Phil Brown wins backing of Adam Pearson

Under-pressure manager Phil Brown can boast the "full support" of Adam Pearson despite a desperately poor run of form, according to Hull City's new chairman.

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Phil Brown has been tipped to win the managerial sack race.

• Pearson appointed

Pearson has agreed to return to the club to replace Paul Duffen and although it was the former who first appointed Brown in December 2006, the development has been painted as a negative one for the manager as Duffen has been a key ally and a very vocal supporter during some difficult times for Brown.

Pearson, who was formally appointed on Monday morning, held talks with Brown following a 2-0 defeat to Burnley on Saturday that leaves Hull in the bottom three and mulling over a prolonged slump in appearances that has seen them win only three games in 2009.

But Pearson is adamant his first act will not be instigating a change in manager and has unequivocally stated that Brown will be in charge when the Tigers face Stoke at the weekend.

"Phil is the manager of Hull City and he still will be next Sunday," Pearson told the Hull Daily Mail. "It's a results business but he retains my full support.

"I'll be there to provide as much support as is possible for the manager. I'll bring a fresh pair of eyes to it and hopefully, in conjunction with the manager, we can turn things around on the pitch."