The Pilgrims are faced with the prospect of a return back to League One after only one season after Foster could only lead them to 12 points from 14 games, and a run of five consecutive defeats at Home Park without scoring a goal in any of them. Simon Hallett has always preached the importance of stability and considered decision making during his highly successful time as chairman and owner of the club, and kneejerk reactions are not in his nature.
So Argyle probably stuck with Foster for a little longer than a lot of clubs would have done in their position, in the hope he could turn results around.
However, with their Championship status now in very real jeopardy, Hallett probably had to go against his instincts to avoid short-term decisions and make the change.
When it came, Argyle moved quickly. A report by the Daily Telegraph’s John Percy that Foster was ‘facing the sack’ appeared online at 6.59pm yesterday, a couple of hours after the 1-0 defeat by Bristol City at Easter Monday.
Less than four hours later, an official statement was released by the club, confirming that Foster had been relieved of his duties with immediate effect.
There will be a considerable financial hit for Argyle to take given that the former England under-20s head coach signed a three-and-ahalf-year contract in early January.
But a new very lucrative TV deal kicks in next season and the Pilgrims would receive vast sums of money more in the Championship than in League One, so it is clearly a step the club felt they had to take.
This story is from the April 03, 2024 edition of The Herald.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 03, 2024 edition of The Herald.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Van Gogh oil protest pair are jailed
TWO Just Stop Oil activists have been jailed for pouring soup over Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers, after they came close to “destroying” the masterpiece.
Whittaker is wanted but happy to remain a Pilgrim
ARGYLE FORWARD HAS ASPIRATIONS TO PLAY HIGHER, BUT NOT JUST YET
How Argyle played a role in Merson taking Walsall job
EX-FOOTBALLER turned Strictly Come Dancing star Paul Merson made his name winning trophies with Arsenal and starring for England in the 1990s - but his ill-fated career as a manager proved less successful.
Coming home to an Albion win cured my holiday blues!
THANK goodness for that, we are finally back to enjoying the sweet taste of a home win, after sneaking a victory over Leicester Lions last weekend at the Brickfields Fortress.
Dame Maggie dies, aged 89
OSCAR-WINNING actress Dame Maggie Smith has died, aged 89.
Guitarist denies fatal crash charge
GUITARIST Josh Klinghoffer, a former Red Hot Chili Peppers member who has also played with Pearl Jam, has pleaded not guilty through his lawyer to a misdemeanour manslaughter charge over the death of a pedestrian.
Mary's magic will sweep you away!
THE cast has been announced for Disney’s Mary Poppins ahead of its arrival in Plymouth early next year.
Pension claims are up
PENSION credit claims have hit almost 75,000 amid Government efforts to boost benefits take-up.
Danger of Lebanon crisis 'escalating much wider'
THE continuing tensions between Israel and the militant Lebanese Hezbollah group present a risk of spiralling out of control, the UK Defence Secretary has said.
Diamond days after struggle
AFRICAN ADVENTURE ‘THE PERFECT TONIC'