However, the resilient TV tycoon is furious over being promoted to the mirror after rising beyond the depths of unfathomable sadness.co.uk/all-about/premier-league> Hull’s incredible rags to riches journey doesn’t finish in the Premier League.
“It will only be half of my dream if we make it to the Premier League,” says Ilicali. “Why are we not able to emulate Leicester? My dream is still unfulfilled; all I want is to watch my team compete in European leagues.
Away from the club he loves so much, though, he is a tenacious businessman, TV personality, and—most importantly—the essential power behind Acun Medya, one of the top three media production businesses in the world.
Though he is more than just a showman, the 54-year-old multimillionaire is even the host of Turkey’s version of The Voice.
Through partnerships and keeping his word, Ilicali has amassed a brilliant reputation that has given Hull supporters new hope.
“If you believe in magic and destiny, that’s why I bought Hull City,” he went on. When I made the decision to buy a club, I had five options, and by coincidence, I began looking at Hull.
“I saw gorgeous people all around me and this enormous bridge [the Humber Bridge, which resembles the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul, when I was in the city for a while. Because Miami is my favorite city in the world, I’ve always enjoyed living close to the coast. That’s why I felt like I belonged in the stadium.”
Because of his modest upbringing, Licali has a special bond with Hull supporters that is essential to his success.
“I’m going to every home game from either the Dominican Republic which is eight hours flight or from Turkey,” stated the Tigers manager, who last February provided fresh water and temporary accommodation to assist the millions devastated by the earthquakes in Turkey. I don’t think there are many more crazy owners than me, but I do my best to support the coach and the players with all of my passion.
“I may claim that my strong interpersonal relationships are a gift from God, which is why I moved from being a zero to a hero in Turkey. I witnessed the bottom of life, had no money, and have since gone through both good and bad times. The fan base just wants to feel like they belong to a single family. Football is nothing without fans.”
Liam Rosenior arrived amid discussions with “important coaches from Europe” and Hull was ranked twenty-first in the table.
The Turk claims that he has, however, returned Ilicali’s faith, saying, “I see the players giving everything and that comes from one man: Liam, who has always made us proud of the team.”
Hull’s recent transfer transactions, which included the intriguing purchases of Fabio Carvalho, Tyler Morton, Liam Delap, Jaden Philogene, and Abdulkadir Omur—who was once the target of a £20 million bid from Manchester City—showcase Ilicali’s systematic approach to business.
“We can be very sure that all of the transfers we make are working now,” says Ilicali. Carvalho was a Champions League player, so it was a dream come true. Although we put in a lot of work to make it happen, he is a Liverpool player, and at the end of the day, there is always room for improvement on the team.
