Analysis: Walter's 'short and disappointing' reign ends
- Published
After just 17 league games and one abject Carabao Cup defeat, Tim Walter's time in East Yorkshire is over before it ever got going.
Hull have secured just three wins all season and have lost the past four to leave them in the bottom three. The term "sleepwalking towards relegation" has been used on more than one occasion by fans and pundits alike.
Walter had boldly proclaimed that "nobody is playing my way", which is a lofty perch to place yourself on but only creates an even bigger and harder fall if it doesn't pay off - and it hasn't.
The "progressive" playing style is one that has had fans scratching their heads in a confused state since day one and there have been too many times when the players appeared to feel that way as well.
Plus, he has increasingly alienated himself from many of the supporters with various public comments and actions that have only incensed an already anxious and edgy fanbase.
"Walterball" did not produce exciting, high-energy, high-intensity play and 17 goals from 18 games was not as advertised, leaving many still questioning owner Acun Ilicali's decision to part ways with Liam Rosenior in May after a seventh-placed finish.
Of course, that wasn't all plain sailing either as the results and many performances in the second half of last season fell way short, but Rosenior had galvanised the club on and off the field and was seemingly influential when it came to attracting players like Liam Delap, Jaden Philogene and Fabio Carvalho.
However, City's owner chose to tear it all down and go again with a manager/head coach who was unproven in one of the toughest leagues in football and having only experienced moderate success in his native Germany.
It should be said Walter was not the only one to blame in all of this. The summer recruitment was simply not good enough and they have been left with a squad lacking in some key areas, and they have been toothless in attack as a result.
However, a persistence with a "philosophy" that was not producing the required results has ultimately led to the end of a short and disappointing spell for Walter.
If the spotlight was on Ilicali following his last managerial change, the focus and scrutiny has just ramped up even further for the Turkish media mogul to get the next one right with the worrying but all-too-real possibility of this team being in a relegation fight.