‘Football is life here’: Tigers appoint Tapalović & Hübner as assistant head coaches

‘HAPPY AND PROUD’: Filip Tapalović, left, and Julian Hübner. Picture credit: Hull City

By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor

Hull City have appointed Filip Tapalović and Julian Hübner as assistant head coaches.

The duo worked alongside head coach Tim Walter in the same capacity at his last club Hamburg throughout his two-and-a-half-year tenure.

German-born three-time Croatia international Tapalović began his coaching career with 1860 Munich’s academy and was assistant manager at Australian sides Adelaide United and Melbourne Victory.

The 47-year-old UEFA Pro Licence holder made 138 Bundesliga appearances as a midfielder for Bochum, 1860 Munich and Schalke, as well as playing in Austria and Croatia.

A UEFA A licence coach, 40-year-old Hübner was Walter’s assistant in the Under-19s at Karlsruher, where he also coached the Under-16s and Under-17s, and managed SV Rülzheim in 2021.

Tapalović said: “I’m very excited, very happy to be here and glad to be a part of Hull City. I’m looking forward to the season and starting the competition. England is a big football country. Football is life here.

“We played against Tim when I was a coach in 1860 Munich and he was at Karlsruher – it was the first time we’d met each other. We did our UEFA Pro Licence course together and drove by train to the camp. We had a good team at Hamburg with Julian and I am happy we can continue working together.”

Hübner said: “It’s something special for me. It’s my first station not in Germany. It’s quite different but the people are so lovely. I am really happy and proud to be here.

“Ten years ago, I started with Tim in the Under-19s in Karlsruher. We were second in the league after Julian Nagelsmann and Hoffenheim, played in a semi-final against Schalke. It was a fantastic experience.

“We have been friends since then. After some years, he asked me to join him in Hamburg – a fantastic time. Now I’m here and really looking forward to it.”