Acun Ilicali criticises Joe Cole and Carlton Cole over podcast remarks

Hull City owner Acun Ilicali on 20 August 2026 criticised pundits Joe Cole and Carlton Cole after they mocked his club’s Premier League survival chances on The Dressing Room podcast ahead of the new season. The intervention followed public comments on the show predicting difficulty for the newly promoted side.

Ilicali has owned Hull City since January 2022, and the club secured promotion to the Premier League with a last-minute win over Middlesbrough in the play-off final at Wembley in May. This campaign is Hull’s first in the Premier League since 2017. The club had narrowly avoided relegation from the Championship to League One on goal difference in 2025, a fact frequently noted during the transfer window and build-up to the season.

Joe Cole, the former England and Chelsea midfielder, told The Dressing Room he had turned down the chance to be a pundit for Hull’s opening match and said he would be "stunned if they stayed up". He also joked: "They've come here through the back door. They've slipped in." Those remarks prompted the owner’s public response.

Writing on social media, Ilicali said: "It is disappointing to see my beautiful city criticised by people who should know better." He added: "As a club we are used to being underestimated and we enjoy it, and we enjoyed it more when were promoted last season." He went on: "For me, seeing two ex-players making fun of a deservedly promoted club, is more laughable than the things they were laughing at."

On Thursday, Hull boss Sergej Jakirovic addressed the matter directly. He said: "It is a great motivation to prove them wrong, if it's possible," and added: "It will not be easy but at least we can fight there. We don't have anything to lose. You play for yourself, and you show your potential on the pitch." Jakirovic framed the comments as additional motivation for his squad.

Later, Carlton Cole posted a video defending the remarks from the podcast. He described the exchange as "banter" and said he "loved Hull City". Carlton Cole, who played for Chelsea and West Ham, made seven England appearances during his career.

Hull have spent £70m on new signings this summer. They play Manchester United on Saturday in their opening Premier League fixture.