'These games haven’t gone well enough to warrant the job' - Andy Butler on missing out on Doncaster Rovers' manager role

Rovers confirmed earlier this week that the 37-year-old would not be in the running for the role and would be returning to his position as Belles boss, alongside his responsibilities as a player.

Butler took charge of 18 matches, winning four and drawing three as Rovers’ promotion push wilted.

He remains determined to fulfil his managerial ambitions in the future and say he will leave it in the hands of Rovers’ next boss over whether he is involved in the coaching set-up at senior level next season.

“Whatever the new manager wants to do,” he told the Free Press.

“I think the people know that I love coaching.

“If I’m not coaching here then I’ll go back to the Belles.

“I still enjoy playing and I feel like I can do both. I can coach and I can play.

“I’m still young and still learning.

“If I’m being totally honest these games haven’t gone well enough to warrant the job.

“But I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time and I wouldn’t change anything.

“And if someone was to offer me the job now, I’d still take it as I did back then.

“It’s been a learning curve and an experience and I’ve come out a better experience from it.”

Butler feels there is a considerable rebuilding job ahead for the club as they shake off the disappointment of the campaign.

“Whoever the job goes to needs to bring in the right characters and right players to challenge,” he said.

“We’ve teed around the play-offs for the last few years and couldn’t get in last year due to points per game.

“But since January we’ve let ourselves down.

“Injuries, we’ve had a lot of them to key players and not having that settled team.

“It’s been difficult, not getting relationships.“

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