Tim Walter: Hull City sack boss after 17 league games
Hull City Parts Ways With Struggling Coach Walter
Photo credit: Rex Features
Tim Walter secured victory in three out of his 18 games as the manager of Hull City across all competitions.
Hull City has terminated the contract of head coach Tim Walter after only 17 league matches, as the team finds itself in the relegation zone of the Championship.
The German took over from Liam Rosenior after the Tigers ended up in seventh place last season.
Despite his previous successes, the ex-Hamburg manager was unable to capitalize on that momentum. The loss at home on Tuesday, where they fell 2-0 to Sheffield Wednesday, marked their ninth consecutive game without a victory.
Acun Ilicali, the owner, attended the match at MKM Stadium. Earlier, in an interview with BBC Radio Humberside, he stated that he wouldn’t dismiss the 49-year-old manager no matter the outcome of the game. However, he has now chosen to implement a change.
Coach Andy Dawson has been appointed as the temporary head coach.
Walter had previously been in charge of Holstein Kiel, Stuttgart, and Hamburg in Germany's second division, but he was dismissed from his role at Hamburg in February of this year.
His preparations for the season were hindered by the departures of important players. Key defender Jacob Greaves moved to Ipswich, while winger Jaden Philogene returned to Aston Villa. Additionally, the loan periods for forward Fabio Carvalho and striker Liam Delap, who were borrowed from Liverpool and Manchester City, respectively, also came to an end.
The Tigers struggled to secure a victory in their first six matches of the season across all competitions. However, after achieving back-to-back wins against Stoke, Cardiff, and QPR, they started to find their momentum.
Their impressive streak ended with a 4-0 defeat against Norwich, and they struggled 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 endorsing the team's choice to play music after goals at home. He later expressed doubts about the support during the home draw against Portsmouth, who were at the bottom of the league.
Ilicali had expressed his belief that the connection between the fans and Walter was "fixable" prior to the game on Tuesday against the Owls. However, with a challenging match against the strong Middlesbrough team approaching on Saturday, he has decided to take action.
Hull City has become the fifth team in the Championship to make a managerial change this season, following in the footsteps of Preston, Stoke, Cardiff, and Coventry.
A Day Can Make All The Difference
In a recent interview on Tuesday, Ilicali expressed his willingness to take accountability for Hull's slow start to the season.
He stated that the problems were due to recruitment challenges, not Walter’s fault.
"I'm not looking to point fingers at anyone specifically; it's not just his responsibility. I would never hold Tim solely accountable; I share the blame as well," Ilicali stated.
"We transferred a few players, but unfortunately, we were hoping for better opportunities during the final week of the transfer window. Teams like ours aren’t able to afford transfers in the range of £8 million or £10 million due to financial restrictions."
"Sadly, we assembled our team on September 1st."
"I take responsibility for not being able to assemble the exact team that Tim envisioned. There were certain roles we just couldn't fill, and that's a part of the game."
Before the loss to the Owls, he mentioned that fans need to give Walter some time, especially since a few were starting to urge for his dismissal.
Walter upset fans when he criticized their level of support during the 1-1 draw against Portsmouth earlier this month. His efforts to mend fences by inviting dissatisfied supporters to observe a training session didn’t seem to improve the situation.
Ilicali admitted that there was a "communication issue" between the fans and the head coach, but he recognized that the problem stemmed from the German's side.
"These fans have given me immense support right from the very beginning. If they don’t express affection for someone, it's not their fault; perhaps Tim hasn't communicated his feelings clearly,” he stated.
Tune in: Hull City owner Acun Ilicali chats with BBC Radio Humberside ahead of the Tuesday match against Sheffield Wednesday.
Tigers Might Face Relegation Battle
Mike White, the sports editor at BBC Radio Humberside and commentator for Hull City.
After only 17 league matches and one dismal loss in the League Cup, Walter's stint in East Yorkshire has come to an end before it really even began.
The team has managed to win only three matches this entire season and has faced defeat in their last four games, putting them in the relegation zone. Fans and commentators have frequently referred to their situation as "sleepwalking towards relegation."
Walter confidently declared that "no one is playing by my rules," a bold statement that sets a high standard for himself. However, this kind of assertion can lead to a significant downfall if things don't work out—and unfortunately, they haven't.
The "progressive" playing style has left fans bewildered from the very start, and there have been numerous instances where the players seemed just as puzzled.
Additionally, he has pushed away a growing number of supporters through his public remarks and actions, which have only stirred up feelings of anxiety and frustration among fans who are already on edge.
"Walterball" failed to deliver the thrilling, fast-paced action that many expected, resulting in only 17 goals across 18 matches. This has led many to doubt Ilicali's choice to let Rosenior go in May following a seventh-place finish.
After Ilicali's recent shift in management, attention has intensified on him. The Turkish media is closely watching his next move as there's a genuine concern that the team could find itself battling relegation. It's crucial for him to make the right decision this time.
