The new Hull City manager is facing an "impossible task", according to former captain Ian Ashbee, reports BBC Sport.

The Premier League's bottom club have yet to confirm who will take over from Mike Phelan, who was sacked on Tuesday.

Reports suggest former Olympiakos boss Marco Silva has been lined up, while former Birmingham City manager Gary Rowett was an early favourite.

Ashbee, who played for the Tigers between 2002 and 2011, told the Press Association: "It's a poisoned chalice."

He continued: "I don't think Gary Rowett is going to take it.

"I think someone from overseas will be appointed. Someone who isn't aware of what's been going on."

"They need to get the new guy in sooner rather than later," said Ashbee.

"He's got good stock from overseas, but has no experience of the Premier League.

"It's a difficult task even if he had the whole of pre-season to put his plans in place, but it would appear to be impossible now."