Neil Cox: Scunthorpe United sack manager with side bottom of League Two
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Scunthorpe's 6-1 defeat at Harrogate on 9 October was Neil Cox's worst in his 69 games in charge
Scunthorpe United have sacked boss Neil Cox with the side bottom of League Two.
The Iron, who were beaten 2-1 at Colchester on Saturday, have won just one of their past 10 league games.
Former Aston Villa, Middlesbrough, Bolton and Watford defender Cox, 50, began his playing career at Scunthorpe.
He succeeded Russ Wilcox as boss on 7 August 2020, his first job in full managerial charge, but the club only avoided relegation by three points - and they have won just twice this term.
He had previously served as Neal Ardley's assistant at both AFC Wimbledon and Notts County.
The Iron have also parted company with assistant manager Mark Lillis, Cox's former Villa team-mate.
Coach Tony McMahon and goalkeeping coach Paul Musselwhite have been placed in caretaker charge for Saturday's FA Cup first-round tie with neighbours Doncaster Rovers (13:00 GMT).
It leaves Iron owner Peter Swann searching for an eighth permanent manager in just over six years.
After losing 6-1 at Harrogate, then at home to League Two leaders Forest Green, Scunthorpe looked to have turned a corner when they followed an away draw at Barrow with a 2-1 home win over Crawley last weekend.
But Saturday's latest reverse was their eighth loss in 15 league games - and leaves them a point adrift of safety and still fearful of a second relegation in four seasons.
Scunthorpe have been in the top four tiers of English football for 71 years, since being promoted into the Football League along with Shrewsbury Town, Colchester United and Gillingham when it was expanded to 92 clubs in 1950.
Analysis
Mike White, Sports Editor, BBC Radio Humberside
This decision will come as little surprise to most, given the club's league position, although many fans will feel it should have happened before now.
With just two wins from their opening 15 games this season, and only 15 wins from his 69 in charge of his hometown club, Cox will probably know himself the decision wasn't far away with the team bottom of the entire EFL.
With a significantly low budget and a transfer embargo in place, Cox's chances of assembling a squad capable of competing in League Two were limited but some will suggest he didn't get the best out of what he had at his disposal.
The biggest question now though is 'who next?' Regardless of who chairman Peter Swann turns to, they will have a monumental task on their hands to stop the club dropping unceremoniously into the National League.