PHIL BROWN, the Hull City manager, is expected to be out of a job if his side lose at Burnley tomorrow as the noose around his neck tightens amid growing turmoil at the troubled Premier League club.
Brown appears to be fighting a losing battle to remain as manager in the wake of chairman Paul Duffen’s departure yesterday and it is understood he has been told that results must improve straight away, or he could face the axe.
Duffen, who was Brown’s most powerful ally at the KC Stadium, stood down following a meeting with the owner and major shareholder, Russell Bartlett, leaving Brown exposed.
Duffen will be replaced by Hull’s former owner Adam Pearson next week.
Pearson, who left Derby County on Wednesday, will return to the club he saved from administration in 2001 and is understood to be keen on a change of manager before the team’s plight worsens.
Brown will be in charge of Hull at Turf Moor, but this could be his last day in the managerial role at the club. He met Bartlett on Wednesday evening to discuss the owner’s concerns and was left in no doubt that results must improve immediately.
Despite just three league victories in 2009, Duffen has backed Brown to the hilt and refused to sack him.
He is powerless to save Brown now, however, and has paid the price for Hull lurching towards financial meltdown.
According to accountants Deloitte, relegation would see Hull needing to generate around €25.7 million just to meet existing liabilities.
Brown was appointed manager during Pearson’s previous spell and could earn a brief stay of execution should Hull engineer a positive result this weekend, but it seems the writing is on the wall, with bookmakers suspending betting on Brown getting sacked.
Brown, however, insists he has the full backing of his players.
He said: “A manager always relies on results and at this moment in time, we’ve got four points from the last three games. If we can put our best foot forward against Burnley, that will be a good return for October.
“October was a big month and so far it’s been fairly successful on the field of play. I think the players are one million per cent behind me and hopefully that will show in the performance on Saturday.”
Duffen, however, has backed Brown to remain in charge.
“I think he has got the ability to do so. It is like anything. You want to shake up the snow globe and if I walk off the stage and somebody else comes in and brings in a new catalyst, it can absolutely help the club get back the confidence they need.
“I absolutely believe in Phil Brown and I do believe he will survive, in terms of managing Hull City in that they will be in the Premier League this time next season.”
