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Scunthorpe confirm quick appointment from within as former EFL player steps up

Scunthorpe United confirm the quick appointment from within as former EFL player Andy Butler steps up as the new first team manager.

It comes less than 24 hours after the Iron part company with manager Jimmy Dean and his staff after suffering an early National League North playoff exit.

They finished the 2023/24 season sitting second with 88 points from 46 games played and 8 points behind leaders Tamworth.

Scunthorpe then lost 5-4 on penalties to Boston United after a goalless draw in front of over 8,000 fans at Glanford Park

Dean’s replacement is Andy Butler who played as a defender in a playing career that lasted from 2002 until 2021.

He played for Scunthorpe United, Grimsby Town, Huddersfield Town, Blackpool, Sheffield United, Walsall, Doncaster Rovers, Boston United and Farsley Celtic, and is also a qualified referee, while also having two interim spells as Doncaster manager.

CLUB STATEMENT:

Scunthorpe United is delighted to announce Andy Butler will be the club’s new First Team Manager.

The 40-year-old steps up from his role as First Team Coach following the departure of Jimmy Dean, Chris Plummer and Ant Coombe.

Butler returned to the Attis Arena for a third stint in autumn 2022, having first played for the club between 2002 and 2008 before again playing for the club in the 2019-20 campaign. Originally returning as part of the club’s academy set-up as Youth Development Phase Coach, he moved over to the first team in June 2023 following the departure of Michael Nelson.

Over the course of his career, the former Iron academy graduate played in excess of 700 games, including 174 for the Iron, and was still playing for Farsley Celtic when he returned to the club’s youth set-up. Last season, alongside his coaching role, he also played in the Lincolnshire Senior Cup across all three fixtures, scoring in the quarter-final win over Gainsborough Trinity, before captaining the side to victory over Spalding United in the final.

Butler has also had management experience with one of his other former clubs, Doncaster Rovers. He was appointed manager of their women’s team in January 2020, with his role with the Belles held until he returned to the Iron. During that time, he also had a spell as caretaker with the men’s first team at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Speaking following his promotion to gaffer, Butler said: “It’s fantastic news for me, and I’m buzzing that Michelle and the Board have offered me this position.

“It’s been a quick turnaround, and I want to wish Jimmy, Chris and Ant all the best in their future cheers because they’ve worked ever so hard this season. Onwards to the future, we look and bring in the people we think we can get promotion with, and to finish the job off that we’ve started.

“I’m going to grasp this with both hands, and I’m going to relish this challenge, because it will be a challenge.”

Owner and chairperson Michelle Harness added: “We are delighted to give Andy the opportunity to step up from his role as First Team Coach.

“Andy has shown an immense amount of professionalism since the new Board came to the football club, and is a fantastic young coach, with a wealth of experience already. While we, as a Board, decided to make a change, we felt that it was important to have an element of continuity moving forward to embrace the successes we did enjoy last season, and bring those experiences into the 2024-25 season.

“Andy will be given an opportunity to assess where he feels he needs support, along with time to assess the squad before meeting with the players next week. From there, the club will announce the retain list once all discussions have taken place.”

This is how fans reacted as Scunthorpe confirm a quick appointment from within as former EFL player steps up to take charge…

@jmarris09: No experience, not for me

@KadynSUFC: 100% gone for the cheap option. Understandable decision but could well be a risk. Just got to get behind him and see what he can get out of the squad. Wouldn’t have been a first choice, but we will wait and see what he can do…

@liamharrison85: Fucking hell we’re national league north with a load of debt and massive wage bill people really thought we was gonna appoint Guardiola 😂 good luck Andy

@ribbonpodcast: Always was a huge fan of Butler. Best of luck to him in his new role

@alf_kilbee: Understand the disappointment but at the same time the bloke has been in professional football for 20 odd years, he has more experience than the Pub league manager we had previously

@Lancsiron: As @SUFCOfficial fans we saw him come in as a youth & looked after him until he flourished before he went off to learn some more. Now he is entering his managerial career & the same will be needed. Good luck @butler__andy! #UTI

@MarkkBru: Another decision I’m not surprised with. The fans need to get behind him. He had some tough cards dealt at Donny and hopefully he’s learned from that and his time with Dean. Just play attacking football and entertain the fans please!

@PhilipMichael91: I hope this works out and Andy does a great job but can we afford to give someone new their first chance when we HAVE to hit the ground running this season?

@DanJ4127: Negative comments already?! Give the bloke a chance! Who’s to say he won’t absolutely smash it?

@happyangler123: All the best butts . But I’m really afraid this is the cheap option and it might go horribly wrong for him , very little experience

@capsnbovril: Too easy. All the best though, Andy. #uti

@tylerwills_: Love Butler. But we need experience. Winning experience.

@retryorcancel: Butler’s great; but would be good to have seen some experience. Hopfully Muzzy will stick around for that. #UTI

@jaycek13: Not 100% convinced BUT he knows the club, the players etc so maybe a few will stick around and given we have to cost cut and money is at a premium. Let’s see what he can do!

@Batesyboy1988: All the best Andy, not so sure I dare throw bottles of water after the conversation the other day. Up the Iron.

@RossGibson1992: Works a treat – good luck Andy! #UTI

@Out_Of_Iron: Excellent news, what a great and sensible appointment. Good Luck Andy. Up The Iron !

@davenew264: That wasn’t planned, was it 😜

@Got4wheels: Not the choice I’d make, a cheap but very risky option. I’ll give him my support of course, but he needs a fast start #UTI

@MJD139210: Butler knows and cares about the club, sustainability is the most important thing at the minute and he will undoubtedly be aware of that and faces challenges.. he’s a young up and coming coach with a huge cast of professional experience! Let’s get behind him #UTI

@AidanWilko_1717: It isn’t what we need but I’ll get behind him. Play players in the right positions and make subs at right times and you’ll be fine I guess 😂

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