Hull City have named Iain Dowie as their new manager, two days after the Premier League club sacked Phil Brown. He will be assisted by Steve Wigley and Tim Flowers.
Dowie, who managed Crystal Palace and Charlton Athletic in the Premier League and also had a brief spell as Alan Shearer's assistant at Newcastle United last season, has nine games to try and steer Hull away from the relegation zone.
"[Hull is] a city that has a ferocious fan base, the infrastructure is here," said Dowie as he was unveiled. "It's an area that can more than justify having a Premier League team. I think there is some value in the team. I think it's a working-class area that deserves a team that reflects that – a team that plays with a bit of tenacious endeavour, that is aggressive on the field and [can] also pass the ball a bit.
"I'm only going to talk about the good things Phil Brown has done, it's very important he should be recognised for the job he has done here. He should be applauded for his job, this is just a different chapter. I've had it in my life, sometimes you get curve balls."
Hull are in 19th place with 24 points, three points away from safety and play the bottom side Portsmouth on Saturday. The club's chairman Adam Pearson believes Dowie can help stave off relegation.
"He is up for the challenge and we are in a position we need to fight and battle for every point," said Pearson. "I think they are classic Iain Dowie attributes and I am sure he will bring that to this club and we are all in this fight together and we are looking for that fresh impetus to get us over the line, 13, 14, 15 points – whatever that is but we are still going to need to win four games."
Dowie appears to have been the club's only option after a succession of preferred candidates, including Mark Hughes and Avram Grant are understood to have declined the job.