Adam Pearson to take legal advice after Hull City axe

The former Tigers chairman has had his consultancy role terminated without notice or compensation following the shock suspension of manager Nick Barmby yesterday.

Assem and Ehab Allam are understood to have been unhappy with media comments made by Barmby about the need to invest in new players this summer if City want to improve on their eighth place finish in the Championship.

After the news broke yesterday, rumours swept Hull that the Allams were about to put the club up for sale but this has been quashed in a statement released to the Yorkshire Post this morning.

It reads: “When we acquired the football club we made it clear we would run it in accordance with sound and proper business principles and procedures.

“We have not and will not deviate from those principles.

“Therefore although we fully appreciate the supporters’ and media’s desire for information we can not comment on the manager’s position at the present time. We will however provide further information when we are able to do so.

“Having listened to media speculation today over funds not being available in the January transfer window, we reiterate that funds were available as previously stated by us.

“We also confirm the club has terminated the consultancy agreement with Adam Pearson without notice and without compensation.

“We are also aware of speculation about the club being up for sale. We can categorically confirm there is no truth in that rumour and we are fully committed to Hull City and its future.”

Pearson, who had six years as chairman from 2001, returned to the club after answering an SOS to help from previous owner Russell Bartlett in 2009.

Pearson has revealed his “surprise and disappointment” at hearing about his departure and indicated his plan to take legal advice.

He said: “I wish to register my extreme surprise and disappointment at the sudden and in my view totally unjustified termination of my agreement.

“I had very much been looking forward to assisting in the development of a successful Hull City squad this summer.

“I have enjoyed my association with the Club and wish them success in the future.

“This matter is now in the hands of my lawyers and I will be making no further comment until it is resolved to my satisfaction.”