Hull City

Tigers fans, what do you make of the news that Ruben Selles has left the MKM Stadium?

Another summer, another change in the dugout. Do you think Selles would have improved City's fortunes next season, or do you think this is the right move after a season of struggle? Who would you like to see replace him?

Let us know your thoughts here.

Check back later and we'll publish a selection of views right here.

Mike White
Sports editor, BBC Radio Humberside

Image source, PA Media

Here we go again! That's how most Hull City fans must be feeling just over five months on from Ruben Selles' appointment and 12 months, almost to the day, since Liam Rosenior's shock departure.

And it's why many supporters are starting to feel like they've become the 'new Watford' as the managerial merry-go-round sees another change and another summer of uncertainty for the Tigers.

Selles' remit was survival, which he achieved. In doing so, he ensured Hull weren't faced with a huge financial hit that would have had significant implications on a club who reported losses in excess of £60m in the last accounts - a number likely to keep growing.

Dealing with a number injuries to key players and possessing a toothless attack where the leading scorer (Pedro) only managed six goals, City survived on the final day on goal difference.

A net zero goal difference during his time in charge showed that the Spaniard had managed to shore up a defence that was far too leaky in the first half of the season under the failed experiment that was previous head coach Tim Walter.

Under Selles, the team were actually a top-half side in the Championship form table in the latter half of the campaign, managing nine wins - three times as many as they'd registered under Walter.

That said, the football at times felt too safe and laborious which could be put down to a lack of trust in their attacking players to be able to score enough if they went behind in games.

The final home game of the season against relegation rivals Derby was maybe the performance that signalled the beginning of the end for Selles in the mind of owner Acun Ilicali.

It was largely felt the team had been set up not to lose that game when a win would have secured Championship survival with a game to spare and avoided the nervous last-day drama that unfolded at Portsmouth.

Despite that, this decision still feels harsh and also appears to be the straw that broke the camel's back for many fans, if reaction on social media is to be used as any sort of credible measuring stick.

Ilicali originally won over City supporters by being the knight in shining armour, taking over in early 2022 from the previous regime that had alienated itself from a large section of the fanbase.

He's taken some fans on all-expenses paid holidays to his native Turkey, spoken repeatedly about his love for the city of Hull and promoted his 'One Family, One Dream' mantra that is visible around the club.

Sadly, his ownership now feels like it's slid into a dysfunctional nightmare and many fans are venting their frustration towards the Turkish businessman with both barrels.

Where Hull turn next is the big question. One thing is for sure - a new manager has to be appointed quickly to ensure another summer of uncertainty and poor recruitment doesn't rear its head again like last year.

Names such as Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl as well as Russell Martin and Steve Cooper (both without clubs) are being touted among fans.

It does feel like it needs an experienced manager with knowledge of the English leagues but it has been suggested to me that Ilicali could be looking internationally again despite previous failed experiments in Shota Arveladze and Walter.

One thing's for certain - it's another challenging and uncertain time to be a Hull City fan.

Hull City midfielder Matt Crooks says that despite having "so much quality in the squad", the side will need to bolster their numbers if they want to avoid another relegation battle next season.

The Tigers secured another year in the Championship after Crooks scored the opening goal, with Portsmouth not able to find more than an equaliser during their 1-1 draw.

It was a point that took them out of the bottom three on the final day, relegating Luton Town on goal difference instead.

"I think there's a comradery in the squad that can be built upon, but obviously, the Championship is a tough league," Crooks told BBC Radio Humberside.

"You need quality all over the pitch; I think we've got that, but we'll need to add to that if we want to improve our situation next year."

The season finale came as "a relief" to Crooks, who joined the club in January,, and is already looking forward to getting "a fresh start in the summer" with the club.

"Have a positive pre-season; that's what we've got to think about now," the 31-year-old added.

"The season is done. We can forget about it and focus on next season."

Listen to the full interview and more on BBC Sounds.

Mike White
BBC Radio Humberside, sports editor & Hull City commentator

Image source, Getty Images

Some Hull City fans have barely had time to make it back to East Yorkshire from their Bank Holiday weekend on the south coast, but already talk of another possible managerial change is on their minds as it's our understanding the future of head coach Ruben Selles is under serious scrutiny heading into this summer.

Ultimately, Selles' remit when he was brought in last December was survival. Mission accomplished.

Was it perfect? No. Was it frustrating and disappointing at times? Absolutely. Did they have to overcome certain obstacles and challenges that hampered the ability to make greater progress? Undoubtedly.

However, what was left behind by the carnage of previous manager Tim Walter's short but damaging time in charge needed a lot of work to clean up.

Injuries played a big part. The slapdash recruitment of the summer hampered them greatly too.

Selles brought order and structure to how the team were being managed again after five months where at times they were doing a lot in terms of training but actually gaining very little, according to those close to the situation.

On the face of it, you can say he didn't improve the team enough. Scraping past the winning post on goal difference alone isn't much to write home about, but survival was the main target.

Walter managed just three wins from August to mid-November. Selles tripled that tally. A low bar, admittedly, but it shouldn't be discounted.

There have been some positive moments; a 3-3 draw at home to eventual champions Leeds United, a demolition of Sheffield United on their own patch, a gutsy and professional win at Sunderland and a badly-needed strong first-half performance at Portsmouth to set the table for the eventual survival-confirming draw.

And there have been some poor ones too; in key games at home to relegation rivals Luton and Derby in recent weeks, just to name a couple.

But it surely has to be a work in progress that needs time rather than rip it up and start again. The home form has to improve tenfold, Selles has to be braver with his selection, approach and substitutions at times (though maybe some of that was based on where they were in the table) and some players need to stand up and deliver their part.

Many fans, though not all, in the aftermath have made it abundantly clear that despite some of the shortcomings of both Selles and his side, he has their backing and the words 'stability' and 'consistency' have led the way in the many social media posts and comments about it.

It's clear that owner Acun Ilicali does things his way, whilst perhaps guided (or maybe misguided) by certain forces and influences around him.

However, he said in December that the main reason he sacked Walter just hours after saying the German's position wasn't under threat was down to overwhelming negative fan reaction towards the former Hamburg boss. So maybe in reverse that will be what keeps Selles in a job this time around.

What can't happen, and it's already got signs of it, is Hull City becoming another Watford, who have long been mocked for a 'manager of the month' approach to employment in that regard.

This is a pivotal, sliding doors moment for the owner. Which route will he take?

Change is clearly coming. I'm told Martin Hodge's appointment as new head of recruitment (working under sporting director Jared Dublin) is only the start of an overhaul of how things are done in terms of transfers, spending and off-field structure.

For those Tigers fans who've suffered greatly this season, anything to avoid a repeat of this dismal campaign.

Hull City look to avoid relegation as they visit Portsmouth for their final match of the season on Saturday (12:30 BST).

The Tigers are currently residing in the last relegation spot but will find themselves making a last gasp grasp to safety if they take all three points at Fratton Park.

However, beating Portsmouth at home is no easy task.

Pompey have averaged 1.77 points per game at home this season, compared to 0.61 on the road, and will want to give their home fans a thank you performance for helping them secure a second season in the Championship.

• Portsmouth have lost two of their last three home league games against Hull City (W1), one more defeat than across their 14 meetings at Fratton Park (W5 D8).

• Hull City have won two of their last six league games against Portsmouth (D1 L3), with the pair drawing the reverse fixture 1-1 back in November last year.

• This will be the first time that Portsmouth have finished a league campaign in the second tier at home since a 3-0 victory over Barnsley at Fratton Park in May 2001.

• Since 2005, Hull have won just one of their 20 final games of a league campaign (D8 L11), a 5-1 home victory over Rotherham United in May 2016.

• Portsmouth have won just one of their seven league games against sides from Yorkshire this season (D4 L2); they last faced sides from the county as many times with as few wins during the 1960-61 season (one win in eight).

"If you would have said that, three or four weeks ago, Preston are going to have to go to the last day of the season to get a result, you'd be like no, no chance," former Reading midfielder Jobi McAnuff tells the 72+ podcast.

McAnuff and Aaron Paul are joined by former Barnsley manager Darrell Clarke as they discuss the upcoming Championship relegation fight and who they think is most at risk.

For McAnuff, it's Hull City and Preston North End that "are in trouble".

Hull sacked former boss Liam Rosenior after finishing seventh in the Championship last season, but have struggled since his departure and are currently sitting in the bottom three, a point away from safety.

Meanwhile, Preston are among three teams just a point above and have been dragged into the relegation fight after a winless run of seven games - and it's the Lancashire side Clarke is most concerned about.

"I just think to myself, they've dropped off a cliff, they've got Bristol City away, I fancy Hull to get something at Portsmouth," Clarke said.

"Fratton Park is a difficult place to go to... but they are on holiday aren't they?"

Listen to the full episode and more on the Football Daily podcast.

Image source, Getty Images

Hull City captain Lewie Coyle has said it is his responsibility to keep the squad upbeat about their chances of Championship survival.

City's 1-0 home defeat at relegation rivals Derby County saw the Tigers fall into the relegation zone and one point from safety ahead of their final match of the season at Portsmouth on Saturday.

"It's my responsibility to pick the lads up when we come back in on Monday with full focus ahead to try and win the game against Portsmouth," Coyle told BBC Radio Humberside.

"I am going to make sure this next week I'm really upbeat and I'm really positive.

"Everybody is fully against us with how it now looks but not me and not this squad.

"We'll go into next week and we'll make sure we do everything we can to win the game."

Image source, PA Media

Hull City head coach Ruben Selles spoke to BBC Radio Humberside after his side was beaten 1-0 by Derby County to drop into the relegation places.

"The entire game changed when we conceded that goal and they managed the time at the end," he said.

"It was that final pass or the finishing action which we lacked. I don't think they were at any moment threatening us, we limited them to two shots and paid the price for not defending that set-piece well.

"I don't think our final product was good enough but I think we invested enough to get something from the game today.

"I think the players were as focused as they could be. The reality was the game was about one goal and in one action we lost it."

Victory for Hull City on Saturday (15:00 BST) will assure them of Championship football next season, while a win for Derby could move them within sight of another campaign of second-tier football.

• Hull City have won just one of their past 11 league games against Derby (D2 L8), beating them 2-0 in October 2019.

• Derby have alternated between winning (five) and not winning (D1 L3) in their past nine away games against Hull, beating them 1-0 on their last visit in August 2021.

• Hull won their last league game against Preston, but only once this season have the Tigers won consecutive league games (three in a row in September-October).

• Having won just one of their first 18 away league games this season (D5 L12), Derby have now won two of their past four on the road (D1 L1).

• Only Luton have scored fewer goals (41) and have a lower shot conversion rate (8.3%) than Hull City in the Championship this season (43 goals, 8.6% conversion).

Image source, Rex Features

Joao Pedro hopes he can save Hull City from the drop in the final two games of the season.

The Tigers sit two places and two points ahead of the drop zone ahead of the visit of Derby, one place below, to the MKM Stadium on Saturday (15:00 BST), with a trip to Portsmouth to follow on 3 May.

The 33-year-old Brazilian has scored just six goals in 33 appearances since arriving in August after spending last season on loan at Turkish side Fenerbahce from Gremio in his homeland, but hopes to finish the campaign on a high.

Speaking through an interpreter, the former Cagliari forward told BBC Radio Humberside: "I am happy, even if the season could be more productive.

"I found a club which is well organised, this league is tough but the fans are excellent, they are passionate and they support the team.

"This is exactly what I needed – a team that would enable me to put fire in my game and play beautiful football.

"The two previous seasons in Turkey and Brazil were tough - I needed this, the love to play football again."

The last of his six goals came at Bristol City on 8 March, arriving moments before he was sent-off for violent conduct and banned for three games.

Joao Pedro added: "I had no bad intentions. It's a matter of interpretation for me and the ref. I tried to protect both of us. I am sorry I affected the team, but it happens in football, it's part of the game.

"What we want the most now is to finish the season well and achieve our main goal.

"I have no doubts that we will overcome the situation with the help of teammates, leadership, the manager, the fans – together.

"We do not deserve to be in this situation. I don't fear we will have a bad ending. We will have to work hard, it will be tough, we need to improve, but I want to play some good games and save Hull City."

Joao Pedro's one-year contract expires this summer but he says it's 'too early' to think about next season, adding: "I am very happy to be here, it's early to be thinking about next season.

"It's not worth putting energy onto this because right now we are in an important time of the season, we want to finish well and I hope we can save Hull City from this delicate situation."