Hull City have compiled a five-man shortlist topped by Roberto Martínez as they seek to appoint a successor to Steve Bruce before the first-team squad head to Austria for a pre-season training camp next week.
With Bruce having resigned last Friday, Ehab Allam, the club’s vice-chairman, has taken control of the recruitment process and plans to complete the interview stage in the next few days.
Martínez, sacked by Everton in May, appeals to Allam and is expected to be strongly pursued. Mike Phelan, Bruce's former assistant and a former Manchester United No2, who is in caretaker charge, will also be interviewed and has made it clear he would like the job.
Despite proving popular with bookmakers, Steve McClaren, the former Hull midfielder and Middlesbrough, England and Newcastle United manager, is understood not to be one of the chosen quintet.
Considering the Premier League season is under three weeks away and promoted Hull have still to sign a senior player this summer, the board recognise a need for urgency. By way of exacerbating mounting behind-the-scenes problems, an injury crisis has left Phelan with only 13 fit players and there is an acceptance of the need to strengthen.
Matters are complicated by the fact that Assem Allam, the owner, is seriously ill and his son Ehab has said he will resume negotiations with two consortiums considering buying Hull once the transfer window closes.
Bruce, meanwhile, has written an emotional, open letter to Hull fans, saying he had to leave for “the sake of the club”. The 55-year-old’s relationship with Ehab Allam had broken down over the lack of transfer activity but a manager interviewed for the England job this month is regarded warmly among Hull’s players and supporters after leading the team to two promotions and an FA Cup final during his four years in charge.
“It was with a heavy heart that I ended my time as Hull City manager on Friday,” Bruce wrote. “The four years I spent at the club were among the happiest times of my managerial career. It is rare for a manager to have the backing I’ve had from the fans. It’s been unwavering.
“My biggest regret is having to walk away but it was a decision I had to make for the sake of the club. The last 12 months have been very tough and it felt like the right step for the club to move forward in a different direction and with someone else in charge. I desperately wanted to make it work this summer and be a Premier League manager again but, sadly, it wasn’t to be.”
(Guardian service)
