Jump to content

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


ManUtd1
 Share

Recommended Posts

  • Replies 5.8k
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Top Posters In This Topic

Stand aside, and try not to catch fire if I shed sparks of genius.

a2e28294db399a1bb5b4f3b1332115fd.png

AS Saint-Étienne

May 2037; Champions League Semifinal, 1st Leg

I left the Artemio Franchi nearly 9 years ago, with a heavy heart.  My time in Germany, Sweden, England, Mexico and France has not changed the affection I hold for this club.  The first club outside of my homeland, who took a chance on me in 2022 when others wouldn't...believing my success at Malmo was a one-off situation.

It has been glorious to watch La Viola dominate the Serie A since my departure, and play so well in Europe.  However, the era of Simeone is over.  He, at least, was a man I could respect.  This Brendan Rodgers is a ******* clown.  A chancer, standing on the shoulders of his betters.  Just like Bobby Manc.  I don't think I could take it if we were to lose this tie.

I wouldn't begrudge my former players, many of whom will be arrayed against us.  Nor would I begrudge the supporters another crack at a European title.  They deserve all of that, and more.

But not tonight.  Not this year.  Not if I have anything to say about it.

Especially not with Apples in attendance -- the first match of mine she's been to, in person, since the 2027/28 Champions League Final.  My first match at the Artemio in 9 years.

a94749b63818d5598b3a041e0fd920a2.png

0297b49415ca01d283a078a8944e89e2.jpg   c6adcd605b5790ab93dc4d10fe277d85.jpg

An incredible night at the Artemio.  We'll play PM In Catene 2.0, and endeavor to catch them on the counter.  Kazaki is in for Sanz, who is out for the tie after suffering a dislocated jaw against Leeds.

Tweet tweet!

a94749b63818d5598b3a041e0fd920a2.png

A testy beginning to the tie, with neither side giving an inch.  Until Domenech breaks past Jovanovic, centering to Rugi at the near post...there's no missing that, not when he has a step.  1-0 to La Viola.

b933da771b06b961ff4bc16a1a9d8e8e.jpg

[And...right here, Gyazo has been having issues, so the usual in-the-moment updates are not happening, I also lost several screenshots...followed by me losing my posts.  We dominated possession (oddly enough), but Fiorentina were hitting us on the counterattack.  A 2nd goal from Rugi in the 28th made me think all was lost.  We pick up the story in the 70th minute...]

There's nothing to be said.  Fiorentina have been the more clinical side.  By far.  We've been off.  Not ourselves.  Just when all hope seemed lost, Fagerjord split the defense to find Kazaki streaking through...we've pulled one back.  We've got a match.  20 minutes to play.

1ed3e56637dbef653c5f12d183630938.jpg

We shift to PM Libre 2.0, as Fiorentina drop back to hold their lead.  From virtually nothing, Dinkov finds himself on a narrow angle, in the box...he unselfeshly centers for Kolkka, who makes no mistake!!! 2-2!!! All to play for!!!

bddca9acbaa48f049623e70098232442.jpg

Both keepers make amazing saves in injury time, to keep the score level.  All even, on a wild night in Firenze.

d6116aa517f489031f1e26fb81afe50e.jpg   bb45c135b716a692fc943f7a7183bd57.jpg

69557928344fbf9cffd5712811d30330.jpg

a94749b63818d5598b3a041e0fd920a2.png

585983577addf524706cfedddba7ce0e.png

39e706b6b583cdcdf81bde16d80ddf91.jpg

[Fingers crossed that Gyazo starts connecting more consistently...]

Link to post
Share on other sites

Stand aside, and try not to catch fire if I shed sparks of genius.

a2e28294db399a1bb5b4f3b1332115fd.png

AS Saint-Étienne

May 2037; Champions League Semifinal, 2nd Leg

This is it, gentlemen.  90 minutes from glory.  We came back from the dead in the final 20 minutes at the Artemio Franchi.  Don't you dare let that Leprechaun-looking, fake-white-teeth-having **** leave here with any sense of satisfaction.

I didn't tell the lads this, but I managed to sneak an envelope into the inside pocket of Brendan's jacket, during a pre-match handshake.  I wrote his name on three separate slips of paper. 

a94749b63818d5598b3a041e0fd920a2.png

PM Libre 2.0 tonight.  Nothing more needs to be said.

eba2f07b8c89b6522ac270abbf4f89a8.jpg   953a44a662bfdbae12d512c3af0e9d8f.jpg

Tweet tweet! 

Link to post
Share on other sites

Stand aside, and try not to catch fire if I shed sparks of genius.

a2e28294db399a1bb5b4f3b1332115fd.png

AS Saint-Étienne

May 2037; Champions League Semifinal, 2nd Leg

Free kick to Saint-Etienne in the 6th minute, just outside the box wide left...Fiorentina clear to Morfos, who launches forward with La Viola swarming to attack...Gueye steals and lays the ball off to Dinkov, who plays Kazaki in...HE'S ONSIDE...1-0 TO SAINT-ETIENNE!!!  A DREAM START FOR THE HOME SIDE!!!

 

947555bd6354484165cc4ca09460ff9d.jpg

The purple clad away support are in shock!  Even Barney has stopped dancing, for the moment...and just flaps his flaccid little arms in exasperation.

Fiorentina playing wide, to try and get back in the match...Domenech, playing strong on the left...whips in a dangerous cross, claimed by Karachi who pauses to relieve the pressure, before launching a long ball forward to Kazaki...

2ee1cf7649753aba474f022b60311476.jpg  

Kazaki heads on, but Fiorentina recover, and look to press forward...only for Da Silva to intercept and LAUNCH A DIRECT PASS TO KAZAKI, WHO LAYS OFF FOR JOVANOVIC!  2-0 TO SAINT-ETIENNE!!!  THE GOALSCORER, TURNED CREATOR!!!

Echoes of the first leg!  Can Rodgers' men find their way back into the tie?!

Rodgers is on the sideline, searching for a pen...but pulling out an envelope with a confused look on his face.

He opens it, befuddled...now  reading several slips of paper and...OH MY WHAT IS THIS?!

RODGERS HAS LAUNCHED HIMSELF TOWARD TELLEUS IN THE HOME TECHNICAL AREA!!!  TELLEUS DOESN'T FLINCH!  RODGERS BEING RESTRAINED BY SECURITY, WITH THE FOURTH OFFICIAL AND FIORENTINA STAFF DRAGGING THE SPITTING, RED-FACED RODGERS BACK TO HIS OWN TECHNICAL AREA, THREATENING TO SEND HIM TO THE STANDS!!!  AS THE CAT-CALLS RAIN DOWN ON RODGERS, TELLEUS MAINTAINS FIERCE EYE CONTACT, A WRY GRIN SPLASHED ACROSS HIS FACE, BEFORE TURNING BACK TO THE PITCH WITH A LITTLE NOD!!!

RODGERS IS LOSING THE PLOT!

Link to post
Share on other sites

Stand aside, and try not to catch fire if I shed sparks of genius.

a2e28294db399a1bb5b4f3b1332115fd.png

AS Saint-Étienne

May 2037; Champions League Semifinal, 2nd Leg

45 minutes away from the final.  That's all.

f9ce741e40fd3b279f7475089c6efbd0.jpg

Fiorentina with their first shot on goal in the 48th minute...shame it was right at Karachi after a nice little run.

12047257ba8a8c0fdb4129faf450a8f2.jpg

62nd minute, and we're coasting.  But, that's exactly what Fiorentina thought last week...Rodgers keeps staring daggers at me.  I've just laughed at him, openly.  I swear he's going to have an aneurysm if we score a third.  Muharemovic and Kolkka are on, to shore up the midfield and give us some punch going forward.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Stand aside, and try not to catch fire if I shed sparks of genius.

a2e28294db399a1bb5b4f3b1332115fd.png

AS Saint-Étienne

May 2037; Champions League Semifinal, 2nd Leg

WITH HIS FIRST TOUCH OF THE MATCH, MUHAREMOVIC HAS ENDED THE TIE!  A throw-in deep on the right flank, finds Kolkka...who lays it off to the Serbian youngster 25 yards out, who launches it into the top corner, first time!!!!

0573254dea76a2c5c9d6d30d2df1ff28.jpg

That has to be the tie!!!  Telleus maintains his focus, while Rodgers appears to be frothing at the mouth...face-first in the turf.  Perhaps a physio should attend to him?  Fiorentina are shell-shocked, and before they can recover Muharemovic sends Dinkov through a gaping hole in the Italian back line!!!  THAT'S FOUR!!!!  

BOOK THE FLIGHTS, SALLY, TELLEUS WILL NOT BE DENIED!!! SAINT-ETIENNE ARE GOING TO THE LUZHNIKI TO FACE DORTMUND IN THE FINAL!!!

71d1b50aad4e3f3cf7552fca7eb412b6.jpg

Rodgers is being carted off the field on a stretcher, with one arm dangling free.  What a debacle this has become for him!

But the humiliation is not yet complete.  Dinkov finds himself free, 10 yards from goal after Fiorentina fails to clear a corner.  That's 5 on the night for Les Verts, who have laid down a marker.

7c6d496b5477dd646fd3e26a34da31ad.jpg

a94749b63818d5598b3a041e0fd920a2.png

2ed9f7d86469a61d43a7a440959cae3a.png

47db6a6228cd30d49021a5deef9028df.jpg

2ae9ba09bbdc5a7c01c548c43e0e60d8.png

Link to post
Share on other sites

12 minutes ago, hasdgfas said:

oh man, that envelope thing. Brilliant way to handle that. What a mess all of that was.

12 minutes ago, hasdgfas said:

Also fantastic performances in the quarters and semis, and a great chance for some revenge against Dortmund.

Hahaha...thanks, man. I've wanted to do the envelope thing for ages :brock:

I genuinely thought we were done, down 2-0 away to a very strong Fiorentina side.  The return leg was bonkers!

Couple matches to get through before the final, but it'll come tomorrow.

 

Link to post
Share on other sites

12 hours ago, andychar said:

Finally caught up again on everything and you leave me on the cliffhanger of a final! 

Outrageous! 

 

11 hours ago, Akkarin said:

Brilliant work!

Thanks, guys!  The work day is dragging by...busy, but it's killing me!

Link to post
Share on other sites

Stand aside, and try not to catch fire if I shed sparks of genius.

a2e28294db399a1bb5b4f3b1332115fd.png

AS Saint-Étienne

June 2037; Champions League Final, Luzhniki

90 minutes from immortality.  Or 90 minutes from revisting the fate that has haunted Saint-Etienne for decades -- to finish decond, but with elegance.  

We'll be playing our usual strikerless formation.  A little over a year ago, we came within inches of knocking out Ze Germans, who were (at the time) the defending champions...only to go out on away goals.

This is our time.  Our moment.  A historic domestic campaign, on the verge of the Treble after we vanquished Stade de Reims in the Coupe de France final.  Suck it, losers.

90 minutes.  Let's do this.

a94749b63818d5598b3a041e0fd920a2.png

71ff66144ea2b5cdf7d8584b455da12b.jpg

b4cc1ddec455fefa1f22c2a5b54740c0.jpg   4105b78fea49ae91eb67bfc3db33a672.jpg

a94749b63818d5598b3a041e0fd920a2.png

60240a520d7646bc7cf243e0bec84577.png

fb186b664e2e9944918164a2f781d7af.jpg   2bf6428088beccfaaaea7a2afe917012.jpg

Tweet tweet!

Link to post
Share on other sites

Stand aside, and try not to catch fire if I shed sparks of genius.

a2e28294db399a1bb5b4f3b1332115fd.png

AS Saint-Étienne

June 2037; Champions League Final, Luzhniki

A quiet first half, as most of the play has been between the boxes.  Both sides, compact in defense.  But Saint-Etienne are undone by a cross from the byline!  Ze Germans take the lead, and the big questions will now be asked of Telleus' men...

52f7fb14bdca751520f1d533644978cd.jpg

Who march straight up the field and WIN A PENALTY!!!  HOW IS THAT FOR A RESPONSE?!

Dinkov to take...HE BURIES IT!!! IN THE BALANCE AGAIN!!!!

45d46f1400186bcc2291856fe7dfd5c1.jpg

Level at the half...who will blink?  Who will stand tall?

74cb0dcfd4569cbd0f049acda523dc25.jpg

Link to post
Share on other sites

Stand aside, and try not to catch fire if I shed sparks of genius.

a2e28294db399a1bb5b4f3b1332115fd.png

AS Saint-Étienne

June 2037; Champions League Final, Luzhniki

Dortmund start the 2nd half, full of attacking intent...knocking on Les Verts' door...a long throw in, cleared, but not away...the Germans work it back in...TO FRANCISCO WHO BURIES IT!!!

0a0272a8a3b57d9eb7b3abb974605793.jpg

BUT NO!  THE FLAG IS UP!  THAT WAS A CLOSE CALL, FOLKS!!!  A LIFELINE FOR SAINT-ETIENNE?

30 minutes to play, neither side can find a breakthrough.  Subs coming on for the French -- Kazaki and Muharemovic are on for Sanz and Mensah.

5811de102c4921f12cb5abb5585590d3.jpg

Dortmund with an attack-minded substitution...Allegri seems inclined to go for the win, here and now.  Both managers focused, in their respective technical areas.

dcb821cf549e8a5982bf793af94536a5.jpg

Saint-Etienne looking dangerous on the counter...but neither side able to draw blood...

1ea22078120d193d8691e6ed2c314dc8.jpg

Saint-Etienne win a throw in, deep in German territory.  Kolkka ready to come on, he'll be replacing the tiring Fagerjord.

ead35ecbb0fb01874be07c604b1819ca.jpg

Jovanovic finds Fagerjord, making one last break...HE GETS TO THE BYLINE AND CENTERS...DINKOV!!!!!! YESSSSS!!!!!!!!

94e9c7aa12fbf07c0f9c107ed585cb9e.jpg  

A 90TH MINUTE GOAL FOR THE BULGARIAN SENDS THE GREEN-CLAD PORTION OF THE LUZHNIKI INTO RAPTURES!!!!

SURELY, THAT HAS TO BE THE MATCH!!!  DOES DORTMUND HAVE ANY GAS LEFT IN THE TANK?!?!?!

Link to post
Share on other sites

Stand aside, and try not to catch fire if I shed sparks of genius.

a2e28294db399a1bb5b4f3b1332115fd.png

AS Saint-Étienne

June 2037; Champions League Final, Luzhniki

THERE WILL BE 2 MINUTES OF EXTRA TIME.  TELLEUS' MEN FIGHTING FOR EVERY BLADE OF GRASS!!!

6554c8a58b5212c8f1616042106c112e.jpg   83ea40187fbd9947002594ced62795bf.jpg

THAT IS THE MATCH!!! SAINT-ETIENNE HAVE WON THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE!!!!!!!

Link to post
Share on other sites

8 minutes ago, BoxToBox said:

Brilliant as usual!

Thanks, man. This tactical approach could not be better suited for Europe!

I barely managed to finish the match before my laptop died...the "what now" will follow in an hour or so, once I get home.

Edited by ManUtd1
Link to post
Share on other sites

There’s no freedom quite like the freedom of being constantly underestimated.

a2e28294db399a1bb5b4f3b1332115fd.png

AS Saint-Étienne

2036/37 Season Review

You know that feeling, when everything in life seems perfect?  Everything in its proper place, arranged just so?  Not a single thing out of place, not even the slightest bit?  Yeah, me, too.  I ****ing hate that feeling.  If everything is perfect, where's the fun?  The challenge?

No, no.  I'm not talking about Apples, Emma and the twins.  That is truly too perfect.  So perfect that I'm far more likely to **** it up than anything else.  No, I'm talking about football.

Maybe I should have stayed at Malmo.  Or, Fiorentina.  Those were the days.  I barely had time to unpack at Gladbach...and the national team jobs...well, I was just living out of a suitcase most of the time anyways.  Leeds and Saint-Etienne grounded me again.

But it's time for something new.  Something different.  A step back from the elite.  It's time to build something again, from the ground up.

Am I trying to rekindle some innocence from the early days?  Maybe.  Maybe it is foolish to chase ghosts like this...but I need to be reinvigorated.  To renew my passion for this beautiful game, and do the truly unexpected.

Apples isn't pleased, but she knows that this is what my heart truly desires.  We're one big family now, and Naked Tuesdays aren't happening anytime soon, anyways.

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

Ligue Un Fixtures 1|Ligue Un Fixtures 2|Champions League Fixtures|Coupe de France Fixtures|Coupe de la Ligue Fixtures

a94749b63818d5598b3a041e0fd920a2.png

Champions League 2036/37 Review

Bobby Mankini and Brendan Rodgers vanquished, in the same season when I completed a Treble.  That may be the defining moment of the save thus far.  Given the heavy documentation above, this will be very brief.

664efcd6daa71f1b82c32dffb147709b.jpg

51498cd64d37f2ddae3104035337e5ce.jpg

a94749b63818d5598b3a041e0fd920a2.png

Challenge Overview

a2507da04058cce46d6ae2c21ceaa65f.png

6dc4506a4796b72eb69c13191acbc063.png

Link to post
Share on other sites

This is the current job market.  But, as hinted at above, I'm pretty much waiting for one of 5 jobs to open up.

10aefe035703cbe3812299c5d47d99c7.png

----

Of course, this popped up right after I left...

5d7aa6839620fab068b769b8ac331f38.png

Great name, though.  An incredible man, who played for ASSE from 1957-72, and then managed them from 1972-83 and 1987-90.

00-Robert+HERBIN+Panini+ASSE+1982.png Robert-Herbin_cover.jpg 

 

Link to post
Share on other sites

Well done! A very tight championship match, which are often my favorites to read about and play.

 

Time to settle things down a bit and build something up, although you were at ASSE nearly as long as you were at Malmo, if I'm counting correctly.

Link to post
Share on other sites

3 minutes ago, hasdgfas said:

Well done! A very tight championship match, which are often my favorites to read about and play.

 

Time to settle things down a bit and build something up, although you were at ASSE nearly as long as you were at Malmo, if I'm counting correctly.

It was a crazy match -- definitely the best kind!

Malmo was 4 years (June 2018 - May 2022), and this was just under 4 (December 2033 - June 2037).  Definitely time to settle down for a longer run at things.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Who...Bobby Mankini has cracked.  He's up and retired after the double humiliation of the CL exit and blowing the Premier League title!

a40765e28d105acb9a84235c8aa0db54.png  

c386939921d066a4de73aeaadc3792fb.jpg

A loss to Tottenham and draw against Southamption (on the 37th matchday!) did him in.

0dcbf67a6ff3f43de4b4e3a2b41e11bc.jpg

Link to post
Share on other sites

8 hours ago, Keano16 said:

Glory once again! 

8 hours ago, Jolanthustrel said:

Curious, how does the Club World Championship winners look? Have your champions League winning teams gone on to win it without you at the helm? 

Thanks, guys :D  

Definitely some familiar names on there...

0752b2d2091446eb81fbf2f6b6c895e3.jpg

Link to post
Share on other sites

8 hours ago, Fer Fuchs Ake said:

Very good win. How old is Bobby Manc? I was partly hoping he'd take.over at A.S. St. Etienne.

You sick, sick bastard... :D

He retired at 72:

69cec26ccab1c42820c8dbc431ee7f57.jpg   1c2d2b2c1c3a73b81e35d7d04bf9d3d6.jpg  

Edited by ManUtd1
Added his staff history
Link to post
Share on other sites

6 hours ago, Akkarin said:

Beautiful. Time for Greece, or maybe to set Stade de Reims straight...

4 hours ago, mjaferrie said:

Do it, Stade de Reims. Pour le sabotage!

4 hours ago, Joe. said:

I'd like to see you do it with Partizan next, not sure how long you'd be waiting for that job to open up though 

Thanks for reading/commenting, as always!

But, it's WAY too early to go "back" to France.  I wouldn't be at all opposed to Germany or Italy right now, but for the desire to shake things up.

Spoiler

Panathinaikos and Partizan are the only clubs on my shortlist of potential destinations :)

The other options are all focused on the 2042 World Cup with one of the eligible European nations.  NOT Mexico.

 

Edited by ManUtd1
Link to post
Share on other sites

And...we're back!  Woohoo!

Things have been progressing here, as I holiday'd one week at a time through the fall to keep things moving.  

In August, the Frankfurt position opened up when their manager left for Hertha Berlin.  Tempting, but not tempting enough.

619ffb278810f08be0bb38f2030b88b6.png  

In October, the Czech Republic position became insecure...if Trpisovsky were fired, though, would I be deemed competent enough this time around, having been summarily rejected in 2026?

af1a743754306e83f0eae14fe53ba91b.png

In November, Atletico opened up...again, tempting.  But now is not the time to go to Spain.

cbe5b5e52d82ee02d702105c32ebe68c.jpg

But then, a week later...even Hrubes couldn't tolerate Trpisovsky's 4th place finish in World Cup Qualifying...from a side that had been ranked as high as 18th only a few years ago (before Zajicek retired from international football).

9ac37aad344371e911ed1975f500c491.jpg

b24e68de74587eab7954a593bfcaf4ee.png

Link to post
Share on other sites

"Did he fire six shots or only five?" Well to tell you the truth in all this excitement I kinda lost track myself.

But being this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world and would blow your head clean off, you've gotta ask yourself one question: "Do I feel lucky?" Well, do ya, punk?

maxresdefault.jpg

a94749b63818d5598b3a041e0fd920a2.png

Yes, yes.  That is the question, isn't it -- is the Czech Republic even an option?

Of course it is.  It has to be, doesn't it?  More than a decade after they rejected me, here's the chance for the Czech FA to make amends...or double down on their folly.

So, you're asking yourself, did I put in for the position?  Did I, ****.

On one condition -- that they fire that sad ****, Hrubes.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Quit being so hard on yourself. We are what we are; we love what we love. We don't need to justify it to anyone...not even to ourselves.

Czech_Republic_FA.thumb.png.73464eb90797f8de13685c37875fdff2.png

Czech Republic

December 2037 Mini-Update

Meet the new manager of the Czech Republic.  No immediate rejection this time.  They offered me the job in 72 hours.

Ludwig, we're moving to Prague!

a94749b63818d5598b3a041e0fd920a2.png

c9d76e54180cc661ff29ecb31603418a.png   fc93587dad9ffa94780a34601a4b835f.jpg

0de97d6e728351c664f7b965d200391b.jpg

(apologies re the Nation overview, I forgot to take a screenshot upon appointment)

We'll be playing Grapefruit 2.0, with its 4141 and 442 Grapefrukt variants as backups.  I strongly considered going strikerless, but I sincerely doubt that will work since I won't have the same level of control over my players' development, for retraining/etc.  Which, frankly, brings up a point.

Holland, Sweden, Turkey and Mexico have enough players in my 51k player database to field a squad actually capable of challenging for the World Cup.  The Czech Republic does not (Hungary and Slovakia have similar issues).  So, I have activated the Czech top tier, which will join play in June 2028.  When that time rolls around, I will take over a club side that will focus on the development of Czech players; no foreigners whatsoever.  Not youth only -- Czech only, to develop/feed players into the national system.

My goal is the 2042 World Cup.  Unless Hrubes manages to get me fired before then.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...