EXCLUSIVE: Iron chairman - Baraclough went because we were 'playing with fear'
SCUNTHORPE United chairman Steve Wharton insists it was not a knee jerk reaction to get rid of manager Ian Baraclough.
Baraclough's seven-month tenure as Iron boss came to an end this morning, when he, his assistant Kevin Pressman and first-team coach Steve Parkin were relieved of their duties.
-
Happy times: Ian Baraclough (left) and Steve Wharton pictured when Baraclough was confirmed as the Iron's new boss.
“The thing that concerned me was that we had not been playing well for a while,” he said.
“I felt we were playing with fear.”
Wharton confessed the decision to dismiss Baraclough had been a hard one for him.
“I feel some responsibility because it was me who persuaded Ian to take the job in the first place," he continued.
“I am sure he would not admit it, but I think I think the pressure of the job was getting to him.”
Wharton insists he is ‘open-minded’ as he begins his search for a new manager.
“My telephone has already been hot with people interested in the job,” he said.
“I would like to think we might have someone in permanent charge by the time we return to action after the international break, but that is a very short space of time.
“Ideally we will be looking for someone who can develop and bring on young players and get us playing good, attacking, exciting football again.”
Former manager Brian Laws will inevitably be linked with a return to Glanford Park, but Wharton hinted that would probably be a 'dangerous' decision.
“Brian is still a very good friend of mine – but I would not use that friendship to try and encourage him to be interested in the job,” he said.
“Brian has served this club very well in the past but it is always dangerous to consider returning to old ground too many times.”
11 Comments
View all
by CARL LEWIS, DERBY
Wednesday, March 16 2011, 9:06PM
“Worst iron performance i have ever watched in 40 years,at any other club he would have been sacked weeks ago,Wharton is also to blame,he is quite happy to watch our club die on its feet.Also time to get directors at the club who actually make a worthwhile financial contribution,not just act as nodding donkeys and why not try and get some sort of involvment from the council,TATA,and rainham steel regarding substancial ground development,the future of our club can go two ways and i for one want it to be upwards."UP THE IRON"!!!”
by GrimsbyIron, Messingham
Wednesday, March 16 2011, 8:08PM
“On balance the right decision to sack Barra. Let's not forget his immense contribution to recent success as a player though. As for the new manager - who can we afford? Laws doesn't need the money after being paid off by Burnley & Wednesday. Boothroyd or Irvine? They've both had their highs and lows.”
by BarmyArmy, Believing
Wednesday, March 16 2011, 5:23PM
“WHARTON OUT!”
by BarmyArmy, Believing
Wednesday, March 16 2011, 5:21PM
“WHARTON OUT”
by skint, scunny
Wednesday, March 16 2011, 5:09PM
“At last Wharton speaks, was beginning to think he`d done a runner.
As for the new manager, Laws is unfortunately, probably going to be the choice. He still lives locally, his wife I believe still works at GP and we all know how close him and Wharton are.
What we need is someone who isn`t going to be Mr Wharton`s yes man”
by Eddie Murphy, Beverley Hills
Wednesday, March 16 2011, 3:40PM
“Does anyone at the ET know whether it was the chairman's or the manager's decision to sell Woolford when there wasn't a replacement lined up?”
by Germane Host, Lincs
Wednesday, March 16 2011, 2:51PM
“Hopefully we will get someone decent then!”
by Reading Old News, In the annual report
Wednesday, March 16 2011, 2:38PM
“Pity the Chairman didn't feel this way before he brought him back last time!”
by percy7, work
Wednesday, March 16 2011, 1:37PM
“yeah ad he should never have installed i.b. in f1st place...lets av a big name n hopefully put a few more bums on seats..you never now we might get a little atmosphere.....sing for gods sake n get behind the boys...uti.”
by ad, n lincs
Wednesday, March 16 2011, 1:29PM
“The fault lays 100% with Wharton”