Championship strugglers Scunthorpe United have sacked manager Ian Baraclough.
Baraclough took charge of first-team affairs following the departure of Nigel Adkins last September and made a bright start with a 4-0 rout of Sheffield United.
But the Iron have struggled badly since then to plummet into the relegation zone, and Tuesday night’s 3-0 defeat to fellow strugglers Preston North End proved to be Baraclough’s final act in charge,
A statement on the club’s official website read: “The difficult decision was reached in the 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.
“The board would like to wish Ian, Kevin, and Steve all the very best for the future.”
Youth team coach Tony Daws, a former United forward, has been named caretaker manager for Saturday's match at Ipswich, with chief scout Lee Turnbull working as his number two.