Brown pledges future to Tigers

Boss Phil Brown has assured Hull he has no intention of leaving after being linked with one of the Premier League's big clubs.

Brown has received increasing praise in recent weeks following Hull's impressive start to the season and admitted last month that he would love to manage Newcastle at some point in his career.

But the Tigers manager, who was born in South Shields, has distanced himself from speculation linking him with a move away from KC Stadium and insisted that he is happy to stay with Hull.

Brown, 49, told the Sunderland Echo: "It's flattering to be linked with big clubs as it shows you must be doing well, but I'm an honourable and loyal guy.

"I'm very proud to have been given the contract I've got at Hull, and the way I see it, I've got a massive job to do here. My future is most definitely with Hull."

Hull chairman Paul Duffen added: "The challenge for Phil is to be patient.

"He's very capable of managing a successful Premier League side, and quite possibly capable of managing a big club at this level."