The roar of the crowd still echoes in Hull City's ears after a historic promotion to the Premier League, but the calm is over. Manager Sergej Jakirovic isn't resting on laurels. He’s looking at the abyss of England’s top flight and preparing for war. In a candid interview with Croatian outlet *Sportske Novosti*, the Croatian tactician laid bare his ambitions, his fears, and his massive transfer list.

The Shock of the New

"I had to pinch myself," Jakirovic admitted. "People are coming up to me on the street, celebrating everywhere. I realize now how much this is being watched back home in Croatia. Last year, I watched the Sheffield United vs Sunderland match on TV—a game with the biggest prize in the world. Now, I’m on the touchline, part of the history. But I’m keeping my feet on the ground. The work starts now."

A Transfer Bonanza or a Trap?

Survival isn't about luck; it's about bodies. Jakirovic was blunt: "We keep a core of 12 players who carried this season. That means we need 12 to 15 new signings." A staggering number. But money talks, and Jakirovic knows the stakes. "We spoke to the owner, but no exact figures yet. We’ll sit down and talk. We know Coventry plans to spend around €40 million, but they’ve been building for two years. Ipswich is preparing roughly €80 million."

Then there’s the benchmark: Sunderland. "Sunderland spent around €120 million last summer as newly promoted sides and finished seventh, securing Europa League football," Jakirovic noted. "They are my guide. They found cheap but high-quality gems, especially from Belgium and France. If we could get €120 million, that would be a dream. I don’t think we have that, but we’ll see."

Freedom to Spend and a New Deal

The biggest change? "The most important thing is we have no embargo now. We can pay transfer fees. We have a great sporting director, Jared Dublin, who knows the market well. The final say is mine, but we always find common ground. Dublin’s team brings the list; we filter and choose together."

And for Jakirovic himself? Job security is in the air. "I met with Acun Ilıcalı on Monday. He told me he’s preparing a new contract. My current deal has a year left, plus a club option for another. It’s normal to get a new deal now. After all, we are a Premier League club now."