--- source: thedugout.football generated: 2026-10-31T13:27:18.029Z last_updated: 2026-10-30T13:54:06+00:00 data_provider: API-Football canonical: https://thedugout.football/clubs/derby-county/news/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVyYnl0ZWxlZ3JhcGguY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvZm9vdGJhbGwtbmV3cy9kZXJieS1jb3VudHktamFjb2ItYnV0dGVyZmllbGQtc2N1bnRob3JwZS0xMTIyMTM4NQ --- # Former Derby County midfielder handed interim manager's job after sacking - **Source:** - **Published:** 30 Oct - **Club:** Derby County - **Original URL:** https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/derby-county-jacob-butterfield-scunthorpe-11221385 Former Derby County midfielder Jacob Butterfield has taken charge of Scunthorpe United on an interim basis as they look to transform their season. The Iron fired Andy Butler after a poor opening to the campaign which has yielded three wins from 14 games leaving the club in the bottom four of the National League table. Assistant manager John Schofield has also departed with Butterfield now in charge for the weekend's clash against Boston United who sit above them in the table. Butterfield returned to Scunthorpe as a player-coach in the summer and counts Derby among his previous clubs where he made more than 80 appearances in a four-year spell before leaving in 2019. The club confirmed in a statement: "Scunthorpe United can confirm Jacob Butterfield and Ross Barrows have been placed in interim charge of the team, as we prepare for our Enterprise National League encounter away at Boston United this weekend. "Returning to the club in the summer as a player-coach, Butterfield previously spent two years as a player at the club between 2022 and 2024, making a total of 47 appearances in all competitions, scoring 13 goals. Since his return, he has added a further 14 appearances to that tally, scoring one additional goal. "Barrows, came through the Iron’s academy as a youngster having spent six years in the system between the ages of nine and 15, before going full circle to return ahead of the 2023-24 season. Qualified as a coach, running his own business, demonstrating his passion for developing the next generation of players while continuing his own successful playing career. "The club can now also confirm assistant manager John Schofield has been relieved of his duties. First joining Scunthorpe United’s coaching staff in 2008, he returned for a second spell as assistant manager under Russ Wilcox during the 2014–15 season. After a decade away from the club, he returned to the Attis Arena in the summer of 2024, having most recently served as assistant manager at Port Vale. "His appointment reunited him with departed first team manager Andy Butler, whom he had previously coached at Doncaster Rovers and encountered during their time at Peterborough United. The pair quickly established a strong working relationship, combining Schofield’s extensive coaching experience with Butler’s knowledge of the club and hunger as a new up-and-coming manager. "The partnership proved successful, helping Scunthorpe United secure promotion from the National League North in the 2024–25 season before reaching the National League play-offs in 2025–26 over the two full campaigns the duo were in situ. "Like Andy, we would like to extend our gratitude to John for his work rate, commitment and dedication throughout his time with Scunthorpe United, and wish him all the very best for the future." Make sure you never miss the latest Derby County news and opinion by making Derbyshire Live one of your Google preferred sources. Get the best Derby County news, analysis and more straight to your Inbox! To get it, it's a simple one-two punch.