New contract for Jakirovic

Sergej Jakirovic has agreed terms on a new three-year contract at Hull City, running until 2029, with the deal including a pay rise, as reported by GIVEMESPORT. The Tigers returned to the Premier League last season after an incredible end to the season, creeping into the play-off places on the final day before beating Middlesbrough in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium.

Jakirovic had picked Hull up off the floor, rescuing them from relegation to League One in 2024/25 by the skin of their teeth, only staying up on goal difference. The club was previously relegated to League One before Acun Ilicali's takeover, as noted by Hull Daily Mail correspondent Barry Cooper, who has covered the team since Covid and describes the promotion as 'sensational'.

Jakirovic's reward follows a fine start to the campaign. Hull City beat Manchester United 2-0 in their season opener, with Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy scoring. Mendy scored on his debut. Match stats from the game show Hull had 28.3% possession, 8 shots, 5 on target, and expected goals of 1.26, while Manchester United had 71.7% possession, 21 shots, 5 on target, and expected goals of 1.81.

"This is football. We are professionals. We are trying to prove people wrong. I know there are 37 games to go but this is a good base for the future," Jakirovic said, as quoted by GIVEMESPORT.

Hull City have brought in 11 new signings this summer, and the transfer window closes at 11pm on Tuesday, September 1. The club aim to wrap up as many as six more signings before then. Hull's next five fixtures include Stoke City away on August 25 in the Carabao Cup and Coventry City away on August 29.

Carabao Cup progress and transfer plans

Before the trip to Coventry, Hull City beat Stoke City 5-4 on penalties in the Carabao Cup second round, progressing to the third round for the first time in six years, as reported by Hull Daily Mail. Jakirovic made 11 changes from the weekend win over Manchester United, and noted the team had broken a record by getting through - now having two penalty shootout wins in a row after the FA Cup win over Blackburn.

Akintola was deployed up front in the absence of Oli McBurnie and missed at least one goal, but Jakirovic praised his effort and energy.

Ahead of the Coventry fixture, Jakirovic expects two new arrivals before Hull City travel to Coventry City on Saturday afternoon, with the club closing in on their 12th and 13th signings of the summer, according to Hull Daily Mail. Mohamed-Ali Cho's £13m move from Nice is set to be confirmed, and so too is the arrival of Union Berlin striker Ilyas Ansah, with the Tigers on the cusp of confirming a £15m deal with both players penning five-year deals at the MKM Stadium.

The Tigers are also pushing to sign Sorba Thomas from Stoke City, but the Potters have so far rebuffed advances, though progress is expected in the next few days.

Jakirovic was in a playful mood with the media at the bet365 Stadium and would not be drawn on names, joking about not having a mobile phone. "I was on the touchline," he told Hull Live. "I don't have a mobile phone with me, so thank God I'm rested for two hours. There's no news. I don't know. You know better than me."

He suggested Thomas was a 'terrific performer' at Championship level. "I know everything about Sorba Thomas from the Championship, he's a difference maker, and he's a very good player, and that's it. From what I know, two (new arrivals). I just don't know who," he said.

Premier League adventure

Hull City are embarking on their first Premier League season after winning promotion, and their first in a decade. Barry Cooper, the Hull Daily Mail correspondent, wrote in a letter to readers that covering the club back in the Premier League is the ultimate privilege. He offered a Premium membership at £4.99 a month with the first month at £1, or £39.99 for the year, promising exclusive content, analysis, and access.

As the club works on its transfer plans and prepares for the long season ahead, Jakirovic has a new contract in place and a promising start to the campaign. The season has 37 more league games to go, as the manager noted.