Phelan: Bruce still a massive influence at Hull City

Life at the KC Stadium is very different now than it was when Mo Diame’s winner put Hull City back into the Premier League after only a one-year absence.

Most notable on Saturday was the sight of Mike Phelan on the touchline rather than the Tigers’ most successful manager Steve Bruce.

The 55-year-old walked away from the club after four years at the helm with the relationship between controversial owner Assem Allam and Hull fans at an all-time low.

And Phelan admitted Bruce was gone but very much not forgotten after the side shocked reigning Premier League champions Leicester City 2-1 on the opening day of the season.

“I’m in contact with Steve,” he said. “Steve is still a big influence on this football club.

“He’s the most successful guy this football club has had. For him to be sitting at home on the day the season is starting must be unusual for him.

“But he’s been great. He’s given encouragement. I’m sure he’s massively disappointed but the politics of football are for the politicians.

“I was asked to take the team pre-season when Steve departed. I’ve had the backing of the players. It’s been difficult because we had to change things to keep 11 fit players.”