But unlike Jordan Henderson, the 47-year-old doesn’t regret a single minute of his time in Saudi Arabia.
“I loved it,” insists Foster, who took charge at Home Park earlier this month following Steven Schumacher’s switch to Stoke.
“Personally. Professionally. I’ve got nothing but positive things to say about the whole experience.
“I get the controversy around the league. I do. I’m English. I love the Premier League. I love the Championship and the EFL. When anyone threatens that, it’s inevitable there’ll be a reaction.
“You read the propaganda around it, how the standard’s not very good, how they treat people this way or that way.
“My experience was fabulous. The way they treated me and my family, the place itself. It was a beautiful part of the world and a wonderful place to live.
“The league itself, it’s not the finished article by any stretch of the imagination. But it’s growing, it’s improving. They’re attracting top, top players.
“We had Moussa Dembele, Jordan Henderson, Gini Wijnaldum, Demarai Gray. We were more than alright.
“And the fabulous challenge as a coach was what we came up against. You play Al-Nassr and they’ve got a front three of Talisca, Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane. You play Al-Ahli and the front three is Alain Saint-Maximin, Riyad Mahrez and Roberto Firmino. You play Al-Hilal and it’s Aleksandar Mitrovic, Malcom and Neymar.
Denne historien er fra January 28, 2024-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
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Denne historien er fra January 28, 2024-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
END OF CUP ROAD FOR EFL BATTLERS
EFL interest in this season’s Carabao Cup came to an end in midweek, but it certainly wasn’t for the want of trying.
GOALS GALORE IN THE TROPHY
THE goals flew in from all angles as the Bristol Street Motors Trophy revved into action again in midweek.
KEEPER GAFFE SINKS TOWN
HUDDERSFIELD boss Michael Duff questioned his players’ mentality after goalkeeper Chris Maxwell’s bloomer handed NonLeague Tamworth a shock win.
ACE SLEW & WILLIAMS SEE OFF REBELS...
DECISIVE goals at either end of the game from Jordan Slew and Rhys Williams helped League Two Morecambe avoid a potential banana skin against National League South outfit Worthing.
MATT'S MEN JUST HAVE ENOUGH GAS
HONEST Bristol Rovers boss Matt Taylor has acknowledged his side were pushed all the way in their tie against Weston-super-Mare.
'WHITES' ARRAY OF FIREPOWER WILL GIVE THEM THE EDGE OVER RIVALS'
GARY Rowett says Leeds’ glittering arsenal of attacking stars will bring the Championship title to Elland Road.
POMPEY'S GAME OF TWO HALVES
Murphy's in to deny the Tigers
SET-PLAY PREP PAYING OFF FOR PELACH
NARCIS Pelach admitted Stoke have been working tirelessly on set-pieces since his arrival – and he was pleased the hard work paid dividends with the winner against Derby.
Robins lays marker to his Sky Blues
MARK Robins has challenged his Coventry City players to go on a Championship charge after the Sky Blues ended their wait for success on their travels with resounding victory against ten-man Boro.
JUST FAB FOUR BAYO IS UNSTOPPABLE
FOUR second-half goals in an incredible display from Vakoun Bayo powered Watford to a resounding victory at Hillsborough.