Brown was relieved of his duties at the KC Stadium last week and placed on 'gardening leave'. Iain Dowie has been brought in to help steady the ship, charged with the task of guiding the club to Premier League safety. Brown, though, remains on the Tigers' payroll and could make a sensational return to the dugout next season. Although Pearson insists that situation is highly unlikely, he accepts he cannot rule out such a possibility. "Yes, technically, he could still return," he told BBC Radio Five Live. "Obviously it is difficult to envisage that happening, but it is by no means impossible." Hull are expected to thrash out a compensation package with Brown over the summer, having put negotiations on hold while they attempt to preserve their top-flight status. Pearson added: "It's just a technicality of the contract whereby the clause is in there so we can continue to pay Phil until we find out where the club is going to be at the end of the season."
