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Dowie set to be named as Brown's replacement at Hull

Iain Dowie has managed QPR, Crystal Palace and Charlton © Getty Images

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• News: Hull appoint Iain Dowie
  

Iain Dowie looks set to be named as the new manager of struggling Hull as local reports suggest he has agreed a short-term contract.

Most bookmakers stopped taking bets on the former Crystal Palace, Charlton and QPR boss on Tuesday night amid speculation an announcement was imminent, and the Hull Daily Mail has said personal terms have been agreed.

If confirmed, the 45-year-old will have just nine games to try to save the Tigers from relegation from the Premier League.

The club appear to have acted quickly to appoint a new manager after deciding to dispense with the services of Phil Brown on Monday. Brown was sacked after a run of four successive defeats left City 19th in the table and three points adrift of safety.

Chairman Adam Pearson believes taking such decisive action now gives the club their best chance of survival.

Pearson said: "We feel that we've got a quarter of the season to go with some winnable games within that.

"It's not a fixture list that's packed full of 'top four' games, it's a fixture list with games where we would expect to get some points. We feel that we're best served by making the change now. That will bring a fresh face in, some new impetus and some new focus to get those 14 or 15 points that we're going to need.''

Dowie forged a reputation as an impressive up-and-coming manager at Oldham and Palace but ill-fated spells at Charlton, Palace and QPR have left him looking for a way back into the game.

He had a spell in a similar fire-fighting job on the Newcastle coaching staff last season but could not help the club avoid relegation.

His Hull reign could start with a trip to bottom side Portsmouth on Saturday. Coincidentally, Pompey boss Avram Grant was also strongly linked with the KC Stadium vacancy on Tuesday before reports emerged of his lack of interest.

Grant could have been made available with Pompey in administration but it is now likely he will remain in the home dugout at Fratton Park this weekend.

It has been suggested Brown's demise could have been hastened by the club's financial situation. Pearson has often warned of the dire implications relegation could have and fresh accounts yesterday came with a warning that Hull would need to make up a £21 million shortfall if they fail to beat the drop.

However, the figures also reveal that progress has been made since Pearson returned to the club for a second spell as chairman in October.

There has been a reduction in the club's bank debt from around £15 million to £4.6 million, with repayments of £7 million and £2 million having been made in January and February. Owner Russell Bartlett has also pumped in £4 million since July.

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