Dowie - Hull warrants a Premier League club: VIDEO

Unveiled as the man charged with leading the struggling Tigers to safety, Dowie told a packed press conference at KC Stadium today that he is ready to start a "new chapter" for the club.

Taking over from Phil Brown, who was relieved from duties on Monday, he begins a nine-game battle to secure Hull's future with a trip to bottom club Portsmouth on Saturday.

The East Yorkshire outfit are currently three points adrift of safety in only their second campaign in the top flight but Dowie is adamant they warrant a place among the giants of the game.

"The infrastructure is here and it's an area that can more than justify having a Premier League team," he said.

"It's a city that has a ferocious fan base and there is some value in the team.

"I think it's a working-class area that deserves a team that reflects that - a team that plays with a bit of tenacious endeavour, that is aggressive on the field and also pass the ball a bit."

Tigers chairman Adam Pearson moved swiftly to appoint ex-Crystal Palace, Charlton and QPR chief Dowie who had been working as a television pundit since leaving his position as Newcastle assistant alongside Alan Shearer last season.

A fearsome striker in his playing days at the likes of Southampton, West Ham and Northern Ireland, Pearson believes the determined 45-year is the ideal candidate to drag City out of the danger zone.

"We are in a position where we need to fight and battle for every point," he said.

"I think they are classic Iain Dowie attributes and I am sure he will bring that to this club.

"He is up for the challenge and we are all in this fight together.

"We are looking for that fresh impetus to get us over the line, 13, 14, 15 points - whatever that is but we are still going to need to win four games."

Dowie, who will be assisted by Steve Wigley and Tim Flowers, was high in praise of his predecessor Brown who was axed after a four-match losing run but had guided them into the Premier League for the first time in the club's history.

"I'm only going to talk about the good things Phil Brown has done," he said.

"It's very important he should be recognised for the job he has done here.

"He should be applauded for his job, this is just a different chapter.

"I've had it in my life, sometimes you get curve balls."