Plymouth Argyle express excitement at appointing the highly rated 47 year old that is Ian Foster as their new head coach.
The Championship outfit bring in the ex-England Under-20 manager having most recently been Steven Gerrard’s number two at Saudi Arabia club Al-Ettifaq.
Foster becomes successor to Steven Schumacher, who departed Stoke in December 2023 after guiding the Pilgrims to promotion last year.
He also led England Under-19s to the European Championship title in 2022 and was also assistant to Steve Cooper’s Under-17 World Cup winners in 2017.
✍🏻 Argyle are delighted to announce Ian Foster as our new Head Coach.
Welcome, Ian. 🙌🏼#pafc
— Plymouth Argyle FC (@Argyle) January 5, 2024
CLUB STATEMENT:
We are delighted to announce that Ian Foster has been appointed as the new Head Coach of Plymouth Argyle.
The 47-year-old is widely regarded as one of the brightest coaches in England, and prior to moving to the Middle East worked for the Football Association across a variety of age groups.
He worked as a coach for the World Cup-winning England Under-17 side, alongside current Argyle defender, Lewis Gibson, before managing the Under-18s, Under-19s, Under-20s and was an assistant to Phil Neville with the Senior Women’s team.
Foster has also had a spell alongside Paul Cook at Portsmouth and played an instrumental role in their title winning 2016/17 season.
A former professional footballer for the likes of Hereford United and Kidderminster Harriers, Foster joins the club after most recently being Assistant Manager at Al-Effitaq in Saudi Arabia, alongside Steven Gerrard.
Chairman Simon Hallett is delighted to secure the services of one of the country’s finest coaching talents and commented: “I am thrilled to welcome a coach of Ian’s calibre to Plymouth Argyle as our new Head Coach. He was the perfect candidate to lead our great football club forward as we embark on our next five-year mission.
“Ian showed a passion and knowledge for the club throughout the interview process, and showcased in some detail how he sees the best way to take forward our exciting and dynamic young squad.
“Having worked with some of the best players this country has produced, he has a passion for developing young footballers, as well as playing expansive, attacking football which fits perfectly with how we want the club to progress. I am excited to see how he takes the team forward and very much welcome him to Plymouth Argyle.”
Director of Football, Neil Dewsnip, echoed the sentiments of Chairman Simon Hallett and added: “I have spoken openly in the past few weeks about how we would wait for the right person for the job and in Ian we believe we have found exactly that.
“He has incredible pedigree as a coach and working with young players and we feel he is the perfect person to take forward this incredible group of players we have.
“Now is the time to look to the future and I am excited to see Ian get to work on the training pitch immediately and to help us achieve our aims, both this season and beyond.”
Argyle Chief Executive, Andrew Parkinson, concluded: “It was important when going through the recruitment process that the successful person showed the key qualities required to be the Head Coach of Plymouth Argyle.
“The interest in this role was incredible, with applicants from all over the world, and in Ian, we feel that we have found the perfect person to lead the team forward and continue the success we have seen over the past four years.”
First-team coach Kevin Nancekivell will form a part of Foster’s coaching staff, with further announcements in due course confirming the full make-up of the Englishman’s backroom staff.
This is what fans had to say as Plymouth express excitement at appointing highly rated 47 year old Ian Foster as their new head coach…
@CMpafc: After all the teasing I expected a decent video announcement!
@1980_louis: Fozzee’s at the wheel! Welcome aboard 👊🏼💚
@Mattpafc26: IAN FOSTERS BARMY ARMY 🔥
@TomSagee: Get behind him and the new era #utba💚
@jjoseveth: Finally! Excited to see how this will pan out! Lets focus on strengthen the squad now & staying up 💚
@OhPafc: Welcome Gaffer, hopefully prove all the negative opinions on here wrong. Trust the board, trust the process. Up the Mighty Greens 💚💚
@ziconess: Fabulous news, welcome Ian!!!
@Frazer_LD: Feels risky but we’ve rarely been conventional under Hallett and it’s gone well so far. Excited to see how he develops our young players. If he can keep us in the division, whilst pushing the likes of Cooper, Randell and Issaka on, I’ll be happy. Best of luck Gaffer! #pafc
@dykesy1: It’s growing on me . Good signing!
@Bradhopy: Absolutely the right choice for me! We carry on doing what we have been doing. Get behind him it’s going to be a tough ride but keep the faith 💚
@HarryMcsherry: Got to back him although I think this is a huge risk and could backfire hopefully we are all proved wrong
@_cobibudge: Initially when I saw his name I was unsure, but I’ve warmed to the appointment, he has a fantastic coaching resume, the club will have conducted a thorough process and if Ian Foster has come out on top of that process then it’s time to back him 100%. #pafc
@JoelPafc: Not sure how to feel about it but have to get behind him #pafc
@JamesBreeden: Hugely excited by this appointment, brilliant work by everyone @Argyle and welcome aboard Fozzy! #PAFC
@Kyiz69: From Saudi to Plymouth. Soz about the weather 😂💚
@CarlBarnard15: The boss 💚 Welcome Ian. All behind you 💪 #pafc
@nickschickuk: So looking forward to seeing what he’s all about! Hoping this will give our squad some energy and push us forward. Welcome Ian! 💚💚
@ArgyleLoz: This is great news, welcome to Home Park Ian, we’re with you, come on Argyle #pafc…
@olpafc_: Ian Fosters green and white army, welcome gaffer 💚
@pafc__tom: Get behind him Green Army! 👍🏻💚
@simon_plym: Let’s give the new gaffer a huge cheer when we see him tomorrow!! 💚⚽️ #pafc
Heard the interview went well pic.twitter.com/D4Z9QEfzWg
— voodoo (@Voodoov21) January 5, 2024
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