Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior issues honest Hull City appraisal as Sergej Jakirovic message sent | OneFootball

The former Tigers boss was extremely complimentary to Sergej Jakirovic's side after the Blues' progress in the FA Cup

Former Hull City head coach and current Chelsea chief Liam Rosenior believes that the Tigers have every chance of achieving a first promotion to the Premier League since 2017 under the management of Sergej Jakirovic.

The 41-year-old made his first return to the MKM Stadium after being relieved of his duties by City owner, Acun Ilicali, 21 months ago after the East Yorkshire side finished seventh in the 2023/24 Championship season, and saw his current employers eventually brush second-tier opposition aside in the FA Cup for a second successive round through a 4-0 scoreline.

Portuguese winger, Pedro Neto, received plenty of acclaim for his performance in HU3, in which he netted a first senior hat-trick, with the other strike for the West London side coming through Estevao in the early stages of the second period. The game also saw former Tigers loanee, Liam Delap, register a hat-trick of assists.

It was a spirited effort from the Tigers against the Club World Cup champions, albeit it does represent a third match in all competitions without victory after a home draw and defeat to Watford and Bristol City in the two encounters prior to the club's first tie at this stage of the historic competition since a 2-1 defeat against the same opponents six years ago.

Rosenior's connections to Hull have been well-documented throughout his career, and were, once again, in the lead-up to the tie which took place in front of 24,320 spectators on a bitterly cold night, as well as those watching on national television.

Despite being deprived of the chance to lead his former club back to the top-flight two years ago, the Chelsea boss acknowledged that the Tigers are certainly moving in the right direction as they currently sit fourth in the Championship whilst overcoming a multitude of injury issues and a two-window transfer fee restriction.

Liam Rosenior hopes to see Hull City back in the Premier League next season

Although the scoreline did, to an extent, showcase the control which the Blues had for large periods of the game in terms of possession and chances, Rosenior reiterated that he knew the challenges which Hull presented, particularly in transitions, which were certainly apparent in the first period.

Jakirovic's side have used their speed to good effect in their 31 Championship matches thus far, which has led to an accumulation of 54 points, and they are just five points behind second-placed Coventry City.

When asked if he saw a side with the potential to achieve what many believe would be an 'unexpected' promotion given the aforementioned pre-season events, Rosenior said: I just think, analysing the games and knowing the characters in the dressing room and what the club are trying to build, I think that the spirit, the character of the team and their threat in transition, they're going to be a difficult team.

"I really, really hope it (promotion) happens. So I wish them all the best," the former Tigers boss and cult hero added.

"It's so nice to see so many really, really welcoming faces here. And I think the manager's doing a fantastic job and I wish them all the best."

Hull City will hope to build on spirited Chelsea performance in Championship run-in

Rosenior, of course, is aware more than most about the momentum which can be generated in East Yorkshire during a successful spell with the Tigers, having won automatic promotion, reached an FA Cup final and finished in the club's highest league placement and a brief stint in European football during 161 appearances for City between 2010 and 2015.

Jakirovic is now hoping to take Hull back to such heights, having proven many doubters wrong in a short period of time, and the Bosnian certainly believes his team can take the positives out of Friday's defeat into their remaining fixtures.

"I said to Liam (Rosenior) that we deserved a goal and he agreed. But, congratulations to my players," said Jakirovic.

"If we play the next games with this passion, energy and intensity and we are tactically good, we can be much higher in the Championship."