Leonid Slutsky reveals why Hull City are approaching key moment

The Tigers were left embarrassed in front of the live Sky Television cameras on Friday night as Derby County romped to a 5-0 victory.

For a coach who led Russia during Euro 2016, he admits the manner of the Pride Park loss hurt. However, with a trip to Fulham awaiting on Wednesday night, Slutsky also believes City cannot dwell on that heavy defeat.

“If I spend my time thinking about the past then we have no future,” said the 46-year-old. “The Derby match is history.

“Not good history for me, it was the biggest defeat in my career as a coach. But I must prepare the team for the future. I must keep the faith.”

A year ago, Slutsky was preparing for CSKA’s Champions League campaign. The Russian champions would open with a 2-2 draw in Group E against Bayer Leverkusen in Germany before eventually being knocked out along with Tottenham Hotspur, that exit leading to the former national team manager calling time on his reign and looking for a change of scene in England.

Hull provided that opportunity but things have not run smoothly since then with the summer window bringing a host of big name departures.

“This is a very difficult and very important time,” said Slutsky. “The next match will show how we reacted to the unbelievable stress.

“I can think of the mistakes we made but it is more important to focus on the next match and prepare very hard. It is possible to fall down but then you have to stand up again quickly.

“In Russia we speak about how it is better to lose one time 5-0 than 1-0 five times. But we will see. Now for me and the team, this is a key moment in our season.”