Source: Daily_Mail
Phil Brown sacked: Hull City end manager's reign as they fight to stay in the Premier League
Hull boss Phil Brown has been sacked as the Tigers fight to stay in the Barclays Premier League.[LNB]Brown's future was was plunged into fresh doubt this morning when he failed to turn up for training. And the Tigers have now confirmed Brown has been booted out after three years in charge.[LNB]Former West Ham manager Alan Curbishley and Gary Megson, who left Bolton earlier this season, are the early frontrunners to replace him.[LNB] Heading out: Phil Brown has been sacked by Hull[LNB] A statement from chairman Adam Pearson read: 'Hull City AFC confirms that Phil Brown has been relieved of his managerial duties at the club and has been placed on gardening leave with immediate effect. Brian Horton and Steve Parkin will take charge of first-team duties until further notice.[LNB]'We would like to place on record our sincere thanks to Phil for the major success achieved during a period of four seasons in charge at the club and wish him every success for the future. [LNB]Last orders: Phil Brown (right) with skipper George Boateng on Saturday[LNB]WHO WILL BE THE NEXT PERMANENT HULL BOSS?Steve Coppell11/4Paul Jewell9/2Steve McClaren9/2Alan Curbishley7Gary Megson13/2Gareth Southgate15/2David O'Leary10Mark Hughes12Kevin Keegan 16Billy Davies20Brian Horton20Dean Windass50Odds provided by Paddy Power at midday. Others available.[LNB]'Promotion to the Premier League in 2008 and retention of our status onthe last day of the 2009 season are unique events in the history ofHull City AFC and both were achieved under Phil's stewardship during aperiod which will never be forgotten by all connected with the club.[LNB]'However,retention of Premier League status is paramount and the board believesthat a change in managerial direction is the correct option at thistime. [LNB]'The club will keep supporters completely up-to-date in respect ofany managerial appointment but, in the meantime, Brian Horton and SteveParkin will prepare the team for our important game at Portsmouth nextSaturday.'[LNB]Hull are currently 19th in the Premier League and three points from safety with nine games remaining.[LNB] Glory: Phil Brown and Dean Windass celebrate after victory over Bristol City in the 2008 play-off final sealed promotion to the Premier League[LNB]Brown took over as manager of Hull in January 2007, succeeding Phil Parkinson,and kept them in the Coca-Cola Championship that season. They finished one placeand seven points above the bottom three.[LNB]The following season he led them to promotion as Dean Windass' goal earned thema 1-0 win over Bristol City in the play-off final at Wembley.[LNB] Extraordinary: Brown was the talk of football after he lectured Hull players on the pitch at Manchester City in 2008[LNB]They enjoyed a fantastic start to the 2008/09 season, but a poor runof results after Christmas meant it was not until the final day of thecampaign that they ensured survival.[LNB]The current season has proved just as tough for the East Yorkshire outfit, who have lost their last four games.[LNB] Happier days: Brown celebrating with a song after Hull stayed up last season[LNB]Brown apologised to the Women's Institute on Friday after 50-100women about to march across the Humber Bridge witnessed an altercationbetween Jimmy Bullardand Nicky Barmby.[LNB]And despite a battlingperformance against title chasing Arsenal on Saturday, Nicklas Bendtnerfired a late winner to keep Hull in deep trouble.[LNB] The final straw: Niclas Bendtner scores Arsenal's late winner at Hull on Saturday[LNB] Phil Brown 'very disappointed' at being sacked by Premier League strugglers HullTHE 2009/10 managerial merry-go-round: Hull City make Phil Brown the 33rd exit of the seasonPhil Brown edges closer to sack as under-fire Hull City boss fails to turn up for trainingHull 1 Arsenal 2: It's one in the eye for City and one in the eye for Bendtner GRAHAM POLL: Sol Campbell was lucky not to follow George Boateng to an early bath in brutal battle at Hull HULL CITY FC
