Hull win £160m play-off as sale rumours circulate

May 30 – Hull City have secured a quick return to the English Premier League after winning what has traditionally been billed as the most financially lucrative game in world football, the English Championship play-off, joining already promoted  Burnley and Middlesbrough in the top flight next season.

But despite Saturday’s 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday, worth around £160 million with a bumper new domestic television rights deal about to kick in, the future of the club is far from secure.

Hull’s Egyptian-British owner Assem Allam missed the game through illness amid reports that there could be an imminent takeover by an unnamed American consortium.

Manager Steve Bruce (pictured) says the uncertainty over ownership must be quickly resolved.

“I’ll sit down with the owners. It’s not often you walk away from the Premier League – that’s where I want to manage. But I have to be given certain assurances that we’re all moving in the right direction. I keep hearing too many stories that there’s a takeover imminent. We’ll see what develops.”

Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1711659684labto1711659684ofdlr1711659684owedi1711659684sni@w1711659684ahsra1711659684w.wer1711659684dna1711659684