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Hull City Must Survive in Premier League This Season – Owner Ilıcalı

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Hull City owner Acun Ilıcalı says the club’s immediate objective is to secure Premier League survival before building a sustainable identity in the English top flight. Ilıcalı, speaking to Sky Sports News in a video shared on Saturday, said his ambitions for the club had developed gradually since taking over,……

Hull City owner Acun Ilıcalı says the club’s immediate objective is to secure Premier League survival before building a sustainable identity in the English top flight.

Ilıcalı, speaking to Sky Sports News in a video shared on Saturday, said his ambitions for the club had developed gradually since taking over, with promotion to the Premier League eventually achieved after a series of targets.

“Yeah, first of all, step by step. I said to our fans when I came to the club, I said I want to go step by step. First, top 10 was my target,” he said.

The Turkish businessman recalled narrowly missing out on promotion through the play-offs during his second season before Hull eventually secured their return to the Premier League.

READ ALSO: Hull City Ruin Man Utd’s EPL Opener With 2 – 0 Win

“Actually, we missed three points in the play-offs in my second year. So my target was top 10 and after that play-off push, then we went to play-offs, then Premier League,” Ilıcalı said.

With Hull now back in the top flight, Ilıcalı said his focus was firmly on ensuring the club remains there beyond the current campaign.

“Now, the only thing I’m trying to do with the team is to stay in the Premier League for this year,” he said.

Ilıcalı added that Premier League survival would provide the foundation for his longer-term ambition of establishing Hull as a recognised and sustainable top-flight club.

“If we can stay in the Premier League this year, hopefully, then I will want to make a brand,” he said.

He identified Brentford and Brighton as examples of clubs whose long-term approaches he admires, particularly their ability to establish themselves as consistent Premier League sides.

“There are two, three teams that I really like their approach to football. Brentford, their sporting director is fantastic, by the way,” Ilıcalı said.

“Apart from that, Brighton. These teams, I think, managed to be a brand in the Premier League for a long time,” he added.

Hull returned to the Premier League this season after winning promotion from the Championship and have begun their top-flight campaign unbeaten.

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