Tim Walter: Hull City sack boss after 17 league games
Hull City Parts Ways With Struggling Boss Walter
Image credit: Rex Features
Tim Walter secured victory in three out of his 18 games while managing Hull City across all competitions.
Hull City has parted ways with head coach Tim Walter after only 17 league matches, as the team currently sits in the relegation zone of the Championship.
The German coach took over from Liam Rosenior after the Tigers ended the previous season in seventh place.
Despite his earlier success, the former Hamburg manager was unable to maintain that momentum, and Tuesday’s 2-0 loss at home to Sheffield Wednesday has left the team without a victory in their last nine matches.
Acun Ilicali, the owner, was present at MKM Stadium for the match. Although he had stated in an interview with BBC Radio Humberside prior to the game that he wouldn't dismiss the 49-year-old manager no matter the outcome, he has now opted to make a change.
Andy Dawson has been appointed as the interim coach.
Walter had earlier held managerial positions at Holstein Kiel, Stuttgart, and Hamburg in Germany's second division, but he was let go from Hamburg in February of this year.
His plans for the season took a hit with the departure of important players. Key defender Jacob Greaves transferred to Ipswich, while winger Jaden Philogene returned to Aston Villa. Additionally, the loan periods for forward Fabio Carvalho and striker Liam Delap, who had come from Liverpool and Manchester City, came to an end.
The Tigers struggled to secure a victory in their initial six matches of the season across all tournaments. However, back-to-back wins over Stoke, Cardiff, and QPR helped them turn things around.
Their streak came to a halt with a 4-0 loss against Norwich, and they couldn't manage to secure a victory in the next eight games.
During what turned out to be his last few matches, Walter faced backlash from fans for backing the team's choice to play music after scoring during home games. He later raised concerns about the support shown during the home draw against Portsmouth, who were placed at the bottom of the league.
Ilicali previously mentioned that he believed the connection between the fans and Walter could be "fixed" ahead of Tuesday's match against the Owls. However, with a challenging game against the strong Middlesbrough team approaching this Saturday, he has decided to take measures.
Hull City has become the fifth team in the Championship to switch their manager this season, following in the footsteps of Preston, Stoke, Cardiff, and Coventry.
A Day Can Change Everything!
Ilicali acknowledged his role in Hull's disappointing beginning to the season during the interview on Tuesday.
He mentioned that the problems with hiring were the cause, not Walter.
"I'm not trying to single anyone out; it's not solely his responsibility. I would never point the finger at Tim alone; I take my share of the blame as well," Ilicali expressed.
"We transferred a few players, but unfortunately, we were hoping for better options in the final week of the transfer window. Teams like ours can’t afford to spend £8 million or £10 million due to transfer restrictions."
Sadly, it was on September 1st that we assembled our team.
"I take full responsibility for not being able to provide the exact team that Tim was hoping for. There were certain roles that we couldn't fill, and that’s just part of the game in football."
Before the loss to the Owls, he urged fans to be patient with Walter, as some were already calling for his dismissal.
Walter upset fans when he openly questioned their lack of support during the recent 1-1 draw against Portsmouth earlier this month. His efforts to calm the situation by inviting disappointed fans to a training session didn’t do much to improve things.
Ilicali admitted that there was a "communication issue" between the fans and the head coach, but he recognized that the problem was on the German's part.
"From the very beginning, these fans have been incredibly supportive of me. If they don't express affection for someone else, it might not be their fault; perhaps Tim hasn't communicated well."
Tune in: Acun Ilicali, the owner of Hull City, chats with BBC Radio Humberside prior to Tuesday's match against Sheffield Wednesday.
Tigers May Face Relegation Struggle
Mike White, the sports editor at BBC Radio Humberside and commentator for Hull City.
Following only 17 league matches and one disappointing loss in the League Cup, Walter's tenure in East Yorkshire has come to an end before it even truly began.
The team has managed to win only three matches this season and has suffered four consecutive defeats, putting them in the relegation zone. Both fans and analysts have frequently referred to this situation as "sleepwalking towards relegation."
Walter confidently declared that "no one plays the way I do," which is a bold stance to take. However, this puts him on a high pedestal, making any failure that much more significant—and indeed, it hasn't worked out.
The "progressive" style of play has left fans puzzled from the very beginning, and there have been numerous occasions when the players seemed equally perplexed.
Additionally, he has become more estranged from a significant portion of his supporters due to a series of public statements and actions that have only heightened the anxiety and frustration of an already uneasy fanbase.
"Walterball" failed to deliver the thrilling, fast-paced action that was expected, and with only 17 goals scored in 18 matches, it didn't live up to the hype. This has led many to wonder about Ilicali's choice to let go of Rosenior in May, especially after a seventh-place finish.
After his recent coaching switch, Ilicali has been under intense observation, and the pressure has only increased for him to make the right decision next. The Turkish media mogul faces growing concern as there’s a troubling yet very real chance that the team could be battling against relegation.
