Hull City owner slams former players for dismissing club's Premier League hopes

Hull City’s owner Acun Ilicali publicly condemned pundits Joe Cole and Carlton Cole for ridiculing the club’s Premier League survival prospects on The Dressing Room podcast. Joe Cole admitted he declined a pundit role for Hull’s first match and said he would be “stunned” if they remained in the top flight, while Carlton Cole later framed the comments as light-hearted banter. Ilicali posted on social media that the mockery of his city was disappointing and more laughable than the jokes themselves.

Manager Sergej Jakirovic echoed the sentiment, calling the criticism a source of motivation for his squad. Hull, who earned promotion with a last-minute victory over Middlesbrough at Wembley, have invested £70 million in new signings and open the season against Manchester United.