The Hull City owner Acun Ilicali is tackling the question ‘Will you be tempted to sack your manager if you are bottom of the Premier League at Christmas?’ when Sergej Jakirovic walks through the room at the club’s training ground where our interview is taking place. 

Given that everyone seems to be predicting the club to go straight back down to the Championship, this feels rather awkward.

Ilicali does not generally flinch, however, and as Jakirovic disappears into a side room, from where you suspect our conversation will remain entirely audible, he proceeds to explain why he and his manager are ‘completely matching’ in a way that he and Liam Rosenior, whom he dismissed two summers ago, were not.

So, does he think the Bosnian will be here this time next year? ‘Yes, yes, yes,’ Ilicali insists. ‘Some things happen unexpectedly in life. It’s like that in marriage. Are you always together until death? No. But if there are some failures, it will not be Sergej’s fault. Maybe the players will be young, inexperienced, new to the Premier League. 

‘Of course, I will stand by him if he loses games. I will not be judging him by the position in the table. It will be what can we do more to make him successful.’

History tells us that it can be hard to sustain that magnanimity in the white heat of the Premier League, where battle will be rejoined this weekend as Hull entertain Manchester United. 

Ilicali is under no illusions about the scale of the task in front of him. ‘The next five years of the club’s history will be decided in the next two months,’ he admits

Ilicali recounts some very good reasons for belief in the 49-year-old Jakirovic, who took the club from the jaws of Championship relegation to the top flight, but the size of the challenge up ahead looks formidable. Ilicali has established a transfer budget, including transfer fees and wages, of £200million, in a break-neck process of squad-building which, he says, will see 15 new players through the door and be era-defining.

‘The next five years of the club’s history will be decided in the next two months,’ he relates. ‘And what we are trying to do is complicated. If you fail, you will be relegated. If you are not careful, you will have players you are then not able to sell. And at worst, this situation can be a disaster for a club.’ 

In an ideal world, Hull would be able to lure back Liam Delap, the loanee who did so much for the club two years back, but the wages Chelsea would want for sending him back to Humberside would, Ilicali reveals, be double the club’s average. ‘We love him and I hope he loves us but for this season, I didn’t even ask Chelsea.’

With typical candour, Ilicali declares that good players with Premier League pedigree – often cited as a necessity for the newly-promoted – will simply not be keen enough to justify him spending all summer chasing after them.

‘These boys don’t come easily,’ he says. ‘A good, experienced, successful player in the Premier League will have four or five options. Why should he choose a team that everybody thinks will be relegated? 

‘It is easy to say, “Get the Premier League boys and be safe” but most of the boys you can bring from the Premier League will not be wanted by their club, so you will not be able to take the shiny ones. Manchester United or City will take those shiny ones, but they will not come to us.’

Instead, Ilicali and his recruitment team have looked further afield to the leagues of Germany, Italy, France and Spain which he – and there‘s a clear sense that the Turkish entrepreneur and media mogul is driving the thinking here – sees as close enough in quality to justify investment. 

‘So instead of Premier League players past the top of their careers, I go for those who have the dream of playing in the Premier League,’ Ilicali says. ‘Boys who want to play in the best league in the world.’

‘Instead of players past the top of their careers, I go for those who have the dream of playing in the Premier League’

Ilicali owns a Rolls Royce with amber trim, and has now bought the property in Ferriby he was previously renting

A hands-on owner, he has spoken personally to every single player Hull have signed this summer

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It means the new roster includes Nobel Mendy, a 22-year-old, £20million Senegalese centre back from La Liga’s Rayo Vallecano, Greek keeper Konstantinos Tzolakis, 23, from Olympiacos, and Lucas Gourna-Douath, also 23, from Red Bull Salzburg, with Real Betis winger Pablo Garcia in the club’s sights. 

Teenage Australia defender Lucas Herrington has arrived from Colorado Rapids. A move for Everton’s Tim Iroegbunam, an excellent midfield ball-winner, is still conceivable despite a hamstring injury which will keep him out for three weeks.

The acquisitions illustrate a desire to spread the risk, prevent salary overload and potentially bring players who will prosper and bring sell-ons, giving Hull more money to reinvest.

As well as the uncertainty about how these players will fare in the white heat of the top flight, assimilating as many as 15 incomers – nine are through Hull’s door and six more are sought – can bring fiendish challenges. But Ilicali is unmoved by the ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’ and adamant that good individuals, rather than proven individuals, are the ones for him.

‘I have to say something very clearly. This team has a family spirit and this brought us to the Premier League,’ he says. ‘We want hungry players, real professionals, dedicated people. I like the word “dedicated” in life. Dedicated people get success. So, “dedicated” is a word in our transfers.’ He’s spoken individually to every player they’ve signed, he says, and will continue doing so until the last one is in.

This is an individual who will certainly never die wondering what might have been. He rose from a job as a TV football reporter to become a multimillionaire reality TV entrepreneur. He sees this challenge as the latest of many. 

‘We are ready for every scenario,’ says Ilicali. ‘This is life. Life can bring you anything. What we have to do is to make the correct choices, though make the risk as low as possible, for the future of the club.’

It cannot have helped, we put it to him, that no sooner had the side won promotion, he was parting company with his sporting director, Jared Dublin, whose CV had included time at Sheffield United during their ninth-place Premier League finish in 2020. 

Hull’s much-changed squad now includes Nobel Mendy, a 22-year-old, £20million Senegalese centre back from La Liga’s Rayo Vallecano

There are high hopes for Greek goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis after his move from Olympiacos

Ilicali says Dublin’s pay expectations after promotion in last May’s play-off win over Middlesbrough simply exceeded what he was willing to stretch to. ‘Jared just valued himself [at a level] which for our principle was not possible,’ he relates. ‘I respect him and wish him success. I respect everybody about their own careers. Football is so dynamic, tomorrow you do not know who will be with you.’

He has replaced the American with his compatriot Okan Ozkan, former assistant sporting director in the bearpit of Fenerbahce, with whom he worked for a year when juggling his media career and Hull ownership with a role overseeing the Turkish side’s football operations. ’It will be zero problem,’ he says of Dublin’s departure. ‘Okan is a very successful boy, who I have worked with in this setting, and he has a very good future. It will be seamless.’

The same booming confidence comes back when we put it to him that some people are projecting Hull to finish bottom of the league. ‘Some?’ he asks. ‘Not just some! Most of the predictions have us there! It’s like last year, when 80 per cent of the football people in England were thinking we were going to be relegated from the Championship.

‘I just hope that one day I am one of the analysts so I can see what this job is like. In Turkish there’s an expression: “Don’t talk from where you are lying.” [Yattığın yerden konuşma, literally ‘don’t pontificate from a position of comfort’.] ‘To those who are sceptics, I say: “Come here and see us first.”’

The evidence of the sea-change is visible at the club’s MKM Stadium, a few miles away, where building work to upgrade the club’s media facilities was ongoing in the heat of last Friday. 

That lunchtime’s Hull Daily Mail reflected the sense of transformation. The back page lead featured new signing Mendy declaring: ‘I’m ready for the challenge.’ There was further analysis on one of the club’s targets, young Deportiva La Coruna star Yeremay Hernandez, while Herrington told the paper that his Hull move fulfilled a ‘dream’ of Premier League football. New defender Matt Targett declared himself ready to battle for a first-team place and striker Joe Gelhardt’s imminent move from Leeds United was also reported.

So, which promoted Premier League club are Hull modelling themselves on? ‘Leicester City ten years ago!’ Ilicali jokes. ‘That’s the best model of all! But no – I am humble, so I will say Brentford and Brighton – both clubs that have managed to be sustainable and successful in the Premier League.’

His distinctive Rolls Royce with amber Hull City trim is parked up outside and the weekend ahead would be spent overseeing building work on the detached property at rural Ferriby with views across the Humber Estuary which he has now bought, having previously rented it.

Ilicali says he will stand by boss Sergej Jakirovic after he delivered the miracle of promotion from the Championship last year

‘I love to be the “underdog”. And it would be as good as promotion this year to stay in the league’

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He has been the only Premier League owner this summer to have offered regular engagement with his club’s fans over transfers on social media. His posting of national flags on Twitter/X, denoting the nationality of players incoming and egg timer icons, signalling work still underway, demonstrated that in so many ways he is not the typical Premier League owner.

‘I was seeing some fake information about some players that we were “interested” in, which was agents using us and giving unnecessary hope to my fans,’ he says. ‘I’ve always had a relationship with the fans of this club, that I think deserve to have transparency. 

‘When I looked at our new transfer targets, I thought it was like the United Nations! Be proud that so many countries were now associated with our club. I’m someone who once queued for a ticket for games and this boy became the owner of this club, so I like to think that in some small way I’m representing the ordinary fan.’

It may encourage those Hull supporters wondering what on earth this autumn holds that he is already casting an eye to how next summer might be. ‘I love to be the “underdog”, because there’s no translation of this word in Turkish,’ Ilicali reflects. 

‘It would be as good as promotion this year to stay in the league. And if we do stay up, people will maybe say: “Hull can fight for the top ten.” So then we can bring in the stars.’

Robin Williams‘ three children Zak, Zelda and Cody Williams are working on a project to honor their beloved father.

Zak, 43, Zelda, 37, and Cody, 34, took to Instagram on Monday to share how they plan to maintain the late actor and comedian’s Instagram account as a way to keep his ‘unique talent and humor’ alive.

‘As we recognize what would be our Dad’s 75th year, we’re grateful to see new generations discovering his work while longtime fans continue to celebrate the joy he brought into their lives,’ they said in a joint statement.

‘As technology evolves, we want this to be a safe, trusted place where the stories, photos, videos, and memories shared reflect his legacy with authenticity, warmth, and care.’

‘He continues to inspire us and delight people all over the world,’ they added.

The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Zelda Williams for further comment on the story.

Robin Williams’ three children Zak, Zelda and Cody Williams are working on a project to honor their beloved father and keep his ‘unique talent and humor’ alive 

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Robin Williams tragically killed himself on August 11, 2014 at his San Francisco-area home. He was 63.

It was subsequently revealed that he’d been dealing with anxiety and depression and had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease months before his passing.

His autopsy showed he had Lewy body disease, a form of crippling dementia.

Later on Monday, Zelda posted again to apologize if anyone had found the reactivation of the Mork and Mindy star’s old Instagram page ‘triggering.’

‘Believe me, I know it’s a little strange,’ she shared.

‘But making that space into one where people can find authentic clips and photos of him is one of the best ways we’ve now found to fight back against rampant AI abuse of his voice and likeness on here.’

Last fall, Zelda took to Instagram Stories to request people refrain from sending her AI-generated images and clips resembling her late father.

‘Please, just stop sending me AI videos of Dad,’ she said in October of 2025. ‘Stop believing I wanna see it or that I’ll understand, I don’t and I won’t. If you’re just trying to troll me, I’ve seen way worse, I’ll restrict and move on.

Later on Monday, Zelda posted again to apologize if anyone had found the reactivation of the Mork and Mindy star’s old Instagram page ‘triggering’ 

Zak Williams is the star’s son from his first marriage while Zelda and her brother Cody are from his second marriage. Above left, Zak and Zelda in 2021. Above right, Cody in 2017 

‘But please, if you’ve got any decency, just stop doing this to him and to me, to everyone even, full stop. It’s dumb, it’s a waste of time and energy, and believe me, it’s NOT what he’d want.’

Zelda said that ‘to watch the legacies of real people be condensed down to “this vaguely looks and sounds like them so that’s enough,” just so other people can churn out horrible TikTok slop puppeteering them is maddening.

‘You’re not making art, you’re making disgusting, over-processed hotdogs out of the lives of human beings, out of the history of art and music, and then shoving them down someone else’s throat hoping they’ll give you a little thumbs up and like it. Gross.’

Last month, Zelda and Zak took to Instagram to remember their late father on what would have been his 75th birthday on July 21.

‘Happy 75th womb evacuation anniversary Poppo!’ Zelda said on the platform. ‘Not sure what 75 would’ve looked like on you. 

‘Probably the same loud socks and cool jackets. Maybe some more crazy glasses as your eyesight got worse. Grayer, but no less hairy.’

She added: ‘Wish we could talk about the world and joke about my haunted pups. Bet your laugh would be the same. You are loved beyond measure and missed daily. Happy 75th Poppo.’

(L-R) Cody Williams, Zak Williams, Williams’ ex-wife Marsha Garces, Zelda Williams and Robin Williams pictured at an event in NYC in 2004 

Zak wrote: ‘Happy 75th Dad! Today I’m remembering your weirdness and your extraordinary capacity to love. 

‘I remember those wrinkles in the corners of your eyes – the kind you get from a lifetime of smiling. I remember your unending need to see this world free of human and animal suffering.’

He continued: ‘For those out there who’d like to celebrate with me, go do something kind for someone. Make someone laugh. Put a little more good into the world. Love you forever.’

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. 

ITV Good Morning Britain fans admitted they had no idea about the presenter’s career move.

Good Morning Britain presenter Laura Tobin has shared a glimpse into her private life as she introduced herself to new followers on social media.

The meteorologist has been a firm favourite on ITV after joining Daybreak in 2012 before moving to Good Morning Britain when it launched in 2014.

However, fans have now admitted they weren’t aware of earlier parts of Laura’s career, when she worked for the BBC.

In a post on Instagram, the 44-year-old wrote: “I’ve had lots of new followers lately, so thought I’d do a ‘re introduce’ myself. Thank you to followers old & new, hope you learn something new!”

Alongside a picture of herself at school, Laura began: “I fell in love with weather aged 14!”

She went on: “I studied Physics and Meteorology at the University of Reading and graduated in 2003.

“I have been a meteorologist for 22 years and one of my first jobs was at RAF Brize Norton.

“I worked at the BBC Weather centre. And have worked at ITV on Good Morning Britain for 14 years!!”

One fan admitted they had no idea about Laura’s career history, sharing: “That’s one thing I didn’t know about you that you worked for the BBC really.”

Someone else asked: “Were you pleased to leave the BBC and join GMB? The clothes and makeup you wear are amazing and I look at the outfits and think I’d like that.”

Another added: “Follows you for a while but still learnt something new!”

Yet another wrote: “Beautiful photo on BBC, cementing you as a brilliant meteorologist.”

This comes after Laura’s latest career move, as she recently revealed she is writing a new book.

The GMB star previously gave fans a peek of the front cover of Come Rain or Shine, sharing: “Aagghhh. So excited to finally say I’ve written a book with everything you need to know about the weather. It’s one of our favourite conversations.”

She went on: “If you’ve ever wanted to know why the sky is blue, how clouds form and which ones mean rain, I’ve written all that and more with fascinating facts, a sprinkle of science & fun stories along the way.”

She added: “Then even be able to predict the weather yourself. I’ve loved writing it and can’t wait for you to read it.”

Laura was showered in support from her co-stars and fans alike, as they rushed to wish her congratulations.

Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV1 and ITVX.

Governors House, based at The Treadmills in Northallerton, announced over the weekend that it will close for a week while the team moves into its new premises.

The restaurant will reopen as Farmhouse Northallerton, with the business saying the larger venue will allow it to provide more of what regular diners have asked for.

In a social media post on Sunday (August 16), the team said: “We’re moving.

“But don’t worry, we haven’t gone far.

“Simply turn around and you’ll find us at the new Farmhouse Northallerton. It’s still us. Same team, same food, and same passion for what we do, just in a bigger venue so we can offer you everything you’ve all been asking us for.”

Governors House has operated at The Treadmills for three years. The business thanked customers who have supported it since opening, describing their loyalty and recommendations as key to its growth.

The post said: “Because of your loyalty, support, kind words, and continued love for what we do, Governors House has turned into something way more than we ever anticipated, allowing us to be lucky enough to take the next step into something bigger and better.

Governors House, Northallerton (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

“This wouldn’t have been possible without all of you who continue to walk through our doors, recommend us to friends and family, and keep coming back time and time again.

“You’ve helped us grow, shown us endless support, and are the reason we do what we do. We will never take that for granted.

“Here’s to our new big chapter and to the new Farmhouse Northallerton. We can’t wait to see you all in our new home very soon.”

Customers have since shared messages of support for the business ahead of its move.

One wrote: “Enjoy your last day. Looking forward to seeing you all in your new place soon.”

Another said: “Good luck guys, look forward to visiting the new restaurant.”

Opening details for Farmhouse Northallerton are expected to be announced soon.

Police in Ireland have made a breakthrough with their investigation as tributes have been paid to the five teenagers who were killed when they drove the wrong way down the M9

Police have issued a major update on the wrong-way motorway crash which killed five teenagers and seriously hurt a family of four.

The tragedy unfolded in the early hours of Sunday morning (August 16) on the M9 in County Kildare, Ireland. Five teenagers driving a BMW were pronounced dead at the scene by Irish police (Gardai).

They were killed when they collided head-on at more than 74mph with a Hyundai containing three women and a 7-year-old boy. The four Hyundai passengers have been ‘seriously’ injured and were all from the same family, the Irish Mirror reports .

Two days after the incident shocked Ireland, the teenage boys have been named.

They are Jeremy O’Brien, 18, from Carlow; Alex McCarthy, 17, from Carlow; Joey Carthy, 15, from Athy, Kildare; Jack Kennedy, 17, also from Athy; and Kamil Pustkowski, 17, from Limerick.

Their families and friends have paid tribute to them. Jeremy O’Brien’s mother, Margaret, posted: “Rest in heavenly peace, my beautiful son.

“Things will never be the same without you. You took a piece of my heart to heaven with you.

“It was such a privilege to be your mother. I am so proud of you.”

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One post paying tribute to Joe Carthy said: “Why did it have to be you of all people? You would never see a bad bone in his body. He really was going to make something when he grew up.”

Tributes were also paid to Limerick-born Kamil Pustkowski. One pal said on TikTok: “Rest easy, Kamil. Look over all of us.”

Another pal said: “Only spoke the other day and was planning to meet. My heart’s broken bro, missing ye already. We will all do ye proud brother.”

The tributes have emerged as authorities confirmed the survivors of the crash were driving to Dublin airport to fly to England for a wedding.

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The 7-year-old boy is being treated at Crumlin Children’s Hospital. It was reported on Monday (August 17) that he suffered a broken leg.

The female driver and front seat passenger remain critically ill in Tallaght University Hospital in south Dublin.

And the woman who was in the back seat beside the boy was in a serious condition at St. Luke’s General Hospital in Kilkenny, but was later moved to St Vincent’s Hospital in south Dublin.

Police have also issued an update on the investigation into the crash. Initially, gardai believed the teens had stolen the car after receiving reports of young suspects trying to break into vehicles and houses in nearby Athy at around 2am on Sunday. But cops are now satisfied that the BMW was legitimately purchased by an associate of one of the teenagers for €1,100 (£940).

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The tragedy has sparked debate in Ireland over how the gardai should respond to such incidents, as officers did not pursue the vehicle when it drove the wrong way down the motorway.

As detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash, Fiosru, the police ombudsman, is also examining Garda contact with the BMW before the collision.

A video showing another car being driven against the flow of motorway traffic has also prompted calls for road safety enforcement in the wake of the horrific M9 crash.

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The clip, shared widely on social media, shows a vehicle travelling at speed while driving the wrong way down a busy road. The short video shows the car narrowly avoiding two oncoming heavy goods vehicles, with the second truck swiftly moving over to avoid a potential collision.

It is one of a number of alleged joyriding clips that have surfaced in recent days following a crash on the M50 last week and Sunday’s horrific head-on crash that claimed the lives of five teenagers. Representatives for frontline officers are now calling for appropriate pursuit training to deal with these incidents going forward.

The Irish Taoiseach, equivalent to Prime Minister, Micheal Martin said he was “shocked and saddened” at the tragedy, which he described as being the result of “an irresponsible and dangerous act”.

Mr Martin said such incidents are, in some cases, “being done for likes on social media”. He said: “This is the second appalling crash we’ve seen on our roads in a matter of days as a result of the reckless driving of a car on the wrong side of the motorway, endangering the lives of innocent road users.”

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