Former Derby County and Luton Town midfielder Jacob Butterfield has been placed in joint interim charge of Scunthorpe United following the dismissal of Andy Butler. The 36-year-old will share responsibility with Ross Barrows as the National League club looks to recover from a difficult start to the season.
Scunthorpe confirmed Butler’s departure on Wednesday, 28 October, following a board meeting, less than 24 hours after a 4-1 defeat away at Tamworth. The result was the Iron’s sixth defeat in seven league matches, leaving them 22nd in the National League and five points from safety.
Scunthorpe Part Company With Andy Butler
Butler’s departure represents a significant change for a club he had guided to successive seasons of progress.
Appointed in May 2024, the former defender secured promotion from National League North through the play-offs in his first full campaign before leading Scunthorpe to a fifth-place finish in the National League last season.
However, that momentum has disappeared during the opening months of the current campaign, with Tuesday’s defeat at Tamworth ultimately proving to be his final match.
Speaking to BBC Radio Humberside following the defeat, Butler questioned the commitment of some of his players.
“I’ve protected them a lot,” he said, adding that some players “didn’t look bothered”.
In its official announcement, Scunthorpe confirmed Butler had won 62 of his 127 matches in charge, recording a win rate of just under 50 per cent. Assistant manager John Schofield has also departed, bringing an end to a coaching partnership that had delivered promotion and a subsequent National League play-off appearance.
Former Derby and Luton Man Handed Interim Responsibility
Scunthorpe confirmed on Thursday that Butterfield and Barrows would take joint interim charge ahead of Saturday’s trip to Boston United.
Butterfield brings extensive EFL experience, having represented several Championship clubs during a career that included spells with Huddersfield Town, Derby County and Luton Town. He also played for Barnsley, Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday before later spending time with Melbourne Victory in Australia and Scottish Premiership side St Johnstone.
The midfielder initially joined Scunthorpe in 2022 and returned this summer in a player-coach role after gaining coaching experience at Gateshead, where he also spent time as interim manager.
Barrows also has strong connections to Scunthorpe, having spent six years in the club’s academy before returning to the senior squad ahead of the 2023-24 season. The defender holds coaching qualifications and runs his own coaching business, providing further experience alongside Butterfield.
Their first task comes on Saturday when Scunthorpe travel to Lincolnshire rivals Boston United, with both clubs looking to improve their position near the bottom of the National League.
The interim duo face an immediate challenge, but Butterfield’s Football League experience and existing relationship with the squad could prove valuable as Scunthorpe attempt to halt their slide towards the relegation places.
