Hull City's 2025-26 campaign saw one of the most impressive promotions in Championship history – but it was also one of the most fortuitous.
Finishing sixth and winning the play-offs was an unbelievable accomplishment. Hull had needed to climb out of the relegation zone on the final day of the previous campaign, then had to work under a summer embargo that restricted them to loans and free transfers.
They found an attacking gem in each market, in Joe Gelhardt and Oli McBurnie respectively. Existing squad members found a new level. The Tigers became a dangerous team under boss Sergej Jakirovic – new to the club and new to English football – and won games through their ability to ruthlessly cut open opponents in isolated moments. But there's no escaping that they had some luck on their way up.
Hull City's return to the Premier League borders on the miraculous, but an even greater feat will be required to stay up - Hull City 2026-27 season preview
To win promotion despite conceding the joint-fourth-most goals in the division is one thing, to do it with easily the second-worst underlying defensive numbers is unheard of. As such, the existing template doesn't look sufficient for Premier League survival.
So, while fans are hugely excited about returning to the big time, they are also realistic about the challenges ahead. Hull can pay fees to sign players now, but they'll need to add wisely. Still, everybody said that about Sunderland, and they survived. Jakirovic has proved a fast learner – could another shock be in store?
The Coach
Sergej Jakirovic almost always delivers, from handling weighty expectations at Dinamo Zagreb to saving Kayserispor from a perilous situation. The Premier League is a different beast, but the Bosnian did adapt and adopt a less risky setup during last season to upset the odds.
Key Player (and Top Scorer)
Hull played a dangerous game of waiting on Las Palmas to be relegated in 2024-25, hoping it would enable them to sign Oli McBurnie.
They did, and the 30-year-old became Hull's focal point. His 19 goals in all competitions were the most from any Hull City player last season, and included the play-off final winner.
The Scot's hold-up play will be pivotal as his side adapt to the physicality of the English top-flight.
Last Season's Results
CHAMPIONSHIP: 6th
FA CUP: Fourth Round
LEAGUE CUP: First Round
PLAY-OFF: Winners
Lessons From Last Year
While several players contributed significantly in attack, defensively Ivor Pandur, John Egan and Regan Slater kept everything together. Pandur made the most saves in the Championship, although he's since joined Rangers.
Egan and Slater will remain key, having held down the defence and midfield almost single-handedly at the times when Charlie Hughes and Matt Crooks weren't available.
Most Likely To...
“F**k them up, get into them!” – Hull averaged the most tackles per game in the Championship (17.8), with 14 players making more than two per 90 minute. Sharing their ground with rugby side Hull FC, their aggressive style could work in their favour on a rugged terrain.
Least Likely To...
Fret the stats. Hull looked ropey in many metrics last year and were lectured by nerds like us on their performances' unsustainability, only to prove them totally wrong. Nobody gives them a chance this season – that resultant siege mentality can be their superpower.
View From The Stands
Words by: RICKY SKELTON @hullcitylive
Last season was a huge surprise. We were under transfer restrictions, had a manager new to English football and had avoided relegation on final day in the previous season, but we put together a team on frees and loans who had a huge amount of heart and no little quality.
Our key player will be Oli McBurnie. From the moment he walked in last summer, he raised standards and performed superbly. He epitomises the squad's spirit and it's crucial we don't lose that.
This season will be different because we've not had to deal with the killjoy that is VAR before.
The opposition player who grinds my gears is Gabriel Magalhaes, the big baby. He can give it but not take it.
The opposition player I'd love here is Rio Ngumoha. This kid is incredible. He's only 17, so if Liverpool want him to get a season of Premier League football under his belt, Hull City have looked after some of their great prospects in recent years.
Our biggest grudge match will be against Leeds. It will be our first top-flight meeting – in our previous five seasons in the Premier League, Leeds were normally in League One or something.
The fans' opinion of the gaffer is that Sergej Jakirovic is a legend. He arrived last summer with no experience in England, nor any leading European league, and has proven to be extremely competent, both tactically and with his man-management.
We'll finish 17th.
Fixtures
AUGUST
22 Man United (H)
29 Coventry (A)
SEPTEMBER
5 Aston Villa (H)
12 Chelsea (A)
19 Newcastle (A)
OCTOBER
10 Everton (H)
17 Fulham (A)
24 Brentford (H)
31 Ipswich (H)
NOVEMBER
7 Arsenal (A)
21 Brighton (H)
28 Crystal Palace (A)
DECEMBER
2 Nott'm Forest (H)
5 Bournemouth (A)
12 Tottenham (H)
19 Man City (A)
26 Liverpool (H)
30 Leeds (H)
JANUARY
2 Sunderland (A)
6 Nott'm Forest (A)
16 Arsenal (H)
23 Ipswich (A)
30 Crystal Palace (H)
FEBRUARY
6 Brighton (A)
10 Sunderland (H)
20 Liverpool (A)
27 Man City (H)
MARCH
3 Leeds (A)
13 Aston Villa (A)
20 Chelsea (H)
APRIL
10 Man United (A)
17 Coventry (H)
24 Tottenham (A)
MAY
1 Bournemouth (H)
8 Everton (A)
15 Fulham (H)
23 Brentford (A)
30 Newcastle (H)
Title Odds
Hull City to win the Premier League title odds: 500/1
FFT Verdict
FourFourTwo verdict: Hull City to finish 20th.
The squad is weak for the level and owner Acun Ilicali is ambitious but not mega-rich by Premier League standards. Even if last season's poor performance data is noisy, improving enough will be difficult.
This feature was written in June as part of FourFourTwo magazine's legendary Season Preview issue which can be ordered here.
