Mike Phelan leaves Hull City
Hull City say the search for a new Head Coach is underway after Mike Phelan left the club
Hull City say the search for a new Head Coach is underway after Mike Phelan left the club.
They announced the decision minutes before last night's results saw them drop to the bottom of the Premier League.
The 54-year-old lost his job, which only became permanent in October, with the side deep in relegation trouble, having picked up just 13 points from 20 games this season.
They have also confirmed that following on from Mike's departure the Tigers Assistant Head Coach Neil McDonald, Goalkeeping Coach Bobby Mimms and Chief Scout Stan Ternent have also now left the Club.
The bookies have former Birmingham manager Gary Rowett as the early favourite ahead of Alan Pardew, Wales' Chris Coleman, former England boss Roy Hodgson, Harry Redknapp and Ryan Giggs. A club statement read.....
The club can announce this evening that it has parted company with head coach Mike Phelan.We would like to thank Mike for his efforts both as assistant manager and head coach over the last two years. The search for a replacement has begun and an announcement will be made in due course.''
After confirming the departure of McDonald, Mimms and Ternent the club said;
"We would like to thank Neil, Bobby and Stan for their efforts during their time at the KCOM Stadium"
The club did not say whether Phelan was sacked or resigned.
Former Manchester United midfielder Phelan stepped in after previous manager Steve Bruce left shortly before the start of the season. Bruce had only months earlier led Hull City into the top flight. The Tigers won their first two league matches of the campaign, against last year's champions Leicester and Swansea, but have been unable to build on that strong start. Their last win came on November 6 against Southampton. They sit three points behind 17th-placed Crystal Palace, the last safe team, but have a far inferior goal difference to the Eagles and cannot afford to let points drain away as they did under Phelan, who was hampered by meagre resources. The incoming manager will have the benefit of an open transfer window in which to do business, although drawing players to a relegation battle may demand strong powers of persuasion. Their next game comes in the FA Cup third round on Saturday, coincidentally against a Swansea side who were rejuvenated after a change of boss at Palace, having brought in Paul Clement to replace Bob Bradley.