The subject of 'gardening leave' came up earlier – apparently it's not that uncommon in football in these situations, and usually comes into play when a compensation package has to be agreed between club and erstwhile manager.
On the identity of our new manager – Pearson was on the radio a little earlier and confirmed my suspicion that this has been brewing for a while, as replacements have already been sounded out – there's a chance he may finalise a deal with our new manager tomorrow evening and unveil him on Wednesday, worst case scenario apparently is that the new manager will be in on Thursday. There are apparently five candidates at present, Alan Curbishley is not amongst them – although I suspect talk of a shortlist is a smokescreen and Pearson knows exactly who his next manager will be. Certainly, given our financial situation we won't be looking at a manager who is currently employed.
Pearson has always been quick off the mark when appointing new managers following a sacking, so the proposed timescale isn't really surprising. I'm also in little doubt that this isn't a knee jerk reaction to the loss against Arsenal, or – as some are claiming – due to Brown having to publicly apologise to the Women's Institute. Make no mistake about it, it's been in the offing for a while and while it's certainly a massive gamble so far as Pearson is concerned it will be a carefully calculated risk.
Anyway, a lot is being said about the next Hull City manager, and this will continue in tomorrow's press, but a few words about the outgoing one. This certainly won't be a fashionable opinion amongst the legions of armchair supporters who hang off the words of the tabloid press or the inane, myopic ramblings of the TV pundits, but Phil Brown deserves praise for what he's done at Hull City. While a change is needed (and is arguably well overdue), it must be remembered that he's achieved things here that far more experienced managers could not – at the very least, he got us into the Premier League for the first time in our history when the 'experts' claimed such a feat was pure fantasy (via our first ever visit to the national stadium), and he kept us in the top flight when we were told by everyone we'd be straight back down, relieving Derby County of their unwanted low points record in the process. Make no mistake, part of the media's derision at Brown and Hull City comes from the fact that we made them eat their words so spectacularly.
Supporters of certain other clubs and members of the press may now be revelling in today's events (before realising in panic that they now have to come up with opinions on us that don't revolve around sunbeds, earpieces or on-pitch team talks), but I suspect that many other City supporters will – despite our frustrations with him – share with me a sense of gratitude towards Brown for what he's achieved at this club. Certainly, he didn't always get things right on the pitch or off it – in particular he had a tendency at times to engage his mouth before his brain, and some of his tactics and selections have bordered on the baffling – but those of us who have supported the team since before 24th May 2008 know exactly the magnitude of what he's achieved here.
And for that Phil, thanks.