Hull City have relieved manager Phil Brown of his duties and placed him on gardening leave with immediate effect, the Barclays Premier League club have confirmed.
Hull lost 2-1 at home to Arsenal on Saturday with Nicklas Bendtner scoring a last-gasp winner. The defeat left the Tigers second bottom of the standings, three points from safety.
A statement on the club's official website said Brian Horton and Steve Parkin would take charge of the first team until further notice.
The statement from chairman Adam Pearson revealed the Hull board felt it had to act in a bid to keep the club in the top flight.
The statement read: 'Retention of Premier League status is paramount and the board believes that a change in managerial direction is the correct option at this time.
'The club will keep supporters completely up-to-date in respect of any managerial appointment but, in the meantime, Brian Horton and Steve Parkin will prepare the team for our important game at Portsmouth next Saturday.'
