Acun Ilicali has taken Hull City from the bottom half of the Championship to the top half of the Premier League
Hull City owner Acun Ilicali lifts the play-off final trophy at Wembley
Hull City owner Acun Ilicali lifts the play-off final trophy at Wembley(Image: PA Wire/PA Images)
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Lewie Coyle has paid tribute to Acun Ilicali for ending Hull City ’s ten-year absence from the Premier League and being true to his word when he first took over.
The Turkish businessman completed his buyout in 2022 when he finalised a deal with the Allam family and promised City fans he had ‘big dreams and goals’.
The Tigers finished in the bottom half of the Championship on three of his first four seasons but last term fulfilled Ilicali’s bold vision with a sensational play-off charge.
And speaking on Sky Sports Coyle, who has been at the club for six years, says he could tell Ilicali meant business as soon as he walked through the door.
“He was a bit of an unknown quantity,” Coyle said. “I didn't have much knowledge of anything that had gone on before, whether in terms of owning previous clubs or anything like that.
“As players you just want an owner to come in and be honest and be ambitious and they're two things that he just did straight away.
“Straight from the get-go he got the boys on side and was very, very clear with his ambitions and he's followed through on everything that he's said.
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“I owe a lot to the chairman, because he's a very, very pivotal character in helping me realise my dream and getting this club back to the Premier League.
“He's a very, very successful man within his own right, of course, and as soon as he came to the club he showed his intention right from the start.
“It's probably taken a bit longer than what he would have wanted, but it's an incredible task to get out of the Championship to the Premier League, it's what everybody wants.
“When you actually look at how long he's had the club and the time in which he's done it it's impressive to say that he's got this club back to the Premier League.”
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