Scunthorpe chairman Steve Wharton admits the club ran out of patience with the run of poor form under former boss Alan Knill.
Knill was relieved of his duties on Monday morning following the club's ninth league defeat of the season at the weekend.
"We have not taken the decision lightly and I have to say it is never easy," Wharton told the Iron's official website.
"The last few weeks have become increasingly difficult and eventually I had to make a decision that it was time for a change. It has been building, but I think the final straw was that it wasn't getting any better and we have been as patient as we can be.
"At times I think we played some very good football and to be fair to Alan he is a very good coach. It seemed that somehow we have lacked the desire and confidence and it is the manager's job to instill that.
"But as a manager, and particularly at a club like Scunthorpe where we have achieved what we have in recent times, that is even more important."
