Ian Baraclough sacked by Scunthorpe following defeat

(GETTY IMAGES)

Scunthorpe have sacked manager Ian Baraclough following last night's 3-0 defeat at home to Preston.

The result left the Iron in the bottom three of the npower Championship, four points from safety.

A statement on the club's website read: "Scunthorpe United Football Club has today relieved Ian Baraclough of his first team duties with immediate effect.

"The difficult decision was reached in light of the team's disappointing performances.

"The club would like to thank Ian for his hard work and dedication over a six-year period as a player, first team coach and latterly as manager."

Assistant manager Kevin Pressman and first team coach Steve Parkin have also left the club.

Speaking after the loss to bottom side Preston, when the players were booed off at the half-time and the final whistle, Baraclough admitted: "We got beaten up tonight, plain and simple.

"I can fully understand that people are frustrated, of course I can. I've been in the game long enough to realise that if you're not getting results then people aren't happy, but I feel I can do the job.

"Tonight we just didn't perform and we were shellshocked to be 3-0 down at half-time.

"Can we stay up? While there are still points to play for I'm confident we've got the right group."

Scunthorpe announced this afternoon that head of youth Tony Daws will take charge on a caretaker basis for Saturday's trip to Ipswich.

Former Iron striker Daws, 44, has been a youth coach at Glanford Park since 2005 and has also been in charge of the club's reserve team for the past five years.

He will be assisted by chief scout Lee Turnbull.