Alan Knill: I've never considered walking away from Scunthorpe United
Manager Alan Knill will not resign from his position at Scunthorpe United and maintains he is 'absolutely' the right man to turn around the club's flagging fortunes.
His insistence comes despite the club's plight worsening during a depressing past five days at Glanford Park and the fact that discontent on the terraces reached its strongest level yet during yesterday's 3-0 humbling at the hands of MK Dons.
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Alan Knill watches his side crash to a fifth defeat in seven games on the touchline at Glanford Park. Picture: Carl Gac.
Supporters repeatedly called for Knill's head during the game and he suffered abuse from fans in the Telegraph Stand at the final whistle as he headed down the tunnel.
Knill has won just 14 of his 69 games in charge of the Iron since being appointed in March 2011.
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He accepts the criticism being levelled in his direction, but has said he will not walk away.
When asked by the Telegraph, in the aftermath of the Dons defeat, whether he had considered quitting, Knill responded 'I don't think so,' before quickly adding 'it's a no'.
"I knew the scale of the job and it is a big job," he added, at the end of a week in which two of his fellow Football League bosses, Paul Jewell (Ipswich Town) and Neale Cooper (Hartlepool United) had resigned from their posts.
"It does take time, but obviously you have to be winning games and be seen to be moving forward.
"Some of the stuff is good, but at the moment we're not winning games. We have to change that quickly."
Having dismissed the idea he may walk away from Glanford Park, Knill refused to be drawn on whether this latest defeat – which continued the Iron's woeful home form – would damage his position in the eyes of the Iron's directors.
Knill backed his players, saying he did not feel let down by his squad, and empathised with fans who have genuine fears that their club are plummeting towards League Two.
"It's difficult to take, but I understand," said the Iron boss, of the calls for him to be sacked.
"We all want to see a winning team and we all want a winning club. People pay their money, they can vent their anger – I can't do anything about it.
"I accept it and I accept responsibility for what's going on on the pitch.
"It's my job to turn it around.
"We've had a conversation in the dressing room with the players and the good thing is that they're focused on turning it around.
"We keep saying it's a new squad and a new team, but it has to do something quick.
"The goals we concede are poor goals. That's what's killing us.
"We're not doing enough to keep the ball out of our goal at crucial times. That's why we are where we are."
Knill's record in the hotseat means fans have the right to question their manager's future.
When asked, after five defeats in seven games, whether he was the right man to turn it around, he said 'absolutely'.
"It doesn't look healthy, the table, but I can't do anything other than keep working and hopefully, with the players, which we know are all on side, it will turn around," Knill continued.
"At the moment, it's painful. But we have played quite a few teams this month that are going to be there or thereabouts.
"Sometimes you can see the gulf between us, but we're working hard to try to close that gap.
"We can only do that with the help of the supporters.
"Nobody wants this. Nobody wants to listen to it (the abuse)if you're in the dugout, but I totally understand why."
Comments
by LiamFlanagan
Monday, October 29 2012, 9:35AM
“I have been taking my 9 year old daughter to all home games and away games within a hour and half, when I am home from work for the last 4 seasons. And when I asked her what she wanted for christmas she replied " a new manager for Scunthorpe". That pretty much says it all!!!!!!”
by HongkongIron
Monday, October 29 2012, 2:45AM
“I'm at a loss for words... I genuinely want Knill and the players to turn it around, desperately so - I just can't see it all 'clicking into place' any time soon which we have been continually assured and promised will indeed be the case. I am happy to give them all the support and a vote of confidence they all need, but ***, let's at least go out there and attack the opposition, especially at home!!!! We look like we are scared of losing before we even kick a ball... C'mon, show some gumption and sort this **** out I beg you Mr. Knill & Co.”
by HongkongIron
Monday, October 29 2012, 2:42AM
“I'm at a loss for words... I genuinely want Knill and the players to turn it around, desperately so - I just can't see it all 'clicking into place' any time soon which we have been continually assured and promised will indeed be the case. I am happy to give them all the support and a vote of confidence they all need, but ***, let's at least go out there and attack the opposition, especially at home!!!! We look like we are scared of losing before we even kick a ball... C'mon, show some gumption and sort this **** out I beg you Mr. Knill & Co.”
by Deereyme
Monday, October 29 2012, 12:10AM
“If you loved the club you would walk. Go now and we might have some hope of avoiding relegation. Despite what some people think, we can always be better than the basement division. Go to a non-leugue club and start again. Just sever this now. Please.”
by EddieMurphy
Sunday, October 28 2012, 9:52PM
“Did anyone at the ET think to ask him exactly *why* he thinks he's the man for the job? As in, what examples can he give to illustrate that there is nobody better? Just saying you're "absolutely" the right person doesn't wash if you can't back it up, and seeing as it's not being backed up by either results, performances or player improvements (indeed, look at the state of the player who took every award last season) then I'd be very interested in hearing his reasons. Too much to ask? Seemingly so. As I stated the other day-on behalf of your readers, ask, ask and ask again”
by stevescunny
Sunday, October 28 2012, 8:34PM
“Oh dear. Knill's statement is one that makes every scunny fans' heart sink. I feel so sad for the players and supporters.”
by expatbillie
Sunday, October 28 2012, 6:39PM
“There are saner people locked up in Rampton & Broadmoor than the delusional fool that gave this interview.` Nero` and `Rome` springs to mind. Delusional !!”
by localad
Sunday, October 28 2012, 4:21PM
“Its always been obvious this clown won't walk, but whats realy pi55ing me off is Wharton, he is doing absolutely nothing to change the situation, he is suposed to be runing the club, yet at the moment he could not run a bath.
Wharton is the problem, not Knill, we know Knill is useless, Wharton is like a rabbit in headlights, clueless.”
by scunnyha
Sunday, October 28 2012, 4:02PM
“why do we have that useless goalkeeper coach... slocome has gone downhill under him, get rid.
wats brass,s job.get rid.
as for knill words fail me,put him on gardening duty,he might get the message then
or maybe not”
by sickasaparrot
Sunday, October 28 2012, 3:14PM
“Ive said it before & I'll say it again, we can't not afford to sack the useless, clueless idiot. How are we ever going to be a threat playin one up front. Barcham & Grella have obviously had the balls to say what they think hence not being played. Ive just had the pleasure of watching my lads play in an under 16 Sunday league game losin 4-3 but the commitment and passion was there for all to see unlike the so called professional overpaid set of players yesterday. If the deluded man won't resign please lets see the chairman do the honourable thing in the interest of the club & sack him. How can he keep spouting off that he is the right man for the job when each & every game gets worse & less & less supporters turn up to watch his cr@p.”