Liam Rosenior: Hull Chairman Acun Ilicali Reveals Reason for Head Coach's Departure, but Who is Next for the Championship Side?

Hull chairman Acun Ilicali has revealed why he sacked Liam Rosenior and hints at who could be the Championship side’s next head coach.

Rosenior – who had been at the helm since December 2022 – was fired on Tuesday, surprising many.

Hull lost 1-0 to Plymouth on the final day of the season, ending the Tigers’ play-off hopes. In his first season, Rosenior helped the club retain their Championship status.

Speak with Sky sports newsIlicali explained his statement at the time of Rosenior’s departure and revealed that different football philosophies made the difference.

He said: “To sum it up, there was a conflict of opinion between us and Liam about the official plans.”

“We like his character, we like his coaching skills, I really love him as a person, but there are some things in football that can separate the two sides, such as the philosophy of football. Our football idea was not to leave everything as it was.” Liam.

“Liam has a very energetic style of football with every detail that I appreciate. But he has more control of the game, a more defensive style of football, whereas we want to see a more attacking, dominant style.”

“In the January transfer window we bought seven players and most of them were attacking players. They completely had the technical skills of football. So when the transfer of attacking players is full of these skills and the mentality of our coach is conservative, it came to that we stopped using our weapon as we tried.

“His philosophy is a different mindset, but we bought all these players to have a full attacking mentality and in football there are different mindsets… The recruitment was done for that reason and unfortunately we couldn’t see that.”

“We didn’t agree with him, but I see so many clubs doing well and being successful with his style of football.” [at it] That’s why his style is also a good style of football.”

Rosenior recently signed a new three-year contract in December 2023 that would have kept him at the club until 2026.

Asked whether the 39-year-old should have been given more time to implement a philosophy like other clubs have done in the past, Ilicali replied: “Yes, you are right, but at the end of the day it is not possible. “ I want to share with you every detail because there are so many things that we need to keep confidential.

“I’ll summarize it in general terms, but it’s not the only point where we were separated in our thinking… I don’t want to change his character, I don’t want to change his coaching because he’s a unique and fantastic character.” .

“From this point of view, it is better to change the manager than to change the character of the manager.”

“We are close friends and have had very good times together… but this is something completely different from life, it is possible. You can have a good relationship with anyone, but business is business.”

“When I spoke to him [about leaving], it was a very friendly and good conversation. He is a very good character and a fantastic person. But to enjoy the business you have to be completely on the same page for him to get it.

“We didn’t do it like, ‘Liam, we’re not going to be together,’ it was a matter of days and we talked about it at length and decided to go in other directions.”

Rosenior was contacted by for comment Sky sports news.

Who could be next in Hull?

Sky sports news believes Tim Walter is one of the candidates to succeed Rosenior after the German coach left his role as Hamburg boss earlier this year.

Ilicali confirmed the interest and added: “Yes, he is one of our candidates. He is a very successful coach with a very good style of football. I can say he is one of our targets.”

Ilicali added that he prefers a Spanish or German coach, adding that the latter’s managers have had success in the championship.

“I don’t think this is a coincidence,” he explained. “There is something behind it that German philosophy and British mentality go well together. Anything is possible, but in 10 days, or maybe less, we will get somewhere.”

“We have to work hard and that is what we are doing at the moment. I’m in Monaco right now, meeting people here and we’re working 24 hours to find the best choice for the club.”

“I love this city, I love the fans and they believe in us. What I want to say is that the same football spirit that found Liam and led him to success together with the fans and the coach will find another coach with the strength of these wonderful people. “I am sure that together we will achieve success become.

“Liam is successful but we want someone who is more successful and has a more entertaining future in football. It won’t take too long, but we will work our hardest to make it happen.”