SWANN SO CALM OVER THE IRON JOB VACANCY
SCUNTHORPE chairman Peter Swann says he did not take the decision to sack manager Graham Alexander lightly but is in no rush to appoint a replacement.
While the Iron remain in contention for the League One play-offs, a run of eight games without a win spelled the end for Alexander after two years at the club.
The decision came following United’s 1-1 draw with Rochdale last weekend and Swann insisted he was left with no choice after the club’s dramatic dip in form since January.
“Believe me when I say I do not take it lightly and I think very carefully before I act, analysing the facts and details of why it is happening and how the club needs to move forward,” he said.
“Unfortunately, the form from January has not been good and only collecting ten points out of a possible 39 in our last 13 matches, and five points in our last eight games, has left us very close to moving out of the play-off positions.
“Our home form has been poor, especially when you consider our recent run of a year unbeaten at home being fresh in the memory. These are facts you can’t hide away.”
First-team coach Nick Daws and U18s coach Andy Dawson have been named as caretaker managers and although the Iron have already been linked with the likes of Steve Cotterill and Steve McClaren, Swann would have no qualms about sticking with Daws and Dawson.
“We have not interviewed anyone, haven’t done anything on that side and we don’t intend to,” added Swann.
“If the right person is there and comes up we will go after them. I think at this time somebody short-term to take us into the summer to have a bit of a go would be ideal.
“If not, I am confident Nick and Andy can do a great job.”