Dundalk have confirmed that manager Ian Foster has left the club after the Oriel Park board decided not to renew his contract.
The Lilywhites have had a very disappointing second half of the season and speculation was rife that Foster’s tenure was coming to an end.
And the club confirmed the former Galway boss’ departure with a short statement issued on Saturday evening on their website www.dundalkfc.com.
The statement read: “Dundalk FC wish to advise that the board of the football club have decided not to renew the managerial contract with Ian Foster, and will be seeking an immediate replacement for this key position.
“The football club wish to acknowledge the work done by Ian Foster over the last two seasons and wish him every success in the future.”
Meanwhile, the club’s current owner and CEO Gerry Matthews has announced that he is prepared to hand the club over to a supporters trust.
Matthews said: “It has always been my desire and intention to hand over the ownership of the club to the supporters and community of Dundalk, and I share the view of the Dundalk FC Trust that the clubs long term interests will be best served by the club being supporter/community owned and operated as opposed to the private ownership alternative.
“My wish is to step down as CEO and from the management board when the new board is fully operational and to hand over full day-to-day executive powers to this group which will consist of supporters and community members.
"I have had very positive discussions with the DFC Trust group who I envisage having a pivotal role to play in both the immediate and long-term success of the club.
"With the club being placed directly into the hands of the supporters and community of the town, I feel a strong enthusiasm and optimism about the future of the football club."
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