A Story of a Thousand Miles Must Begin With a Single Step

[DazRTaylor]

COPA AMERICA PREVIEW

CHILE 2019

My first major tournament as manager of an international side. Brazil are firm favourites and I am expected to win.

Squad

Group Stage

To be honest, Brazil should always get to the semi finals minimum, never mind getting out of the group!

My Expectations

To win it. It is as simple as that. Uruguay are the big rivals for the title - They are the reigning world champions after all.

[cerud]

The group stage should be easy enough to qualify out of.

[DazRTaylor]

COPA AMERICA REVIEW

CHILE 2019

GROUP STAGE

Brazil v Venezuela

A nervous opening game in truth. Willian opened the scoring for us after 24 minutes. The lead doubled after 37 minutes through Alex Teixeira. We sat back and invited the Venezuelans to come at us which they duly did and nicked a goal after 76 minutes through Salomon Rondon. We hung though for a less than deserved three points. Final Score: Brazil 2-1 Venezuela

Brazil v Costa Rica

Another nervous game. We took the lead early on, in the 8th minute through Rafael Toloi before Costa Rica equalised through Celso Borges. Ganso scored after 44 minutes to make sure we led 2-1 at half time. The second half came and we were shocking. Gustavo Calderon stunned the crowd with another equaliser for Costa Rica after 46 minutes and despite Costa Rica going down to ten men courtesy of a red card given to Alvaro Torres, we couldn't score. Final Score: Brazil 2-2 Costa Rica

Brazil v Colombia

A better performace and we dominated for 90 minutes. Rafael Toloi scored his second of the tournament to give us the lead after 18 minutes. Teenage striker scored the second after 31 minutes to give us a 2-0 half time lead. The second half saw more Brazil chances and Neymar converted on 57 minutes to make it 3-0 which is how it finished. Final Score: Brazil 3-0 Colombia

Final Group Table

We qualified as group winners despite some nervous matches.

QUARTER FINAL

Brazil v Peru

The confidence earned from the good performance against Colombia seemed to desert us as we struggled against Peru. We had chances in the first half but just couldn't shoot straight and the half time score was goalless. Thankfully, Douglas Costa scored after 51 minutes to calm the nerves somewhat...Well, you would of thought it would calm the nerves but a breakaway strike by Paolo Hurtado in the 87th minute made extra time a certainty. The score after 90 minutes remained 1-1. There was an uneventful extra time period with both teams scared of losing so penalties awaited. We held our nerve and scored all four wheras Peru missed two of theirs. Final Score: Brazil 1-1 Peru. Brazil won 4-2 on penalties.

SEMI FINAL

Brazil v Ecuador

A terrible game devoid of any entertainment saw it finish 0-0. Extra time and the game came to life with Rafael Toloi, having the tournament of his life, scored from a corner after 97 minutes to give Brazil the lead. Neymar doubled the lead after 103 minutes as Ecuador were forced to chase the game. There were no further incidents. Final Score: Brazil 2-0aet Ecuador

FINAL

Brazil v Argentina

The final was a game between two old enemies and we were forced to be without the tournament star Rafael Toloi due tro suspension after picking up two bookings. Disaster struck after 7 minutes with influential playmaker Ganso being forced off with an injury after a vicious tackle by the Argentines. Alex Teixeira took his place but he was soon off with an injury 25 minutes later after another bad tackle. The dirty Argentines got their just deserts in the 44th minute when the brilliantly name Dude scored. Just sixty seconds later Oscar doubled the lead to give Brazil a 2-0 half time lead. 3 minutes after the restart Marcelo found himself free down the left and struck home a beautiful finish for 3-0. We let our foot off the gas after that and two late Argenine goals by Angel di Maria (78 minutes) and Javier Pastore (90 minutes) flattered Argentina somewhat. Brazil won the Copa America! Final Score: Brazil 3-2 Argentina

TOURNAMENT RESULTS

[DazRTaylor]

SEASON 2019-20 PREVIEW

Media Prediction - 1st

My expectation - 1st

Transfer Budget - £184,000,000.

Wage Budget - £2,563,534 per week.

A big season and my last in Spain so winning the league is a must. It is an even bigger priority than the Champions League and I am 5/4 favourites according to the bookmakers. I have some of the best wingers and forwards in the game so I expect to score plenty of goals. I have also shored up my defence by recruiting one of the best defenders in the world. If I don't win the league this year, I never will.

PLAYERS

Players In

All these players were signed with last years budget. So I still have plenty of money available should it be needed.

Oscar Angloma - As discussed before, one of the best players in the world.
Luiz Mendez - Giant Paraguayan centre half signed from former club Arsenal.
Javier Rodriguez - Spanish international centre back, equally at home at left back signed from Barcelona.
Mattia Monza - Italian international midfielder signed from Inter. Played for me previously at both Wigan & Arsenal.
Jean - Brazilian forward signed from former club Arsenal. Despite being just 18, he starts for Brazil.
Mihaita Starpici - Young Romanian goalkeeper signed on a free transfer from former club Wigan Athletic. I am taking a risk by making him the new number one.
Steven Jaouen - Teenage French centre half with a big future. Loaned to feeder club Anderlecht for the season.
Rafael Martinez - 18 year old Mexican striker loaned to Anderlecht for a year.

Players Out

I had a clear out of the older players and raised £139m, shifting six players.

[Lenzar]

How did Valencia end up with such big budgets? Did they get a tycoon?

[DazRTaylor]

How did Valencia end up with such big budgets? Did they get a tycoon?

Yes, I believe so. If you look at this finance chart, you can see a huge spike in March 2017, eighteen months before I joined the club:

This list shows the clubs in terms of reputation. Valencia have the biggest reputation worldwide, ahead of even Barcelona & Real Madrid:

[FMtillidie]

Excellent story here mate, just read it all. well done on winning the copa america

[DazRTaylor]

Excellent story here mate, just read it all. well done on winning the copa america

Thank you mate

[DazRTaylor]

Do you remember that young centre back Wigan offered to me for £100m? Well I have just signed him...for £12m.

[SRL88]

And I dont balme you .

[DazRTaylor]

Another day, another trophy.

[DazRTaylor]

LAST MINUTE ADDITIONS

Three more young players signed purely to bolster the squad. All three will be squad players. They didn't cost a lot but they could potentially be very good.

[DazRTaylor]

And another...

[cerud]

Cup for doorstop...cup for book ends...cup as spitoon... You're running out of ideas to use your cups!

[deltablue]

Great potential from that bunch.

[Scarman]

Some really good signings there

[DazRTaylor]

Cup for doorstop...cup for book ends...cup as spitoon... You're running out of ideas to use your cups!

These two really are tin cups - currently used to prop some books up

Great potential from that bunch.

Some really good signings there

I think so too - especially as they are cheap.

[DazRTaylor]

A third trophy of the season...

[cerud]

Your minions bow down to you.

[DazRTaylor]

MID SEASON UPDATE

Champions League

An absolute doddle. We won our group at a canter, winning all six games and scoring twenty goals and conceding only one. We have been drawn to play Turkish outfit Besiktas in the first knockout round in the new year.

League

A good first half to the season and just one loss, away to newly promoted Gimnastic where we were beaten 1-0. The highlight is a 3-1 win at the Nou Camp, where we totally outclassed Barcelona, who are a shadow of their former selves.

Copa del Rey

As with the other competitions we have played this season, no real problems to deal with in the cup. Third tier Lugo were beaten 3-0 on aggregate in the fourth round which sets up a fifth round encounter with Sevilla.

PLAYERS

Players In

Just the one signing to provide competition on the right wing and up front. I will retrain him as a right winger to make sure this is his main position.

Players Out

No one and I am not planning on allowing anyone to leave.

[JackJCFC]

Some good players signed there and a massive trophy haul! Good luck in the league, looks close at the top.

[deltablue]

I think you can do it in the league.

[DazRTaylor]

Some good players signed there and a massive trophy haul! Good luck in the league, looks close at the top.

Yes, a lot of Mickey Mouse cups

I think you can do it in the league.

Six clear, six games left...

[cerud]

Playing in Turkey for the knockout Champions League stage should be a walk.

[DazRTaylor]

Playing in Turkey for the knockout Champions League stage should be a walk.

And it was...

[DazRTaylor]

END OF SEASON REVIEW

SEASON 2019-20

On the face of it, a good season with five trophies. But we failed to retain the Champions League so the seasonm could be viewed as a failure.

Champions League

Besiktas were hammered in thr first knockout round 5-0 on aggregate (2-0 away, 3-0 at home) which set up a quarter final encounter with another Turkish side, Fenerbahce. They were also dispatched easily with my team winning 5-1 on aggregate (2-1 away, 3-0 at home). Surprise semi finalists Tottenham Hotspur were waiting having somehow beaten my former club and their great rivals Arsenal 2-1 on aggregate. The first leg was at home and we duly won 1-0 but it should really have been four or five. We still travelled to North London full of confidence but the Tottenham players had the game of their lives and they beat us 2-0 on the night after extra time for a 2-1 aggregate victory.

League

After ten consecutive seasons in the top three, without ever winning it, Valencia won the league for the first time since 2004, sixteen long years ago. In truth, depsite the occasional bad loss (1-0 defeat at Gimnastic, for example), we won on the strength of the performances against our main rivals. We won 3-1 at Barcelona (we also beat them 5-0 at home!) and 3-0 at Real Madrid to dominatew those closest to us.

Copa del Rey

We retained our crown with ease. After Lugo, we faced Sevilla in the fifth round and won 5-0 on aggregate (1-0 at home, 4-0 away), Athletic Bilbao in the quarter final, whome we beat 9-2 on aggregate (3-0 away, 6-2 at home) and Real Madrid were defeated in the semi final 5-1 on aggregate (2-1 away, 3-0 at home). This set up a final showdown with Espanyol and despite dominating, it took a 74th minute winner from Italian midfielder Mattia Monza to seal the win for us as we retained the cup by a 1-0 scoreline.

PLAYERS

Player of the Season

Gentian Mertiri sits in front of the back four and goes unrecognised a lot of the time. He does a lot of donkey work and is vastly under rated. A true star.

Special Mention

Jean may have scored more, but Neymar only scored two less, plus he had twenty assists, not mention I shifted him from up front, to left wing, to attacking midfielder, depending on the situation. Invaluable.

FORMER CLUB WATCH

Perugia

Season       Champions League   Europa League         Final League Position            Coppa Italia               Serie C Cup
2011-12             N/a              N/a              3rd Italian Serie C2/B (P)            N/a                   Group stage
2012-13             N/a              N/a              5th Italian Serie C1/B           1st qualifying round       1st round
2013-14             N/a              N/a             18th Italian Serie C1/B (R)       1st qualifying round       Group stage
2014-15             N/a              N/a              4th Italian Serie C2/A (P)            N/a                   2nd round
2015-16             N/a              N/a             12th Italian Serie C1/B           2nd qualifying round       1st round
2016-17             N/a              N/a              8th Italian Serie C1/B                N/a                   1st round
2017-18             N/a              N/a              6th Italian Serie C1/B           2nd qualifying round       1st round
2018-19             N/a              N/a             14th Italian Serie C1/B           2nd qualifying round       1st round
2019-20             N/a              N/a              4th Italian Serie C1/B                N/a                   3rd round
2020-21

Hartlepool United

Season       Champions League    Europa League         Final League Position            F. A. Cup                  Carling Cup           Johnstone's Paint Trophy
2012-13             N/a               N/a              1st English League Two (P)       1st round                  1st round                     2nd round
2013-14             N/a               N/a              1st English League One (P)       Quarter final              1st round                     2nd round
2014-15             N/a               N/a             15th English Championship         3rd round                  2nd round                        N/a
2015-16             N/a               N/a             15th English Championship         3rd round                  1st round                        N/a
2016-17             N/a               N/a              9th English Championship         3rd round                  2nd round                        N/a
2017-18             N/a               N/a             22nd English Championship (R)     5th round                  2nd round                        N/a
2018-19             N/a               N/a              3rd English League One (P)       5th round                  3rd round                     2nd round
2019-20             N/a               N/a             11th English Championship         3rd round                  2nd round                        N/a
2020-21

Wigan Athletic

Season       Champions League    Europa League         Final League Position            F. A. Cup                  Carling Cup
2014-15             N/a               N/a              6th English Premier League       4th round                  Runners Up
2015-16             N/a          Quarter finals        4th English Premier League       5th round                  Winners
2016-17      Quarter final            N/a              5th English Premier League       4th round                  3rd round
2017-18             N/a          Winners               3rd English Premier League       5th round                  Semi final
2018-19      Quarter final            N/a              7th English Premier League       Semi final                 Quarter final
2019-20             N/a               N/a              7th English Premier League       Winners                    3rd round
2020-21

Arsenal

Season       Champions League    Europa League         Final League Position            F. A. Cup                  Carling Cup
2016-17      Runners up               N/a              2nd English Premier League       Runners up                 3rd round
2017-18      Winners                  N/a              1st English Premier League       Winners                    3rd round
2018-19      Runners up               N/a              1st English Premier League       Runners up                 Semi final
2019-20      Quarter final            N/a              1st English Premier League       5th round                  3rd round

[deltablue]

Fantastic charge to the title.

[DazRTaylor]

THE FUTURE

Well, I have won the Champions League in two countries now but I want a new challenge before I go to Germany or Italy. Ideally, I would love to go to somewhere like Ajax and stay there until I win the Champions League but time will tell. Either way, I will resign from Valencia.

[DazRTaylor]

Fantastic charge to the title.

Cheers mate

[DazRTaylor]

An interesting offer, which I have turned down:

[DazRTaylor]

This is what really really annoys me. I was offered the Juventus job, then the FC Bayern job but I declined both.

The Ajax job came up. I applied. And didn't get it.

2 Champions League titles, 1 Premier League title, 1 Spanish league title, 3 domestic cups, 1 secondary domestic cup not to mention the Copa America with Brazil.

But not good enough for the Dutch league.

[DazRTaylor]

That has so wound me up, I am going to go for another Dutch job and screw Ajax into the ground.

[DazRTaylor]

[DazRTaylor]

BORUSSIA DORTMUND

Club - Borussia Dortmund

Nation - Germany

League - Bundesliga (top tier)

Stadium - Signal Iduna Park

Capacity - 80,720 (53,569 seated)

Corporate Facilities - Good

Training Facilities - Top

Youth Facilities - Excellent

Junior Coaching - Good

Youth Recruitment - Established

Media Prediction - 2nd

My expectation - 3rd. From where we are, I can't see us overhauling the top and even 3rd will be a challenge but retaining our Champions League position must be our goal.

Transfer Budget - £8,500,000 So I am back to wheeling and dealing!

Wage Budget - £1,168,167 per week.

I am not being judged this season in any competition so the pressure is off somewhat.

Champions League

As you can see from the group table, the pressure is on for a top two spot.

League

Just awful. We need to start winning matches and soon. I do not have a big transfer budget so I cannot bring a lot in.

DFB-POKAL

Having beaten non league Bonn in the first round (4-0 away) & Borussia Moenchengladbach in the second round (2-1 at home), we have a tough draw in the third round. Away to Bayer Leverkusen.

Squad

As with any new club, some talented players and some dross.

[FMtillidie]

good luck with dortmund

[deltablue]

Didn't realize they were Dutch Anyway looks like quite a task you've got there.

[DazRTaylor]

Didn't realize they were Dutch Anyway looks like quite a task you've got there.

Because no one wanted me!

[DazRTaylor]

good luck with dortmund

Thanks mate.

[cerud]

Because no one wanted me!

That sounds so sad!!! What's the German word? ... Schadenfreude?

[AK22]

Great recovery job with Valencia, and well done on the CL win.

Good luck with Dortmund- they've still got Lewandowski too

[DazRTaylor]

That sounds so sad!!! What's the German word? ... Schadenfreude?

Great recovery job with Valencia, and well done on the CL win.

Good luck with Dortmund- they've still got Lewandowski too

Not for long...He is way past it and is off in January

[DazRTaylor]

MID SEASON UPDATE

Champions League

We ended up topping the group, following two narrow wins (1-0 at home to Lyon & 2-1 at Genoa). We have drawn PSV Einghoven in the first knockout round.

League

A decent recovery though a lot of work to be done. With only the top three entering the Champions League, I have to trust my new signings gel quickly. Bayern Munich have all but wrapped the league title up already.

DFB-POKAL

We beat Bayer Leverkusen away 2-1 and have drawn Dynamo Dresden away in the quarter final.

PLAYERS

Players In

William Umbarila - This Colimbian midfielder has signed for me three times now and has come on in leaps and bounds since his Arsenal days.
Roel Lauret - Versatile Dutchman who can play anywhere in attacking midfield.
Fuba - Brazilian defensive midfielder who is close to an international call up.
Wandile Ntombela - South African striker brought in to add competition up front.
Petar Osibov - Brilliant young Croatian central midfielder, signed for a bargain £3.5m
Abel Lopez - Colombian international right winger, brought in to bolster the squad.
Nicholas Paris - 20 year old Australian Under 21 international, this centre half cost just £80,000.
Amit Harari - Young Israeli goalkeeper brought in on a free transfer as a backup.

Players Out

A big clear out with 20 players being shown the door, raising close to £50m in fees.

[deltablue]

You can still beat Ajax in Europe at some point.

[DazRTaylor]

You can still beat Ajax in Europe at some point.

Yes and I will hammer them

[cerud]

Yeah, Bayern have that title pretty much done, but other spots are open

[DazRTaylor]

LAST MINUTE ADDITIONS

[deltablue]

Plenty of changes but should be strong once they're a little more gelled next season.

[DazRTaylor]

Plenty of changes but should be strong once they're a little more gelled next season.

I hope so. I have just had an absolutely shocking result...

[DazRTaylor]

This just shows how far behind Bayern Munich we are:

[hullcity4life]

Well done on a great career so far mate, hope to see more of the same!!

[Scarman]

Well done getting the Dortmund job, though looks like like you have a bit of a rebuilding job ahead of you

[DazRTaylor]

Well done on a great career so far mate, hope to see more of the same!!

Well done getting the Dortmund job, though looks like like you have a bit of a rebuilding job ahead of you

Thanks guys

[JackJCFC]

Unlucky agaisnt Bayern, im sure its a one off!! Always interesting to see people manage in Germany as its such a close league.

[deltablue]

I wouldn't read too much into it. When I was at Dortmund I hammered them 7-2 (or 7-1?) in the super cup and they easily won the title that season.

[DazRTaylor]

Unlucky agaisnt Bayern, im sure its a one off!! Always interesting to see people manage in Germany as its such a close league.

It is indeed - Bayern have dominated of late in this save but there has still been quite a few different winners.

I wouldn't read too much into it. When I was at Dortmund I hammered them 7-2 (or 7-1?) in the super cup and they easily won the title that season.

Bayern just knocked me out of the cup. I have also drawn them in the Champions League quarter final. I am starting to detest Bayern Munich. A lot.

[cerud]

Nice in joining Dortmund, but Bayern looks like a job to catch!

[DazRTaylor]

END OF SEASON REVIEW

SEASON 2020-21

Although a trophyless season, we have recovered well so have a lot to build on.

Champions League

We easily beat PSV in the first knockout round (1-0 away, 3-0 at home) 4-0 on aggregate which gave us a really tough quarter final against rivals Bayern Munich. We lost 1-0 in Munich but we played well and we had a chance. We duly won 2-0 at home to go through to the semi final. We were drawn to play former side Arsenal and it proved to be a tie too far as we lost 2-0 in North London & drew 1-1 at home for a 3-1 aggregate defeat. Interestingly, this set up a final between to of my former sides, Arsenal & Valencia.

League

A brilliant recovery after Christmas. I even thought the unthinkable could happen and we could win the league as, with five matches remaining, we were just two points behind Bayern Munich. Bayern had gone five matches without a win whereas we had won seven league games in a row. Alas, we ran out of steam but was fun nonetheless!

DFB-Pokal

Dynamo Dresden were beaten 4-1, in Dresden, in the quarter final and we drew, yes, you guessed it, Bayern Munich away in the semi final. We lost 3-2 and that flattered us.

PLAYERS

Player of the Season

Mario Gotze needs no introduction. The backbone of the squad, he made over 30 assists and chipped in with important goals too. Amazingly, he is still only 28.

Special Mention

Petr Navratil may of cost the club £38m, but what a return. 18 goals in just fifteen games. I cant wait to msee him next season.

FORMER CLUB WATCH

Perugia

Season       Champions League   Europa League         Final League Position            Coppa Italia               Serie C Cup
2011-12             N/a              N/a              3rd Italian Serie C2/B (P)            N/a                   Group stage
2012-13             N/a              N/a              5th Italian Serie C1/B           1st qualifying round       1st round
2013-14             N/a              N/a             18th Italian Serie C1/B (R)       1st qualifying round       Group stage
2014-15             N/a              N/a              4th Italian Serie C2/A (P)            N/a                   2nd round
2015-16             N/a              N/a             12th Italian Serie C1/B           2nd qualifying round       1st round
2016-17             N/a              N/a              8th Italian Serie C1/B                N/a                   1st round
2017-18             N/a              N/a              6th Italian Serie C1/B           2nd qualifying round       1st round
2018-19             N/a              N/a             14th Italian Serie C1/B           2nd qualifying round       1st round
2019-20             N/a              N/a              4th Italian Serie C1/B                N/a                   3rd round
2020-21             N/a              N/a             10th Italian Serie C1/B           2nd qualifying round       2nd round

Hartlepool United

Season       Champions League    Europa League         Final League Position            F. A. Cup                  Carling Cup           Johnstone's Paint Trophy
2012-13             N/a               N/a              1st English League Two (P)       1st round                  1st round                     2nd round
2013-14             N/a               N/a              1st English League One (P)       Quarter final              1st round                     2nd round
2014-15             N/a               N/a             15th English Championship         3rd round                  2nd round                        N/a
2015-16             N/a               N/a             15th English Championship         3rd round                  1st round                        N/a
2016-17             N/a               N/a              9th English Championship         3rd round                  2nd round                        N/a
2017-18             N/a               N/a             22nd English Championship (R)     5th round                  2nd round                        N/a
2018-19             N/a               N/a              3rd English League One (P)       5th round                  3rd round                     2nd round
2019-20             N/a               N/a             11th English Championship         3rd round                  2nd round                        N/a
2020-21             N/a               N/a             22nd English Championship (R)     3rd round                  3rd round                        N/a

Wigan Athletic

Season       Champions League    Europa League         Final League Position            F. A. Cup                  Carling Cup
2014-15             N/a               N/a              6th English Premier League       4th round                  Runners Up
2015-16             N/a          Quarter finals        4th English Premier League       5th round                  Winners
2016-17      Quarter final            N/a              5th English Premier League       4th round                  3rd round
2017-18             N/a          Winners               3rd English Premier League       5th round                  Semi final
2018-19      Quarter final            N/a              7th English Premier League       Semi final                 Quarter final
2019-20             N/a               N/a              7th English Premier League       Winners                    3rd round
2020-21             N/a          2nd knockout round    5th English Premier League       Quarter final              3rd round

Arsenal

Season       Champions League    Europa League         Final League Position            F. A. Cup                  Carling Cup
2016-17      Runners up               N/a              2nd English Premier League       Runners up                 3rd round
2017-18      Winners                  N/a              1st English Premier League       Winners                    3rd round
2018-19      Runners up               N/a              1st English Premier League       Runners up                 Semi final
2019-20      Quarter final            N/a              1st English Premier League       5th round                  3rd round
2020-21      Runners up               N/a              3rd English Premier League       5th round                  Semi final

Valencia

Season       Champions League    Europa League         Final League Position            Copa del Rey
2018-19      Winners                  N/a              3rd Spanish LIGA BBVA            Winners
2019-20      Semi final               N/a              1st Spanish LIGA BBVA            Winners
2020-21      Winners                  N/a              1st Spanish LIGA BBVA            Winners

[DazRTaylor]

Nice in joining Dortmund, but Bayern looks like a job to catch!

Their squad is formidable...

[DazRTaylor]

CONFEDERATIONS CUP PREVIEW

QATAR 2021

Squad

I don't have any injury worries so am at full strength.

Group

Uruguay apart, it should be straightforward.

My Expectations

To win it. It is as simple as that.

[cerud]

Their squad is formidable...

You still came close! Having a full season next year should give you a real opportunity.

[DazRTaylor]

CONFEDERATIONS CUP REVIEW

QATAR 2021

GROUP STAGE

Brazil v Uruguay

By far the hardest group game, Uruguay are the current world champions. We absolutely battered them. We had 26 shots on goal. They had 6. Yet neither side scored. So frustrating! Final Score: Brazil 0-0 Uruguay

Brazil v U. S. A.

The next match was against the dangerous United States. Although a decent side, they were no match for us. We started brightly and dominated from the off, Neymar scoring after 17 minutes. Jean doubled the lead seven minutes later and although we had more chances, we didn't take them for a 2-0 half time lead. The second half continued where the first left off with half time substitute Ganso scoring after 67 minutes. There was no further scoring, despite our best efforts. Final Score: Brazil 3-0 U. S. A.

Brazil v New Zealand

The All Whites had surprisingly held Uruguay 101 in their previous group match so they still had a lot to play for entering this match. They struggled though and were not helped by a great goal by Neymar after 4 minutes. The lead was extended after 35 minutes by the brilliantly named Dude, who scored his second and Brazil's third, just four minutes later for a 3-0 half time lead. New Zealand came out all guns blazing in the second half and Marco Rojas scored a goal for New Zealand after 50 minutes. but it was in vain as further goals by Muralha (55 minutes) and Dortmund's own Rodrigues (85) gave the scoreline a realistic look. Final Score: Brazil 5-1 New Zealand

Final Group Table

Uruguay had an absolute shocker against the United States. Fresh after drawing 1-1 with the Kiwis, they got hammered 5-1 by the Americans!

SEMI FINAL

Brazil v South Africa

Fresh from their 5-0 mauling at the hands of the French, Bafana Bafana started well though their few shots amounted to nothing. Brazil had the ball in the net after `19 minutes as Neymar scored...only for the assistant referee to flag for offside. Centre half Rafael Toloi did score, however, after half an hour to give my side the lead. Twelve minutes later, Rodrigues continued his good tournament by scoring another to make the half time score 2-0 to Brazil. South Africa started even more brightly in the second period and Bhongolwethu Jayiya pulled one back after 58 minutes. With South Africa committing men forward pushing for an equaliser, it was Ganso who wrapped things up after 82 minutes. Final Score: Brazil 3-1 South Africa

FINAL

Brazil v U. S. A.

So we meet the Americans for the second time in the tournament, as the United States had stunned France in the other semi final, 1-0. We started like a train and lay seige on the American goal. Jean scoring with a neat finish after nine minutes, Dede doubling the lead five minutes later and Jean scoring a second after 18 minutes. A few minutes after this, the U. S. A. did have the ball in the net, only for it to be ruled out. Right on half time, Jean scored his third and our fourth for a 4-0 half time lead. The second half was always going to be a let down after that first period and so it proved as a dull second half saw no further goals added. Final Score: Brazil 4-0 U. S. A.

TOURNAMENT RESULTS

France beat South Africa 2-0 in the third place play off.

[DazRTaylor]

SEASON 2021-22 PREVIEW

Media Prediction - 2nd.

My expectation - 2nd. Bayern are extremely strong. I think I need another full season before I can challenge them.

Transfer Budget - £46,000,000.

Wage Budget - £1,879,958 per week.

PLAYERS

Players In

Dino Cakarun - One of the best goalkeepers in the world. Originally my backup at Wigan.
Bojan Djordjevic - This 22 year old Serbian is the right back I have been craving.
Arnaldo Leguizamon - 21 year old Argentine centre half with 5 full caps. A brilliant capture.
Rodrigues - Young Brazilian who was on loan at Dortmund last season. Had an excellent Confederations Cup.
Roy Van der Ent - Dutch international defender signed for his versatility. Previous spells include Arsenal, when I was the manager.
Maxim Streltsov - Belarus international central defender. Should prove a bargain at a mere £5m.
Mustapha Ben Ayad - Another young defender, this 20 year old Moroccan has already played 18 times for his country.
Jaromir Malek - 23 year old Czech who can play in defence and midfield.

Playuers Out

The clearout continued, with 9 players leaving raising £98m in fees.

[DazRTaylor]

You still came close! Having a full season next year should give you a real opportunity.

I hope so mate

[TheGreatTraveler]

Great job winning the confederations cup, surprised to see Uruguay do so badly though

[DazRTaylor]

Another trophy...

[DazRTaylor]

Great job winning the confederations cup, surprised to see Uruguay do so badly though

Thanks mate

I agree, not sure what happened to Uruguay.

[JackJCFC]

Excellent season, congrats on winning the super cup too!

[deltablue]

Already closed the gap to Bayern.

[DazRTaylor]

Excellent season, congrats on winning the super cup too!

Already closed the gap to Bayern.

Thanks both

[DazRTaylor]

LAST MINUTE ADDITIONS

[DazRTaylor]

[DazRTaylor]

In the latest round of World Cup qualifiers, this result made me laugh.

The Faroes are currently ranked 205 in the world...

[cerud]

Fear the Faroe!!

[deltablue]

Some really strong signings.

[Scarman]

Wow, it wasn't even a fluke 1 shot on goal game, Faroe had 10 shots! Italian manager should have been sacked

[cswalk08]

Wow, fantastic save so far! Please keep the MLS in mind when you go after the North American trophies, and I'm loving the run the US made in the Confederations Cup. It's pretty similar to the '09 version.

[DazRTaylor]

Fear the Faroe!!

Wow, it wasn't even a fluke 1 shot on goal game, Faroe had 10 shots! Italian manager should have been sacked

It was a brilliant result

Some really strong signings.

Wow, fantastic save so far! Please keep the MLS in mind when you go after the North American trophies, and I'm loving the run the US made in the Confederations Cup. It's pretty similar to the '09 version.

Thanks guys.

[SRL88]

Faroe .

[DazRTaylor]

MID SEASON REVIEW

What was I worried about?

Champions League

A tough looking group with Paris Saint Germain, Atletico Madrid & Red Bull Salzburg was made to look like a cakewalk, as the final table shows. We have drawn Lyon, first leg away, in the first knockout round.

League

We have been simply magnificent. It should be even better if you consider one of our two draws has been against the bottom side Ingolstadt. The key to our success has been our front four. Mario Gotze plays on the left wing, Roel Lauret on the right wing, Rodrigues as the central attacking midfielder and finally the star of the current season, Petr Navratil up front who has scored an astonishing 31 goals in just 25 games. Bradley Pavey has also excelled when called upon.

DFB-POKAL

A home quarter final against bitter rivals Bayern Munich awaits after comfortable progress in the competition so far. Wins at Chemnitz (6-0, round one), Bayer Levekusen (3-0, round two) & Kaiserslautern (2-0, round three) give a clear indication of how simple it has been to date.

PLAYERS

Players In

Nunes is the only arrival so far. I am not expecting any one else to arrive unless an exceptional becomes available.

Players Out

Some fringe players have left, thus reducing the wage bill still further. I am now circa £500,000 within my budget.

[cerud]

Dominating the league! Dortmund`s year for sure

[markyosullivan]

Nice seeing someone manage Valencia, won the CL with them and the Liga BBVA with them in a FM from a few years ago (think it was either 06/07/08)

[DazRTaylor]

Nice seeing someone manage Valencia, won the CL with them and the Liga BBVA with them in a FM from a few years ago (think it was either 06/07/08)

I think they got taken over by a sugar daddy before I joined them - their reputation according to the world club list is the biggest in the world. They win 1-2 trophies a year too. Four times in a row they have won the Copa del Rey for example.

[DazRTaylor]

Dominating the league! Dortmund`s year for sure

Update incoming and one of the best season's ever...

[DazRTaylor]

END OF SEASON REVIEW

SEASON 2021-22

Quite simply, one of the greatest seasons I have ever had in any form of Football Manager.

Champions League

Lyon were easily dispatched in the first knockout round, 6-1 on aggregate (3-0 away, 3-1 at home) which meant a tie with English power house Chelsea. We absolutely hammered them, in one of our best performances of the season, winning 5-0 at home. Although we lost the return 4-2 (and thus ending our 30 match winning run and 46 game unbeaten run), we won 7-4 on aggregate. The semi final saw the giants of Real Madrid come to Dortmund first up. Although Madrid scored in the first sixty seconds, we replied with three goals to take a crucial 3-1 back to the Santiago Bernabeu. Although we lost the return leg 2-1, we didn't deserve to as we had dominated the match. Not that it mattered though as we still progressed to the final, 4-3 on aggregate. Our opponents in the final were my former club, Arsenal. It is worth noting this was Arsenal's fifth final in six years, such was their dominance in Europe. The game itself was fairly routine as we won comfortably, 3-1. CHAMPIONS!!!

League

We were simply magnificent from the first game until the last. We scored goals for fun, had a tight defence and dominated teams. To drop only six points all season is beyond my wildest dreams.

DFB-Pokal

Bayern Munich were obliterated in the quarter final at home by four goals to nil, thus setting up another home clash in the semi final, this time against Nurnburg against whom we were equally ruthless, winning 3-0. So to the final and a showdown with Stuttgart. We were actually behind, despite being the better side, though we won 4-1 in the end to complete the domestic double.

PLAYERS

Player of the Season

Petr Navratil was one of my first signings in January last year and he wasn't cheap either, at £33m. But what a player! Any striker who scores more goals than games played, is clearly world class and Petr is deservedly my Player of the Season.

Special Mention

I expected Maxim Streltsov to be a squad player this season. I signed the centre half for a mere £4.3m from the Turkish league and the Belarussian played so well, he was undroppable. He also scored an unbelieveable 36 goals from defence! Most of them were headers admittedly, but they all count.

FORMER CLUB WATCH

Perugia

Season       Champions League   Europa League         Final League Position            Coppa Italia               Serie C Cup
2011-12             N/a              N/a              3rd Italian Serie C2/B (P)            N/a                   Group stage
2012-13             N/a              N/a              5th Italian Serie C1/B           1st qualifying round       1st round
2013-14             N/a              N/a             18th Italian Serie C1/B (R)       1st qualifying round       Group stage
2014-15             N/a              N/a              4th Italian Serie C2/A (P)            N/a                   2nd round
2015-16             N/a              N/a             12th Italian Serie C1/B           2nd qualifying round       1st round
2016-17             N/a              N/a              8th Italian Serie C1/B                N/a                   1st round
2017-18             N/a              N/a              6th Italian Serie C1/B           2nd qualifying round       1st round
2018-19             N/a              N/a             14th Italian Serie C1/B           2nd qualifying round       1st round
2019-20             N/a              N/a              4th Italian Serie C1/B                N/a                   3rd round
2020-21             N/a              N/a             10th Italian Serie C1/B           2nd qualifying round       2nd round
2021-22             N/a              N/a              1st Italian Serie C1/B (P)            N/a                   3rd round

Hartlepool United

Season       Champions League    Europa League         Final League Position            F. A. Cup                  Carling Cup           Johnstone's Paint Trophy
2012-13             N/a               N/a              1st English League Two (P)       1st round                  1st round                     2nd round
2013-14             N/a               N/a              1st English League One (P)       Quarter final              1st round                     2nd round
2014-15             N/a               N/a             15th English Championship         3rd round                  2nd round                        N/a
2015-16             N/a               N/a             15th English Championship         3rd round                  1st round                        N/a
2016-17             N/a               N/a              9th English Championship         3rd round                  2nd round                        N/a
2017-18             N/a               N/a             22nd English Championship (R)     5th round                  2nd round                        N/a
2018-19             N/a               N/a              3rd English League One (P)       5th round                  3rd round                     2nd round
2019-20             N/a               N/a             11th English Championship         3rd round                  2nd round                        N/a
2020-21             N/a               N/a             22nd English Championship (R)     3rd round                  3rd round                        N/a
2021-22             N/a               N/a              9th English League One           4th round                  2nd round                     2nd round

Wigan Athletic

Season       Champions League    Europa League         Final League Position            F. A. Cup                  Carling Cup
2014-15             N/a               N/a              6th English Premier League       4th round                  Runners Up
2015-16             N/a          Quarter finals        4th English Premier League       5th round                  Winners
2016-17      Quarter final            N/a              5th English Premier League       4th round                  3rd round
2017-18             N/a          Winners               3rd English Premier League       5th round                  Semi final
2018-19      Quarter final            N/a              7th English Premier League       Semi final                 Quarter final
2019-20             N/a               N/a              7th English Premier League       Winners                    3rd round
2020-21             N/a          2nd knockout round    5th English Premier League       Quarter final              3rd round
2021-22             N/a          Winners               9th English Premier League       3rd round                  4th round

Arsenal

Season       Champions League    Europa League         Final League Position            F. A. Cup                  Carling Cup
2016-17      Runners up               N/a              2nd English Premier League       Runners up                 3rd round
2017-18      Winners                  N/a              1st English Premier League       Winners                    3rd round
2018-19      Runners up               N/a              1st English Premier League       Runners up                 Semi final
2019-20      Quarter final            N/a              1st English Premier League       5th round                  3rd round
2020-21      Runners up               N/a              3rd English Premier League       5th round                  Semi final
2021-22      Runners up               N/a              2nd English Premier League       Quarter final              3rd round

Valencia

Season       Champions League    Europa League         Final League Position            Copa del Rey
2018-19      Winners                  N/a              3rd Spanish LIGA BBVA            Winners
2019-20      Semi final               N/a              1st Spanish LIGA BBVA            Winners
2020-21      Winners                  N/a              1st Spanish LIGA BBVA            Winners
2021-22      Quarter final            N/a              2nd Spanish LIGA BBVA            Winners

[AK22]

What a brilliant season! Is that you done with Dortmund already?

36 goals from a centre-back

[DazRTaylor]

THE FUTURE

As fun as the German league is, if you get a good side together, as I prove above, you dominate and this can get boring. As I have won every trophy in Germany, it is time to...

[DazRTaylor]

What a brilliant season! Is that you done with Dortmund already?

36 goals from a centre-back

Yep, I know if I stayed I would be so bored by constantly winning. I would love my next club to be a fallen giant in the second tier and take them to Champions League glory.

I normally get one defender in double figures as my tactics are deadly from set pieces - my signings all have the attritubes to make it work for example - but 36 goals is ridiculous!

[deltablue]

Nice and quick job.

[DazRTaylor]

WORLD CUP PREVIEW

QATAR 2022

How We Qualified

We dominated. It is as simple as that.

Squad

A decent squad. The goalkeeper is our weak link but our forwards are fabulous.

Group Stage

Although we should qualify comfortably, it is one of the tougher groups.

My Expectations

It has to be to win it. We are the world number one ranked side. We are the South American champions. Anything less than victory will be viewed as a failure.

[DazRTaylor]

Nice and quick job.

Cheers Delta

[Scarman]

Unbelievable stuff at Dortmund

[DazRTaylor]

Unbelievable stuff at Dortmund

Thanks mate

[DazRTaylor]

WORLD CUP REVIEW

QATAR 2022

GROUP STAGE

Brazil v U. S. A.

Not a great deal to shout about as it was a familiar story. We battered them with goals from Dude (8 minutes), Neymar (19) & Jean (44) for a 3-0 lead at half time. The influential Rodrigues, ojne of my best players at Dortmund, was stretchered off after 50 minutes with what was later diagnosed as a torn calf muscle and he ill miss the rest of the tournament. A big blow. Neybar got his scond after 66 minutes & his hat trick after 76 minutes from the penalty spot for a convincing 5-0 win. Final Score: Brazil 5-0 U. S. A.

Brazil v Australia

We got off to a terrific start as Douglas Costa scored an early goal after 9 minutes but were shocked when Marcus Murphy equalised after 39 minutes and despite plenty of chances, we didn't score again in the first half. The second period saw Brazil bombard the Australian goal and it took a lucky Lachlan Pugh own goal after 81 minutes to deal a fortunate victory. Final Score: Brazil 2-1 Australia

Brazil v Turkey

As we had already qualified for the second round, I made wholesale changes to rotate the squad. We started brightly but didn't score until the 29th minute, when Muralha gave us the lead. Two minutes later Dudu equalised for a 1-1 half time score. Despite dominating the second half, we just couldn't score and indeed, a breakaway goal by Arsenal's Serdar Donumcu in the 83rd minute gave the Turks an unlikely win and top spot in the group. Final Score: Brazil 1-2 Turkey

Final Group Table

SECOND ROUND

Brazil v Italy

For finishing second in the group, we got a tough looking draw in the second round against Italy. I also recalled all of the main players. A tight first period saw chances come along infrequently so I was delighted Jean gave us the lead after 29 minutes from the penalty spot. There were no further chances for either side in the first half for a 1-0 lead at half time. The second half got off to a poor start when Jean was shown a second yellow card in the 47th minute to leave me with only ten men. Despite this, we were still the better side and with Italy having no choice but to push players forward, we broke away in injury time to double the lead. Lenildo the goalscorer. Final Score: Brazil 2-0 Italy

QUARTER FINAL

Brazil v Peru

On paper a much easier game than the second round and so it proved in reality, despite being without Jean. Soal from Muralha (18 minutes) & a Hector Casa own goal gave us a 2-0 half time lead. Douglas Costa added a third after 66 minutes. Final Score: Brazil 3-0 Peru

SEMI FINAL

Brazil v Japan

We had to play surprising semi finalists Japan. The first half was dominated by Brazil but Japan proved very risilient and it wasn't until the 44th minute and from the penalty spot that the deadlock was broken. Jean giving Brazil a 1-0 half time lead. The second half continued as the first left off, with Brazil laying seige on the Japan goal. A goal from Dude in the 62nd minute sent Brazil into the final and a revenge match with Turkey. Final Score: Brazil 2-0 Japan

FINAL

Brazil v Turkey

So for the second time in the tournament we met Turkey and this time, I obviously played a full strength side. We got off to a terrific start, Neymar scoring after 13 minutes. We continued to create chances but a breakaway Turkish chance saw Serdar Donumcu equalise after 35 minutes. Thankfully, order was restored through Dude, who scored after 41 minutes for a 2-1 half time lead. The second half continued much the same with Jean scoring Brazil's third to make Brazil the world champions! Final Score: Brazil 3-1 Turkey

TOURNAMENT RESULTS

Group Stage

Group A
Group B
Group C
Group D
Group E
Group F
Group H

Tournament Tree

[DazRTaylor]

After four years in the role and winning three international tournaments, I feel the time is right to take a break from international management. So, as a result...

[DodgeeD]

What a fantastic season - doing The Treble with Dortmund and then winning the World Cup!

Good luck with your new challenge, whatever it may be

[JackJCFC]

Great work at the WC, good to see you get to the final and have some revenge on Turkey for the group stage defeat!

[DazRTaylor]

What a fantastic season - doing The Treble with Dortmund and then winning the World Cup!

Good luck with your new challenge, whatever it may be

Great work at the WC, good to see you get to the final and have some revenge on Turkey for the group stage defeat!

Thanks guys

[DazRTaylor]

I appear to be in demand!

I declined both as, like I said above, I want a break from international football.

[TheGreatTraveler]

Doing very well!!

[cerud]

Wow, one hell of a year both in domestic and international football! Any prospects on the club front for a new job?