Dowie unveiled as new Hull manager

Dowie has nine games to save Hull (GETTY IMAGES)

Iain Dowie was today confirmed as the new manager of Hull.

The struggling Barclays Premier League club parted company with Phil Brown earlier this week and Dowie emerged as the leading contender after several other reported targets ruled themselves out of the running.

Bookmakers stopped taking bets on Dowie as the former Crystal Palace and Charlton boss, who was working as a pundit on Sky Sports, emerged as the number one contender.

Dowie will have just nine games to save the Tigers from relegation.

They acted quickly to appoint a new manager after deciding to dispense with the services of Brown on Monday.

Four successive defeats have 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 yesterday: "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's Hull reign starts with a trip to bottom side Portsmouth on Saturday.

Dowie, who will be assisted by Steve Wigley and Tim Flowers, has been out of the game since leaving Newcastle where he was assistant to Alan Shearer following the Magpies' relegation.

Dowie said at a press conference today: "It's a city that has a ferocious fan base, the infrastructure is here.

"It's an area that can more than justify having a Premier League team.

"I think there is some value in the team.

"I think it's a working-class area that deserves a team that reflects that - a team that plays with a bit of tenacious endeavour, that is aggressive on the field and also pass the ball a bit.

"I'm only going to talk about the good things Phil Brown has done, it's very important he should be recognised for the job he has done here.

"He should be applauded for his job, this is just a different chapter.

"I've had it in my life, sometimes you get curve balls."

Pearson said: "He is up for the challenge and we are in a position we need to fight and battle for every point.

"I think they are classic Iain Dowie attributes and I am sure he will bring that to this club and we are all in this fight together and we are looking for that fresh impetus to get us over the line, 13, 14, 15 points - whatever that is but we are still going to need to win four games."