Sergej Zakirovic says taking Hull to the Championship play-off final was “the best thing I’ve ever experienced in football”. football news

Sergej Zakirovic said taking Hull to the Sky Bet Championship play-off final was “probably the best thing that’s happened in my life in football” and taking the Tigers out at Wembley would be “a dream come true”.

After a goalless semi-final first leg against Millwall at the MKM Stadium on May 8, the 49-year-old masterminded a 2-0 win at The Den on the night, courtesy of goals from Mohamed Bellumi and Joe Gelhart.

Saturday 23 May, Live Sky Sports FootballHull will face either Southampton or Middlesbrough, with a Premier League place on the line.

It marks a stunning turnaround for the Tigers, who survived relegation on goal difference alone just over a year ago and have been under a transfer ban for the past two windows.

talking Sky Sports Football After the final whistle, Zakirovic said: “From day one, they were a very nice group. The togetherness is very high. This ban might have stuck us together even more.

“Also, there is chemistry (between the players). Nobody gets angry if he doesn’t play so he has to be ready.

“I am very proud of the players in this team because they have achieved something that, at the beginning of this season, was only a dream.

“I was thinking, ‘OK top 10 is our aim’, but when we started the season, in the first months I was a bit worried about how we would look, but every game we got better and better, so it’s a great reward for them to go to Wembley. I’ve never been to Wembley so it’s a dream come true.

“I’ve had great success as a coach so far; winning championships (with Zirinjski Mostar and Dinamo Zagreb) and everything, but with all the problems we’ve had all season, with a lot of injuries, this ban is probably the best thing that’s happened in football in my life.

“It’s a great feeling, an amazing feeling. We were great today. All the players did a great job. It was very difficult, demanding because we knew they would start very strong, but we responded very well and we’re going to Wembley!”

Coyle: That was all I knew about this group

Hull captain Louis Coyle on Sky Sports Football:

“Unbelievable. It’s something we all believed we could do in such dramatic fashion on the last day to clinch a playoff spot. We said why not us?

“We’ve grafted all year to put ourselves in this position and it wasn’t just about us making the play-offs; we absolutely believed that we could come out on top against a very good Millwall over two legs.

“It was a bit of fun playing at home and then we came here today and what a great performance from the boys. So professional and what I know about this team.

“It adds up perfectly that we put in that performance to cap off an incredible season. But we have one more special game to achieve what everyone in that dressing room and at the club believes we can do.”

Hinchcliffe: ‘Magnificent’ Hull deserve their day at Wembley

Andy Hinchcliffe on Sky Sports Football:

“A lot of observers thought, I’m not Millwall at home, it’s clear they’re going to win and go to Wembley”.

“But the way Hull play, it’s not about dominating the ball, it’s about individuals who can change the course of a match.

“They’ve done that all season, that’s why they’re in the playoffs and that’s why they got through this second leg. They were great tonight.

“They had a bit of a sticky patch in the first half but I think they controlled the midfield, they were devastating when the subs came on and they thoroughly deserved their day at Wembley.

“Southampton and Middlesbrough will do their homework on Hull, but you have to be very wary of them. They’ve shown all season, if you underestimate them or don’t plan for the way they play, you’re going to get rattled.”