A disappointed Kim Hellberg joined his players on the pitch after the final whistle at Wembley, reflecting on what he described as the 'toughest two weeks' of his life following the spygate saga that saw his Middlesbrough side reinstated to the Championship playoff final, only to lose 1-0 to Hull City.
Heartbreak at Wembley
Boro became the first team in Football League history to be defeated in both the playoff semi-final and final. Their return to the Premier League was denied after Hull's Oli McBurnie scored an injury-time goal, securing promotion for the Tigers after a nine-year absence. Hellberg's side had replaced Southampton, who were thrown out of the competition for spying on rivals' training sessions.
Emotional Toll
'It has been tough,' Hellberg said. 'It's been draining emotionally. But there is no excuse. Hull scored a goal today and you have to congratulate them. We were ready to play the game. It's been two heartbreaking losses in one week. When the game ends you feel very empty.'
Hull's Perspective
Hull manager Sergej Jakirovic described his team as 'collateral damage' in the spying episode. Despite having to switch preparation plans just days before the final after initially preparing to face Southampton, he saw the funny side of a saga that means Southampton will start next season with a four-point deduction.
'When I heard for the first time, I start to laugh because what you can spy?' Jakirovic said. 'To send a guy to do this, I don't understand. We didn't speak about this case at all. We just spoke about what we need to do to focus concentration. The most important thing is we won today. With so many problems, everything that we achieved with the Premier League is unbelievable.'
Looking Ahead
Hull's promotion came just a year after avoiding relegation to League One on goal difference, and operating with a two-window transfer fee embargo that left them able to sign only free agents. Attention now turns to the Premier League and avoiding the instant relegation they experienced last time.
'We will try to add better players than we have right now,' Jakirovic said. 'But I think these main players who bring us to the Premier League can stay and help us as well. We just have to add better players than we have. Sunderland's recipe is great because they brought dynamic players with pace and speed. I'm ready for everything. We have a nice budget. We will see.'
