New manager will get time to turn club around, says Hull chairman

Chairman Adam Pearson is adamant Hull's new manager will have time to make an impact as the club bid to stave off relegation from the Barclays Premier League.

The Tigers axed boss Phil Brown yesterday following a losing run which was extended to four games by Saturday's stoppage-time setback against Arsenal.

They lie one place off the bottom of the table and three points adrift of safety.

But Pearson told BBC Radio Humberside: "There are nine games to go and 27 points to play with, so there is time to turn it round.

"They are not any old fixtures. There are a number of big games in there which we feel are winnable and where we can pick up points."

Pearson hopes to have a manager in place for this weekend's clash with bottom of the table Portsmouth and has drawn up a five-man shortlist to replace 50-year-old Brown - though he confirmed that Alan Curbishley, the early bookmakers' favourite, is not among that number.

Gary Megson, Paul Jewell and Steve Coppell also feature high in the betting along with Brown's erstwhile assistant Brian Horton. The former Tigers manager has joined fellow coach Steve Parkin in caretaker charge.

Pearson said: "We're probably looking at a deal to the end of the season. We're looking for experience, presence, someone who can create an impact.

"We're not giving him fixtures that are impossible, and we feel he will have time to make an impact."

Former Wigan manager Jewell, who worked under Pearson at Derby, can see the appeal of the short-term assignment.

He told BBC Radio Five Live: "I've worked with Adam Pearson, he's a terrific chairman and he won't have taken this decision lightly.

"I've not spoken to him (since), I spoke to him a couple of weeks ago and there was no indication he was going to change Phil Brown.

"I think it is (an attractive job) because it's a bit of a no-lose situation.

"If the remit is 'keep us up' and they do, everyone is happy. If they go in there and they go down, no-one will blame the manager that goes in there so I think it's a really good job for someone."