Hull City tipped to eye Spurs man, Miron Muslic and Dean Smith to replace Ruben Selles | OneFootball

The Tigers' search for Selles' successor is now underway

A fresh claim regarding those likely to be considered by Acun Ilicali as a potential replacement for Ruben Selles at Hull City has emerged.

The Tigers are now searching for the sixth permanent manager of the Turkish owner's three-and-a-half year tenure following his £30m takeover in January 2022, as after a lengthy period of speculation regarding the Spaniard's long-term future at the MKM, it was confirmed on Thursday evening that he, James Oliver-Pearce and Tobias Loveland all departed with immediate effect.

Ilicali is now faced with a crucial decision when it comes to his next appointment, having dismissed both Liam Rosenior and Tim Walter in the past 12 months before the appointment of Selles in December on a two-and-a-half year contract.

City had endured an extremely frustrating and inconsistent 2024/25 season in the Championship by comparison to their previous position as play-off contenders, eventually securing their safety with a 1-1 draw against Portsmouth at Fratton Park on the final day, finishing above relegated Luton Town on goal difference as the Hatters were defeated 5-3 by West Bromwich Albion.

And, just hours after official confirmation was made by the East Yorkshire club regarding Selles' predicament after a series of reviews held by the hierarchy, talk of who is expected to be considered for the vacancy has already begun.

Ex-Hull City midfielder and former Aston Villa boss mentioned in fresh Tigers' managerial 'consideration' claim

It was initially reported by Mike White of BBC Radio Humberside alongside the developing story on Selles' departure that no manager had been immediately lined up to replace the former Reading and Southampton boss.

After Selles' exit was confirmed, it was then claimed that City are looking at UK-based and overseas candidates, although there is the potential for Ilicali to be swayed towards the latter after his previous appointments of Shota Arveladze and the aforementioned Walter.

And, in the early hours of Friday morning, a fresh report from Hull Live outlined some of the names who are "likely to be considered" for the role in the form of club-record signing, Ryan Mason, Alex Neil, Miron Muslic and former Aston Villa boss, Dean Smith.

Mason, currently assistant to Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham Hotspur, played 20 times and scored twice for the Tigers in 2016/17 before suffering a well-documented career-ending injury away to Chelsea, and has also been linked with the vacancy at West Bromwich Albion amid reports that Spurs' run to the UEFA Europa League final has caused issues in Shilen Patel's bid to prize the highly-rated coach to the Hawthorns.

Neil was linked with a potential switch to the MKM prior to Selles' appointment before joining Millwall later in the month, and the Scot eventually guided the Lions to an eighth-place finish, missing out on a play-off spot on the final day.

Muslic was appointed at Home Park in January and, despite the Pilgrims' relegation to League One, has gained plenty of admirers for his work that saw the Pilgrims give themselves a fighting chance of survival in the season's final weeks with three wins in the final five games, and has been linked with a potential move away despite stating what needs to occur in Devon in the off-season for him to remain in charge.

Meanwhile, Smith, who guided Villa back to the Premier League in May 2019 and consolidated the club's position back in the top-flight after impressive stints with Walsall and Brentford, has been in charge of MLS side, Charlotte FC since December 2023, and signed a contract extension until 2027 two months ago.

It has also been stated that Tony Mowbray and Steve Cooper are not in the frame, despite the Tigers having plenty of admiration for the latter's previous work.

Hull City have to nail next managerial appointment as uncertainty grows

Whilst the key reasoning behind Selles' exit revolved around a style-of-play issue and poor end-of-season form regardless of survival, many supporters were of the opinion that the 43-year-old should have been given the chance to continue heading into next season.

After inheriting a squad rooted to the bottom of the table and one which hadn't tasted victory between October 1st and December 21st, Selles was able to accrue 34 points from his 27 league games and shored up his side defensively, although an eventual goal return of 44 goals from 46 games would be the worst tally in the division.

Following previous managerial mishaps, the majority of names previously highlighted possess an array of tactical ideas and a variety of experience, with Neil and Smith both successful at leading clubs back to the Premier League, which has been Ilicali's dream, although Hull have only come close on one occasion to ending their current eight-year hiatus.

It remains to be seen whether any of the quartet will eventually take the reins, but supporters will feel the hierarchy have to get the next appointment spot on and provide them with long-term backing, rather than a changing of the guard every so often.