Brian Laws has stated that he is "exceptionally disappointed" after being sacked by Scunthorpe United.
The 52-year-old was dismissed on Wednesday after the club were knocked out of the FA Cup by local rivals Grimsby Town.
He returned to Scunthorpe for a third spell as manager in October 2012, but could not prevent the club from being relegated to League Two last season.
Laws said in a statement via the League Managers' Association: "I am obviously very disappointed to be leaving my post as Manager of Scunthorpe United Football Club.
"Together the club and I agreed upon a strategy based on a shared long term view to first halt the decline of the club's fortunes and avoid a successive relegation.
"To be relieved of my duties, after only 16 league games into the current campaign, when I was meeting my targets is, in my opinion, unwarranted. I am exceptionally disappointed that I will no longer have the opportunity to continue the rebuilding process at Scunthorpe United."
Tony Daws and Russ Wilcox will take temporary charge for Scunthorpe's match against Portsmouth on Saturday.
Steven Toplis
