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

[ManUtd1]

Some rumors in the press that Papa Quintino pressured his grandson to choose Italy...nevertheless, Hakan is proud.

  

Gustav is still making a go of it.

[ManUtd1]

Forgive your enemy.  But, remember the bastard's name.

Fenerbahçe / Scotland

October 2054 Mini-Update

Barring a poor display in Portugal and my 2nd XI stumbling against Sivasspor, we're in great form.  A huge win over Ze Germans and we're dreaming of a trip to the knockout rounds... If we take care of business against Zenit, we'll be there.

With Scotland, more of the same.  Dominant against Poland.  Clinical against England at Wembley, stealing 3 points late and all but sealing our group in the Nations League.  The buzz around the side is growing.  Expectations are high, even if we're putting them on ourselves.

 

 

[ManUtd1]

Forgive your enemy.  But, remember the bastard's name.

Fenerbahçe / Scotland

November 2054 Mini-Update

The lads are really starting to click.  We're in solid form, with both XIs picking up points.  4 wins in the Süper Lig leave us 8 points clear of Galatasaray, and 4 points against Zenit see us in a commanding position, virtually guaranteed to advance to the knockout rounds of one competition or the other.  A big month lies ahead.

With Scotland, we regained our #2 ranking, and were due to host top-ranked Spain, with a win or draw ensuring our passage to the Nations League semifinals next summer.  We came out of the gates at Hampden in a righteous fury, leaping out to a 2-nil lead, before putting on a counter-attacking clinic for the remaining 75 minutes.  It was a manic match, in all the right ways.  An incredible night for the neutrals.  And, seeing as how the Nations League is a tournament I've never won, so I've got my eyes on that one.

A bit of a let-off against Costa Rica, but that was to be expected.  It was an opportunity for the 2nd XI to get some minutes, so many less experienced players saw the field.

Emma is coming for the holidays...fortunately, Leto and Ludwig are going to Manchester, having booked studio time to record a SunStroke Project tribute album with someone they just keep calling Epic Sax Guy.  Whenever I ask who that is, they just look at me like I have 2 heads.  Because I'm the lunatic of this trio.  Yeah, ok.

 

 

[ManUtd1]

That win over Spain (followed by Spain losing to England) pushed Scotland to the top of the rankings.  Surreal.

  

We'll be joined by France, Croatia and the Netherlands in the Nations League Semis.

Poor Ireland...brutal to draw France and Germany. 

Edited June 25, 2017 by ManUtd1

[ManUtd1]

Cesc!  I'd pretty much forgotten about him.  Only noticed because he popped up as "insecure."  Yeah, 11th place isn't going to cut it.

  

[DodgeeD]

Ooh-aah Cote d'Ivoire!

And it would be cool if Hakan had a 'No Ludogrets' tattoo on his neck

 

[ManUtd1]

1 minute ago, DodgeeD said:

Ooh-aah Cote d'Ivoire!

And it would be cool if Hakan had a 'No Ludogrets' tattoo on his neck

Imagine waking up from a long nap (he's a heavy sleeper), only to find that Ludwig and Leto got a little nuts after all that absinthe...

[Fer Fuchs Ake]

17 minutes ago, DodgeeD said:

Ooh-aah Cote d'Ivoire!

And it would be cool if Hakan had a 'No Ludogrets' tattoo on his neck

 

I doubt Leto would take kindly to it...

 

45 minutes ago, ManUtd1 said:

That win over Spain (followed by Spain losing to England) pushed Scotland to the top of the rankings.  Surreal.

  

We'll be joined by France, Croatia and the Netherlands in the Nations League Semis.

Poor Ireland...brutal to draw France and Germany. 

Ouch. -13 GD too. Not a single point.

[ManUtd1]

Nasri sacked by Lyon 5 months after winning the Champions League.  6th place in Ligue 1, not good enough.

 

[ManUtd1]

Djurgardens pull it off with a draw on the final matchday.

 

Malmo will still be in the Champions League, but it is a much tougher road through the best-placed playoff.  Their resurgence continues, though!

[HawkAussie]

1 hour ago, ManUtd1 said:

Cesc!  I'd pretty much forgotten about him.  Only noticed because he popped up as "insecure."  Yeah, 11th place isn't going to cut it.

  

What has gone wrong with Barcelona and Spanish football in general with it being that low in the rankings. Also if you didn't know this is second most replied topic in the stories history. Only 400 posts until getting top.

Edited June 26, 2017 by HawkAussie

[noikeee]

Ah, Cesc Fabregas, the former Man Utd U23s manager, of course.

Seems like you're finding Fenerbahçe a bit tough - no signs of a CL trophy just yet. Same with Scotland, with JUST a World Cup quarter-final. Is Hakan losing his touch? At the age of .... 65? 70? could he perhaps be getting a touch senile? Would we even be able to notice any difference between a senile Hakan and a sane one?

[ManUtd1]

Forgive your enemy.  But, remember the bastard's name.

Fenerbahçe / Scotland

December 2054 Mini-Update

We've hit a bit of a rough patch, domestically.  2 draws and a loss?  That's an extra day of training, lads.  Sort it out.

In Europe, though, we've been solid.  A big win in Istanbul over Benfica, revenge for their having stolen a win on matchday one, saw us move atop the group with all the tiebreakers taken into consideration.  A point in Germany would mean that we not only advance to the knockout rounds, but win the group outright.

It was a big ask.  But we stood firm.  1-1, in a match where neither gave the other an inch.  A big day for the lads and club, celebrated wildly by the 292 hardy souls who made the trek into the heart of the Ruhr.

The question being, will the seeding afford us any advantage?  I'd prefer to avoid Brugge and Frankfurt.  Porto and Anderlecht would be ideal.

We've drawn Wolfsburg.

In the Nations League, we've been drawn away to France.  Croatia and Netherlands will battle it out at the Maksimir.

I've also begun planning for next year, when Fener will need to rely less on Scottish loans.  We need to either sign some of these players on permanent deals, or look elsewhere.  My ambitions with Scotland can only dictate transfer policy at Fener for so long.

 

 

 

[ManUtd1]

11 minutes ago, noikeee said:

Ah, Cesc Fabregas, the former Man Utd U23s manager, of course.

Seems like you're finding Fenerbahçe a bit tough - no signs of a CL trophy just yet. Same with Scotland, with JUST a World Cup quarter-final. Is Hakan losing his touch? At the age of .... 65? 70? could he perhaps be getting a touch senile? Would we even be able to notice any difference between a senile Hakan and a sane one?

Hakan is 68...senile Hakan would be best Hakan. 

"I said, bring me more grapefruit, swine!  ...and the head of Bobby Mankini"

This is his 3rd year...the loaning in of Scottish youth isn't much of a long-term plan for the club.  Thankfully, Hakan realizes that is a potential problem 

[ManUtd1]

1 hour ago, HawkAussie said:

What has gone wrong with Barcelona and Spanish football in general with it being that low in the rankings. Also if you didn't know this is second most replied topic in the stories history. Only 400 posts until getting top.

I honestly don't know re Spain -- what it looks like to me (without digging deep) is that Barcelona and Real had a few rough years both domestically and in Europe about a decade into the save, leaving the other clubs to carry the flag on the continent...and failing miserably, causing a drop in the coefficient.

The factors would have also included all of the following, happening more or less at the same time in the 2020s and early 2030s: (1) the financial might associated with TV money in England; (2) the various tycoons in France, hoovering up players; (3) Mourinho and Pep's eras of success in Manchester and Paris; (4) Hakan dominating Italy at Fiorentina, raising coefficients in Europe, followed by Simeone and Rodgers doing the same; (5) Malmo upsetting the apple cart under Hakan and Mankini; and (6) German clubs holding their own on the continent (e.g., Mankini at Dortmund after his success at Malmo), while Spain struggled.  Someone had to lose out, and it was Spain.

Top?  That'd be more impressive if 80% of the thread wasn't me just spouting random insanity in response to myself!   As long as people are reading and enjoying it -- that's all that matters!

[ManUtd1]

One additional thought, @HawkAussie...the Spanish national team has remained very, very strong.  But very few of them play in Spain.

None of their "top" players are based in Spain.  Only 3 members of the current national side (who I can attest is extremely good) are based domestically.  That's tragic.

  

 

Edited June 26, 2017 by ManUtd1
Added competitions history screen

[BoxToBox]

26 minutes ago, noikeee said:

Ah, Cesc Fabregas, the former Man Utd U23s manager, of course.

Seems like you're finding Fenerbahçe a bit tough - no signs of a CL trophy just yet. Same with Scotland, with JUST a World Cup quarter-final. Is Hakan losing his touch? At the age of .... 65? 70? could he perhaps be getting a touch senile? Would we even be able to notice any difference between a senile Hakan and a sane one?

To be fair, trying to win the CL with a squad of Turks and Scots is a ridiculous challenge at the best of times.

[ManUtd1]

3 minutes ago, BoxToBox said:

To be fair, trying to win the CL with a squad of Turks and Scots is a ridiculous challenge at the best of times.

[ManUtd1]

This couldn't have been a more favorable draw for Scotland, if Leto had been picking the balls out of the hopper.

 

 

No, Jared.   For the last time.  Ludogrets does not compete in the Euros.

Edited June 26, 2017 by ManUtd1

[ManUtd1]

Emma's visit over the holidays, and our brief break in early January, was refreshing in every possible way.

Anonymous we are not.  I'm relatively certain that we were spotted ... but no one appears to have put two and two together as of yet.  It isn't like we have no reason to be out together ... provided that a fuss isn't made.  Apples has no idea that Emma is in Istanbul.

[kidthekid]

"knocks ball past goal line" ppm eh?

 

Never mind, the clip was 9 hours ago. I'm a bit late to the party

Edited June 26, 2017 by kidthekid

[ManUtd1]

17 minutes ago, kidthekid said:

"knocks ball past goal line" ppm eh?

 

Never mind, the clip was 9 hours ago. I'm a bit late to the party

Fortunately, it was so absurd I know exactly what you mean 

[ManUtd1]

Getting some transfer business done early.  Signed up Pawela a few weeks ago for a summer move, followed by Calleja now.

  

Trying to line up a Turkish right back from Rizespor...they've refused to sell him to me for the last 2+ years, but he just signed a contract with a $13.25M release clause.  Unfortunately, having just signed it, he isn't quite ready to talk with me yet.  He'll come around.

[EDIT: Scratch that.  He signed on deadline day, with a loan-back through the end of the season to ensure he gets adequate playing time while Donald continues to develop.]

 

Edited June 26, 2017 by ManUtd1

[ManUtd1]

And that's my summer transfer business done, in February.  A Scotsman, to round out the confirmed signings who will take over for players on loan (and the return of Kahraman from his loan-back to Rizespor).

 

 

Edited June 26, 2017 by ManUtd1

[Benjoe]

*Whenever I'm done reading in your thread*

[BoxToBox]

6 hours ago, ManUtd1 said:

No, Jared.   For the last time.  Ludogrets does not compete in the Euros.

Of course they don't, being Brazilian.

[yugo23]

On 12/13/2016 at 20:07, ManUtd1 said:

Holy...I auto-reject offers, as a matter of course.

I'm astounded that the Board didn't intervene to accept the 2nd offer.  Sweet Jeebus.

He's now mad at me.  I told him it was for his own good. 

I have just found this thread, enjoying it immensely. I can't wait till I come to the part where you take over my fav domestic club Partizan.

And this offer, 112M for a player valued at 2,3M. Pure madness.

[Keano16]

21 minutes ago, yugo23 said:

And this offer, 112M for a player valued at 2,3M. Pure madness.

It would've been worth it because he turned into a cracking player.

[Fer Fuchs Ake]

Pawela and Hunter look like very good players. Hunter, in particular, is really well-rounded.

[ManUtd1]

4 hours ago, Benjoe said:

*Whenever I'm done reading in your thread*

4 hours ago, BoxToBox said:

Of course they don't, being Brazilian.

Musicians just don't understand football.

1 hour ago, yugo23 said:

I have just found this thread, enjoying it immensely. I can't wait till I come to the part where you take over my fav domestic club Partizan.

And this offer, 112M for a player valued at 2,3M. Pure madness.

Thanks, man! Glad you're enjoying it!

I've been dying to get to Partizan, too.  Their last manager was there for 21+ years!  

1 hour ago, Keano16 said:

It would've been worth it because he turned into a cracking player.

Jan was immense. Arguably one of the best forwards Hakan has managed.

1 hour ago, Fer Fuchs Ake said:

Pawela and Hunter look like very good players. Hunter, in particular, is really well-rounded.

The loans have been solid - developing good players, keeping costs down. But to take Fener to the next level...this is the step forward. The future is bright!

[ManUtd1]

Forgive your enemy.  But, remember the bastard's name.

Fenerbahçe / Scotland

March 2055 Mini-Update

Three years into my tenure in Istanbul, and we're showing signs of dominance.  7 points clear in the Süper Lig (it would be more but for points dropped by the second XI), into our 3rd consecutive Türkiye Kupası semifinals...there's only one area where we need to start making it count.  Europe.

A tough 1-0 loss in Germany meant that we had it all to do at home against Wolfsburg.  Could pull it off?  Could we, ****.

A comfortable 2-0 win means we're through to the quarterfinals, where we'll face...Leeds.  A brutal draw.

We've also completed our summer transfer business, adding two more youth signings to our incoming list -- one brilliant young Turkish midfielder from Bursaspor for $6M, the other a speedy Greek forward from AEK for $5M.  I wasn't expecting to add anyone else to the mix, and had vowed to be done, but I couldn't pass on these two.

It is only a matter of time.  All of the pieces are coming together.

Apples is acting all suspicious.  So, perhaps not all the pieces are coming together...

With Scotland, we begin Euro qualifying with a night of poor finishing against an Albanian side that set out to defend, and snatched a goal on a free kick.  Nevertheless, 3 points are 3 points. 

Malta were more straightforward, albeit just as committed to defending as Albania had been.  With numerous injuries, I was forced to call Hearts' Mark Hunter into the squad, and then bring him on early in the first half, who .  He did not disappoint, marking his international debut with a 30+ yard stunner, to break the deadlock.  ****ing epic.

We need to be better at finishing off our chances, but 6 points from 6.  We're on our way.

 

 

 

Edited June 27, 2017 by ManUtd1

[ManUtd1]

[DodgeeD]

Leeds United playing a Turkish side? What could possibly go wrong?

[Fer Fuchs Ake]

That Hunter goal is just so satisfying to watch.

[ManUtd1]

Leto and Ludwig's electro-pop cover of Hit Me Baby One More Time has topped the charts in Sweden, the UK, Turkey, the States and DR Congo. They were all excited today about some collaboration with "the dikgang."  

I didn't ask. I just walked on. I don't want to know.

 What a world, eh?

[oriole01]

Just now, ManUtd1 said:

Leto and Ludwig's electro-pop cover of Hit Me Baby One More Time has topped the charts in Sweden, the UK, Turkey, the States and DR Congo. They were all excited today about some collaboration with "the dikgang."  

I didn't ask. I just walked on. I don't want to know.

 What a world, eh?

Uh oh, you've made @Benjoe's thread canon in yours now? Keep in mind that he's 30 years behind you mate. The Dikgang are getting pretty old now!

[ManUtd1]

8 hours ago, DodgeeD said:

Leeds United playing a Turkish side? What could possibly go wrong?

Bob might spontaneously combust.

4 hours ago, Fer Fuchs Ake said:

That Hunter goal is just so satisfying to watch.

I had to post it for that reason. Absolute cheek, to give that a go on your debut. He normally wouldn't have been near the squad, but for a slew of injuries to my front line, and their backups.

[ManUtd1]

3 minutes ago, oriole01 said:

Uh oh, you've made @Benjoe's thread canon in yours now? Keep in mind that he's 30 years behind you mate. The Dikgang are getting pretty old now!

Oh, I know 

[Benjoe]

I really, really, want to hear that electro-pop cover of Hit Me Baby One More Time.

Just like I really, really, want you to hit my head hard with a baseball bat.

Oh. Hit me Ludwig one more time..

Edited June 27, 2017 by Benjoe

[ManUtd1]

14 minutes ago, Benjoe said:

I really, really, want to hear that electro-pop cover of Hit Me Baby One More Time.

Just like I really, really, want you to hit my head hard with a baseball bat.

Oh. Hit me Ludwig one more time..

The Dikgang really got into it, describing Ludwig and Leto's work as "The Knife meets Carlos Santana, tripping on MDMA while at a retro-hipster vegan dive bar in Hamburg."  

High praise, indeed.

More to follow on their collaboration with Ludwig and Leto -- the project is delayed until the summer, as The Dikgang are wrapping up the community service obligations ordered after their failed coup attempt in Madagascar. 

[ManUtd1]

With six matches to play.

 

[Miek]

Took a whole week to read this 76 page long topic but it was absolutely worth it. I had so much fun reading this. I'm kinda bummed I have to wait for updates now to see how this continues 

Can't believe you are still going with this save. Just amazing.

Off-topic: Even though I'm New York based: Go Hawks!

[ManUtd1]

13 minutes ago, Miek said:

Took a whole week to read this 76 page long topic but it was absolutely worth it. I had so much fun reading this. I'm kinda bummed I have to wait for updates now to see how this continues 

Can't believe you are still going with this save. Just amazing.

Off-topic: Even though I'm New York based: Go Hawks!

Hahahaha thanks for reading through, man!  That's some serious dedication, and I'm glad you've enjoyed it!  Much appreciated 

There's quite a bit on tap, so hopefully updates won't be too long in coming.

[ManUtd1]

On the eve of the Champions League tie at Elland Road, a bottle of wine finds Ludwig, Leto and I in contemplative, reflective moods.

Reminiscing.  Discussing fond memories. Regrets.  Those halcyon days that now seem like something out of a movie.  The "ones that got away."

It was a little uncomfortable when Ludwig started talking about his brief relationship with Emma, in that regard...he thought the awkwardness in the room was due to Apples leaving me for her.  What would he say if he knew?  He's moved on, no question, but admitted to asking himself on occasion, "what if..." about her.  I remained silent.

Leto has stories that are just about impossible to believe.  But, what should we have expected?  The man is a ****ing legend.

When pressed, I demur.  A casual shrug, explaining that having lived my life under the spotlight, the media jackals have left no stone unturned.  I've no secrets to hide.  But, I do.  

Emma, for starters.  That story alone would take half the night, if they'd even believe me.

But she's not the one on my mind.

No.  There's another that truly "got away" in my younger years, the one that -- had I been a better man -- could have been "the one."   If only I'd had the guts to see it through at the time.

See, I'm not good with making myself vulnerable.  

With her, not once, but twice the fool, I let her pass me by -- before and after I met Apples, and her gallon of crazy in a pint glass.  

No, that's not fair.  It wasn't my choice, really.  She gave me every opportunity.  I was just too chickensh*t to do anything about it.  

And now...do I have anything to truly complain about?  No.  But her barbed voice still haunts my dreams, on occasion.  We'll always have those days during my time in Malmo...before the whirlwind.  When I had some measure of anonymity, and excuses to visit her in Stockholm and London.  Our love burned hot and bright.  A love rekindled ever so briefly during the early, dark days at Leeds, after my exploits with Sweden brought her such joy and that **** Fassbender was out of the picture.

At times, I'll watch her old movies and smile.  She's aged with such grace.  

I realize that any life I imagine we could have had together is colored by rose-tinted glasses.  Real life is never so simple.  So easy.  But that doesn't stop me from occasionally asking...."what if?"  A silly question.

I'm brought back to the moment by Ludwig and Leto flinging cheetos in my direction.  Foul, vile things.  

Certainly not something to go with this fine tempranillo.  And now I need a new glass, as they celebrate landing one smack in the middle of my  unfinished glass.

Cheeky ****s.

Edited June 27, 2017 by ManUtd1

[Benjoe]

It can only be Margaret Thatcher, really! 

[ManUtd1]

Just now, Benjoe said:

It can only be Margaret Thatcher, really! 

[ManUtd1]

A very quick glance at Europe as we head for the stretch run...

 

A two-way race in England, with Espanyol looking to win their first La Liga title ever.  Frankfurt is holding off a resurgent Bayern, as Fiorentina falls off the pace in Italy.  

PSG are sitting a woeful 19th, 9 points from safety with 6 matches to play.

 

[ManUtd1]

Forgive your enemy.  But, remember the bastard's name.

Fenerbahçe / Scotland

April 2055 Mini-Update

At Elland Road, we start with PM Lupo Incatenato, but without the fullbacks overlapping and a more direct approach when going forward, no dinking the ball around waiting for the perfect moment.  The goal being to keep things very tight at the back and his Leeds quickly in transition.

A 17th minute goal from Stevenson has us dreaming.  Surely, this can't hold...can it?  The cheers of the early minutes -- happy supporters reminiscing about my years here in Yorkshire, coupled with the firm belief that we would be pushovers -- have turned to stone-cold silence.  When Aguirre hits our 2nd in the 25th minute, to go two goals up, the silence is deafening.  These supporters have seen this all before, and they don't like being on the receiving end.  The 290 away supporters are in Wonderland.  

After the half, the tension is intense.  But Stevenson buries a loose ball less than 2 minutes after the restart.  Oh, yes...we're dreaming now.  And the home support are having none of it.  Whistling their own players while applauding respectfully.  A counter-attacking clinic is being put on.  As Cagatay hits our 4th in the 77th minute, the jig is up.  The home support are departing in droves, with rude hand gestures and songs about sacking their French manager...poor Alain.  He might not be able to show his face here again.

A massive 4-0 win.  The kind that marks the beginning of a dynasty.  There are 90 minutes to play, and anything can happen.  But April 14th was the night we announced our presence on the European stage, as a force to be reckoned with and true contenders for the continental title.

Back in Istanbul, Aguirre hits one in the 3rd minute.  An unstoppable rocket into the upper v.  This match is over.  Yusuf's 28th minute goal just made it worse.  This isn't football.  This is a savage beating.

Stevenson's goal within 30 seconds the whistle blowing to start the second half to make the aggregate 7-nil, was almost painful.  These Leeds lads might not be safe back in Yorkshire.  And some sheep are really going to be sore tomorrow.  Poor buggers never hurt a soul.

Skaramuca claims a lucky deflection.  A kindness for the 36 year-old I brought to Saint-Etienne nearly 20 years ago.  The match ends 7-1, on aggregate. It could have been 20.

Make no mistake, after claiming Leeds' scalp, we're the side that no one wants to face in the semifinals.

Our 2nd XI are holding up the fort domestically, while the 1st XI go forth and conquer.  It's surreal that we've come this far.  

Draw Leipzig, and we could reach the final at the San Siro.  Tottenham and United would be much bigger tests, no doubt.

We draw United.  The toughest draw, in my mind, even if they're currently 4th in the PL, behind both Leeds and Tottenham.

Against all of my better judgment, still lost in the haze of nostalgia, I set aside a pair of tickets for Alicia.  Who knows if she'll come, or what she even thinks or feels after all of these years.

 

[ManUtd1]

 

 

[ManUtd1]