Hull City part company with head coach Selles

Hull City have parted company with head coach Ruben Selles after six months in charge.

The Spaniard, 41, left League One Reading to replace Tim Walter on a two-and-a-half-year deal in December.

After an inconsistent season they eventually avoided relegation to League One on the final day of the campaign having secured a draw against Portsmouth.

However, chairman Acun Ilicali has chosen to make another managerial change, just over a year after he sacked Liam Rosenior after they finished seventh in the Championship.

"Following a thorough review of football operations after a challenging campaign, the club feels a change in leadership is necessary to move the team forward in line with our ambitions," a club statement said.

Assistant head coach James Oliver-Pearce and first-team coach Tobias Loveland have also left the club.

Selles had guided Reading to sixth in League One despite their off-field concerns when he left for East Yorkshire on 6 December.

Predecessor Walter had been relieved of his duties the previous week after a run of nine matches without a win.

Selles claimed his first win as Tigers boss with a 2-1 home victory over Swansea on 21 December to end a winless run of 13 matches.

Although they claimed notable results away from home under Selles, including wins at promotion-chasing Sheffield United and Sunderland, they found home wins incredibly hard to come by and ended the season with the worst home record in the division.

Defeats at the MKM Stadium by fellow strugglers Luton and Derby meant they went into the final game of the season in the Championship relegation zone.

Other fixtures meant a win would guarantee their survival and, although they were pegged back at Fratton Park after Matt Crooks had given them the lead, a point proved to be enough to keep them up on goal difference.

After the match Selles told BBC Radio Humberside: "Everyone in the club managed difficult moments and it has been a tough season for everyone and we deserved to stay in the division.

"We had a team that was rock bottom and to achieve the target this season with all the injuries and everything else is just massive.

"Now it's over and we crossed the line, we can rest a little bit and I told the players that we will remember this day for years to come."

Mike White, BBC Radio Humberside sports editor

Owner Acun Ilicali originally won over City supporters by being the knight in shining armour, taking over in early 2022 from the previous regime that had alienated itself from a large section of the fanbase.

He's taken some fans on all-expenses paid holidays to his native Turkey, spoken repeatedly about his love for the city of Hull and promoted his 'One Family, One Dream' mantra that is visible around the club.

Sadly, his ownership now feels like it has slid into a dysfunctional nightmare and many fans are venting their frustration towards the Turkish businessman with both barrels.

Where Hull turn next is the big question. One thing is for sure - a new manager has to be appointed quickly to ensure another summer of uncertainty and poor recruitment doesn't rear its head again like last year.

Names such as Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl as well as Russell Martin and Steve Cooper (both without clubs) are being touted among fans.

It does feel like it needs an experienced manager with knowledge of the English leagues but it has been suggested to me that Ilicali could be looking internationally again despite previous failed experiments in Shota Arveladze and Walter.

One thing's for certain - it's another challenging and uncertain time to be a Hull City fan.