• Premier League

Hull appoint Iain Dowie

ESPN staff
March 17, 2010
Iain Dowie has nine games to save Hull from relegation © Getty Images
Enlarge

Iain Dowie has been appointed as the new manager of Hull City on a short-term contract until the end of the season.

Dowie agreed terms on Tuesday night after meeting with chairman Adam Pearson and will now look to guide the team to safety in the club's remaining nine games this season.

He will be unveiled at a press conference at 11am on Wednesday morning.

Dowie made an impressive start to his career with spells at Oldham and Crystal Palace but has had limited success in more recent years, with short-lived spells at Charlton and QPR either side of a stint at Coventry.

His last role was working alongside Alan Shearer on the coaching staff at Newcastle in a similar short-term appointment designed to save that club from relegation - an effort which failed.

It is reported that Dowie intends to bring former QPR assistant Tim Flowers will join Dowie along with England Under-21 coach Steve Wigley. Phil Brown's assistant manager, Brian Horton, is expected to leave the club.

Managers including Mark Hughes, Alan Curbishley and Terry Venables were all understood to be interested in the Hull post before Dowie's appointment.

Dowie replaces Phil Brown who was relieved of his duties on Tuesday after Hull have won only five of 29 Premier League games this season, but the former Palace manager is relishing the challenge of trying to keep the Tigers in the top flight.

"I'm really looking forward to the challenge," Dowie told the club's official website. "It's a big challenge and I can't wait to get out onto the training ground with the players on Thursday.

"I think this is a great opportunity for me in the Premier League, but it's also a great opportunity for the players to establish Hull City as a Premier League team. The fans and this city deserve to have a Premier League team. It's a great chance for everybody at this club.

"I'm not one to be frightened by a challenge. It's about getting everybody together and pulling in the same direction."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close