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Football

07th May 2024

Hull City sack head coach weeks after he was nominated for manager of the season

Callum Boyle

Hull City

Hull just missed out on the play-offs

Hull City have surprisingly announced that they have sacked Liam Rosenior.

Rosenior, who only agreed a three-year extension to his contract back in December, had the Tigers challenging for the play-offs only to finish just outside in seventh.

Despite finishing three points outside the top six, Rosenior was one of the coaches nominated for manager of the season which was won by Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna.

‘One of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make’

In a statement to Hull fans released on the club’s official website, club owner Acun Ilıcalı said it was a difficult decision to make.

He said: “This has been the most difficult decision I have had to make as chairman of this wonderful football club. No matter how trying the circumstance, I have to remove personal sentiment from these moments and ensure the long-term vision of the club is at the centre of my thinking.

“Since Liam’s arrival, we have enjoyed an open working relationship and progress has undoubtedly been made over the course of his tenure. He will always be a part of this family and I thank him for all his work.

“However, it has become evident that our visions for the future are not aligned and I feel that now is the time to make a change. Our philosophy is clear, we will continue to drive this club forward, and whilst doing so I will continue to be open and transparent with our fans.

“I know what this football club can achieve, and we will not stop in the pursuit of that. We have worked hard over the last two years to develop our squad. We now have many highly talented players at our disposal and we will continue to invest and improve our playing personnel to give this club and its fans the success they deserve.”

Hull City

Harsh to sack him?

Having been appointed in December 2022, the 39-year-old returned to the club where he spent five years at as player and won promotion to the Premier League with in 2013.

He took on the role of head coach, replacing Shota Arveladze after spending time at Derby County as an assistant under both Phillip Cocu and Wayne Rooney.

In his first full year in charge he impressed by guiding the Humberside club to their first top-half finish since 2016.

Early frontrunners for the job, according to Olbg.com are Alex Rae (coach at Rangers), Paul Heckingbottom, Anthony Barry (coach at Bayern Munich), Alex Neil and Chesterfield’s Paul Cook.

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