Source: Daily_Mail
Brown's reign as Hull manager will end this week - even if Tigers beat Stoke
Phil Brown's reign as Hull City manager will end this week, 18 months after he took the club into the Premier League for the first time.[LNB]In spite of proving himself the most successful manager in the club's history, the 50-year-old will be sacked less than three years after he was appointed in a full-time capacity in January 2007.[LNB]Hull enter their home game with Stoke City second bottom of the table and it is expected to be Brown's farewell match.[LNB] Enlarge End of the road: Phil Brown will leave Hull this week[LNB]He will go as soon as executive chairman Adam Pearson finalises a deal for his successor - which should be this week.[LNB]Ironically it was Pearson, recently returned to the KC Stadium as replacement for the departed Paul Duffen, who appointed Brown after he had taken the team out of the Championship relegation zone with three wins and a draw in six games as caretaker manager.[LNB]New man? Darren Ferguson could take over at Hull City[LNB]The result of the game will have no bearing on Brown's future. He is doomed whether they win, lose or draw against Tony Pulis's side.[LNB]Already there has been widespread speculation about who will take over, with names such as Alan Curbishley, Paul Ince and Paul Jewell linked to the post.[LNB]But a surprise contender could be Manchester United boss Sir AlexFerguson's son Darren, who has taken Peterborough United from LeagueTwo to the Championship in successive seasons.[LNB]Brown has beensomething of a controversial character since he took over but hissuccess is undeniable and was surely worthy of more loyalty from City'shierarchy.[LNB]He arrived as first-team coach in October 2006 undermanager Phil Parkinson, after an abortive and difficult managerialbaptism at Derby County. [LNB]He and Colin Murphy became joint stand-in bosses after Parkinson's sacking only two months later.[LNB]Hull have won two games in the Premier League this season.[LNB]Pearson publicly insists no decision has been made on Brown's future but admits that the pressure for change could become too great to resist.[LNB]'We are trying to support Phil as much as possible,' said Pearson. 'No decision on his future has been made.[LNB] Hull of a task: City need people like Geovanni to step up if they are to survive in the top flight[LNB]'Sometimes the pressure gets so great from everybody, from the supporters and the board, for a change that it happens. [LNB]'I wouldn't say his job is on the line. There are a whole set ofcircumstances that need to be considered but it is not just down to oneor two games.[LNB]'I have been through this situation at Derby withPaul Jewell. You get this macabre pleasure in supporting your manager. [LNB]'I intend to give Phil exactly that kind of support. We need totry and get the atmosphere more relaxed and create a situation wherethe crowd is positive behind him. [LNB]'We need to get back to that way of working, when he was absolutely flying last year. We would prefer it for Phil to stay.'[LNB] To Hull and back: Curbs emerges as front runner to replace BrownHULL v Stoke: Double blow for Tigers as Geovanni and Boaz Myhill miss outHULL CITY FC
