HAVE YOUR SAY: Hull City sack Nick Barmby

Barmby, who succeeded Nigel Pearson midway through the season, helped steer the club to an eighth-place finish in the Championship.

But he was suspended by the owners last Monday after what they perceived to be outspoken views about the available finances for summer rebuilding.

Former Nottingham Forest and Derby County manager Billy Davies is the favourite to be named Barmby’s successor at the KC Stadium. Former boss Phil Brown has also been linked with a return to the Tigers.

Vice chairman Ehab Allam released a statement today that reads: “Following recent speculation in the media Hull City can now confirm that following a brief period of suspension Nick Barmby has today been dismissed from his role as first team manager of the club with immediate effect.

“The reason for the dismissal relates to certain comments made by Nick in recent interviews.

“The comments concerned were wholly misleading and implied that the board had not made funds available to Nick to strengthen the first team squad during the January transfer window.

“Such is not only completely untrue, the comments made by Nick contradicted the board’s publicly stated position that funds would be made available to Nick during the January transfer window.

“As stated in previous interviews, the board accepted every transfer request from Nick and in fact actively encouraged him to strengthen the squad should he feel it was necessary.

“The board consider the comments made by Nick unjustifiably cast public doubt on the honesty and integrity of the board and its members.

“The relationship between the team manager and the board is of prime importance to the success of any Football Club.

“In making the comments Nick made, he completely undermined the trust and confidence that needs to exist between the team manager and the board.

“The club sincerely hopes that its fans will recognise that the decision to dismiss Nick was not taken lightly.

“The decision was taken following meetings with Nick where he had every opportunity to state his case and make representations.

“The club feels that it has treated Nick entirely fairly and in the same way that it would have treated any other employee in the same situation.

“Having been prepared to give Nick his first opportunity in football management, and for it to end like this, has been a particular disappointment to the board.

“Notwithstanding the circumstances of this ‘parting of the ways’ the board wish Nick every success in his future career and thank him for the service he has provided to the Club since his return to his home town in 2004.

“The club can confirm that the search for a new manager will begin immediately.”

For more on this story read Wednesday’s Yorkshire Post.