Phill Brown sacked

[Laylabelle 9,305]

Hull City manager Phil Brown has been relieved of his duties at the KC Stadium and put on gardening leave.

Assistant boss Brian Horton and Steve Parkin will take charge of the Tigers' first-team until further notice.

After Saturday's last-gasp defeat by Arsenal, Hull are second from bottom of the Premier League and three points adrift of safety, with nine games left.

Chairman Adam Pearson says he hopes to appoint a new manager before Saturday's crunch game against Portsmouth.

Pearson told BBC Radio Humberside that former Charlton and West Ham manager Alan Curbishley is one of the men on Hull's shortlist.

In a statement on the Tigers' website explaining Brown's departure, Pearson said: "Retention of Premier League status is paramount and the board believes that a change in managerial direction is the correct option at this time.

"The club will keep supporters completely up-to-date in respect of any managerial appointment but, in the meantime, Brian Horton and Steve Parkin will prepare the team for our important game at Portsmouth."

Brown, 50, took charge at Hull in December 2006 and led the Tigers into the top flight for the first time in their history in 2008.

They made an impressive start to life in the Premier League but a poor run of results in the second half of the season - after Brown's infamous on-pitch, half-time team talk during a Boxing Day defeat by Manchester City - meant they did not secure their survival until the last day of the campaign.

Windass not surprised by Brown exit

This season has proved just as tough and the weekend defeat by the Gunners means Hull are deep in relegation trouble after losing their last four games.

Brown told the League Managers Association: "I am obviously very disappointed with the club's decision and the fact that I will now not have the opportunity to secure Hull City's status in the Premier League for a third consecutive season.

"Although I am extremely sad to be leaving Hull City, I am very proud of my achievements during my time as manager, especially having led the team into the top flight of football for the first time in the club's 104-year history and ahead of schedule."

Brown's departure from the club came just a few days after he was forced to apologise on behalf of Hull midfielders Jimmy Bullard and Nicky Barmby. The pair had an altercation during a warm-down session on the Humber Bridge, with the incident witnessed by members of the local Women's Institute.

BBC Sport

Edited March 15, 2010 by Laylabelle

[EskWeston 696]

Don't like the bloke but you have to feel sorry for him. How well can you expect that Hull squad to do?

[Laylabelle 9,305]

Curbishley is apprantly in the frame to take over.They didnt do to bad on Saturday just kinda messed up extra time but still..way it goes I guess

[ChelseaChick 430]

Aw i love phil brown. Feel sorry for him, i dont think there gona get anyone better to replace him<br>

[Rubber bullets 1,183]

I don't think sacking the manager with only 2 months to go is a good idea, what difference will it make.

[northernblue 2]

Iain Dowie has been charged with the task of keeping Hull City in the Premier League after being confirmed as their new manager on Wednesday morning. The 45-year-old has agreed terms on a contract which will keep him in charge for the final nine games of the season with a view to staying at the KC Stadium should his appointment be proved a success.

Dowie replaces Phil Brown in the Tigers hot seat after he was axed on Monday following four successive defeats which have left the club 19th in the table and three points adrift of safety.

source:Premier League football blog

A strange appointment and one that suggests he was the only one that wanted the job - plus he was cheap so he didn't cost anything.

Still can't see Hull staying up though, unless Dowie's 'honeymoon' period will inspire them to 3-4 wins, which is the minimum they need.