Iain Dowie takes over at Hull

Hull City football club has appointed Iain Dowie as manager until the end of the season.

The 45-year-old, who has previously managed Crystal Palace and Coventry, replaces Phil Brown who was sacked on Monday.

Hull had been linked with a number of other managers, including Steve Coppell, Gary Megson, Mark Hughes and Paul Jewell, since Phil Brown's dismissal on Monday.

The former Northern Ireland international has been given a contract until the end of the season.

Dowie will be assisted by Tim Flowers and Steve Wigley as he faces the task of helping Hull avoid relegation.

Integrity

Hull City lie second from bottom in the Premier League after their 2-1 defeat to Arsenal on Saturday.

The new manager said that he wanted his players to show the desire they displayed in their recent loss.  "The tenacity and desire they showed against Arsenal will be absolutely paramount."

Chairman Adam Pearson said that he was confident in Dowie's ability to save Hull City from relegation and praised his "great passion, integrity, honesty".

Pearson added that although it is a short term contract, he expects the contract to be extended at the end of the season. "I'm expecting him to sit down and sort out a long-term contract on 15 May."