Hull City new manager search - targets, timescale and everything we know so far

For the second time in 2024, Hull City are looking for a new manager after Acun Ilicali decided to sack Tim Walter in the aftermath of Tuesday night's 2-0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday.

Walter had won just three of his 17 league games in charge which left City mired inside the Championship's bottom three after their fourth straight defeat in midweek.

Ilicali is now conducting what the club describe as a thorough and detailed search in an attempt to secure the right man to move City away from the relegation zone and to calmer waters of mid-table ahead of the busy Christmas period coming up.

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Here' a look at what we know so far

Why was Walter sacked?

Well, results speak for themselves. Three wins in 18 league and cup games tells a sorry story, and Tuesday's defeat was the end of the road. The performance was enough to convince the owner that the players were just not buying into his philosophy, and the strong fan reaction throughout made Ilicali's decision for him. Prior to that, the owner had been desperate to see Walter succeed, but decided the end point had been reached, despite his very public backing.

How did it happen?

Walter and his coaching staff were informed on Wednesday that their time at City would be over, following a board meeting at the MKM Stadium on Wednesday. The meeting was pre-planned to discuss other topics, but naturally, the manager's situation became the agenda-topper, and it was decided that a change would be made.

Once Walter and his staff were informed and Dawson was put in caretaker charge, the club prepared their communications for a 5pm announcement confirming his exit.

What's happened since?

Head of recruitment Jared Dublin phoned Andy Dawson in mid-afternoon on Wednesday to ask the former City left-back to take charge for this weekend's game at Middlesbrough, with Conor Sellars and Billy Clarke stepping up from the Under-21s to form the first-team coaching staff on Teesside.

Dawson took training on Thursday and conducted the pre-match media duties along with Kasey Palmer and will prepare the squad for the trip to Teesside on Friday afternoon after training.

Saying their goodbyes

Walter, along with Filip Tapalovic and Julian Huebner came to collect their things from the training ground on Thursday and to say their goodbyes to the staff and players, before training. It's thought Walter, his staff and their families will now return to Germany.

What's the timescale?

Ilicali wants an appointment made before next weekend's home game with play-off chasing Blackburn Rovers at the MKM Stadium, with Dawson planned to only be in charge for the build-up to the clash at Boro, and the match itself.

Naturally, these things can take time and unless an appointment is made over the weekend, Dawson will continue to lead the team into next week as they prepare for the visit of Rovers, and until the new man comes in. Dawson previously spent eight games in charge two years ago following Shota Arveladze's exit, prior to Liam Rosenior's arrival, so will be in the role as long as he needs to be.

Who is in the frame?

City have a list of potential candidates, while they've not been short of applicants in the 24 hours since Walter's exit. Mark Robins is a name that has been discussed internally, as has Steve Cooper and former Fulham and Watford promotion-winning boss Slavisa Jokanovic.

There are other names in the mix, like Steven Schumacher, who worked with Jared Dublin at Stoke, and Tony Mowbray, though as popular as the latter would be, it's expected he won't return to the dugout until the New Year, while Cooper is thought to be an extremely unlikely appointment as this stage following his exit from Leicester City earlier this month.