Semi Ajayi lauds Hull City boss as pre-season preparations get underway

Super Eagles and Hull City defender Semi Ajayi has heaped praise on the club's coach, Sergej Jakirovic, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 31-year-old centre-back exited West Bromwich Albion after a five-year stint at the Hawthorns, largely due to hamstring problems in his final season.

Ajayi then signed for Hull City on a two-year deal, and is already excited for the things to come after seeing the hands-on approach of their manager.

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Jakirovic led Dinamo Zagreb to a league and cup double in 2024 before heading to Kayserispor for the 2024/2025 campaign. Like Ajayi, he joined Hull last month on a two-year deal.

What Ajayi said about Jakirovic

The veteran Super Eagles defender described the 48-year-old gaffer as a serial winner following their pre-season sessions in Turkey.

“Really good, he's been very, very clear in what he wants from the boys,” the former Arsenal defender said in quotes revealed by Hull Daily Mail.

“He's pushed us a lot, and obviously he's a serial winner, so he wants to win, and that's what he demands from us.

“We're all really looking forward to working with him this season, and we've already started to see the fruits of it already.”

The former Rotherham United man also credited his new teammates for making it easier for him to settle into the squad.

“The players made it very easy for me to settle in. There are a lot of top players here as well, so that's made my life a lot easier.”

“To go to Turkey, get two wins and also put in a lot of good work on the training pitch is all we can really ask for.

“It keeps that confidence building, and we get a little bit of momentum. It's all about building habits; the results were not the be all and end all, it was about building habits, gaining the fitness and building the relationships that we're going to need throughout the season. So we've managed to do that.

“The facility we stayed at was top class, had everything we needed to prepare ourselves as players and athletes. We've been able to get some really, really good work in and also bond as well,” Ajayi concluded.

Hull City kick off their EFL Championship season with a trip to Coventry on the 9th of August, and they'll be hoping to finish in the top half of the table when the season ends.