Duffen blasted by angry Pearson

Relegation from the Premier League would be likely to lead to financial meltdown at the KC Stadium as the Tigers look to slash a crippling annual wage bill of almost 40m.

Pearson believes former chairman Duffen, who stood down in October, was guilty of making a series of decisions which have left the club facing an uncertain future.

The Hull chief said: "The prospect of relegation need not be the doomsday scenario that everyone currently discusses and worries about.

"The financial planning just needed a bit of basic strategy and common sense applying to it back in the summer of 2008. And even more so when the team survived (in the top-flight) on the last day of the season in 2009.

"In my personal opinion, the decisions made by Mr Duffen at that point were extremely short-sighted and lacking ... in specific football knowledge.

"He seems, albeit with the advantage of hindsight, to have had no understanding of the industry, Hull City or the city itself.

"The problems, which were apparent throughout 2009, should have been at the forefront of the summer transfer and business dealings. Instead, the wage bill was increased even further."

Pearson sold the Tigers to a consortium fronted by Duffen in the summer of 2007 when the club was free from debt.

He returned last year after answering an SOS call from owner Russell Bartlett to sort out finances that had spiralled out of control.

Pearson added: "The club, under Mr Duffen, spent money it didn't have.

"This is not ambition or 'giving it a go' or 'living the dream', it is, in my personal view, poor business sense.

"Just under 6m spent on agents fees in two years. A wage bill of just under 40m when the club's turnover is 50m. These figures, added to the significant transfer fees owed, clearly show that the maths don't add up."