Iain Dowie has been appointed as the new manager of Hull City on a short-term contract until the end of the season.
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• Iain Dowie manager profile
Dowie agreed terms on Tuesday night after meeting with chairman Adam Pearson and will now look to guide the team to safety in the club's remaining nine games this season.
A statement on Hull's website read: ''Hull City AFC is delighted to confirm Iain Dowie as the club's new manager, initially on a short-term contract. Iain will be assisted at the KC Stadium by Tim Flowers and Steve Wigley.''
At the press conference to announce his appointment, Dowie said: "It's a city that has a ferocious fan base. The infrastructure is here. 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 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.''
Pearson said: "He is up for the challenge and we are in a position we need to fight and battle for every point.
"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 made an impressive start to his career with spells at Oldham and Crystal Palace but has had limited success in more recent years, with short-lived spells at Charlton and QPR either side of a stint at Coventry.
His last role was working alongside Alan Shearer on the coaching staff at Newcastle in a similar short-term appointment designed to save that club from relegation - an effort which failed.
Dowie refused to read too much into last week's altercation between Jimmy Bullard and Nick Barmby although he was insistent on unity.
He continued: "Of course it is concerning, you don't want discord in the camp, but you don't want to over-read these things. I've been at loads of clubs - I was at West Ham with John Hartson and Eyal Berkovic - it can spark.
"It's very important we pull in the same way. No-one is more important than the direction in which we pull from the chairman down, we must be single-minded and selfless. It's not about individuals, it's about team unity.
"I'll be talking to the lads about that tomorrow. It's not an over-concern. In the end, it will be my opinion in the changing room and that is the one we want to hear.''
While refusing to reveal his points target, the former Oldham manager admitted his nine matches at Hull represent the biggest challenge of his career.
"I think it is because it's me that is on the line but I am looking forward to keeping Hull in this division and establishing them as a Premier League force,'' he said.
Dowie's appointment has not been met with universal approval by the fans but he said: "My message is it's about us winning games. I believe I know the training ground, I believe I can get players playing attractive and open football. This needs to be a real cauldron. We'll be working every hour God sends.''
