Ex-Hull City manager Phil Brown set to take over at Hartlepool United (updated)
FORMER Hull City boss Phil Brown was expected to be confirmed as the new Hartlepool manager today.
Brown said he was ready to drop down into League One in order to “prove himself again”.
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Wembley hero: Former Hull City manager Phil Brown
Having been out of work for almost 12 months since leaving Preston North End in December last year, Brown appeared on the verge of a return to the club where he started his career.
He was in the stands last night to watch Hartlepool's reserves lose to Gateshead.
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However, the deal has yet to be confirmed with some reports this evening suggesting talks have broken down.
With more than 200 games under his belt as a Hartlepool player, Brown, 53, said a return to his North East roots held huge appeal.
"I think the time is right to maybe prove myself again and go back down a division and grab a hold of a challenge, get my hands dirty as a coach or a manager, and try and run a football club to the best of my ability to show people I am not scared of a challenge such as a Hartlepool United," said Brown, who took the Tigers into the Premier League via the play-offs at Wembley.
“I don’t think you can ever be under any illusions when you’re a new manager going into a club. Invariably you will inherit a problem otherwise there would not be a vacancy and that is the case at Hartlepool United and I am under no illusions and I am not kidding myself or anyone else.”
With just eight points from their first 17 games, Hartlepool are rock-bottom of League One and fighting against the drop.
With a nine-point gap between them and safety, Brown admits just saving them from relegation would be an achievement.
“It is a big ask, and to survive this year would be a massive challenge, but obviously it’s not impossible,” he said.
“I am a North East lad, I left the North East in 1985 and I still have the strong accent as I go up there on a regular basis. I remember in 1979 when I began playing and the old memories of derby battles with Darlington. I have great memories of that.”
Comments
by kempton
Wednesday, November 14 2012, 10:12AM
“HDM not up to date with events in football once again. No surprise there then. Maybe if they spent as much time and effort on football matters as they do with the category b sport of rugby league they might be able to employ people with some interest who can keep up to date.”
by yank4hullcity
Wednesday, November 14 2012, 12:17AM
“While my son was attending a soccer camp this past summer in Santa Barbara, California, I met Aidan Davison who was helping coach the goalies at the camp. Aidan coached Hull City Reserves in 2009 while City were in the Prem with PB as the manager. Aidan told me that Phil Brown was one of the best managers he'd worked with. Aidan struck me as a great lad in that I surprised that he remembered me and my wife's names two or three days after we first had met. No prima donna there. So, even though I live in California and don't know much about Phil Brown, I will take what Aidan told me about PB and set it in stone.”
by StuPhil
Tuesday, November 13 2012, 10:17PM
“Good luck Phil. Thanks for the memories.”
by bestcara1
Tuesday, November 13 2012, 7:04PM
“Oh dear, it appears that even the Hartlepool managers position is not to be Mr. Brown's after all.
Never mind Phillip I'm pretty sure that there'll be an opening before too much longer in the Isthmian League.
Just remember, don't get too touchy feely (again) with your prospective new chairman ;)”
by Britincal2010
Tuesday, November 13 2012, 6:14PM
“Phil Brown will always be a Hull City legend after he took the Tigers to the premiership. If Hartlepool can only stop him singing to the crowd they should be ok!”
by Jack_Russell2
Tuesday, November 13 2012, 5:07PM
“Yes.....Phil did make mistakes,but he played a huge part in the wonderful journey to the Premier League. When he left Hull he continued his 'Love' relationship with the club and refused to blame, criticize or point the finger at anyone for his departure,which for me really shows the true nature of the man. He has a great personality and I am sure the Hartlepool's Board and fans are going to enjoy this colourful character in their midst.”
by SnothillBaz
Tuesday, November 13 2012, 4:19PM
“The fact that 'bestcara' can't work out how to submit a post speaks for itself.
Brownie is the best manager Hull City ever had, of that there is no doubt, the facts speak for themselves, ..... saved us from relegation from the CCC, got us promoted to he best league in the world, never got us relegated - all on a shoestring budget from owners who didn't have two halfpennies to rub together. He made mistakes, but who doesn't?
He never stood a snowballs of doing any good at Preston.... they were almost bankrupt, the best players were either sold off or recalled to Manchester United.
Good luck to him at Hartlepool, I hope he can make a real impression there, like he did at Hull City.”
by Johnny_Boy
Tuesday, November 13 2012, 3:11PM
“Good luck Phil. Great Guy!”
by OaktownTiger
Tuesday, November 13 2012, 3:03PM
“Phil Brown made mistakes but hey he is human, anyone who does not appreciate what he did for Hull City should hang their heads in shame !”
by valencian
Tuesday, November 13 2012, 2:03PM
“Phil you did what you thought was right for Hull City and you gave it your all. That is good enough for me good luck at Hartlepool hope you can kick start your career again. It did not do Mr Clough any harm being their manager.”