous.

SHAKE ON IT: Hull City chairman/owner Acun Ilicali (left) has agreed a new contract with Sergej Jakirovic (Image courtesy of Hull City)

placeholder image — SHAKE ON IT: Hull City chairman/owner Acun Ilicali (left) has agreed a new contract with Sergej Jakirovic (Image courtesy of Hull City)

“We will, of course, continue to work hard and perform in a way that makes our supporters proud.”

Ironically, Ilicali has sacked coaches in the past for not playing football which matched his romantic ideals yet it is perhaps his most pragmatic appointment who delivered the dream of Premier League football, a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough at Wembley the perfect illustration as his side soaked up pressure and won the game in stoppage time.“From the first day we met, it was clear that we had a special relationship," said Ilicali, who holidayed with Jakirovic in the summer. "Everyone at the club believes that Sergej is a high-quality coach and it is a big privilege to have him here.

“He is the perfect coach for our vision and, having experienced last season together, we created some amazing moments at Wembley. I thank him for that.

“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 news comes 24 hours after six of last season’s play-off winners also signed new deals.

Contracts for Jakirovic's coaches are now expected to follow.