Sergej Jakirovic expresses his ‘sorry’ feelings as he reflects on Hull City’s joy in the Premier League.

Sergej Jakirović delivered a memorable and emotional apology to Hull City supporters as the club celebrated promotion to the Premier League during a dramatic Bank Holiday parade through the city.

The Croatian manager was greeted by thousands of jubilant fans on Monday as Hull basked in the glow of a remarkable achievement following their play-off final victory against Middlesbrough at Wembley on Saturday.

More than 40,000 supporters lined the streets and packed into Queen Victoria Square to honour the players and coaching staff after the Tigers secured their return to the top flight in dramatic fashion.

Hull City head coach Sergej Jakirovic with Oli McBurnie

Speaking from the balcony during the celebrations, Jakirovic produced one of the standout moments of the day when he jokingly apologised for failing to complete the task initially given to him by owner Acun Ilıcalı when he arrived at the club last summer.

The Hull boss explained that his original responsibility had been simply to keep the club in the Championship. However, with promotion now secured, he humorously admitted he had technically failed in that assignment.

“I have to say sorry,” Jakirovic told supporters from the balcony as fans erupted in cheers below. “I was brought here with one job to do: keep Hull City in the Championship. I failed, because we are going to the Premier League.”

The line instantly became one of the defining moments of the celebrations and perfectly captured the mood surrounding the club after an unforgettable season.

Thousands Celebrate Across The City

The promotion parade created scenes of celebration throughout Hull as supporters of all generations came together to celebrate the club’s success.

From the moment the players and staff departed the MKM Stadium for an 11-mile open-top bus tour around the city, huge crowds gathered to applaud their heroes.

Fans filled the streets waving flags, wearing club colours, and singing throughout the afternoon as the squad slowly made its way toward Hull City Hall and Queen Victoria Square.

The atmosphere reflected not only excitement about Premier League football returning to the city but also appreciation for the unity and pride the team had generated over the course of the campaign.

Jakirovic admitted the scenes had made him immensely proud and highlighted how football can briefly allow people to forget about everyday struggles and difficulties.

According to the Croatian coach, the celebrations showed just how much the achievement meant to the people of Hull.

Jakirovic Praises Fans For Their Incredible Support

During conversations with Hull Live amid the celebrations, Jakirovic spoke warmly about the relationship between the team and the supporters.

The manager explained that one of the most rewarding aspects of the promotion was seeing the joy and togetherness the achievement had brought to the city.

He described how supporters lining every street demonstrated their appreciation for what the players and staff had accomplished during the season.

For Jakirovic, witnessing the happiness and pride among the fans represented one of the most emotional parts of the entire experience.

The Hull manager stressed that supporters deserved enormous credit for the role they played throughout the campaign.

He acknowledged the sacrifices fans made all season by travelling around the country, spending money to support the team, and continuing to back the players even during difficult moments when performances were not always at their best.

According to Jakirovic, the squad always attempted to repay that loyalty by giving maximum effort and energy on the pitch.

The Croatian also reflected on a promise he made shortly after arriving at the club, when he insisted Hull City would never surrender regardless of the circumstances.

He believes the team fully delivered on that promise, particularly during the pressure-filled play-offs where their mentality proved decisive.

Play-Off Success Confirmed Hull’s Winning Mentality

Hull’s route to promotion culminated in a dramatic victory at Wembley, where the Tigers defeated Middlesbrough in unforgettable fashion.

The decisive moment arrived deep into stoppage time when Oli McBurnie scored a dramatic 95th-minute winner that sent Hull supporters into ecstasy.

That goal instantly secured its place in club folklore and completed an extraordinary journey back to the Premier League.

Jakirovic believes moments like that perfectly demonstrated the mentality his players developed throughout the season.

He praised the squad’s resilience and determination under pressure, suggesting the team consistently showed belief and character even during difficult situations.

For a club that experienced frustration and inconsistency in recent years, the promotion campaign represented a huge turning point both on and off the pitch.

Emotional Days Following Wembley Triumph

The days following the play-off final have been filled with celebrations, emotion, and little sleep for many connected to the club.

After the Wembley victory, several Hull players reportedly celebrated late into the night at the Hilton hotel near Wembley before eventually returning to East Yorkshire to continue festivities in the city.

Players and supporters later gathered around Humber Street, taking advantage of the warm weather and celebratory atmosphere as the city continued to savour promotion.

Interestingly, while many members of the squad struggled to sleep amid the excitement, Jakirovic revealed he had actually been resting surprisingly well throughout the entire experience.

The Hull manager admitted he slept for around five or six hours after the final and even claimed he had slept calmly on the night before the Wembley showdown.

According to Jakirovic, he woke up on the morning of the match feeling unusually relaxed and confident.

He explained that he had a strong feeling everything would go well for Hull, although he could not fully explain why he felt so calm before such an enormous occasion.

Flood Of Messages From Across Europe

Since Hull’s promotion was confirmed, Jakirovic says he has received an overwhelming number of congratulatory messages from friends, relatives, and colleagues across the football world.

The Croatian coach revealed that many of the messages came from people across the Balkan region, where his achievements with Hull City have attracted widespread attention and admiration.

Jakirovic admitted he deeply appreciated every message he received and felt it was important to personally respond whenever possible.

In fact, he revealed he spent around three hours replying to messages following the Wembley triumph because he wanted to thank people for taking the time to contact him.

The manager explained that even a short message of congratulations meant a great deal to him during such an emotional period.

For Jakirovic, the outpouring of support reflected how closely people had followed Hull’s remarkable season and how respected his achievements had become internationally.

Hull City Looking Ahead To Premier League Return

While Monday’s celebrations focused entirely on enjoying the moment, attention will soon turn toward the enormous challenge awaiting Hull City next season.

Promotion to the Premier League represents a huge accomplishment for the club, but it also brings significant pressure as the Tigers prepare to compete against some of the strongest teams in world football.

However, judging by the scenes across Hull during the parade, supporters are fully behind Jakirovic and the squad as they prepare for the next chapter.

The Croatian coach has quickly become a hugely popular figure among the fanbase thanks to his personality, honesty, and the winning mentality he brought to the club.

His humorous “apology” during the parade only strengthened that connection further and perfectly captured the confidence and unity now surrounding Hull City.

For one unforgettable Bank Holiday Monday, football completely united the city as fans celebrated a return to the Premier League and the beginning of what they hope will be another exciting era in the club’s history.