Nick Barmby sacked after 'casting public doubt on integrity of Hull City'

Manager of Hull City Nick Barmby has quit the club (Getty Images)

Hull have sacked manager Nick Barmby, accusing him of "casting public doubt on the integrity" of the club's board.

The 38-year-old, who has only been in the job for six months after taking over from Nigel Pearson in November, was widely reported to have been suspended last week in the wake of an interview he gave questioning the lack of money made available to him in the January transfer window.

Hull's owners Assem and Ehab Allam took exception to the comments and have today confirmed Barmby's dismissal, claiming the former England international has misled fans with his comments.

"Following recent speculation in the media Hull City can now confirm that following a brief period of suspension Nick Barmby has today been dismissed from his role as first-team manager with immediate effect," a statement read.

"The reason for the dismissal relates to certain comments made by Nick in recent interviews.

"The comments concerned were wholly misleading and implied that the board had not made funds available to Nick to strengthen the first-team squad during the January transfer window.

"Such is not only completely untrue, the comments made by Nick contradicted the board's publicly stated position that funds would be made available to Nick during the January transfer window.

"As stated in previous interviews, the board accepted every transfer request from Nick and in fact actively encouraged him to strengthen the squad should he feel it was necessary.

"The board consider the comments made by Nick unjustifiably cast public doubt on the honesty and integrity of the board and its members.

"The relationship between the manager and the board is of prime importance to the success of any football club. In making the comments Nick made, he completely undermined the trust and confidence that needs to exist between the team and board."

Barmby, who won 23 England caps and represented both Liverpool and Everton, joined his home town club as a player in 2004 and played a key role in the Tigers' rise to the Premier League in 2008.

The former Tottenham, Middlesbrough, Everton and Liverpool midfielder remained loyal to Hull following relegation at the end of the 2009-10 campaign and was made player-coach under manager Pearson the following season.

Pearson quit Hull to return to former club Leicester in November last year and local hero Barmby was installed as a popular caretaker-manager, steering the Tigers to an eighth-placed finish, seven points adrift of the top six.

Hull appeared on course for a top-six finish this time around, but a run of five straight defeats in March derailed their challenge and they finished seven points adrift of the top six after winning just one of their last 13 matches.

The Tigers admit that it has been a difficult decision to part with Barmby.

"The club sincerely hopes that its fans will recognise that the decision to dismiss Nick was not taken lightly," the club statement continued.

"The decision was taken following meetings with Nick where he had every opportunity to state his case and make representations.

"The club feels that it has treated Nick entirely fairly and in the same way that it would have treated any other employee in the same situation.

"Having been prepared to give Nick his first opportunity in football management, and for it to end like this, has been a particular disappointment to the board.

"Notwithstanding the circumstances of this "parting of the ways" the board wish Nick every success in his future career and thank him for the service he has provided to the club since his return to his home town in 2004.

"The club can confirm that the search for a new manager will begin immediately."

Barmby is appealing against his sacking and hit out at the club for making public their reasons for his dismissal.

In a statement issued via the League Managers' Association, Barmby said: "I am obviously hugely disappointed to have been dismissed.

"I maintain that my sacking was entirely without justification. In everything I have done for the club I have always acted in the best interests of Hull City.

"I was told today that I had seven days within which to submit an appeal against my dismissal, and yet the club has now made an official statement, on behalf of the board, stating publicly the alleged reasons for my dismissal and indicating that the search for a new manager will begin immediately.

"I nevertheless intend to appeal. As the matter is subject to an appeal and, if necessary, legal proceedings, it would not be appropriate for me to make any further comment at this stage, despite the fact that the club has seen fit to go public with its version of events."

He added: "I would like to pay tribute to the supporters, players and staff of Hull City Football Club for the huge support they have given me throughout my time at the club, and if my appeal should not be successful I would like to wish the club all the best for the future."

PA