Hull City are refusing to comment on speculation that manager Phil Brown has left the club but sources have told ESPN Soccernet that he has already departed the KC Stadium.
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Has Phil Brown left Hull City?
• Accountants warning for Tigers
Brown has recorded only three wins in his past 32 Premier League games and frustration has been building at the KC Stadium after a disappointing start to the season.
A 0-0 draw against Portsmouth at the weekend saw a number of fans vocalise that frustration, although chairman Paul Duffen has remained ever supportive of Brown in public.
However, it is now rumoured that the man who led Hull to the top flight for the first time in their history has departed the club to become the first Premier League manager to vacate his post this season.
When contacted by ESPN Soccernet, Hull City issued a firm "no comment" but speculation continues to surround the position of Brown.
Bookmakers William Hill stopped taking bets on Brown to be the first manager sacked at midday. Graham Sharpe of William Hill told ESPN Soccernet: "We have temporary suspended betting on Phil Brown to become the first manager in the Premier League to be sacked.
"We received a call around midday, and so we heard some time before most people, I suspect. We have since had quite a few people wanting to put money on Brown but we have refused. Instead we are taking odds on Paul hart to be the next one!"
Hull made a flying start to last season, beating the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham to spark talk of an unlikely European challenge, but their form fell away after Christmas.
An unconventional team-talk, when he left his players out in the centre circle at half-time of a defeat to Manchester City, as well as his impromptu karaoke following the club's success at avoiding relegation on the final day of the season, saw Phil Brown become a figure of amusement amongst the general public.
He crucially retained the faith of Duffen during some tough times, although that situation appears to have changed.
Earlier on Wednesday, former Hull striker Dean Windass - who scored the goal that took the Tigers to the Premier League in 2008 - called for Brown's reign to be brought to a swift end.
"I think sometimes you need a fresh change," Windass told talkSPORT Magazine. "Phil's done a fantastic job since he's been there but I think it's time that he should get moved on and bring somebody else in."
GettyImages
Has Phil Brown left Hull City?
• Accountants warning for Tigers
Brown has recorded only three wins in his past 32 Premier League games and frustration has been building at the KC Stadium after a disappointing start to the season.
A 0-0 draw against Portsmouth at the weekend saw a number of fans vocalise that frustration, although chairman Paul Duffen has remained ever supportive of Brown in public.
However, it is now rumoured that the man who led Hull to the top flight for the first time in their history has departed the club to become the first Premier League manager to vacate his post this season.
When contacted by ESPN Soccernet, Hull City issued a firm "no comment" but speculation continues to surround the position of Brown.
Bookmakers William Hill stopped taking bets on Brown to be the first manager sacked at midday. Graham Sharpe of William Hill told ESPN Soccernet: "We have temporary suspended betting on Phil Brown to become the first manager in the Premier League to be sacked.
"We received a call around midday, and so we heard some time before most people, I suspect. We have since had quite a few people wanting to put money on Brown but we have refused. Instead we are taking odds on Paul hart to be the next one!"
Hull made a flying start to last season, beating the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham to spark talk of an unlikely European challenge, but their form fell away after Christmas.
An unconventional team-talk, when he left his players out in the centre circle at half-time of a defeat to Manchester City, as well as his impromptu karaoke following the club's success at avoiding relegation on the final day of the season, saw Phil Brown become a figure of amusement amongst the general public.
He crucially retained the faith of Duffen during some tough times, although that situation appears to have changed.
Earlier on Wednesday, former Hull striker Dean Windass - who scored the goal that took the Tigers to the Premier League in 2008 - called for Brown's reign to be brought to a swift end.
"I think sometimes you need a fresh change," Windass told talkSPORT Magazine. "Phil's done a fantastic job since he's been there but I think it's time that he should get moved on and bring somebody else in."
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