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Scunthorpe appoint ex-Blackburn, Plymouth, Rochdale player as new manager

Struggling Scunthorpe United appoint ex-Blackburn, Plymouth, Rochdale player Keith Hill as their new manager, replacing Neil Cox.

The 52 year old has been out of football since being sacked by Tranmere Rovers at the end of last season despite leading them into the League Two playoffs.

The Glanford Park side, who are bottom of the English Football League, face Doncaster Rovers at home in the FA Cup first round on Saturday.

CLUB STATEMENT:

Scunthorpe United is delighted to confirm the appointment of Keith Hill as the club’s new first team manager.

An experienced manager, with over 700 matches under his belt, Hill has achieved two promotions from League Two, and kept Rochdale in League One for five years. He also helped them achieve their first promotion in 41 years alongside their highest ever league finish.

Alongside his 11 years in charge at Spotland, he has also managed Barnsley in the Championship, Bolton Wanderers and most recently Tranmere Rovers, where he achieved a play-off spot last season.

His playing career saw him make over 400 appearances and play for Blackburn Rovers, Plymouth Argyle, Rochdale, Cheltenham Town, Wrexham and Morecambe between 1987 and 2003.

– STATEMENT ENDS –

Gabriel Sutton asked when writing for the Grimsby Telegraph: “Is Keith Hill the right man to save Scunthorpe United from relegation?”

He said: “Scunthorpe United need a saviour.

The money going into the National League at various clubs like Wrexham, Stockport means that the division will be extremely difficult to get out of next season, regardless of who goes up.

That is why it is essential the Iron do everything within their power to stay in the EFL this season.

There should be sympathy for Neil Cox, a popular local figure who kept the club up in his first season in charge and was handed the unenviable task of repeating that accomplishment this term, with a limited group of players.

The criticism of Cox is not that his job was an easy one – far from it – but that he did not establish a clear playing identity, or demonstrate the credentials to eke the very best out of a core of five or six players who might just be good enough to haul Scunny out of trouble.

A man who might have such credentials is Keith Hill – who has today been unveiled as new boss at United.

He goes on to say: “Scunthorpe cannot successfully accommodate a young, talented coach from the youth circuit: from that perspective, appointing somebody with Hill’s experience makes sense.

“If the Iron get the version of Keith Hill that built a team that lit up Spotland over numerous years, they have every chance of pulling out of trouble.

“Stevenage, Mansfield and Salford might be expected to rise up the table eventually, but Carlisle and Oldham are also in disarray in a dogfight that looks increasingly like being a case of two from three going down, so this is by no means a lost cause.

“The flip side, though, is that even for the best version of Hill, the task is an arduous one: fans are divided, money is tight and while October held two or three encouraging performances, including the first half of the defeat to leaders Forest Green, the propensity for a no-show lingers.

“So, can Hill be the craved saviour? There is no simple answer.

“Hill has credentials, but he cannot turn Scunthorpe United around himself: he can only help the club tread water for long enough for more meaningful change to occur while the EFL status remains intact.”

Twitter users reacted as Scunthorpe appoint the ex-Blackburn, Plymouth, Rochdale player as new manager…

@Richardblow79: Honestly don’t think we could have got anyone better in our current situation. UTI

@alex_scunny: Good luck Keith. For me he’s in a no lose scenario as it can’t get worse.

@dannymarris68: Brilliant appointment that.

@kevhammond37: Decent. Hopefully they now have a chance

@rreczulski: Brilliant. So happy we got him,I was worried Hartlepool might nick him last minute! Well done Mr Swann, it’s given us a chance with the huge experience he has. A stable influence & we hope a successful time with us.

@danshaw88: Great appointment, better than I could have expected

@99scunnybunny99: Massive welcome to the new gaffer #uti #inthistogether

@Dale83McLean: Good luck to Keith and his staff. I personally don’t care how good or bad he’s been when managing other clubs he can’t bring points with him from elsewhere. He has to get this right otherwise we will go out of the football league. UTI

@RichyAlde: Feel sorry for anyone having that clown in charge

@ItsDanIngham: Good luck Hilly, tough job on your hands!

@martynmilligan: Good luck Keith. He allowed me to be part of the most successful period in our history and I for one will be forever grateful.

@Alexbpunter: Surely his last chance in management. I wish the best of luck to Scunthorpe fans having to endure his 10 minute long debriefs of drivel after games, with the most irrelevant analogies. A cheap and cheerful choice. The worst Bolton manager in my lifetime. He must interview well.

@OhBirkenhead: Thoughts and prayers

@Myles_Trfc: 😂😂😂😂 good luck listening to his absolute shite in his post match chat, and don’t be offended if he has a go at your fans either… the ones who pay there hard earned money

@Mikeyt_78991: Best manager Rochdale ever had, legend status in a lot of supporters opinions, went tits up towards the end, just hope you have a door big enough to get his ego through 😄

@jack_w03: Says it all when both bolton and Tranmere fans would be laughing at this 😂

@adyjohns: To be fair it’s a good appointment he’s been at clubs with low budgets and knows the league for once well done Peter Swann hope you back him up the iron

@markgravill14: Very good appointment & plent experience that. Did wonders for small investment with Rochdale, I think he’s perfect person to get the most out of a youthful and inexperienced squad.

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