Dowie on the replacement shortlistBBC - Hughes included on Hull shortlist
Former Manchester City manager Mark Hughes is one of five names on the shortlist for the vacant Hull job, BBC Sport understands.
Former QPR boss Iain Dowie, 45, is also on the shortlist, with Hull chairman Adam Pearson confident he will announce Phil Brown's successor on Wednesday.
Hughes, 46, has been out of work since he was sacked by City in December.
Dowie, who briefly worked as a coach at Newcastle last season, was sacked as QPR boss in 2008 after just 15 games.
Hughes, who has also managed Wales and Blackburn was sacked after 18 months in charge of City, despite having lost only twice in the league all season before his departure.
Earlier on Monday, Pearson said former Charlton and West Ham boss Alan Curbishley was not in the running to become the club's new manager.
Pearson, who relieved Brown of his duties on Monday, told BBC Radio Humberside his choice will be selected from a shortlist of "about five".
But Pearson would not confirm whether former Bolton and West Bromwich Albion boss Gary Megson, who is the bookmakers' favourite, was on his list.
"We will not leave any stone unturned," said Pearson.
"We will do it very promptly, efficiently and quickly."
Curbishley has been out of the sport since leaving West Ham in September 2008, and had been linked with the job at the KC Stadium.
But Pearson - who firmly denied he had already offered the job to one of the candidates - suggested he was looking at a short-term appointment, with his sights set on someone who could be appointed "for a nine-game period".
THE TIMES
Iain Dowie moves top of Hull's shortening, short-term shortlistRussell Kempson for the first time in their history (Neal Simpson/Empics)
Hull City’s search for a new manager began in earnest last night after the surprise sacking of Phil Brown, with Iain Dowie emerging as the most likely short-term appointment at the struggling Barclays Premier League club.
A day of high drama for Hull — not to mention constantly redrawn shortlists — ended with Dowie heading a list of three that also included Mark Hughes and, intriguingly, Avram Grant, whose Portsmouth team are one place below Hull in the table.
Adam Pearson, the Hull chairman, had contacted Alan Curbishley, the former West Ham United manager, and Terry Venables, only to be told by both that they were not interested in an appointment for only the remainder of the season. Gary Megson, dismissed by Bolton Wanderers in December, was another candidate, but complications over his payoff from his previous job ruled him out.
Brown was ousted in the wake of Hull’s 2-1 defeat by Arsenal at the KC Stadium on Saturday, their fourth loss in succession, which left them second from bottom. They have won only one of their past 16 games in all competitions and none away from home all season. Pearson has made it clear that relegation would be disastrous for the club’s finances, and the decision to dismiss Brown with nine games to play shows that he has finally lost faith in a manager whom he considered sacking on his return to the club in October.
Pearson is keen to make an appointment by Thursday on a deal until the end of the season, giving the new manager time to prepare for Saturday’s crucial match away to Portsmouth.
Megson had made it clear that he would take the job but complications arose in the fact he has been in hospital this week having kidney stones removed and that any new employer would be obliged to pay Bolton £1 million compensation.
That left Dowie, out of management since leaving Queens Park Rangers in 2008, in prime position, with Grant’s situation complicated by Portsmouth’s troubles on and off the field and with Hughes likely to hold out for a position of higher standing after his departure from Manchester City before Christmas.
Pearson said: “I’m looking for an experienced manager, someone who can come in and get the wins we need to stay in the Premier League.
“We needed some fresh impetus. I spoke to Phil and he took it like the professional he is. [The decision] may come as a surprise to some people and I admit it’s a brave one, but we needed a change because results have been poor and we are running out of matches.”
Brown, who took over in 2006 and led the club into the top flight for the first time in 2008, said: “I am obviously very disappointed with the club’s decision and the fact that I will not have the opportunity to secure Hull’s status in the Premier League for a third consecutive season.”
In the frame
Iain Dowie Cheap and available — the perfect man
Mark Hughes Big name although, accordingly, waiting for a bigger job
Avram Grant Might be the best option but can Hull negotiate the chaos at Portsmouth to get him?
Gary Megson Could he inspire Hull to safety? Er, probably not, and especially not if he costs £1million
www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/hull/article7062233.ece