EXCLUSIVE - Hull FC's Adam Pearson says Lee Radford knew sacking would be announced on TV

Pearson relieved Radford of his duties tonight, ending his seven year reign as head coach at the club following a disastrous 38-4 home loss to Warrington Wolves.

It was a fourth defeat in five games and he felt a change was needed at the top.

However, Pearson has come in for stinging criticism on social media for talking about the decision in a live broadcast from the KCOM Stadium pitch, just minutes after the sobering defeat.

People have argued any decision about Radford - a hero in Hull having ended their Wembley hoodoo and won back-to-back Challenge Cups in 2016 and 2017 - should have been communicated on Saturday at the earliest and the 40-year-old deserved more respect.

There was also a misconception that Pearson had announced the decision before telling Radford himself.

But, speaking to The Yorkshire Post, he said: "I would never have done that.

"I went to see Lee straight after the end of the game and we had 10, 15 minutes talking.

"I don't think he was surprised (by the decision). I told him 'I think that's it.'

"And he said 'yes, I agree.' He always said to me he'd know when it was time to go.

"And, looking at it, seven years in one (coaching) job is a long time in any sport especially with the power of social media and the way people are these days.

"He's had a really good innings and we should always remember what he has done for this club; his legacy is winning at Wembley and winning back-to-back Challenge Cups which no one has ever done with Hull.

"But aspects of that performance tonight were unacceptable and he knows that."

Pearson explained the chain of events and added: "I asked him to tell the players and all the guys first.

"Sky needed an interview so I said I'd handle Sky for him and he said 'great'. That's when I went out to do it. That is as clear as day.

"It wouldn't have made sense to leave it another day. It means now we've got two seasoned coaches - (assistants) Andy Last and Kieron Purtill - going in tomorrow (Friday) starting fresh from tomorrow.

"To have Lee going back in Friday morning to say his 'goodbyes' would have been pointless and to leave it another day, it would have got out in the media.

"This feels the right time to make a change but I want to go on record thanking Lee for his efforts for the club and wish him and his family all the best in the future."

In the television interview, Pearson said: "Lee and I have decided to call it a day tonight. It was a decision that doesn't rest easily with me but I don't think that we're going in the right direction at the minute.

"We've decided to go our separate ways. I'd just like to place on record the unbelievable job he's done.

"He's a stand-up loyal guy who works tremendously hard and he's put his life into this club for seven years. We're going to miss him."

Asked by Sky Sports touchline reporter Jenna Brooks if Radford knew that would be his fate before kick-off, if his side did falter, Pearson said: "I don't think so.

"But Lee is nobody's fool and he realised today that certain aspects of that performance are just not acceptable.

"We've got to regroup as a club and a team and we're all going to have to pull together. Andy Last will be in charge from tomorrow morning and we will try to get a few players back and go again for Huddersfield.

"It's not a job that has given me any pleasure whatsoever because he's a guy of the utmost quality."