Hull owner Ilicali slams Cole jibes as 'laughable'
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- Acun Ilicali hit out on social media at Joe Cole and Carlton Cole after the duo mocked Hull City's Premier League survival chances on The Dressing Room podcast, calling it "disappointing to see my beautiful city criticised by people who should know better."
- Joe Cole said he had turned down the chance to be a pundit for Hull's opening match, adding he would be "stunned if they stayed up" and joking they "slipped in through the back door."
- Carlton Cole posted a video defending the comments as "banter" and saying he "loved Hull City."
- Hull boss Sergej Jakirovic addressed the row on Thursday, calling the pundit criticism "great motivation to prove them wrong" ahead of Saturday's opener at Manchester United.
- Hull City returned to the Premier League via a last-minute play-off final win over Middlesbrough at Wembley in May — their first top-flight season since 2017 — after narrowly avoiding Championship relegation to League One on goal difference in 2025.
- Hull have spent £70m on new signings this summer as they prepare for the season opener against Manchester United.
Why it matters: With Hull back in the Premier League for the first time since 2017 and having splashed £70m on new signings, the row hands underdog manager Sergej Jakirovic a ready-made rallying cry against the doubters ahead of a daunting opener at Manchester United. Ilicali's public defence also signals he won't tolerate pundits writing his club off before a ball is kicked.
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