Ilıcalı hoping for ‘chain reaction’ as he asks fans to join Tigers ‘revolution’
VISION: Acun Ilıcalı. Picture credit: Hull City
By Simon Bristow
New Hull City owner Acun Ilıcalı has revealed his ambitious vision for the club, which includes promotion to the Premier League, cut-price tickets, and “entertaining”, “brave” football that will make the “beautiful supporters” happy.
In his first press conference as owner and chairman, Ilıcalı also pledged not to sell highly-rated youngster Keane Lewis-Potter, and said he expected to have completed the signing of four new players by the close of the transfer window on Monday.
One of those coming in is expected to be young Fenerbahce striker Allahyar Sayyadmanesh, Ilıcalı said, who he thought would be “sensational” for the Tigers.
Yesterday the club announced the signing of 22-year-old midfielder Regan Slater from Sheffield United for an undisclosed fee.
The new chairman has already turned down a “crazy” offer for Lewis-Potter, and would not sell him for £20m, he said.
Seated next to new manager Shota Arveladze, the Turkish media mogul said he was targeting a top-six finish this season, and a promotion push in the next campaign.
And in words that will be music to the ears of City fans, many of whom had become disillusioned under the previous ownership of Assem Allam, Ilıcalı placed supporters front and centre of the “revolution” he is inviting them to join, also saying “I own the team with the supporters”.
He said: “My vision is to have a very good team, a successful team, to make this beautiful city people as happy as we can, and to get everybody more entertained.”
In a direct appeal to the Tiger Nation, Ilıcalı said: “I’m asking our fans now to support their team as much as they can. But I want more people in the stadium. More attendance I want, and I want them to just give as much as they can so that we can be a stronger team.
NEW TEAM: From left, Tan Kesler, Acun Ilıcalı, Shota Arveladze, and Jim Rodwell
“A team is more stronger with their fans. So we will make revolutions, we will make suprises for them. I will try to make the fans happy.”
Ilıcalı said the decision to replace previous manager Grant McCann with Arveladze was “tough” but revealed it had been taken “maybe six months ago”.
Arveladze said he was extremely proud to have been appointed, and had received congratulatory texts from the former prime minister and foreign minister of his native Georgia, as well as from Georgia football legend Georgi Kinkladze.
He said: “You know, everybody generally dreams to come over here. In the football sector everybody looks to UK and especially England, and I’m really thankful to the chairman and all the people who gives me this opportunity.”
Ilıcalı said what had attracted him to Arveladze as a manager was his “intelligence”, adding: “Shota is for me one of the bravest coaches I’ve ever seen, and I’m sure he’s going to put on the pitch the football I’m dreaming [of].”
The 48-year-old has managed over 300 games in spells with five clubs in three different countries, boasting a win percentage of more than 50 per cent.
He is perhaps best known in the UK for his stellar playing career, having won league titles in Scotland with Rangers, in Holland with Ajax, and in his homeland with Dinamo Tbilisi.
Ilıcalı said he had been for a walk around Beverley before the press conference, and had been approached by many people wishing him well.
“This makes me so proud,” he said. “I can say that I’m so happy.”
UP THE TIGERS: From left, Jim Rodwell, Acun Ilıcalı, and Tan Kesler assemble for photographs on the pitch
Ilıcalı said he planned to cut admission prices for children under 16 to £2, while season ticket holders could also bring a friend for £2.
“They are trying to stop me, I don’t care,” he said.
Asked where revenue would come from if he was making such concessions, Ilıcalı said: “I have the money.”
He said children would grow up to buy tickets if they got used to attending games, and that success would bring revenue.
He added: “So we will do what we can and want our beautiful supporters to do what they can. It will be like a chain reaction.”
Asked if he expected to be at the club in the long term, Ilıcalı said: “I would say that we will give our everything, but from now on this is my home; you don’t leave your home easy, so I will stay here as much as I can.”
Also unveiled at today’s press conference at the MKM Stadium were vice-chairman Tan Kesler, who had first suggested to Ilıcalı that he should look at City, and new CEO Jim Rodwell.
Rodwell was asked what his role would be, given it said “interim CEO” on his name card on the table. “I’m hoping that’s a typo,” he joked.
Ilıcalı said he would be flying back to Turkey for his daughter’s birthday tomorrow before returning to the MKM Stadium for the visit of Swansea on Saturday, which will be Arveladze’s first game in charge.
You almost feel sorry for Swansea.
Almost.