Iain Dowie's Biography

On March 17, 2010 Iain Dowie was appointed manager of Hull City, who were second bottom of the Premier League.

It was Iain Dowie's first job as manager since 24 October 2008, when he was sacked as manager of QPR after just 15 games since his appointment in 14 May 2008, although on 1 April 2009, Iain Dowie had been appointed Alan Shearer's assistant at Newcastle United until their relegation.

Iain Dowie had started his managerial career at QPR as caretaker manager between the reins of Ray Harford and Gerry Francis. He then became Francis's assistant.

As a player at Queens Park Rangers, Iain Dowie had scored 2 goals in 31 appearances.

The latest stint at QPR was Dowie's first managerial post since his departure from Coventry.

Previously Iain Dowie was appointed Charlton manager in the close season of 2006, however he was released in November 2006 after just 12 Premiership matches, with Charlton at the foot of the table.

Iain Dowie went on to manage Coventry City until he was sacked in February 2008 with Coventry just four points above the relegation zone, but it was his move from Crystal Palace to London neighbour Charlton that was to attract controversy.

Crystal Palace chairman, Simon Jordan, accused Dowie of lying after Palace had waived a right to £1 million compensation from Dowie when he told them his reason for leaving the club was to be nearer his family in the north of England.

On 14 June 2007, the High Court ruled for Crystal Palace and against Iain Dowie.

Iain Dowie was born on January 9, 1965 in Hatfield.

Although born in England, his father was born in Belfast and Dowie gained 59 caps for Northern Ireland.

Iain Dowie has a Masters degree in mechanical engineering, which he believes helps him to be logical and analytical in his approach to football management.

Iain Dowie's days in football began at non-league Hendon in 1987. An old-fashioned centre-forward, Dowie had stints at Luton, Fulham, and West Ham United, before moving to Southampton, where he had over 100 appearances.

He then signed to Crystal Palace. Ironically, considering his success there as a manager, Dowie's short spell as a player at Palace was not a happy one ending in relegation.

Dowie moved back to West Ham before joining Queen's Park Rangers, where he ended his playing days, and became player-manager of the reserves.

Dowie joined Oldham Athletic as assistant coach and then got promoted to first team manager, and against the odds, he took Oldham to the play-offs.

It was then that Dowie had his extraordinary start as Palace manager. Crystal Palace were struggling near the foot of Division One, when chairman Simon Jordan brought Dowie in to replace Steve Kember. Taking over in December 2003, Dowie's task was to keep Palace up. But he did a lot better than that. Barely 5 months after his appointment, Dowie's Crystal Palace beat West Ham 1-0 in the play-off final and secured promotion to the Premiership.

As well as being quick to praise the attitude of his players, Iain Dowie also gives credit to his brother Bob, chief scout and John Harbin, the Australian fitness coach Dowie met while manager of Oldham.

Iain Dowie is famous for motivating his players. He has read more than once inspirational books like 'Beyond Winning' and 'Chicken Soup for the Soul'.

Pinned around the walls of Palace's training ground in big letters was: "How much do I want it?"

In the past Iain Dowie acknowledged that he had differences with chairman, Simon Jordan, but they shared the same vision to establish Crystal Palace as a Premiership team with Premiership standards.

However Palace were relegated back to The Championship and failed to secure promotion in 2005/6 and Dowie left Palace and was then appointed to the vacant Charlton Athletic job.

However Iain Dowie's spell at Charlton lasted only three months before he was sacked, and, in February 2007, he joined Championship side, Coventry. A year later he was sacked by Coventry.

On a humorous note, The Guardian's readers had an attempt at morphing Iain Dowie's image.