Struggling Scunthorpe sack boss Butler

Andy Butler won 62 of his 127 matches as Scunthorpe manager [Getty Images] Scunthorpe United have sacked boss Andy Butler after a run of six defeats in seven National League games. The Iron were beaten 4-1 at Tamworth on Tuesday evening and are five points adrift of safety. The former Scunthorpe defender led the side to promotion from National League North in 2024-25 and then guided the team to a fifth-placed finish last season. However, they have not been able to replicate that sort of success this campaign and have already lost as many league matches as in the whole of last season. After their 10th defeat of the season at Tamworth, 42-year-old Butler questioned the application of the players. "I've protected them a lot. I think a little bit of harsh reality in terms of the players didn't look bothered, not all of them but a few of them," he told BBC Radio Humberside. "You're always going to be fighting an uphill battle if you haven't got players on the pitch who are giving 100%." In a statement on the club website Scunthorpe said Butler, who had three spells with the club as a player, "departs with our gratitude for his fantastic commitment, work rate and dedication". Scunthorpe face a trip to Lincolnshire rivals Boston United on Saturday. More to follow.