Tigers part company with Parkinson

Hull City have parted company with manager Phil Parkinson, less than six months after his appointment.

Following Peter Taylor's defection to Crystal Palace in the summer, Parkinson arrived at the KC Stadium with a reputation as one of the game's brightest young managers.

Having guided Colchester to promotion to the second tier for the first time in the club's history last season, Parkinson's achievements at Layer Road persuaded Hull chairman Adam Pearson to pay the Essex club £400,000 in compensation for his services.

However, despite being handed more than £2million to spend on new players, Parkinson failed to conjure any kind of consistency from his side, who are second from bottom of the Championship.

A humiliating 5-1 defeat at Colchester last Tuesday, described as "totally unacceptable" by Pearson, was followed by a weekend 4-2 home defeat against Southampton.

The Hull chairman said in a statement on the club's official website, www.hullcityafc.co.uk: "It is with regret that on behalf of Hull City I wish to announce the departure of manager Phil Parkinson, a course of action myself and Phil reluctantly confirmed on Monday morning.

"The club would like to thank Phil for all of his undoubted hard work and unstinting commitment to the role of manager over the last four months.

"Unfortunately results have not gone the way either Phil or the club would wish.

"On behalf of everyone connected to Hull City I would like to wish Phil all the very best for his future managerial career where he is sure to go on and achieve significant future success in the game."

Pearson confirmed first-team coach Phil Brown and assistant-manager Colin Murphy will assume control of first-team duties while he seeks a permanent successor.