Hull could name Mike Phelan as their permanent manager as early as this week, according to Sky sources.  Phelan has been in charge on an interim basis since Steve Bruce's departure on the eve of the Premier League season. And it is understood City are close to an agreement with the former Manchester United No 2, who won August's manager-of-the-month award after guiding the club to successive wins in their opening two league matches.  Hull's current owners, the Allam family, also hope to conclude the sale of the club in the next few weeks, according to sources. Talks are ongoing with three interested parties more than a month after the Allams' expected departure date.

A statement issued on August 27 said due diligence was well under way after an agreement with an unnamed group, believed to be a Chinese consortium. That deal 'hit a hitch' in early September, according to Sky sources, although reports the deal was off were considered premature at that stage. The Allams put Hull up for sale in 2014 following chairman Assem Allam's failed bid to change the club's name to Hull Tigers.