No Camels, No Bloody Vodka, just a God Damn Career in Football Management

[mark wilson27]

Season 2021/22 Review: Part Two

Italian Leagues:

Serie A:

1st AC Milan, 2nd Juventus, 3rd Torino

Relegated: Cesena, Udinese, Sampdoria

Serie B:

Promoted; Verona, Siena Playoff : Catania

Relegated: Gallipoli, Brescia, Juve Stabia Playout: Grosseto

Italian Cup: Roma 2-2 Juventus (3-1 pen Roma)

Italian Super Cup: Juventus 6-0 Torino

Spanish Leagues:

First Division:

1st Real Madrid 2nd Sevilla, 3rd Valencia

Relegated: Xerez, Sporting, Tenerife

LIGA BBVA:

Promoted: Cadiz, Racing, Cordoba

Relegated: Jaen, Ejido, Bara Kaldo, Villajoyosa

Spanish Cup: Valencia 3-1 Villarreal

Spanish Super Cup: Barcelona 5-3 Real Madrid (* aggregate score)

Federations Cup: Albacete 5-2 Melilla (* aggregate score)

European Results:

Champions League: Real Madrid 0-0 AC Milan (2-1 pen Real Madrid)

UEFA Cup: Aston Villa 4-0 Newcastle

European Super Cup: Sevilla 2-1 AC Milan (aet)

[mark wilson27]

June 4th: Its now time for me to choose the England Squad for the forthcoming World Cup in Argentina

| Pkd     | Inf     | Name              | Position       | Club          | Height  | Weight  | Age     | Value   | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -       | Trv     | Ben Amos          | GK             | Swansea       | 184 cm  | 77 kg   | 32      | £65K    | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -       | Trv     | Matt Henry        | GK             | Arsenal       | 187 cm  | 84 kg   | 31      | £12.25M | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -       | Trv     | Ben Tierney       | GK             | MK Dons       | 186 cm  | 82 kg   | 25      | £110K   | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -       | Trv     | Jonathan McIntosh | D RC           | Man Utd       | 179 cm  | 75 kg   | 26      | £12.5M  | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -       | Trv     | Nedum Onuoha      | D RC           | Tottenham     | 183 cm  | 92 kg   | 35      | £1.3M   | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -       | Trv     | Neil Joyce        | D R, WB L      | Chelsea       | 174 cm  | 74 kg   | 20      | £220K   | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -       | Trv     | Tony Thompson     | D RC, DM, M RC | Bolton        | 174 cm  | 72 kg   | 27      | £9.5M   | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -       | Trv     | Kieran Lee        | D RL, M RLC    | Hertha BSC    | 177 cm  | 81 kg   | 33      | £1.5M   | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -       | Trv     | Scott Rogers      | D C            | Liverpool     | 192 cm  | 90 kg   | 28      | £12.25M | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -       | Trv     | Peter Walker      | D C            | Man Utd       | 191 cm  | 87 kg   | 27      | £18.75M | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -       | Trv     | Stewart Walsh     | D C            | R. Madrid     | 186 cm  | 83 kg   | 21      | £3.7M   | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -       | Trv     | Kevan Askey       | DM             | Arsenal       | 174 cm  | 72 kg   | 22      | £19M    | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -       | Trv     | Robert Paul       | M LC           | Everton       | 182 cm  | 78 kg   | 22      | £6.25M  | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -       | Trv     | Lee Cattermole    | M C            | Middlesbrough | 178 cm  | 76 kg   | 34      | £900K   | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -       | Trv     | Jake Griffin      | AM RC          | Man City      | 164 cm  | 62 kg   | 28      | £12.5M  | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -       | Trv     | Craig Dunbar      | AM RC, F C     | At. Madrid    | 181 cm  | 76 kg   | 27      | £15.5M  | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -       | Trv     | Josh Holt         | AM RC, F C     | Huddersfield  | 184 cm  | 82 kg   | 25      | £65K    | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -       | Trv     | Theo Walcott      | AM R, F C      | Arsenal       | 176 cm  | 70 kg   | 33      | £7.25M  | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -       | Trv     | Andy Cole         | AM LC          | Everton       | 183 cm  | 83 kg   | 22      | £7M     | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -       | Trv     | Paris Cowan-Hall  | AM L, ST       | Bolton        | 178 cm  | 69 kg   | 31      | £1.2M   | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -       | Trv     | Phillip Gibbs     | ST             | Arsenal       | 181 cm  | 80 kg   | 27      | £17M    | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -       | Trv     | Josh Wall         | ST             | R. Madrid     | 187 cm  | 84 kg   | 26      | £23M    | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -       | Trv     | Robert Wilson     | ST             | Man Utd       | 194 cm  | 90 kg   | 21      | £3.5M   | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

[mark wilson27]

June 10th: England v Egypt: World Cup 2022 Group Stage A (1/3)

We started our World Cup campaign well and on the 4th minute we took the lead as J.Wall ran into the area unmarked and fired past the Egyptian keeper. Ten minutes later we had another chance with a well struck effort from 20 yards but the keeper was on hand to block T.Walcott's effort. On the 22nd minute we doubled our lead as J.Wall ran onto a K.Askey through ball and fired past the keeper. Nine minutes later we made if 3-0 as P.Cowan-Hall ran in from the wing and unleashed a powerful effort into the top corner. On the stroke of half time we had our next chance with a long range effort from T.Walcott but the keeper again saved his effort.

Half Time Score 3-0

Ten minutes into the half though our game changed as K.Askey received his second yellow card and was sent off. After the sending off I made a change as R.Wilson came on for P.Gibbs. On the 63rd minute Egypt made the numbers pay and S.Abdel Aziz hit a rasping low effort past M.Henry. Twelve minutes later we had yet another chance with P.Cowan-Hall jinking towards goal and crossing the ball for R.Wilson to head wide of the post. On the 85th minute Egypt were reduced to ten men after A.Abdel Rahim was sent off for a two footed lunge on K.Lee

England 3 J.Wall 4, 22, P.Cowan-Hall 31

Egypt 1 S.Abdel Aziz 63

M.Henry, N.Joyce, K.Lee, S.Walsh, S.Rogers, T.Walcott, P.Cowan-Hall, K.Askey, J.Holt, J.Wall, P.Gibbs (55-R.Wilson)

Booked: S.Walsh, K.Askey

Sent Off: K.Askey

Other Results: Austria 1-2 Paraguay

June 11th: Cameroon 0-2 France, Holland 2-0 South Korea, Denmark 3-0 Peru

June 12th: Scotland 2-3 Ghana, USA 1-1 Chile, Australia 0-1 Switzerland

June 13th: UAE 2-1 Greece, Italy 1-0 Nigeria, Russia 2-1 Mexico

June 14th: Saudi Arabia 0-3 Argentina, Germany 0-0 Japan, Costa Rica 1-2 Brazil

June 15th: Egypt 0-2 Austria, Senegal 1-4 Uruguay, Romania 1-2 Israel

[leonavich]

What a final! Close in the League and close in the CL but you prevailed in a tight shootout!

[mark wilson27]

Was very tight, but luckily the lads did me proud. Just got to hope the England lads do the same

June 16th: England v Paraguay: World Cup 2022 Group Stage A (2/3)

We struggled to get going against Paraguay and it took till the 23rd minute for our first real attacking move as J.Wall ran into the area unmarked but before he had the chance to shoot the Paraguayan keeper sprinted out and smothered the ball. Seven minutes later Paraguay came close with a low effort which beat M.Henry but not the upright. Just before the break Paraguay beat the offside trap and fired towards goal but my keeper was on hand to block the effort.

Half Time Score 0-0

The second half wasn’t much better and on the 53rd minute Paraguay had the ball in the back of the net with a rasping effort but the goal was ruled out for a foul in the build up. Seven minutes later I made a double change as R.Paul and R.Wilson came on for L.Cattermole and P.Gibbs. On the 71st minute Paraguay had yet another chance as they again beat my defence but M.Henry again saved well to deny them. It was all Paraguay but deep into injury we grabbed the winning goal as R.Wilson jinked into the area and fired under the onrushing keeper

England 1 R.Wilson 90+4

Paraguay 0

M.Henry, N.Joyce, K.Lee, S.Walsh, S.Rogers, T.Walcott, P.Cowan-Hall, L.Cattermole (60-R.Paul), J.Holt, J.Wall, P.Gibbs (60-R.Wilson)

Booked: L.Cattermole

After the game the physio informed me that J.Holt will be out for around a month after pulling his hamstring late in the game

Other Results: South Korea 0-1 Cameroon, France 2-0 Holland

June 17th: Ghana 2-3 Denmark, Peru 1-0 Scotland, USA 2-0 Australia

June 18th: Chile 3-1 Switzerland, Greece 2-1 Nigeria, UAE 0-3 Italy

June 19th: Argentina 3-1 Mexico, Saudi Arabia 2-1 Russia, Brazil 2-0 Germany

June 20th: Japan 4-1 Costa Rica, Senegal 0-2 Romania, Uruguay 1-2 Israel

[mark wilson27]

June 21st: England v Austria: World Cup 2022 Group Stage A (3/3)

We got off to a terrible start as within two minutes Austria had taken the lead as as J.Holz ran into the area unmarked and headed in a great cross to beat M.Henry. On the 14th minute we had our first chance with a rasping effort from 20 yards which went just wide of the post. Six minutes later we levelled the score line as J.Wall fired in from close range after the Austrian keeper flapped at a simple cross. Just before the half hour Austria had the chance to retake the lead with a thunderous effort which was acrobatically tipped over the crossbar by M.Henry.

Half Time Score 1-1

I made a double change at half time with P.Walker and C.Dunbar coming on for S.Rogers and P.Gibbs. Ten minutes into the half we took the lead as T.Walcott embarrassed the Austrian defence with a zig zaggy run into the area and fired under the onrushing keeper. The goal seemed to lift my players and we started to dominate the game with ease and on the 68th minute we had another chance with C.Dunbar clipping the top of the crossbar from outside the area. Twelve minutes later we came close again as P.Cowan-Hall crossed the ball into the area but K.Askey failed to connect with the header. With five minutes remaining in the game J.Wall grabbed his second goal of the game with a low effort into the bottom corner of the net to see us qualify for the second round

England 3 J.Wall 20,85, T.Walcott 55

Austria 1 J.Holz 2

M.Henry, N.Joyce, K.Lee, S.Walsh, S.Rogers (45-P.Walker), T.Walcott, P.Cowan-Hall, L.Cattermole, K.Askey, J.Wall, P.Gibbs (45-C.Dunbar)

Booked: T.Walcott, K.Askey

Other Results: Paraguay 2-3 Egypt, Cameroon 1-2 Holland, France 1-1 South Korea

June 22nd: Denmark 0-3 Scotland, Peru 0-1 Ghana, Australia 0-1 Chile, Switzerland 3-0 USA

June 23rd: Italy 2-1 Greece, Nigeria 0-1 UAE, Mexico 0-1 Saudi Arabia, Russia 0-0 Argentina

June 24th: Brazil 2-0 Japan, Costa Rica 0-3 Germany, Israel 1-0 Senegal, Romania 0-0 Uruguay

[mark wilson27]

World Cup 2022: Final Tables

Group A:

| Pos   | Inf   | Team     |       | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | G.D.  | Pts   | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
[b]| 1st   | Q     | England  |       | 3     | 3     | 0     | 0     | 7     | 2     | +5    | 9     | [/b]
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 2nd   | Q     | Austria  |       | 3     | 1     | 0     | 2     | 4     | 5     | -1    | 3     | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 3rd   |       | Paraguay |       | 3     | 1     | 0     | 2     | 4     | 5     | -1    | 3     | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 4th   |       | Egypt    |       | 3     | 1     | 0     | 2     | 4     | 7     | -3    | 3     | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

Group B:

| Pos   | Inf   | Team        |       | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | G.D.  | Pts   | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 1st   | Q     | France      |       | 3     | 2     | 1     | 0     | 5     | 1     | +4    | 7     | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 2nd   | Q     | Holland     |       | 3     | 2     | 0     | 1     | 4     | 3     | +1    | 6     | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 3rd   |       | Cameroon    |       | 3     | 1     | 0     | 2     | 2     | 4     | -2    | 3     | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 4th   |       | South Korea |       | 3     | 0     | 1     | 2     | 1     | 4     | -3    | 1     | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 

Group C:

| Pos   | Inf   | Team     |       | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | G.D.  | Pts   | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 1st   | Q     | Denmark  |       | 3     | 2     | 0     | 1     | 6     | 5     | +1    | 6     | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 2nd   | Q     | Ghana    |       | 3     | 2     | 0     | 1     | 6     | 5     | +1    | 6     | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
[b]| 3rd   |       | Scotland |       | 3     | 1     | 0     | 2     | 5     | 4     | +1    | 3     |[/b] 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 4th   |       | Peru     |       | 3     | 1     | 0     | 2     | 1     | 4     | -3    | 3     | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 

Group D:

| Pos   | Inf   | Team        |       | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | G.D.  | Pts   | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 1st   | Q     | Chile       |       | 3     | 2     | 1     | 0     | 5     | 2     | +3    | 7     | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 2nd   | Q     | Switzerland |       | 3     | 2     | 0     | 1     | 5     | 3     | +2    | 6     | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 3rd   |       | U.S.A.      |       | 3     | 1     | 1     | 1     | 3     | 4     | -1    | 4     | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 4th   |       | Australia   |       | 3     | 0     | 0     | 3     | 0     | 4     | -4    | 0     | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

Group E:

| Pos   | Inf   | Team    |       | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | G.D.  | Pts   | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 1st   | Q     | Italy   |       | 3     | 3     | 0     | 0     | 6     | 1     | +5    | 9     | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 2nd   | Q     | U.A.E.  |       | 3     | 2     | 0     | 1     | 3     | 4     | -1    | 6     | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 3rd   |       | Greece  |       | 3     | 1     | 0     | 2     | 4     | 5     | -1    | 3     | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 4th   |       | Nigeria |       | 3     | 0     | 0     | 3     | 1     | 4     | -3    | 0     | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

Group F:

| Pos   | Inf   | Team         |       | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | G.D.  | Pts   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 1st   | Q     | Argentina    |       | 3     | 2     | 1     | 0     | 6     | 1     | +5    | 7     | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 2nd   | Q     | Saudi Arabia |       | 3     | 2     | 0     | 1     | 3     | 4     | -1    | 6     | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 3rd   |       | Russia       |       | 3     | 1     | 1     | 1     | 3     | 3     | 0     | 4     | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 4th   |       | Mexico       |       | 3     | 0     | 0     | 3     | 2     | 6     | -4    | 0     | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

Group G:

| Pos   | Inf   | Team       |       | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | G.D.  | Pts   | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 1st   | Q     | Brazil     |       | 3     | 3     | 0     | 0     | 6     | 1     | +5    | 9     | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 2nd   | Q     | Japan      |       | 3     | 1     | 1     | 1     | 4     | 3     | +1    | 4     | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 3rd   |       | Germany    |       | 3     | 1     | 1     | 1     | 3     | 2     | +1    | 4     | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 4th   |       | Costa Rica |       | 3     | 0     | 0     | 3     | 2     | 9     | -7    | 0     | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

Group H:

| Pos   | Inf   | Team    |       | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | G.D.  | Pts   | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 1st   | Q     | Israel  |       | 3     | 3     | 0     | 0     | 5     | 2     | +3    | 9     | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 2nd   | Q     | Uruguay |       | 3     | 1     | 1     | 1     | 5     | 3     | +2    | 4     | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 3rd   |       | Romania |       | 3     | 1     | 1     | 1     | 3     | 2     | +1    | 4     | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 4th   |       | Senegal |       | 3     | 0     | 0     | 3     | 1     | 7     | -6    | 0     | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

World Cup 2022 2nd Round Draw:

Holland v England

Austria v France

Denmark v Switzerland

Chile v Ghana

Italy v Saudi Arabia

U.A.E v Argentina

Uruguay v Brazil

Israel v Japan

[mark wilson27]

June 25th: England v Holland: World Cup 2022 2nd Round

Our toughest game of the World Cup and we started well with J.Wall giving us the lead seven minutes into the game. On the 21st minute we had another chance with a low effort from outside the effort from the boot of K.Askey but his effort went just wide of the post. Eight minutes later Holland had the chance to level the tie with a thunderous effort from just inside the area but S.Rogers blocked the effort well. On the stroke of half time Holland had the chance to equalise as they broke through my defence but N.Joyce timed his challenge well and cleared the ball.

Half Time Score 1-0

Nine minutes into the half I made a change with A.Cole coming on for L.Cattermole. On the 66th minute we gave the Dutch a mountain to climb as J.Wall added another goal to his World Cup tally with a great run and shot into the area which gave the keeper no chance of shooting. Twelve minutes later Holland had the chance to pull a goal back with a great team move which split my team apart but luckily for us the Dutch finishing was as poor as our defending and the effort went out for a throw in. With time running out we had the chance to add another goal as J.Wall somehow managed to miss an open net after the Dutch keeper flapped at a T.Walcott effort

England 2 J.Wall 7, 66

Holland 0

M.Henry, N.Joyce, K.Lee, S.Walsh, S.Rogers, T.Walcott, P.Cowan-Hall, L.Cattermole (54-A.Cole), K.Askey, J.Wall, R.Wilson

Booked: L.Cattermole, K.Askey, T.Walcott

Other Result: Austria 1-2 France

June 26th: Chile 0-2 Ghana, Denmark 4-2 Switzerland

June 27th: U.A.E 0-2 Argentina, Italy 1-0 Saudi Arabia

June 28th: Israel 2-0 Japan, Uruguay 0-1 Brazil

World Cup 2022 ¼ Final Draw:

England v Ghana

France v Denmark

Italy v Israel

Argentina v Brazil

June 30th: News from Real Madrid sees Miguel Torres retiring from professional football

July 1st: More news from Real Madrid sees Franco Baresi leaving as my assistant manager, Giorgio Chiellini and David have both been released from there respective contracts

[mark wilson27]

England v Ghana: World Cup 2022 ¼ Final

We got off to a good start as on the 18th minute T.Walcott showed great skill to beat the defence and rounded the keeper to slot home into the empty net. Soon after we had another chance with a thunderous effort from J.Wall but his effort went just over the crossbar. On the 33rd minute we had yet another chance as T.Walcott sprinted onto a K.Askey through ball and fired under the keeper but the ball bobbled wide of the post. With three minutes remaining in the half S.Walsh came close with a brave header from a K.Askey cross.

Half Time Score 1-0

We carried on controlling the game and on the 59th minute we doubled our lead as T.Walcott again ran into the area unmarked and volleyed home a J.Griffin cross. Straight after the goal I made a change as L.Cattermole came on for K.Askey.. On the 75th minute we had the chance to kill the game off as T.Walcott was brought down in the area for a penalty, A.Cole grabbed the ball from T.Walcott and fired the penalty towards goal but the Ghana keeper saved well to deny him much to the frustration of T.Walcott. Four minutes later Ghana pulled a goal back as Y.McCarthy made our defence look silly and fired under M.Henry who was very slow to react. On the 83rd minute Ghana levelled the tie as M.Boakye headed in after my defence again failed to deal with a simple ball.

End of Ninety Minutes 2-2

Before extra time I went mad at my players for the way they let Ghana back into the game. I made one change with C.Dunbar coming on for A.Cole. Within 17 seconds of the restart we took the lead again as T.Walcott completed his hat trick. On the 105th minute I made my final change as R.Paul came on for P.Cowan-Hall who was looking very tired. Six minutes later we regained our two goal advantage as J.Griffin curled in a great free-kick from 35 yards after T.Walcott was brought down on the way to goal. With eight minutes remaining in the game we had the final chance of the game as T.Walcott jinked into the area and fired the ball towards goal but his effort was brilliantly saved by the Ghana keeper.

England 4 T.Walcott 18, 59, 91, J.Griffin 101

Ghana 2 Y.McCarthy 79, M.Boakye 83

M.Henry, N.Joyce, K.Lee, S.Walsh, S.Rogers, J.Griffin, P.Cowan-Hall (105-R.Paul), K.Askey (60-L.Cattermole), A.Cole (90-C.Dunbar), J.Wall, T.Walcott

Booked: S.Walsh, K.Askey (Misses Semi Final)

Other Result: France 4-1 Denmark

July 2nd: Argentina 1-2 Brazil, Italy 1-0 Israel

World Cup 2022 Semi Final Draw:

England v Brazil

France v Italy

[mark wilson27]

July 5th: England v Brazil: World Cup 2022 Semi Final

Brazil started the better and on the 16th minute they had the first chance as they broke through the defence with ease and fired towards gaol but M.Henry saved well. Six minutes later they had another chance with a low effort which again saw M.Henry saving well. On the 32nd minute we had our first chance of the game with J.Wall playing a great one two with T.Walcott but his final effort went well wide of the post. Just before the break we had our next chance as P.Cowan-Hall curled the ball towards goal but the ball didn’t curl enough and went wide of the post.

Half Time Score 0-0

I made one change at half time with T.Thompson coming on for L.Cattermole. Four minutes into the half we went a goal down as Jose barged into the are and fired under M.Henry. On the hour we had the chance to score with P.Cowan-Hall firing off the crossbar and the keeper smothered the loose ball. Straight after the effort I made a change as C.Dunbar came on for A.Cole. With eleven minutes remaining in the game we had the chance to level the tie but J.Wall's long range effort went straight into the keepers arms.

England 0

Brazil 1 Jose 49

M.Henry, N.Joyce, K.Lee, S.Walsh, S.Rogers, J.Griffin, P.Cowan-Hall, L.Cattermole (45-T.Thompson), A.Cole (60-C.Dunbar), J.Wall, T.Walcott

July 6th: France 0-1 Italy

[mark wilson27]

July 9th: England v France: World Cup 2022 3rd Place Play-off

We started the better and on the 15th minute we came close to taking the lead as P.Gibbs crossed into the area but R.Wilson headed wide of the post. Seven minutes later we had another chance with a low effort from just outside the area but the French keeper saved well. Just after the half hour we took the lead as A.Cole hit a thunderous effort past the keeper from just outside the area.

Half Time Score 1-0

I made a couple of changes at half time with K.Lee and J.Wall coming on for A.Cole and R.Wilson. Five minutes into the half France levelled the score with X.Ribeiro heading past B.Amos after some poor defending. Just after the hour France grabbed the lead as X.Ribeiro jinked into the area and fired under the onrushing keeper. On the 78th minute France had the chance to kill the game off as they beat the offside trap but B.Amos reacted well to block the effort. With sis minutes remaining in the game we levelled the tie with J.Griffin curled the ball in from the corner of the area to give the French keeper no chance of saving.

End of Ninety Minutes 2-2

I made my final change as T.Walcott came on for P.Gibbs. Nine minutes into extra time France retook the lead as B.Girard headed in past B.Amos who was slow to react to the ball. On the 105th minute France killed the tie off as J.Luc-Diaz fired in under B.Amos after my defence failed to deal with a simple ball. However with nine minutes remaining in the game we pulled a goal back as J.Griffin tapped in from close range after running into the area unmarked.

England 3 A.Cole 32, J.Griffin 84, 111

France 4 X.Ribeiro 50,62, B.Girard 99, J.Luc-Diaz 105

B.Amos, J.McIntosh, N.Onouha, P.Walker, T.Thompson, C.Dunbar, R.Paul, A.Cole (45-K.Lee), J.Griffin, P.Gibbs (90-T.Walcott), R.Wilson (45-J.Wall)

Booked: N.Onouha, A.Cole, J.Wall

July 10th: World Cup 2022 Final:

Brazil 2 Alessandro Pato 1, 10

Italy 0

July 11th: After getting back to FA headquarters they let me know that they were very happy with the teams performance and that they wanted me to continue as manager, however I have decided to resign my position with the English national team with immediate effect

July 16th: I arrived back at the Real Madrid training ground and asked for a meeting with the Chairman. During the meeting I let the Chairman know that with immediate effect I am retiring from club management.

[mark wilson27]

End of Career Stats:

Played: 765

Won: 457

Drawn: 164

Lost: 144

For: 1488

Against: 754

Goal Difference: +734

Career Earnings: £20,500,000

Record Transfer In: Cristiano Ronaldo £53,000,000

Record Transfer Out: Francesc Fabregas £40,000,000

Players Brought: 54

Players Sold: 90

Players Released: 54

Total Value of Purchases: £565,000,000

Total Value of Sales: £334,000,000

Clubs:

Nottingham Forest: 15/10/07 – 9/6/08

Johnstones Paint Trophy Winner 2007/08

3rd Coca Cola League One – Playoff Runner Up

Blackburn Rovers: 10/6/08 – 1/9/08

Watford: 24/1/09 – 24/11/09

19th Premier League – Relegated

Newcastle United: 15/12/09 – 6/3/10

Everton: 2/4/10 – 4/12/11

18th Premier League – Relegated 2009/10

Coca Cola Championship – Winner 2010/11

League Cup Winners 2010/11

Olympique de Marseille: 2/7/13 – 17/7/14

Coupe de la Ligue Winners 2013/14

French Cup Winners 2013/14

Arsenal: 17/7/14 – 18/1/16

Premier League Champions 2014/15

Community Shield Winners 2015/16

AC Milan: 18/1/16 – 7/11/17

Serie A Champions 2015/16, 2016/17

Italian Cup Winners 2015/16

Italian Super Cup 2016/17

Champions League Winners 2015/16

European Super Cup Winners 2016/17

Club World Championship Winners 2016/17

Celta: 10/12/17 – 2/3/18

Chelsea: 5/3/18 – 27/2/19

Real Madrid: 27/2/19 – 16/7/22

Spanish First Division Champions 2020/21, 2021/22

Spanish First Division Runners Up 2018/19, 2019/20

Spanish Cup Winners 2020/21

Spanish Super Cup Runners Up 2021/22

Champions League Winners 2021/22

Europa League Winners 2018/19

European Super Cup Runners Up 2019/20

International Clubs:

Uruguay 15/8/10 – 30/7/11

Poland 8/7/12 – 7/2/13

England 10/7/16 – 11/7/22

World Cup Winners 2018

World Cup 4th place 2022

European Football Championship 2020 ¼ Final

[leonavich]

What a shame to see this come to an end, but looking over the career to date, it looks like it was a rollercoaster ride of highs mixed with lows. It seems a long time ago since the days of Watford when you first got relegated up until the recent Champions League and La Liga successes. Overall though, you did a fantastic job at almost all clubs and nations you managed.

Well done on a fantastic career and thread. Will be sure to follow any future projects you under take.

[mark wilson27]

Cheers leon, it's the first real career save I've done and I've really enjoyed it. Thankyou for your support throughout my career