Walk through Hull on any given day and the city's mood is impossible to miss. Lampposts draped in amber declare We are Premier League, while window flags carry messages as bold as Dare to Dream. The man who made it happen is Sergej Jakirovic — and he has no intention of stopping there.

"I am very proud of this achievement and the people are proud," the Hull City head coach told Sky Sports. "It is not easy to get promotion and play in the Premier League. We see how difficult it is. There will be ups and downs, this is normal. But we showed already that we can compete."

A fighter's philosophy

Jakirovic, 49, is an imposing yet engaging presence. Speaking to Sky Sports in the immediate aftermath of a defeat to Fulham, he projects calm and steely defiance rather than anxiety. One loss will not alter his course.

"One defeat and now we will surrender here? We will give up? No. It is about trying to improve," he said. Hull go into the weekend sitting in the top half of the Premier League — a remarkable position given they finished 21st in the Championship the previous season before their Wembley promotion in May.

"In my nature, I am a fighter and I will never surrender. No matter who is the opponent, we will have our chances. We just have to fight, to stick together, to stick to the tactical plan."

An unlikely path to the top flight

Jakirovic built his reputation winning the title in Bosnia with Zrinjski Mostar and completing a domestic double in Croatia with Dinamo Zagreb. But it was his 2025 stint at Kayserispor in Turkey that may prove most instructive for Hull's current battle. He inherited a side in the bottom three in January and produced top-four form for the rest of the campaign, guiding them clear of relegation entirely.

"I do not know too many coaches who start like I do in the academy and then, step by step, come here," he said. "It is a big privilege and I am very proud of this journey. It is not easy to get the chance here, especially from my country. But you have to use your opportunity."

Hull's tactical identity

Hull's approach has already unsettled several opponents. Their 2-0 opening-day win over Manchester United was the season's opening shock, followed by a victory at Coventry and draws against Aston Villa, Chelsea, and Everton. The framework is a 5-4-1 shape out of possession, designed to be compact and hard to break down before counter-attacking at speed — no Premier League side moves the ball up the pitch faster.

"We decided to play one system that brings us stability," Jakirovic explained. "We play much braver with the ball — courage, good movements." Possession figures hover around 30 to 35 percent, a figure he regards as entirely unremarkable. "It is not about possession; it is what you do with it."

Injury problems cloud the picture

Hull's ambitions have been complicated by a damaging injury list. Midfielder Hidemasa Morita, signed from Sporting, has managed only 10 to 12 group training sessions since arriving in mid-July. Striker Ilyas Ansah, a significant Bundesliga recruit, is yet to feature. Roma loanee Robinio Vaz made four substitute appearances before being ruled out, and Matt Targett has a twisted ankle. Only Tottenham Hotspur have more players currently sidelined.

"These new signings will add to the group," Jakirovic insisted. "Some have big potential — they are very young. Every training session is an experience for them. It is an opportunity to grow. I am trying to build this team."

Perspective beyond football

Known as the professor in Croatia for his forensic attention to detail — "almost every action, you find something" — Jakirovic is equally focused on the human side of management. A survivor of the Balkan Wars as a teenager, he carries a perspective that anchors him when results disappoint.

"Football is my life. But, at the end of the day, it is just sport. It is disappointing sometimes but we have to enjoy every game because it is a special privilege to play in the Premier League."

He already wears tattoos of his past title triumphs on his shoulders. Staying in the Premier League, he says, would not earn a new one — those are reserved for trophies. But the feat would represent something profound for a club and a city that have waited a long time for this moment. "The fans are incredible," he said. "What is pressure? Like I said, it is just sport."