Want a bet? Hull City's Sergej Jakirovic tells 'disrespectful' former players to put their money where their mouth is
Sergej Jakirovic has challenged the pundits who have written Hull City off to put their money where their mouth is, and says he is disappointed how "disrespectful" some former players have been.
As Championship play-off winners – and the first team to do it from sixth place in 16 years – it is natural expectations of Hull escaping Premier League relegation are low, despite a summer of big spending.
But some supporters and chairman Acun Ilicali took offence to the “disrespectful” tone former England, Chelsea and Liverpool playmaker Joe Cole took in a podcast this week.
Cole told The Dressing Room podcast “Hull are gone, man”, saying they only won promotion “through the back door” and joking “I put my phone on do not disturb,” when he thought TNT Sports might ask him to work as a pundit on Saturday's Premier League opener at home to Manchester United.
Jakirovic's response was to tell the pundits to show the courage of their convictions.
“Predictions are easy to say,” said Jakirovic, whose side was tipped by many for relegation last season. “Half will be 20th. Okay.
“But can they bet on that?
“Put everything you have on it, (that) we will be 20th. Put everything and then you can earn money. Or you can lose. We will see.”
Despite his typically jovial tone, it was clear Jakirovic, who has not managed in the Premier League before, was stung by some of the pundits who spoke about his team.
“It's disrespectful because we earned everything on the pitch,” he argued. “Nobody gave us anything.
“We showed that we are very mentally strong, especially the last game (of the regular 2025-26 Championship season) against Norwich. It was not easy to win this game.
“Also, you don't depend on yourself (to finish in the top six), there is also a Middlesbrough-Wrexham game. So then we entered two play-offs positions.
“Against Millwall (semi-finals), we were better in two games. And then finally you won the final.
“(Pundits such as Cole talk) like we are in the Premier League by accident.
“This, for me, is stupid because we earned everything on the pitch.
“This is disrespectful for the club and for the players.
“And it's not fair. Especially when this is coming from ex-players because they know how players work hard to be in this position.
“It's a motivation, for sure.
“We don't have anything to lose.
“You show your potential on the pitch. This is 11 v 11.”
And Hull are both well used and well suited to the role of underdogs, the Championship play-off final just the most recent of many examples of a game they won despite the opposition – in that case Middlesbrough – dominating possession.
“This is normal,” he commented. “Of course, they will put Coventry, Ipswich, us (as relegation favourites), Fulham... I don't know who they mentioned.
“But it's normal because of our transfer market, our value, how much money we spent and everything.
“But still this transfer window is open. We know what we need and I hope we will bring this quality, especially up front.”
Hull have signed 11 players so far this summer, goalkeeper Konsta Tzolasis and centre-back Nobel Mendy breaking the club's transfer record with fees of over £20m.
“I'm expecting three or four more players,” said Jakirovic. “We brought some players – they are good players, potential players, but also I'm aware they need more time for adaptation, for everything – togetherness, to get chemistry with the team.
“We did a good pre-season, we can't wait to start.”
Owner Ilicali called Joe Cole and his fellow podcaster Carlton Cole "laughable" for their behaviour.
"It is disappointing to see my beautiful city criticised by people who should know better," he wrote on X.
"As a club we are used to being underestimated and we enjoy it, and we enjoyed it more when were promoted last season.
"Seeing two ex-players making fun of a deservedly promoted club, is more laughable than the things they were laughing at."
One glaring absence in the post-promotion revamp has been a striker to compete with and cover for Oli McBurnie, the only specialist left after Kyle Joseph was sold to Middlesbrough.
“We are working on that,” said Jakirovic. “Also on two wingers. We are trying to bring somebody.”
Hull will be without the injured Oscar Zambrano (hamstring), Joe Gelhardt (ankle), Jack Butland (arm), Darko Gyabi (abductor), Charlie Hughes (groin) and Matty Jacob (hip) on Saturday, but Cody Drameh is back in contention.
Summer signing Hidemasa Morita could be on the bench having recently returned to training having signed with a calf problem.
Hughes is awaiting the verdict from a specialist on his recovery from double hernia surgery, whilst Gelhardt, signed permanently from Leeds United, is due in training next week.