Former Hull City head coach and current Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior feels the Tigers have every opportunity of securing their first Premier League promotion since 2017 under Sergej Jakirovic’s supervision.

The 41-year-old made his first return to the MKM Stadium after being relieved of his duties by City owner Acun Ilicali 21 months ago after the East Yorkshire side finished seventh in the 2023/24 Championship season, and saw his current employers defeat second-tier opposition 4-0 in the FA Cup for the second consecutive round.

Pedro Neto, a Portuguese winger, garnered a lot of praise for his performance in HU3, when he scored his first senior hat-trick, with Estevao scoring the other goal for the West London side early in the second stanza. Liam Delap, a former Tigers loanee, also recorded three assists in the encounter.

The Tigers put up a valiant fight against the Club World Cup champions, but it was their third match without a win in all competitions, following a home draw and defeats to Watford and Bristol City in the two games preceding the club’s first tie at this stage of the historic competition since a 2-1 loss to the same opponents six years ago.

Rosenior’s ties to Hull have been well chronicled throughout his career, and they were highlighted once more in the build-up to the match, which was played in front of 24,320 fans on a brutally chilly night, as well as those watching on national television.

Despite being denied the opportunity to lead his former club back to the top flight two years ago, the Chelsea manager acknowledged that the Tigers are definitely moving in the right direction, as they currently sit fourth in the Championship despite a slew of injury issues and a two-window transfer fee restriction.

Liam Rosenior wishes to see Hull City return to the Premier League next season.

Although the scoreline did highlight the Blues’ control of possession and chances for long stretches of the game, Rosenior emphasized that he was aware of the obstacles that Hull provided, particularly in transitions, which were evident in the first period.

Jakirovic’s side has used their speed well in their 31 Championship matches so far, accumulating 54 points and trailing just second-placed Coventry City by five.

When asked if he saw a side with the potential to achieve a ‘unexpected’ promotion given the aforementioned pre-season events, Rosenior said: “I just think, analysing the games and knowing the characters in the dressing room and what the club are trying to build, I think the spirit, the character of the team and their threat in transition, they’re going to be a difficult team.”I truly hope it (the promotion) happens. “I wish them all the best,” the former Tigers manager and cult hero continued.It’s wonderful to see so many inviting faces here. And I think the manager is doing a great job, and I wish them the best.”

Hull City will try to build on their spirited Chelsea effort in the Championship run-in.

Rosenior, of course, is more aware than most of the momentum that can be generated in East Yorkshire during a successful spell with the Tigers, having won automatic promotion, reaching an FA Cup final, finishing in the club’s highest league position, and briefly playing in Europe during 161 appearances for City between 2010 and 2015.

Jakirovic hopes to return Hull to their former glory after proving many skeptics wrong in a short amount of time. The Bosnian feels his squad can carry lessons from Friday’s setback into their remaining fixtures.I told Liam (Rosenior) that we deserved a goal, and he agreed. Jakirovic congratulated his players.If we play the following games with the same enthusiasm, energy, and intensity, and we are tactically sound, we can finish much higher in the Championship.”

City now has one week to prepare for their next league match, which is against Queens Park Rangers at 12:30PM next Saturday.