• Premier League

Tigers sack Phil Brown

Phil Brown has been sacked as Hull City manager with the Tigers revealing they felt a change of leadership was the "correct option" in order to protect the club's top-flight status.

Hull have taken the decision to relieve Brown of his duties following a 2-1 defeat to Arsenal on Saturday in which the Tigers conceded an injury-time goal having battled admirably despite being down to ten men following the first-half dismissal of George Boateng.

But Brown had been forced to deal with embarrassing headlines prior to the game when Nick Barmby and Jimmy Bullard were involved in a scrap in front of members of the Women's Institute near the Humber Bridge.

With the club in 19th place having won only five of 29 Premier League games this season, the board have now removed Brown and placed Brian Horton and Steve Parkin in temporary charge of the side as Hull seek to avoid relegation.

A statement from chairman Adam Pearson read: "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 complete supporters 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 next Saturday."

Brown led Hull City to promotion in the 200-7-08 season and the Tigers enjoyed a superb start to life in the Premier League, beating Arsenal and Tottenham in London to generate speculation that they could challenge for European football after an impressive first half of the 2008-09 season.

But a 5-1 hammering at Manchester City on December 26 - which famously saw Brown conduct his half-time team talk on the pitch - ushered in a difficult run for the club and they won just one league game in the remainder of the season, finally avoiding relegation on the final day of the season, despite losing 1-0 at home to Manchester United.

Their form failed to improve markedly at the start of the 2009-10 season as Brown's side won only two of their opening 11 games and the return of chairman Pearson to the club at the end of October led to speculation that Brown would be sacked by the new regime.

He clung on to his job, but with results failing to improve and negative headlines surrounding the club, Hull on Monday brought an end to Brown's four-year reign at the club.

"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 Barclays Premier League for a third consecutive season," Brown said in a statement.

"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.

"It has been a fantastic experience and I would like to offer my sincere thanks to all of the players, past and present, and also to my staff. Finally, I would like to thank the fans for their support and wish the club every success in the future."

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