Manager Steve Bruce is committed to rebuilding Hull's foundations after agreeing to stay at the KC Stadium for another three years.
Bruce's current deal expires at the end of the season and talks which had been ongoing for a matter of months have now come to a satisfactory conclusion.
The 54-year-old admits he had moments of pause, during which he examined his own desire to remain in management, but came away with a resolve to continue his work with the Tigers.
His only aim for the current campaign is to secure Barclays Premier League football for a third successive year, but beyond that he has grander ambitions.
On the pitch he has already banked the club promotion at the first attempt, top-flight survival last term and a first ever FA Cup final, but he also has one eye on improving the modest infrastructure before his time is done.
"I'm delighted because I've enjoyed the last two and half years," he said.
"I have to say this season has been difficult at times, no question about that, but I've still enjoyed it and that's the most important thing.
"What we've started here, for me, is about trying to establish the club as a Premier League club - from the Academy to setting up a scouting network, (improving) the training facility. That can all be part of a Premier League club going forward.
"When you commit yourself to a new deal the first thing is 'do you still have the energy for it?'
"There's no doubt about, the Premier League is demanding, so all those things were going through my mind but I was delighted to commit myself to the club.
"A big thing is 'do you still enjoy it?' And that I do.apart from the 90 minutes on a Saturday afternoon!"
For all his long-range plans, Bruce's focus was also on the more short-term importance of Saturday's visit to Leicester.
The Foxes go into the weekend's fixtures bottom of the table, nine points and five places behind Hull.
It is a significant match for both sides, with Bruce hoping to cut Leicester adrift.
"It's a big game coming up, a huge one really," he said.
"If we can beat Leicester it's going to be very difficult for them to catch us.
"There's the big incentive for us. That's what we have to try and do. Get to the magical 30 with nine games to play because psychologically that's a big, huge number."
Midfielder Mohamed Diame and defender James Chester are progressing well with respective knee and shoulder injuries, but Bruce will not be able to call on the pair at the King Power Stadium.
"There's been reports Diame would be involved, but it's still a bit too early for him unfortunately," he added.
"We hope that he's joining in training by the middle of next week, but he's been out now for the best part of four months.
"Chester will hopefully get the go ahead too for something like next week. Hopefully that will give the whole squad a boost but for this weekend they won't be available."
Source: PA
