Football Daily - 72+ EFL Pod: Hull City win Championship play off final

Episode Date: May 23, 2026

Championship play-off final reaction as Hull City beat Middlesbrough with a 95th minute winner at Wembley to be promoted to the Premier League. Aaron Paul and Jobi McAnuff are joined by former Hull City Manager Phil Brown as they dissect the final and all the drama with Spygate leading up to the match.Timecodes: 1’17 - Jobi & Phil reaction to Hull winning 2’23 - Did Boro go too early with the substitutes? 7’08 - Impact of Hull City owner saying he’d take legal action if they lost 9’29 - Interview with Hull City Owner Acun Ilicali 14’00 - Impact of the substitutions in the game 22’30 - When Phil won the play offs with Hull in 2008 28’34 - Interview with Southampton Manager Kim Hellberg 34’15 - Interview with Hull City Captain Lewie Coyle5 Live / BBC Sounds commentaries: Sun 1600 Spurs v Everton, Sun 1600 West Ham v Leeds on Sports Extra, Sun 1600 Crystal Palace v Arsenal on Sports Extra 2, Sun 1600 Brighton v Man Utd on Sports Extra 3.

This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK. 30 years after two civilian airplanes were shot down, why is the U.S. government now bringing charges against the former Cuban president, Raul Castro? I'm Asma Khalid, and I host the Global Story podcast from the BBC. Cuba's government is calling this all a political maneuver, but the Cuban exile community in Miami calls it justice. Thirty years in the making. Is the U.S. setting the stage for a military intervention?

For more, check out the global story on BBC.com or wherever you get your podcasts. 72 Plus, the EFL podcast with Aaron Paul and Joby McEnough. Hello and welcome to 72 Plus, the home of the EFL from Five Life Sport coming to you from an empty Wembley Stadium following the conclusion of the championship player final. A whole city struck late through Olly McBurney to get promoted to the Premier. League in the richest game in football. Let's remind ourselves of how it happened. Down the left-hand side to Hirakawa, what can he do?

Looking to push towards the goal line. Hirakawa drives one in. Yes! And next. Olly McBurney has sent City to the Premier League with a few minutes remaining. It has to be the Big Mac, the big man in the big moment, in the biggest of games. Can you believe it? It was written for him.

He's been there so many times this season. And Holt City are on the verge of a return to the Premier League for the first time in 10 years and it simply had to be that man in the moment. Olly McBurney capitalises on the mistake and City are close. The rivers are close. You can feel it. The excitement from those Tigers fans. It's Hull City One, Middlesbrunil, are they.

there they're surely there now it's been an unforgettable set of playoffs that had been taken over by scandal which for southampton kicked out of the competition and borough reinstated but what a dramatic ending to this final maybe one we didn't see coming with the nature of the game alongside me uh phil brown was was with me for the for the whole game the entirety of of it phil of course uh you were the first man to lee whole city to the playoffs you played you part of this hour two thousand 70,008. Don't take me back because he's seen beat mine in the semis. Well, you called it your Dean Windass moment, didn't you?

And you called that Olly McBurney goal, the Dimm Windlass moment of today. Whole City and Wembley, 1-0, 1-0. They absolutely love it. Joby McEnough was pitch-side for the game. Would you make of it as a contest, Jopes? Oh, tense, very, very keenly contested as we felt. I think the conditions today and, you know, having been down there pitchside, I mean, it was absolutely brutal.

clearly that would affect the tempo, I think, maybe more so for Middlesbrough, in terms of how they want to play with the ball. It was a little bit slow at times. Did play into Hull's advantage, but then for Hull to be able to soak up the pressure that they did with the heat, with the demand, the ground that they had to cover. Massive credit to them for digging in, actually, and just finding a way to get through it to come up with that massive moment at the end.

It can be a dangerous game plan, Jobby, when you think about it, you know, you're sorting on pressure here, and there is pressure before even crossed the white lane. You're going out there. It's going to be a full house. Everybody's going crazy. And then you go 30, 35 minutes, and it's been all, technically,

it's been all Middlesbrough. But then there was a couple of half chances. I think Aaron was saying that, you know, the crosses were coming in from the left-hand side, and one of them hit the crossball, obviously, with a big fella up front. And I just couldn't see him lasting the game because of the heat.

And then he's the man who sticks the ball in the back in the 93rd minutes. I mean, we'll talk about the substitutions in a minute because pre-pod I asked you guys about Sergei Keravich, and maybe did he go? a bit too early in particularly with the balloon in the Jalsab, which, I mean, completely bamboozled me. I know you want to get Joe Gellart on the bitch.

He's a special player. Fifteen goals. He adds something. He's a personality. But that whole left side was completely cut up for the whole city. And he started again. But just going back to the opening 15 minutes of the game, I don't think Hall had many touches on the ball. What was it?

Maybe 10, 20 in the first 15 minutes. They really struggled to make an impact. Do you think that was part of the game plan, Joe? Be part of the way that you care of it. sets up or was it just how it unfolded? Yeah, listen, I think they're a team this season that has been comfortable without the ball. And again, I think we taught so much this day and age

about impossession, but actually to coach a team that is capable of seeing out periods of pressure and actually happy to do it, you know, that experience comes to the fore every single time. How do you ride out moments of pressure? How do you get through situations? Really sums up whole season, if I'm being honest. When you look at some of the performances

in a way they've been able to find a way in a game to get on the right side of a result. And listen, I think it's probably I felt in the first half. They were too deep at times. They were soaking up too much given the conditions. I find it really hard to go and get forward and play into Olly McBurney. He had no support around him.

But then as you say, towards the end, when they did get a little bit higher up the pitch, a few balls into the box, but Bernie hits the crossbar. Louis Cole at the back post has a header as well. So I think in the second half, you know, it was really tough to go again after what was a really drain in first 45 minutes.

You were pitch-side, Joe, and we were up here and try and name the systems in the second half. When they made the changes, it was just absolute carnage. You have possession, play the way you want to play, we have possession, play the way we want to play. But the way you're talking about in the first half, I think that's the easy part of coaching, not the easiest part, but it's the easy part of coaching

is you can set up a team defensively, formation-wise. When you're bringing the quality players to the party, then you've got a coach being able to support them. And I think Hold were playing seven back three up, you know, just going, any two going to support Olly McBurney. And that wasn't bearing any fruit, you know, it was, it was, as a striker, it must be heart rendering that year, getting service into year, fainting for the ball, and then we're not getting the drops. And then we're not getting the drops, and then we're defending for the rest of the heart. One of the most enjoyable, you know, parts of watching all this season has been the way they counter in terms of lightning quick speed. They can move the ball so quickly.

it's mad. Is there a psychological element of doing it in the 46 games during the season on your home turf, going away? I saw them at Loftus Road against KPR, tight pitch, tight ground. And doing it here at Wembley, 84,000, 85,000. Joby pitch shot, I mean, I think it was 29 degrees in the box. I mean, unbelievable pitch shot, I can't imagine what it's like. But is there a psychological difference of doing that?

Is there a psychological difference of, well, if I do that and I make a killer sprint, it's going to take me a while to get back. Yeah, there's a psychological aspect, absolutely, Aaron, but there's also the physical aspect, and there's times where you want to make that sprint, but you just can't. You just don't have it in your legs because, again, they've done so much work off the ball, but also what sometimes goes unnoticed when you're just sat at watching the game is the emotional stresses that are on players. And this pitch drained you, like no other pitch I've ever been on in my life, you know, because of maybe the buildup, because of what's riding on the game.

And again, I can't imagine how tough it will. for those whole city players at times today to be able to sit in, not really be able to release that pressure, but the quality of all good sizes they're able to get through that and that togetherness, that team spirit. Yeah, on short.

That is absolutely what got them over the line today. And again, they've shown that so many times this season. Pre kickoff, we heard of an interview that the hull owner, Adjana Jolla, had conducted with our colleagues, our brilliant colleagues at BBC Radio Humberside on Wembley way pre-game, where he talked about potentially,

his lawyers and his sort of legal team looking at a potential legal challenge if Hull City were not to get promoted to the Premier League. Would that have done anything to the players? I'd just look at what could happen before the game, what could happen during the game and what can happen after the game. All avenues were still open coming into this match.

You know, both sides, one of them might lose and still appeal, the other one might lose and still appeal. There was no real winner today, but the right result came along. And what I mean by that is I don't mean anything detrimental whatsoever to Middlesbrough. They deserved something from the game. There's no doubt about taking in the extra time and it's anybody's game.

But the right result came around for Hull City. And what I mean by that is the amount of disarray, the carnage that's been going on leading into this game from what happened where's, you know, on the back end of SpyGade. For me, that makes the whole city win the right result. But it was no perfect answer, was it? And I think the EFL, you know, we're in a real tough spot from the moment the allegation started in terms of just trying to get to a place,

and we know this is football. Nobody, they're not going to please everybody. So whole feel of grief because the game got changed late. So it's affected their preparation time. Rightfully so as well, difficult situation. You know, Southampton, they've got their grievances. You know, Middlesbrough probably felt a grief going into the semifinals and obviously losing. Someone's always going to be the foregone.

100%. So ultimately, off the back of that, you then need to just say, right, we have got to be the one that make the best out of a really tough situation. And again, in terms of his, words before it. One thing I will say about him, he's very transparent. You know, in terms of his communication, doesn't pull any punches, puts his money where his mouth is, and he felt entitled maybe to get that out as a bit of a, maybe a warning to the EFL to say, listen, if this doesn't go the right way, then this isn't completely finished, because they've been the team that have had to get on with it. They knew they're in the final, thought they were playing

Southampton, have had to revert to a different opponent really late on. So again, they obviously do feel hard-bund by, but at least for his sake and for whole city, who by the, by the way did win their semifinals. They turned up to be the first. They turned up. They're the one that got through. Well, perfect timing to hear from the whole city owner. I caught up with Ajun I Lijela after his side were promoted to the Premier League.

Adjian, congratulations to win here at Wembley. There's no better feeling. Tell me what that 90 plus minutes was like for you. Yeah. When we scored a goal, actually, I couldn't celebrate because it was last minute but still not finished. So for me, if you did, you'd be able to celebrate. If you don't finish a job, you celebrate and get down, is the most terrible thing in life. So I just waited like I watched a train for the last five minutes, six minutes.

Of course, they didn't have any position. That was the fantastic part. As you see, last six, seven minutes, when you look at our boys, I think even Rehamedit wouldn't be able to score the goal. Because they were extremely focused. And the way they defended last six, seven minutes made me very comfortable. But here comes the person. Premier League. This fans deserve it. They deserve the best and we are trying to give them the best.

You have a dream to, you had a dream to take this club to the Premier League. You've achieved it. But when you think back to last season, staying up on goal difference, what a difference a year makes? It's incredible. Actually, of course, big difference, but actually our fans know that we had three ACLs last year. This was one of the biggest impact. Belum and Miller together, ACL, can you imagine? Plus, of course, we brought Metauso. Again, he was ACL. So this injury affects us a lot. I wouldn't say that there was a good coordination with the coaches. So last year was a disaster, of course. And can you imagine last year we celebrated staying in the league.

Now we are celebrating the promotion. So that makes me hopeful about next year because everybody was thinking that we would be relegated this year. So we promoted. So now in the Premier League, they will think that we will be relegated. Then maybe we will be promoted to Champions League, who knows. You've got one of the best tactical managers out here right now. Tell us about his impact because he's such a funny guy.

He's got a great personality as well as doing the business. We are very good friends with him from the first minute. We spent our last whole day together, you know, summer all day. I took him and his family as a guest to Turkey. So I wanted to be in the same page with the manager. In football, you have to be in the same page. It's so important. The owner and manager, they have to just sweet each other.

Otherwise, I like one kind of football and he delivers another. How will it be successful? I can say that. What I would say actually is our manager is a fantastic personality, good person, honest, direct, and so happy to just have him in our club. This was our dream and he made it. What can I say to him? He is our hero.

How are you going to celebrate this win? Yeah, I am not good in celebrating. So I don't drink alcohol. So in that kind of things, people expect me more to just enjoy. But unfortunately, my character. is not too much emotional after I win something. But in order to get something, I'm the most emotional person. Now I think reading some social media, our fans' mood,

it makes me so happy, you know, our fans will be my therapy. So, celebration, of course I will enjoy with the team. We have a special night to night. But of course, feeling this happiness is enough. Celebration is just for the boys more, not me. He certainly is a character, is the whole city owner, Adjonella Jellar saying that, not even Real Madrid with a score past, what a guy, what a guy.

Do you know, Jobes, I just want to sort of camp off the SpyGate situation by saying, credit to the NFL who've been criticised in the past for their handling and communications, they have nailed this bang on this time in terms of the way they've communicated with supporters because fundamentally the biggest stakeholders in the game and in the Football League are the supporters that pay their harder money every week.

There are going to be Southampton fans who are going to be disappointed. And we hope that Southampton Football Club in its sort of, you know, redemption arc will look after it supports us and the people who pay their harder money to go to St. Mary. So credit to the FL for doing what they do. And thank you to

Adjino Le Gela for joining us on 72 plus. Let's talk, though, about the game itself and really dissect it. Because, Phil, I want to take you past half time. We saw those chances for Hull. middle sprang again second half started fast but then you're Kirovich makes the changes and we were wondering who blinks first in in this race and he was desperate to get Joe out go on the pitch because of that energy and he ends up making a few changes and you wonder if it's a sucker

punch in the game film and it's just example you know the example I'm going to say is the second leg against Millwall where you know Alex Neal made a couple of changes and in the with to the advantage of whole city when you're making a substitution You're making it for the right reason has to be said. You're putting energy on the field of play. You might be changing a system. You might be taking off a good player. There's no doubt about it.

And one or two of the players that came off, so Jobby's telling me, did show their anger. But bottom line is, you've got to say, this is the last game of the season. I'm doing this for the right reasons. And I think both managers try to do. We were talking about who blinks first. I was making reference to who takes their jacket off first

because it was blistering sunshine down there, and you were the first one that took your jacket off. But the two coaches were there. and they were waiting for that game of chess and it. Who's going to move first? And I thought Hull did and it wasn't to their credit. And then all of a sudden, Middlesbrough had a better one. I thought with Hayden Hackney,

I'm waiting for him to come on the field of play because everybody's telling me what a great player he is. Yeah, but the problem is with Hackney. We'll hear from the middles manager, Kim Heldberg, naturally. I've never seen him like that. Absolutely dejected after that defeat. But Hayden Hackney, the problem is, again, you're damned if you do, damned if you do,

you don't. You know he's not fully fit. Yeah. If you bring him on for the back half an hour, what if it's half an hour that turns into an hour? And then you're carrying someone. Yeah, I think that would have been key in the decision probably not to start him as well in terms of not quite sure what you're going to get out of him. And then even with the subs in the second half, you want to give yourself that window of trying to finish the game. But can you get through that half an hour?

Because clearly it would have been key if he'd have come and actually got on the ball. He was trying to make things happen. Not easy. Having been out of the length of time to come back in a game of this magnitude. But I always felt today, and it's easy to say it in the event, but a whole later on in the game, I think with the substitutions, with the attacking players, they got to come on, would be able to maybe have that better impact off the bench. I think it's been a big problem for Middlesbrough. Actually, the last sort of month, two months, really, not having that player to come on and really impact the forward line in particular.

I think when their forwards come off, they're not any better, or they're a lot worse for it, I should say. You're never going to survive with 11 players today. You have to have the 16th 17. You have the impact. Whereas we saw it at Millwall in the second leg, that impact of a balumi to be able to come on,

of a Gilhart to come on. So I wasn't surprised and actually I thought they were the team that were trying to make the positive changes whole to go and win that game of football. Let's hear from the victorious hull boss.

Sergei, Ekerich, join me in the tunnel after his side were confirmed as play off winner. Sergey, congratulations. What a rollercoaster of emotions. It was football chess out there. But you are the chess Grandmaster?

Okay, I'm just doing my job. The Latsar, they are main actors, the Monday game, very difficult for us, because Midasbro is excellent on the ball. We try to close these gaps, channels, and maybe when we take the ball that we have a good transition, but we had very good two chances. They had a lot of possession, but they didn't create any dangerous situation for us.

Maybe in half-time, we try to a little bit change our shape in the middle zone, put more higher with Tully, more balaumie wide on Taggart, and Slater behind them. And then to be brave on the ball, to play happy, because you can recover on the ball as well. And so some moments of the second half,

we had this. And also we waited our opportunity. So this is Holy McBurney. If you create a chance for him, he will score. It took a long, long time for that opportunity to come. But as you said, he's never let you down this season. He's always found the back.

of the net. Is there anyone better to have out there to do that? No, he scores 19 goals. He's a very big influence on our game and on the group of the players, a truly leader, very experienced guy of this championship. The teams are scared of him because he knows what he's doing. And I think he likes this type of games with a lot of pressure. I think he feels good there. What was the emotion when that goal went in? First of all, I didn't see who scored the goal. So I see last time. Neither did I. No, I saw just that you Kira Kava put the ball in the box and then

a goal. So later I saw on the tablet and a very big emotion just I look at this how many minutes left because the additional time was eight plus two minutes, ten minutes. You arrived here as someone that not many people knew about you'd won titles abroad. You paired up with Dean Holden you found a club that needed a bit of love and needed a bit of stability and direction. And with respect, no one thought you were going to give that to this club, but you've turned them into relegation contenders to Premier League in a year.

What a job. I can say either I didn't think that we will achieve Premier League. So when I landed here, this is not impossible. And then the second day of my job here, we hit it by Embarko. So this is really a big roller coaster. But we always believe in our work in this group of the players. And also great support since day one from Mr. Chairman and all people in the club. I think that we, I can say, fitted here, fitted here very good.

We feel very, very happy and comfortable in the whole. And you see, after, you know, without any, without hardworking, without good atmosphere, you can't reach anything. So, of course, when you have also good results, this. atmosphere is rising, but even expectation is rising. But I felt this last seven rounds, we were in playoff's sports, and then last round, we are seven or eight. But this championship, you know, I heard a lot about championship,

but now I have more experience. That's why I called you the chess grandmaster. You know what you're doing. Tell me about the group. They love you. I spent to Louis Coyle. He talked about you being crazy, but he says he loves you. so much and what you bring and the energy you bring.

And when you have to stick together, especially in this championship, it's a marathon, you've done just that and you've brought the personality. I'm trying to be honest and direct that you know if I have some problems that if you don't perform good there, I will invite you. I try to explain my moves. And also they are,

it's very important for the players when you're standing in front of them. If you're speaking about something, behavior, this, that, everyone is very important, they will get the chance, so I have to do this. So this is at least what I can do like manager to give you the chance. Depends on you, you will perform, it will be more and more chance. I think this is that we have very good relationship with all players, not just who are playing.

I'm speaking with all my players because sometimes it's more important to speak with players who doesn't play. At what point do you start preparing for the Premier League? Do you have a break? What do you do next? Tuesday, I think I will be in Croatia, six, seven weeks off. Of course, I think we are already ready for the Premier League. I think that we have one prize list. I think Sunderland recipe is a very nice example,

how you can build one team with dynamic players, pace players, and then that you can build a good team, that you can perform good in Premier League. So, go, the championship would be very sad to lose you. sad to lose you. The Premier League is gaining someone very special. Congratulations. Thank you for everything this season. Thank you. Many years after two civilian airplanes were shot down, why is the U.S. government now bringing charges against the former Cuban president, Raul Castro? I'm Asma Khalid,

and I host the Global Story podcast from the BBC. Cuba's government is calling this all a political maneuver, but the Cuban exile community in Miami calls it justice. 30 years in the making. Is the U.S. setting the stage for a military intervention? For more, check out the global story on BBC.com or wherever you get your podcasts. So here's the first ball of this series. All the cricket you laugh. Lives on BBC sounds. Smash straight back down the ground.

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Listen on BBC Sounds. 72 plus the EFL podcast with Aaron Paul and Joby McEnough. Sergei Akiravich, the whole city boss, Phil, I know it's a real sort of like, you know, a mass of emotions, isn't it, after winning the playoffs? I can't imagine what you were like. I mean, I was watching on television when you secured it all those years ago. But he's humble, he's calm, he's very unflappable. That wasn't me. No, I know.

You tell me a story about what was it, sleeping in the hotel lobby? Oh, dear. I was celebrating. There's no doubt about it. You know, it's one of the hardest things to do is to try and win at Wembley, regardless of what competition it is, but the playoff final for the championship, when people are talking about $200 million, it was about $65, $70 million at a time.

A lot of money regardless of who you are and what you are. But you're getting promoted to the top flight for the first time in your history. Was I thinking that and taking that as a weight on me? I'm sure there's none of that. It was a game of football to me, I was trying to be Bristol City and I had a manager

other side of the fence as it were and I'm looking at him at the end and going I'm going into the Premier League and he's going back to the championship it was difficult because we're human beings at the end of the day but bottom line is we won the game 1-0 and as you made reference to

Steve Bruce did it the second time won the game 1-0 but in again only whole fashion winning the game 1-0 but in the 93rd minute and then another 5, 6 minutes after the 8 minutes have gone up another 5, 6 minutes on top of that might have to 100 and 2

But when Serge made the change, as soon as he scored, he made the changes, and he's taken players off, he was just trying to get over the night. If they equalized, then it's game over. He's got about seven defenders on a fit. But that's what it's about. Again, in this heat, you can, you can smell your opposition, and that's what he does best. And again, I called him a chess grandmaster because I feel that's what he's really developed himself into this year. We'll hear from the whole Captain Louis Coyle who wax lyrical about him. But Sergei Akiravich, Jobe, just to camp off the job he's done this season. Taking a club that needed a bit of love, a bit of TLC, stability, crucially. He talked about how, in that interview, how he came in and a day later they had a transfer

embargo. This is someone who's coming completely and blindsided everyone, hasn't he? It's been absolutely magnificent. And when we talk about whole city, we have to talk about, yes, the transfer embargo. They've had to be very cute with their recruitment. Obviously, I haven't been able to spend funds on transfers, but also a team, so when you're trying to recruit those players that only stayed up on goal difference last year, you know, and to turn that around and then be a team

who, for the majority of the season, were in the playoffs, sitting around the playoffs, came away from it towards the end of the season, and then went and got that victory on the last day to secure himself. What I've loved about him, he really has embraced English football and some of the characters and some of the culture,

and you hear him talking about, right, only McBernie's going to go and have a couple of pints after a game, But understanding what makes players tick, that is the key to good management and good coach. And I think we've lost a little bit with that in the game with all the data and the stats. Football's about people. You know, any type of management.

What do I need to do to get the best out of Ollie McBurney? What do I need to do the best, Louis Coyle? What do I need to? And he seems to have been able to do that, despite not having managed in this country before. And that is one of the things that, again, has been a big factor in what I'll have done this season. He set his side are ready for the Premier League.

they could compete in the Premier League. Is that adrenaline talking? Because I'm sure his owner will have other thoughts. I promised everybody at all at the time that whoever was playing in the championship, I felt as if there was a little bit of edge coming and we were losing games towards the end of the season when we first got promoted.

And I was saying to everybody, if you're fearing going into the Premier League and I'm not going to play you or I'm going to get rid of you, that's not the case. I was going to give everybody a chance. It was a gamble saying it, coming out public. But I actually fulfilled that gamble. And there were certain players there that were championship players, without name and names,

there were championship players. To play in the Premier League was never going to be there just because of pace or a lack of pace. There were good defenders, good going forward, could run, etc., etc., but expressing yourself in the Premier League, bringing all that to the party was going to be a strain for the majority of the team. But we did it and we survived. But given the promise out, takes the tension out the change room, puts it on you because you've said the words.

And if you're true to your word, you've got to stick by them. Yeah, it's going to be tough. There's no two ways about that. But I said that about Sunderland last year. He said that. That's what he called it. He called it the Sunderland recipe. Right, well, there you go.

I think that tells you very clearly about what that approach is going to be. And again, he's be ambitious. I don't think he's going to go up there and make the numbers up the owner, certainly what he's done and what he's put into the football club. And again, they've shown that they can be very clever in the market. And they're going to have to be. But you have to invest. You know, whatever way you do it, do you do the Leeds model and do that little bit of a half and half.

and some of the players that got you there and some new blood in, which I think is probably more of a sensible and pragmatic approach. But then you look at the Sunderland have probably spent most of that Premier League money in order to survive, and it has worked out. So I think there'll be some interesting transfers, again, given the owner's background

and some of his contacts in the rest of European football, but they're going to go up and try and compete, that's for sure. As a Sondland fan, and that's where I am, I'm not a Sondon, whatever, I'm a Sondland fan, And when he signed Granichaca, I looked at that and went, wow, that's different from what we've got now.

Because I thought the way Debris was signing people, I thought he was one of them that was bringing in younger players so he could control them and put them into a certain system. Then he brings a tried and tested member of the Arsenal department. You know, he's involved in trophies at the end of the season and winning titles and this, that, and he brings Granite Chaka. Just settled everybody down.

It was unbelievable. Great signing. Can I just say to Regulation. listeners of the pod, you can put your bingo cards down. He hasn't mentioned Ian Ashby once. Thank you, God. Let's turn the tables and hear from the Middlesbrough boss, Kim Haleberg, following his sights defeat in this afternoon's power final. Kim, commiserations, I mean, when you take the whole sort of 105 minutes into account, what did you make of it as a contest? You know, these games, always the games of very, very small

Morgan, it really doesn't matter, it always comes down to that from all the games I've seen in the player final. It was not the best game. I think we draw it forward. I think we created a lot of half opportunities that we weren't sharp enough to convert. I think we're very good how we defended, kept them from almost anything. They had a header in the first off. Otherwise, I think we defended very, very good all over the pitch. And then at the end, they score. and then you have to congratulate a halt for winning the game. It's a game of small morgans, and they were better getting them on their side today.

Was it frustrating because, again, as you say, you created those half chances, but no shots on target for a large chunk of that game. And, you know, with respect, wasteful in places. In many ways, I'm extremely proud of how we have played the football we've played since I come in. We've been a team that created a lot of chances, and they worked their as hard as they can every day to improve.

And that's the thing. We just have to keep doing that. And today we weren't sharp enough, and it includes everyone. That's the messes, which we just need to try to use this fuel. And I have to find better ways and working forward. Beyond everything, when you think about the past couple of weeks, everything that's gone on, how proud are you, the efforts are your players to have taken the break,

sat had to wait, question what was going on, but come back, train and really match hold for a huge part of this game. I'm very proud of the group how they handle all the situation, how they've been doing everything in a perfect way. It's been a roller coaster back and forth for a lot of emotions for everyone. It's been tough, but there is no excuse. We get a chance and we felt we were prepared to take it. And I think over a long period of the game, we were quite good out here, even if we don't

create those big, big, big chances. but they were almost then no good big chance in the game so proud of the players for how they have the handled this season. I'm really proud of the Mills Press of the football club how they handled this situation support has been absolutely brilliant and so yeah we just move on. That is the borough boss Kim Helberg he was a really really tough interview because he is a cool guy he's a good guy did his first interview when he came to this country and you know his first words were I'm here to get to the Premier League and I want to get to the Premier League and you just feel with Middlesbrough it's been a tough one for them coming back in the nature that

they've had to come back and to prepare for this player final fundamentally do you think he will know what the flaws in this team are right now to go and challenge not for the playoffs next season but for the automatics yeah and I think that is a genuine conversation to be had with the Middlesbrough hierarchy once the dust has settled and it does take a while for that to happen. But, you know, for me, clearly that sort of out and out goal scorer, you know, they are a team that are going to create, they're going to dominate the ball. And that has been the Achilles Hill this season. There's no two ways about it, you know, and I think that is what I would be saying if I was

him to the owner. A little bit of a lack of depth as well. And a lack of depth, absolutely. So they're the two sides of it. You're going to go lose Hayden Hackney. I think that's a realistic possibility. probably Melanda, I think,'s been outstanding since he's come in. We don't know the finances at the football club,

but there's certainly two players that are going to be highly sought after. So I think he will know. I think there's a lot to look back on and be proud of, but ultimately today is just a day of genuinely total despair and desolation. And he's had so many ups and downs. We used the term roller coaster. But for him, given everything that's happened, you know, you see it today. It really does take its toll.

Are all their attackers quite samey? Good question. I knew he was going to come out with something like that. It's true, I think it's, yeah, I think there's a lot of similarities. I like difference, you know, when I put three players in midfield, I like difference. I like one box to box.

I like a ball player if necessary, but a defensive main is one as well. So you're just bringing difference. When you've got a big straight out front or you've got somebody that can play technically, do you get another technical player alongside him? That asks the same question of a cent-half. So if I'm coming up against you, Jobs,

you're going to do something different from Aaron. I've got to adjust my game to that because you'll be down my side one time. and then jobs will be. So difference is important to me. I think an easy way to look at it, maybe would have been if an Olli McBurney is in that Middlesbrough team this season, do they get promoted automatically probably?

But that's easy for us to say. I mean, does the manager want that type of player who probably isn't going to get involved in lots of the game? He's not going to come in and link and take touches in certain area to pitch. But when that ball gets put into the box, you know he's going to be there. Like today, hardly had a kick, was out on his feet. I'm sitting there going, I'm not sure how much longer this guy's got in his legs here,

but that ability to sniff out that opportunity to understand where that chance is going to be and to get himself through a tough game, by the way. And if I'm a centre half, I'm Dale Frye playing against him, I'm winning that battle. I'm feeling I'm on top of this guy. This guy's going nowhere. In fact, he's going to get subbed.

And then the next minute, a loose ball in the six-yard box, it's in the back of the net. Again, for regular listens to the pod, Larlahle-Taylor has probably sat there screaming at a radio. Pep Guardiola is running. Footforth's favorite phrase. It really is. One more interview to bring you from the Bowers of Wembley Stadium following the championship player final, and that is of the whole city

captain, Louis Coyle. Louis, congratulations. I mean, that was one heck of a battle out there when it in that heat. Yeah, I think the heat, yeah, it was even hotter than, hotter than expected, but again, we knew we wasn't going to have loads of the ball. They're a fantastic side of middle spread. They keep the ball so well. They move you about the pitch, but we knew we had to be so disciplined and again in that heat out there that that drains yet mentally zapsed obviously we had the water breaks but yeah just just incredible performance from the lad's so disciplined so resilient and that's what this group's been built on the whole season and of course who else other than the big man to pop up the last minute and put it

away like he does you've got people coming off the bench you've got you coming off the bench making the impact that he has again coming off the back of a sore ankle injury that he's turned around to get back fit so I'm I'm just so lucky to lead a group of men that will do literally anything for each other to succeed. And again, it's the ripple effect. It's not just succeeding for each other. It's our families, friends and extended family. I'm just so, so proud to say I'm the captain of this fantastic group.

I'm going to say this club, we know how much it means to you. We know your story with this football club. To see it come from League 1 into the championship, survived last season on the last down goal difference, but then to drive it forward under, with respect, someone who's gone and won titles in Eastern Europe, It's incredible. What a story. Exactly that. It's a bit of a rocky story, if you like.

I'm from a boxing background. My brother was a Commonwealth champion on so many amazing nights with him. And I actually watched a boxing fight before I played in this final today, Castillo Corrales. And, yeah, you draw moments like that. We have been the underdogs all year, and we've almost prided ourselves on that. It's not something that we shy away from. We know exactly what we are. And, yeah, we knew today we had a hell of a chance at realizing our dream, and that's exactly what we did.

Talk to me about the gaffar. I think he's a genius tactically. I think he's immaculate in what he does. He's very, very driven in what he wants from this team. You guys have been highly impressive. But what's it like working with him day to day? He's crackers. And I say he's crackers in the right way, for all the right reasons. He's serious when he needs to be serious. But then he'll have a laugh of us. He lightens up. The first five minutes of his meetings throughout the week are just cracking jokes and taking the Mick out of some of the lads. and yeah he's brilliant he's adapted to the culture he's adapted to the way of living because I think you take for granted sometimes people who are not from this country come over and take a while to settle in but this gaffer's just brought into everything that

we needed and we always needed a manager that was going to tell us how it is and pull no punches like you say tactically the change in the second leg against Millwall in shape and formation and then today he got it spot on he called the game exactly how it'd go

yeah so so pleased for him and his family Just out of interest. It's been a wild world working in the Football League of the past couple of weeks. What's it been like sitting back from afar, knowing your place at Wembley's guaranteed and watching everything unfold with Southampton and with Borough? Yeah, I think for us, again, what's really helped us is the group of lads that we've got. Not a lot of faces us in so many aspects, again, not just on the pitch, off the pitch. It's a group of lads that just love coming in and having a laugh together. And we've laughed and joked about a lot of what's been going on because it's out of our control. can't control anything. We sort of booked our place in the final over two legs and we was there

on merit and that's not taking anything away from Middlesbrough's not for me to comment on what's gone on. But that was the nice thing for us that we had clarity. We was going to be in the final, albeit we didn't know who against for a large period of time. But yeah, once you get that clarity, then you know exactly what the task is in hand and we did it. Looking forward to trading in that EFL ban for a Premier League captain's arm band. Yeah, I think the Premier League bands look a little bit different, but I'll never tire wearing the armband for this fantastic football club and yeah i've not even thought about about but that's a nice thought to have louis coil what a guy um coming where the club had been relegated to league

one uh run a really unsure footing a local lad as well he was born in hole he lives and breathes that football club and he's a great guy as well joby yeah just a fantastic sort of story coming into the game really isn't it again not just from that sort of connection to the club but obviously losing his father. I know he's spoken about that a lot. And just a motivation. And again, sometimes you're just something in you that drives you. Yes, you want to do well for your football club, for the fans, you know. But there is that sort of extra bit of motivation at times that carries you through those

tough, tough moments. And you could see what it meant for him today. It was a really special moment, him climbing up them stairs and, you know, being the one to lead whole city back to the Premier League. And I'm really, really pleased for him and his family. they've had some really tough times. And again, it does show you sometimes it's bigger than a game of football,

isn't it? It's bigger than the individual and all that, you know, and when you're getting pelt, as sometimes he was, during a season from fans and media and you name it, social media, his teammates stood by him, let alone the manager, picking him week and a week out, because when you're being picked week in and week out, you've got to come up, you've got to step up to the plate

with regards to the performance, but his teammates stuck by him and so did the football club, and consequently, he's the last man standing, as it were. Wax is lyrical about the job. Gaffer and I mean that one thing you can say to to cap off whole city this season that they really have been a I mean Thomas Tuchols talks about a band of brothers this season against adversity against a transfer embargo maybe that was a positive maybe that offered them the opportunity to just sit and reflect and hone on what they've got and go yeah you know what this is what we're going to drive forward with and maybe it's worked out for the best judge yeah it's interesting we had Olly McBurney downstairs and I did actually ask him about that because when you are written off I think when you do get to a certain age in the game and maybe people don't see a value on you because there's no resale but actually the value is what can I bring to this group of players on the pitch and that that goes through the whole whole city squad it's not just a McBurney and I think at times they've used that to really fire

them forward and you know again you've got to find these different bits of motivation as you do get a little bit older to give you that little bit of an edge I mean signing of the season I mean he has to be you know when you talk about I haven't paid a penny for him yeah really interesting speaking to the owner actually saying about at Las Palmas, he was in a relegation battle. Two months before the season ended, they knew that if he was to get relegated, there's a possibility of getting him out on a free. So they waited. They had other targets, there'd other players that they were looking at.

But they made a decision that if we can get this guy in the building, we're willing to wait for him. And he sat there saying every time Las Palmas lost the game, they're celebrated. So then in the end, they go down. Right, exactly. It's in the gods, it's in the gods, it's patience, but for him to come in and did what he did, rather like whole,

I don't think any of us would have sat here. I'm happy to put my hands up when I'm wrong. I thought they'd really struggle this season off the back of last year, but he and the rest of that group have proved everybody wrong. Philip, closing remarks from you on an emotional day for whole city.

I wonder what it's like for you sitting back, remembering those years ago, what was it, 18, 19 seasons now since that win here. Obviously, you can mention whoever you want to mention. and now I know you want to mention it. Go on. Go on.

Not at all. When it happened, when it first happened, I was thinking myself of the people I was around me that were supporting me, Brian Horne, Steve Park and to name but two,

that's part of me, backroom staff. But there was loads to mention, you know, Paul Duffin, what a great guy to be my chairman. And there's a very similar situation. First time I met Ajan

and I hadn't met Sergei until today. I witnessed Sergei tactical awareness from a one leg to a second leg game and he tore Millwall apart in the second leg and it has to be said if you're a Millwall fan hands up, you know, they were the better team without a shot of a doubt. But having met Azum for the first time then

and realized what effect he has on me, that for me is the, it's all about relationships. It really is, it doesn't matter what people think about you, it's all about relationships. Jobi's just made reference to people understanding what Olly McBurney can give to a team and don't, you know, just because he's not slick or quick or he's not technically great.

He knows where the goal is. He knows when he gets in that six yard box. It's his job to put his head on the lane and put the ball in the back of the net. All of these things, tick a box for the togetherness of what Hull City had. And I think it's what won the game today.

They've been tight, they've been together, and it's been a team spirit that I can actually make reference to in 2008. There you go, an emotional day for all. Joby Phil, thank you as well. So we are losing one great manager at the Premier League, Pep Guardiola,

departing Manchester City, but a tactician is on his way. Sergei Akirovich is ready for the Premier League. He's driven Hull City there via the playoffs. Thank you for joining us in this episode of the Football Daily. Remember, you can listen to the latest news and views from every single EFL club on the BBC Sound app. Just search for your club's name and make sure to hit subscribe so you get notified whenever something new drops.

Up next on the Football Daily feed, Rick Edwards will be summing up the final day of the Premier League season with Luke Edwards on the Premier League. review, will it be West Ham United or Tottenham Hotspur who join us on 72 plus next season? As for us, we'll be back for another episode of the EFL podcast. 72 plus, the home of the EFL from Five Live Sport midweek to reflect on the League one and League two player finals. Jobes, catch you then. Love it.

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