[FM 17] If You’re Not First, You’re Last Redux – Redemption For The “Nearly Men” Of Europe

[BoxToBox]

17 minutes ago, ManUtd1 said:

Do you ever wonder if the person in the puddle is real, and you're just a reflection of him?

Sometimes I feel like I am the one in the puddle.

[ManUtd1]

40 minutes ago, BoxToBox said:

Sometimes I feel like I am the one in the puddle.

That's a spin on the line I hadn't anticipated!

[ManUtd1]

A quick glance at Europe...

 

West Ham are on track for the title, after 2 years without, while the usual players (at least recently) dominate elsewhere.  Although it isn't visible in this screenshot, Panathinaikos have claimed the Greek title, one point clear of OFI.

[ManUtd1]

2076 Champions League Final, Old Trafford

Old Trafford.  The Theatre of Dreams.

10 months ago, sitting in the locker room in Strasbourg after the hiding we’d received from Dijon in the curtain-raiser, I’d have kicked you if you suggested we’d be here.  Then, and at various times in the first part of the season, we felt off.  Since the holidays everything has truly come together.

It is often said that my father’s sides played better in the second half of the season and it seems I’m gaining a similar reputation.  I’ll wear that like a badge of honor, obviously.

But we’re up against a side that wants revenge for the hiding we gave them in Brittany.  I anticipate that we’ll see the same narrow 4231…which means we’ll have to hit them on the flanks, but not overcommit our fullbacks.  A truly intriguing match-up.

Let’s do this.

 

 

[ManUtd1]

Here we are, Gary, in that ****hole you used to call home.  Seriously, when are they going to tear this relic down, and build something useful, like an off-license?!  No, no.  There’s no call for that, that’s just plain vulgar.  Put it away, Gar—I said, put it away.  Billy?  Can you give us a little help in here?  Thank you.

Rennes in white, Oostende in red.  Both sides looking for their first Champions League victor—WHAT IS THAT SMELL?!  GARY?!?  BILLY, GET IN HERE!  GARY HAS GONE AND **** HIMSELF AGAIN.

[ManUtd1]

The first 30 minutes are predictably bland, with the Belgian side content to sit deep and deny Rennes space to exploit.  Even when in possession, Oostende look uninterested in attacking with any intent, biding their time.  One way or another, someone has to find a way through.

[ManUtd1]

Halftime here in Manchester, and the football is dire.  Almost as painful as your final match for United, eh, Gary?!  The keys to the second half…aww, **** it.  This is dreadful.  Pass me the sunscreen bottle, Gary.  I need some of Grandpa’s Cough Medicine to get me through this.

[ManUtd1]

No, no Gary.  I disagreeee…that Madcheshingster bull**** was jusshtt trying to be like the seoncund coming of great…the great…Liverpool…scheene.  Wait…SOMEONE HAS SCORED…WHO…UHH…WHITE…VIKANDER’S RENNES HAVE SCORED!  WHO…UHH…I think that French kid  passst the round baaal to the Norwayeegennish kid.  Or something…  BILLY!!! BRING US SOME SUGAR!!!

[ManUtd1]

SAY "UNCLE," GARY!!! SAY IT!!!  I PINNED YOU FAIR AND SQAARRREEE…UHH…THE TEAM WITH THE WEIRD NAME…OOSTERINGSUNDBORG, HAS TIED IT UP!!!  ALL TO PLAY FOURR…WHICH MEANS ITS TIME FOR MORE SUNCREEN, YEAH, BILLY?!  BILLY??? BILLY?!?  THE SUGAR!!!

[ManUtd1]

I AM A GOLDEN GOD!!!  I AM YOUR TELLEUS!!!  YOUR HAKAN TELLEUS!!! I MAKE YOU HAPPY, WHEN SKIES ARE GREY!!!!

BOBBY MANK-- OH, YESSSSSSS....ANOTHER GOAL FOR THE WHITE…I…I…YEAH, THEM...THAT...TEAM…?!?

WWite like the pure driiiven powwddurr.  Those are the guys are that doing the winning, Gary.  You’re a good frendd, Gar.  The bestingest.  Is that…oh, yeah…I luvv this suong…  BILLY!!!!  TURN UP THE BAY CITY ROLLERS!!!

[ManUtd1]

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS, MY FRIEND…WE’LL KEEP ON FIGHTING, INTO THE BEND…WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS, WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS…NO TIME FOR HOOVERS, CAUSE THEY ARE THE LOOOOSERS... MORE SUGAR, BILLY!!!  I WANT TO DANCE!!!

  

 

[ManUtd1]

 

 

 

 

[ManUtd1]

If good things lasted forever, would you appreciate how precious they are?

Stade Rennais / Turkey

2075/76 Season Review

Surreal.  The celebrations have just begun here in Manchester, but already the Chairman has sought me out.  He knows what this means.  It is time to move on, with a firm handshake and a kind word.

Truth be told, my mind is already scheming as I prepare for an early-morning flight to Istanbul.  The Euros kick off in just over two-weeks’ time, and we’ve got a mountain to climb.  Friendlies with Denmark and Australia await, as final preparation for a tough Group.

Somewhere in the back of my mind, I realize that I’m going to have to give some sort of explanation to both the Girl Who Smells Like Peanut Butter and the Girl Who Looks Like Rick Moranis.  Not sure what I’m going to say, though.

Before my thoughts reach even begin to resemble a coherent approach, I notice Bozidar drinking from what appears to be a sunscreen bottle with Jamie Carragher and a seemingly strung-out kitman…not ours, thankfully.  This won’t end well.

The first notes from Justin Bieber’s classic reggaeton-flamenco album kick in, and the lads are swept away.  With a fond smile, I turn back to my notes.

The Euros are coming.

Goals for 2076/77: Not make fools of ourselves at Wales/Scotland 2076.  Wait for the right club job to open up.

Squad|League Overview|Finances Overview|Income Detail|Expenditures Detail|Transfers

Ligue Un Fixtures 1|Ligue Un Fixtures 2|CdF Fixtures|CdL Fixtures|Champions League Fixtures

Champions League Review

This is rather thoroughly documented above.  While it is nice to cross Rennes off the list, there's no doubt that this messes up my plans for Turkey.

Regardless, it is what it is.  And, an interesting new side is added to the mix -- I never in a million years would have thought Oostende would become eligible for this save, and am glad they did.  They're certainly on my list of priority desitinations.

 

Challenge Overview

[ManUtd1]

 

While I'm out the door...the pundits seem think I'm likely to change my mind?  Apparently they've been off having "sugar" with Bozidar and that Billy lad.

Then again...those odds are rather appealing...hrmm...  No.  That's not a good idea.

Edited December 13, 2017 by ManUtd1

[Murrayzoster]

Amazing, i am loving this. Just curious, can you post the game details screen? Interested to see the amount of time the save has been played 

[ManUtd1]

9 minutes ago, Murrayzoster said:

Amazing, i am loving this. Just curious, can you post the game details screen? Interested to see the amount of time the save has been played 

Keep in mind, I've got it running in the background a LOT:

[BoxToBox]

Amazing as ever.

[ManUtd1]

6 minutes ago, BoxToBox said:

Amazing as ever.

Thanks, man!

[kidthekid]

Ha ha, favorite to get the job is the manager who decided to resign.

 

Great progress as always. What's the story behind Oostende, a tycoon?

[Murrayzoster]

2 hours ago, ManUtd1 said:

Keep in mind, I've got it running in the background a LOT:

Jesus christ haha, i take it your steam hours must be mental.

[Rikulec]

Fantastic work once again.

[andychar]

Fantastic win. My nose never lies! 

Where to now? This is where you need to blatantly rip PH71 and get us gambling!

[Fer Fuchs Ake]

Congratulations 

Oostende will be a great team to try and win it with. Gustav will be happy to be out of your shadow. 

[HawkAussie]

I think it is time for a Europa League update don't you. Also well done on 100 pages and how big is the file size of this save.

Edited December 13, 2017 by HawkAussie

[oriole01]

My favorite madman, at it again . Congratulations on a great comeback in the second half of the season and of course the ultimate prize!

Not sure if this save will ever end though, these Belgian teams keep popping up out of nowhere...

[ManUtd1]

11 hours ago, kidthekid said:

Ha ha, favorite to get the job is the manager who decided to resign.

 

Great progress as always. What's the story behind Oostende, a tycoon?

It is a delicious little nugget, isn't it?

Oostende has had a tycoon since 2058, without any scaling back of funding.  So, they really rose up right around the same time that the Belgian leagues were flying high, thanks to Telleus' Club Brugge and tycoons at the likes of Genk and Anderlecht. 

 

Zulte is in the mix as well, with a tycoon takeover in 2030 (more than a decade before Telleus arrived in Bruges; funding scaled back in 2034 and 2037), with another in 2065 (scaled back in 2072).

11 hours ago, Murrayzoster said:

Jesus christ haha, i take it your steam hours must be mental.

Steam counts it differently, so the number is much less insane:

 

9 hours ago, Rikulec said:

Fantastic work once again.

Thanks, man!

9 hours ago, andychar said:

Fantastic win. My nose never lies! 

Where to now? This is where you need to blatantly rip PH71 and get us gambling!

Haha!  Thanks, man.

Great question, obviously. 

Turkey is off to the Euros, so I need to do a squad overview.  We're about to play our 2 pre-tournament friendlies.  The side is good, but not near the level of the Ivory Coast.  My eyes are on qualifying for Germany 2078 (and not embarrassing ourselves), and building towards a true challenge in 2082.

On the club side, of the remaining sides: (1) nothing is currently open; and (2) none of the managers are marked as insecure.  

In order of preference, there are a couple of distinct groupings:

• My ideal destinations are Panathinaikos, Zulte Waregem or Oostende.  Panathinaikos would be a great 5-7 year project.  The Belgian sides would just be good fun, given that it's crazy that they'd even pop up as eligible in this save...the downside being that they're strong sides and likely wouldn't take long to complete.  Then again, Belgium is crazy, with all the tycoon dollars having been pumped in and the rise in coefficient (they're currently the 4th-ranked league, ahead of both Italy and Spain)
• Sampdoria.  I can't believe I haven't been back to Italy since the incredible years at Fiorentina (2022-28).  
• RB Leipzig, Atletico, Genk and Tottenham.  I really have no feeling one way or the other about these 4, but could see them be interesting.  Tottenham and Leipzig could be one-and-done seasons, though.
• Nice.  I have virtually no interest in heading there right now.  I can't "stay" in France for narrative reasons, and I'm just not enthusiastic about it at all.

 

9 hours ago, Fer Fuchs Ake said:

Congratulations 

Oostende will be a great team to try and win it with. Gustav will be happy to be out of your shadow. 

Thanks, man!  Gustav has actually been down as "insecure" since the season ended. I don't see him getting fired, though, unless they underperform in the Fall.

8 hours ago, HawkAussie said:

I think it is time for a Europa League update don't you. Also well done on 100 pages and how big is the file size of this save.

Ask and ye shall receive!  Here's the "past winners" list:

  

5 hours ago, oriole01 said:

My favorite madman, at it again . Congratulations on a great comeback in the second half of the season and of course the ultimate prize!

Not sure if this save will ever end though, these Belgian teams keep popping up out of nowhere...

Thanks, man!  The tiniest tweaks made the difference, primarily shifting Narvaez, Fabre and Le Roy out of the 1st XI.

All together now...

This is the save that never ends...it goes on and on my friends...

Edited December 13, 2017 by ManUtd1

[ManUtd1]

Wales/Scotland 2076 - Turkey Squad Overview

Alright, alright, alright...  The 23-man squad has been selected, and most of them remain utter and complete strangers to me.

At the end of the day, though, we've got a strong squad.  I don't expect us to get out of the Group, but we should be ok going forward.

We're playing the same Cafetero Aguardiente tactics I've been using for years now.  Whether we stick with those tactics will depend on landing the right club position to bring in a bunch of prospects.  For example, if Vikander goes to Panathinaikos we likely won't have the resources to bring in everyone I'd like to retrain, thus requiring a shift to a more "standard" tactical approach (harkening back to Telleus' early 4411 or 442).  A club with more resources (the likes of Oostende or Leipzig)  would allow for a major influx of talent.

The pre-tournament friendlies didn't tell me much of anything, really.  Spain are the defending champions, and we've got arguably the toughest draw...although Portugal/Spain is pretty brutal in Group A, with the Czechs being a solid force.

 

 

Goalkeepers

  

Gunaydin is going to start for us in goal.  I think Ercan Yilmaz has long-term potential -- I'd identified him as a target before leaving Rennes.  But, he's not yet ready to step in.

Liberos

 

Here is the conundrum.  I've identified Emre Yildrim and Eren Bayka to serve as my liberos, and had brought Eren to Rennes with an eye towards developing him for the long-term...but I'm no longer at Rennes.  So, his familiarity with the position is still very, very low.

Defenders

      

I'm very pleased with my back line -- Gundogan and Durmaz are rampaging fullbacks that will give me great width/attacking threat, and Durmus is a legend in the making at Chelsea.  Kara looks like a long-term steady presence.  Yusuf Unal and Emre Bulut are outstanding backups for the wide positions, with Rennes youngster Bekir Ozkalfa a potential long-term fixture in the middle.

Central Midfielders

    

It looks like I'll start with Engin Inan and Ozan Kapdan (a former Leverkusen lad!) in my midfield, with Ozan taking up the more attacking left-sided role.  Uyar and Ulgen are great backups for the moment, although the latter (currently at Man City) has the makings of a true great.  Uyar can also cover at centerback.  Finally, there's Cunety Cecen ... who will give us some depth as a potential "central winger" if/when he recovers from injury and develops.

Attacking Midfielders

     

Up top, I'm going to run with Evren Yilmaz in the deep-lying targetman role, flanked by Fatih Ekici (former Leverkusen!) and Ozkan Aydin.  Altay Yildirim, and Rasim Akar provide solid depth here, alongside Ismet Kilic -- a Rennes youngster that I'm really excited about.  Akar will likely move into the 1st XI for the tournament...he's our best attacking player, even if he isn't suited to the AMC position.

Final Thoughts

As indicated above, this isn't a "bad" squad by any means.  They've clearly been underperforming.  The trick will be finding/developing youth now that the Turkish league is active, with an eye towards 2082, and landing on a tactic if I don't stay with the Cafetero Aguardiente suite.

[ManUtd1]

Wales/Scotland 2076; European Championships Review

A solid start to the Group Stage saw us thump Poland 3-nil.  Turns out that goal difference would be huge, as we were battered by both Belgium and Italy.  Comprehensively outplayed.  We'd been aggressive against Poland but had to go in on the counter in the next 2 matches...after falling behind against Belgium, we shifted back to Cafetero Aguardiente and were simply torn to pieces.

Yet, we snuck into the Second Round on goal difference...to face the mighty Netherlands, who'd won their Group (including a win over Germany).  We set out in Foquiado, aiming to hit them on the counter...and got a goal.  Once they scored I figured it was over, but we hit back immediately and then held firm, even picking up a 3rd as the Dutch pushed forward.  The upset of the tournament, no doubt.

We were off (incredibly) to face England in the quarterfinals at Hampden, as they'd eliminated France.  Again, we would look to keep things tight in Foquiado, while hitting them on the break.  On paper, they should tear us to pieces...we kept it respectable.

All told this was a good showing.  From a 4th place finish in the qualifiers and squeaking through the qualifying playoffs, to a quarterfinal finish, with a Dutch scalp claimed...I'll take it.

Nations League play starts in September, after a friendly against Sweden.  We'll face Slovenia and Switzerland in the 'B' tier. 

  

 

 

 

 

[ManUtd1]

Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us.

Turkey

September 2076 Mini-Update

The peace and quiet is truly divine.  From casual Sundays walking along the Bosphorus, to rowdy nights at stadia across the continent, I haven't had this amount of down-time since...I don't know when.

I've rediscovered the joys of football at all levels -- when I don't have a match to scout, I've simply found one to watch regardless of where in the "pyramid" the teams sit.  I've also found that the welcome here in Turkey has been warming with each passing day, as people have come to not only recognize me but accept me as my father's son.  What a long strange journey it has been.

On the pitch, I handed debuts to a number of players from the domestic leagues against Sweden, and was rewarded with a dominant performance even if we didn't win on the night.

The promise of Stockholm -- and my faith in the XI -- was rewarded with an emphatic 4-1 win over the Swiss to kick off our Nations League campaign.

Atlético came calling earlier in the Summer but I declined.  It was only a few short weeks after the Euros and I'm not ready to return to Spain...certainly not when Valencia's starting XI contains 8-9 of my former players.  They're a fearsome side, having won every title since my departure just over 8 years ago.  Toppling them would be a great challenge, but it would bring me no joy.  More distance is needed.

Forgive me, I'm late for a coffee chat with some of the locals at my favorite new, hole-in-the-wall coffee shop in Istanbul that overlooks the Bosphorus from the Kadıköy neighborhood.  They claim that my father would come by here, with Ludwig and Leto, and that they have pictures to prove it.  We'll see...

 

As indicated above, it was simply way too early to go back to Spain.  I was tempted.  It just didn't feel right so I rejected the contract offer after interviewing. 

The "new" players referenced above are largely the result of the activation of the Turkish leagues.  The game may be running a bit slower, but I picked up 4 solid players in the process.

Edited December 14, 2017 by ManUtd1

[ManUtd1]

Getting an inch of snow is like winning 10 cents in the lottery.

Turkey

October 2076 Mini-Update

A dicey match in Slovenia...we finally took the lead through Mufit in the 76th...only for a burst of 3 goals in the final 15 minutes.  Thankfully, 2 of the 3 were ours.  With that, we close in on the Nations Group B crown...for whatever that is worth.

It was then back to Konya for a friendly against the Netherlands, who would undoubtedly be looking for some revenge after being eliminated at our hands several months ago.  Playing at home, we came out in Cafetero Aguardiente, looking to attack...despite giving up the first goal, we pressed the Dutch hard and put together some of the best football we've played yet.

It's been just over a year since my appointment, and we've gone from falling to 4th in a qualifying campaign to ... this.  We have every reason to be happy, but there's still substantial room for improvement.

I think it's time for another cup of coffee, yeah?

 

[noikeee]

I hadn't seen the Rennes-Oostende match yet, congrats on yet another Champions League, but **** is football in the year 2076 bizarre or what. The likes of Oostende and Dijon ruling Europe. 

[ManUtd1]

57 minutes ago, noikeee said:

I hadn't seen the Rennes-Oostende match yet, congrats on yet another Champions League, but **** is football in the year 2076 bizarre or what. The likes of Oostende and Dijon ruling Europe. 

Don't forget Zulte! 

Thanks man!

[ManUtd1]

Everybody seeks happiness! Not me, though! That’s the difference between me and the rest of the world. Happiness isn’t good enough for me! I demand euphoria!

Turkey

November 2076 Mini-Update

Far from a dominant end to the Nations League, but we nevertheless claim top spot.  With World Cup Qualifying set to begin in a few months, we need to get our **** together.

Landing a club position will help the long-term picture.  For now, though, this is the squad that needs to get us to Germany 2078.

 

Edited December 14, 2017 by ManUtd1

[ManUtd1]

How did it come to this?

Me, waiting for my cell to ring.  Watching it.  Nothing.  Checking to make sure the battery didn't die.  Nope.  83%.  But no call.  Why won't they call?

Belgium.  To take over at Oostende, the side we defeated in the Champions League final just last year.  A top class side.  With an owner who has more money than common sense.

This should be a strange, strange chapter in the journey.

 

 

   

 

[ManUtd1]

Apparently, this is trending now on r/memeeconomy, with a massive recommendation to invest in futures.  Best not to disappoint.

[Fer Fuchs Ake]

5 hours ago, ManUtd1 said:

Apparently, this is trending now on r/memeeconomy, with a massive recommendation to invest in futures.  Best not to disappoint.

Hmmmmm, I think I'll invest.

[noikeee]

6 hours ago, ManUtd1 said:

 

   

 

[BoxToBox]

Can see this being one and done.

[Sheriff7]

Keep walking mate...

[ManUtd1]

3 hours ago, Fer Fuchs Ake said:

Hmmmmm, I think I'll invest.

Buy! Buy! Buy!

Invest in her Oostende?  I hardly even know her!

I'll see myself out now.

2 hours ago, noikeee said:

 

Carlos Andre is insane. The rest are no bad shakes. Our defense could use some improvement, though. 

I'll do a full squad review soon, maybe tonight. I'm away from my laptop most of the day 

1 hour ago, BoxToBox said:

Can see this being one and done.

Pet Shop Boys' Oostende Girls will be the soundtrack to our challenge next year.

Get the defense sorted, and we're in the mix.

17 minutes ago, Sheriff7 said:

Keep walking mate...

It's going to be a great time on the coast. How do I know this? Google "Oostende supporters" and this is one of the first results:

"... In a West End town, a dead end world... the East End boys and Oostende Girls..."

[ManUtd1]

The worst part is that I don't even have the fun of doing the things I'm getting blamed for.

KV Oostende / Turkey

Oostende Squad Review; March 2077

Well now.  Unbalanced seems to be the word of the day.

At first blush, De Kustboys have some incredibly talented players...mainly in the attack.  Yet, we lack depth in certain positions (central midfield and defense, primarily).  And we lack a sufficient number of talented, homegrown players (the league requires 8 in the first team, 6 in the matchday squad).  We also have some overpaid, aging players.  Squad management at its worst.

So, what do we do?  For now, nothing.  We've got 1 match to play, at Zulte, before the Championship Group splits off.  We're only 4 points off the pace...and with points halved going into the next stage, we have every reason to be optimistic.

There are also no other distractions.  Just the league, with an eye towards next year.

Alright, let's get to this so that I can finish assigning individual training, recruiting coaches, etc...

 

Goalkeepers

   

I'm not pleased with my goalkeepers.  Suzuki will remain in the 1st XI, but he's just not good enough.  Simple as.  And the other three are, at best, unsteady backups.  Van Reeth will be my second keeper; the only reason he isn't being sold is that he's homegrown.

Liberos

Without a single natural libero (or anyone even remotely trained in the position), we'll start off working to retrain Ernesto Andres.  Ideally, i will recruit a young Turkish lad this summer who can serve as Ernesto's backup and long-term replacement.

Defenders

        

In the back 4, we'll see a middle of Santos and Scepovic, flanked by Barreto and Benguit.  We have 1 backup CB, in Reuse (homegrown!), with Vuckovic (hg) and the brilliantly-named Dijkdrent (also hg) as backups on the flanks.  Technically, Lins can fill in...but he's pretty awful.  We are in dire need of reinforcements here.

Central Midfielders

   

Ok.  This is where things start to get exciting.  In the central midfield, I'll pair Carlos Andre with Balaj -- the Brazilian taking up the more attacking position, naturally.  Diallo provides some depth here, but is out of his element -- the aggression and bravery is a terrible combination for my tactics...well, for most tactics.  Calvo can provide depth here and in the front 3, as needed.

Bottom line -- Carlos Andre is a dream for me, having dealt with him in the opposition.  I cannot wait to see him in our tactics.

Attacking Midfielders

        

The front 3 is where I've struggled the most, to sort out my 1st XI.  So much talent.  In the end, I'm going to give Jaume Gomez the deep-lying targetman role, flanked by Andre Luis and Vargas.  All three are utterly brilliant.  Nene likely fits in as Jaume's backup, with Bouchez and Rivas.  Cristian Rodriguez is solid, but...as you will recall, I need homegrown players.

I only have 8 in the entire squad, which means someone has to step in...which means that Rebernik and Lucas will be on the bench.  They're only there as homegrown players, not for the sake of their talent.  Messauidi?  I don't want to talk about him.

Final Thoughts

So, there you have it.  Tons of attacking talent, but lacking depth in key positions.  We're also severely lacking in homegrown, first-team caliber players.  Which means I'll be on the prowl for Turkish and Belgian youth this summer...

[ManUtd1]

The world is probably funnier to people who don't live here.

KV Oostende / Turkey

March 2077 Mini-Update

Now that we've got the side sorted...we drew with Zulte in my first match, but it was little more than me naming a squad, describing the tactics and hoping to **** that they sorted it out.  We've got a ways to go, but we'll get there, especially now that my coaching staff is coming together.

We start the Championship Group a mere 3 points off the top, level on points with Antwerp.  10 matches over 6-odd weeks.  Leave it all on the pitch, lads.

Out of the frying pan...and off I went to Turkey for our opening World Cup Qualifying match against Belarus, followed by a trip to Kosovo.  Two solid wins later, and we're in good shape...granted, if we'd dropped any points it would have been a complete disaster.

 

Edited December 15, 2017 by ManUtd1

[ManUtd1]

Sitting 3rd, with a game in hand, in a three-way battle with Anderlecht and Antwerp.

[ManUtd1]

Meanwhile, in France...Gustav might be getting a little nervous. 

Rennes claiming a sextuple (on the heels of Gunnar's treble last year) is not quite what the Dijon Chairman had in mind when hiring Gustav 2 years ago...after more than a decade of utter dominance, Gustav has only the Trophee des Champions to show for it.  In other words, he's the David Moyes of the French league.

Edited December 15, 2017 by ManUtd1

[ManUtd1]

If good things lasted forever, would you appreciate how precious they are?

KV Oostende / Turkey

2076/77 Season Review

There's nothing quite like destroying any and all expectations.  Thrown headfirst into a three-way battle for the Jupiler Pro League, and we come out on top.

Suffice to say, I think my first 3 months in Belgium have been a success and will satisfy the Chairman with an itchy trigger finger.  We could be a fearsome squad next year…if I can land a few key signings and ship out the dead wood.  That’s right.  The cull starts … NOW.

It has been a delightful 3 months, as well.  A charming town on the coast, a moderate climate, and near anonymity while taking a stroll along the promenade pier.  It’s not that the locals don’t know my face and name.  Quite to the contrary.  They simply seem to have a healthy respect for one’s personal privacy. 

I wish I could figure out why everyone is so interested in purchasing Cuba, though, with declarations of war against Spain being bandied about with no small measure of casual indifference.  It seems to be both the talk of the town and a complete non-issue.  Whenever I try to find out what they’re getting at – certain that I’m just hearing things incorrectly – the locals look down and change the conversation to Marvin Gaye, who they claim lived here at one point. 

No, I’m not entirely sure who he was either.  Probably a footballer, though, a rough-and-tumble center-half.  Indubitably. 

Perhaps I need to pay closer attention to my Dutch tutor…it is a little hard, though, as trying to learn that and Turkish at the same time is a challenge, to say the least.  The club and FA have worked to..."incentivize" the process...you could even say that my Turkish tutor is a real delight.  *cough*

I’ll show myself out now.

Goals for 2077/78: Balance the Oostende squad.  Win the Jupiler Pro League.  Make a run in the Champions League knockout rounds.  Win Turkey's qualifying group for the 2078 World Cup.

Squad|League Overview|Finances Overview|Income Detail|Expenditures Detail|Transfers

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Champions League Review

Heartbreak again for Inter, as Leverkusen takes home the title this year with an XI featuring a whole slew of familiar names.

Dijon fell short in Europe again, in what we can only hope is a downward spiral kicked off by Gustav's arrival.  And, no, I didn't mean for that to rhyme, but I'm not changing it.

Good to see Fener making a bit of a run...it almost makes me feel bad for preparing a raid on their best young players...

 

 

Challenge Overview

[ManUtd1]

An awful week of World Cup qualifying.  Truly FM'd by Estonia, of all teams.  Estonia.  I need a drink.

  

 

[ManUtd1]

I'd originally planned on a modest revamp at Oostende... Shore up the defense and in goal, with an eye towards immediately challenging in Europe and developing a few younger Belgian and Turkish players.

Theeeen I went and dipped my toe in the transfer market... Yeah, the modest revamp has turned into a full-blown youth movement.  Two of the big signings, at 7.5M and 8M, respectively:

Eksi is also on the way from Rennes, for a sizeable fee, after I spent the last few months tapping him up shamelessly.  Might be sticking around on the Belgian coast for a little while...

Edited December 16, 2017 by ManUtd1

[ManUtd1]

Ok...I think my transfer business is done now.  For real this time.  Pinky swear?

I was able to bring in Kilic on a loan from Rennes (no fee, just 50%/100% on his wages), so ended up moving 32 year-old Andre Luis to Partizan for $50+ million...he was no doubt a starter and a huge talent, but at that age, with Kilic able to step right in and several other, older attacking midfielders, it made sense. 

That's my transfer business largely done, in theory at least.  I'll have 8 returning starters and 11 of the first-team 18.  Our early-season form is predictably inconsistent with all of this turnover (annihilating title contenders Antwerp 4-0 in the Supercup, and losing 1-0 to them 3 days later on the 1st day of the season, followed by 1-goal wins), but this is a side that will only continue to grow.

Regardless, here are: (1) the transfer overview (2 shots, to capture all the players being shipped out...); (2) my planned 1st team; and (3) all of my signings, with one promotion from the reserves (Torres).  Both Bayka and Kilic have optional future fees -- $8M and $13M, respectively.

  

 

          

Too many signings?  Probably.

Edited December 16, 2017 by ManUtd1

[Rikulec]

44 minutes ago, ManUtd1 said:

Ok...I think my transfer business is done now.  For real this time.  Pinky swear?

Haha. I always say the same thing. But then... just this one more transfer, I swear!

[ManUtd1]

6 minutes ago, Rikulec said:

Haha. I always say the same thing. But then... just this one more transfer, I swear!

I have no idea what you're talking about.

I mean...just because my 25 year-old backup left-back on 51k/week wants to leave...I shouldn't deny him his dreams should I?  That would be cruel.  And I don't want to be cruel.  And I didn't really want to sign this Turkish/Dutch kid.  But I did.  Only because Djikdrent really wants to leave.  

Kidding aside, Djikdrent has been agitating for a move for a while.  Fine.  Get out.