Brown leaves Hull

(GSM) – Hull City have relieved manager Phil Brown of his duties and placed him on gardening leave with immediate effect.

The Tigers lost 2-1 at home to Arsenal on Saturday with Nicklas Bendtner scoring a last-gasp winner.

The defeat left the Tigers second from bottom in the standings, three points from safety.

A statement on the club’s official website said Brian Horton and Steve Parkin would take charge of the first team until further notice.

The statement from Chairman Adam Pearson revealed the Hull board felt it had to act in a bid to keep the club in the top flight.

The statement read, “Hull City AFC confirms that Phil Brown has been relieved of his managerial duties at the club and has been placed on gardening leave with immediate effect. Brian Horton and Steve Parkin will take charge of first-team duties until further notice.”

In the statement Chairman wished Brown for club’s success, “We would like to place on record our sincere thanks to Phil for the major success achieved during a period of four seasons in charge at the club and wish him every success for the future.”

“Promotion to the Premier League in 2008 and retention of our status on the last day of the 2009 season are unique events in the history of Hull City AFC and both were achieved under Phil’s stewardship during a period which will never be forgotten by all connected with the club,” he added.

He continued in the statement, “However, retention of Premier League status is paramount and the board believes that a change in managerial direction is the correct option at this time.”

“The club will complete supporters up-to-date in respect of any managerial appointment but, in the meantime, Brian Horton and Steve Parkin will prepare the team for our important game at Portsmouth next Saturday,” he mentioned.

Brown took charge of Hull in 2007 and guided them to the Premier League in his first full season in charge of the club.

After a stunning start to life in the Premier League the Tigers managed to avoid relegation on the final day of last season.

However, Hull have continued to struggle this season with the side finding themselves in the drop zone for most of the campaign.