Graham Alexander takes over as new manager of Scunthorpe

Graham Alexander has been named the new manager of Scunthorpe and has signed a three-and-a-half year deal.

The 44-year-old, who began his playing career with Scunthorpe, will take charge for the first time when they visit Barnsley on Good Friday.

Alexander is to be assisted by Nick Daws [assistant manager] and Andy Dawson [first-team coach], who have been running the first team since Mark Robins was sacked in January.

Scunthorpe are 13th in the table at present but a play-off spot is not completely out of the question as they are six points behind sixth-placed Barnsley, with nine games to play.

Alexander reached the 1,000 appearances mark as a player before beginning his managerial career with Fleetwood Town.

He led the Cod Army to Sky Bet League One via the play-offs in 2014 but was sacked in September last year after a poor start to the season.

Alexander told the Scunthorpe website: "I'm an ambitious guy, I want to win things. The guys in charge at the club are exactly the same and I'm sure we'll do great things here.

"Just coming up the motorway there, the butterflies started as soon as I could see the floodlights coming into view. I realised it was 28 years since I made that first drive as a 16-year-old and I feel as excited as I did then. It's fantastic to be back. 

"I heard about the new stadium, which is in the pipeline. It's amazing, not just for the infrastructure of the club, but also where the team wants to go. 

"There are a lot of good players in this squad, without a doubt. For whatever reason it hasn't fulfilled its potential this season but that's my remit, to come and assess, and try to improve it. 

"It's been a whirlwind last couple of days. When any manager gets a new job they just want to get on the training pitch and be with the players. I'm really looking forward to meeting them on Wednesday, and the staff too, ahead of that. We're all in the same boat, we all want Scunthorpe to do well." 

Scunthorpe chairman Peter Swann said: "Over the last couple of weeks we felt it quite important that, if we were to have a manager in place, now would be a good time. 

"It made a lot of sense. We have nine games remaining this season and we'll do whatever can be done within that, but it will give him a chance to get organised for the summer, target any new players, and plan what we need to do for pre-season training. 

"I've been out there and interviewed a few people and felt Graham was one of the best candidates for the job. Graham has the advantage of three years' managerial experience under him, through our league and below.

"He has an affinity with Scunthorpe, which is good as well, having started his career with us, and I'm looking forward to working with him. Nick Daws and Andy Dawson have done a fantastic job, and have been very professional. They are still very much a big part of the football club."