Premier League

Hull to name Brown replacement on Wednesday

ESPN staff

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Phil Brown was sacked on Monday morning © Getty Images

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Hull City are to move swiftly in appointing a new manager, with chairman Adam Pearson saying he expects to have Phil Brown's replacement installed by Wednesday morning.

Brown was sacked on Monday after a poor run of results which began at the start of November 2008, following the club's inspired start to their maiden Premier League campaign.

The Tigers now find themselves in 19th place, three points adrift of safety with a significantly inferior goal difference. Pearson stated that replacing Brown would give them the best possible chance of staying in the top flight.

Pearson revealed there are "about five'' managers on his shortlist for the job, and also admitted: "We're probably looking at a deal to the end of the season. We will then ascertain where we are and what we've got financially before committing further than that.

He would not be drawn links to former Bolton Wanderers boss Gary Megson, who now heads the betting.

Pearson continued: "We want the new manager operational by Thursday; we will do it promptly and would expect to be able to make a decision tomorrow [Tuesday] night.

"We expect there will be an announcement at the latest by Wednesday morning.''

Pearson did, however, reveal that Alan Curbishley will not be the new manager. Curbishley left West Ham in September 2008 and has been out of work since.

Speaking on BBC Radio Humberside, Pearson said of Curbishley: "He's not on the (shortlist). Alan is a fantastic manager but it needs to be someone we can get in on a nine-game basis. He is not on that list.''

It is possible that the Tigers have opted to sack Brown in the hope that a new manager will provide fresh impetus going into a vital run of fixtures.

Brown's final games included fixtures against Arsenal, Everton, Manchester City, and Chelsea. Whoever takes over at the KC Stadium will find games against Portsmouth, Fulham, Stoke City, Burnley, Birmingham, Sunderland and Wigan Athletic coming up before they end the season at home to Liverpool. Their home game with Aston Villa has yet to be rearranged.