[FM 18] Winning Isn’t Everything -- Rubbing It In The Faces Of Your Enemies Is Also Important

[ManUtd1]

“Ajax look to break on the counter, L’Ami, surging into the box… RUGANI TAKES HIM DOWN!!!  PENALTY TO AJAX!!!”

[ManUtd1]

“OPEN UP A CAN OF FOSTERS, BECAUSE FOSTER HAS BURIED IT!!!  AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE OI OI OI!!!”

“You’re Italian-American, Tony.  Not Australian.”

“SHUT YOUR MOUTH OF OVERLAPPING FANGS, JOEY!!!”

“Hey!!!  That's out of order, Tony.  British dentistry is NOT on trial here!”

[ManUtd1]

“AND BEFORE WE CAN CATCH OUR BREATH, IT’S A PENALTY TO CITY!!!  MONTEIRO, RIGHTLY PUNISHED!!!  WHERE’S YOUR AUSTRALIAN GOD NOW, TONY?!  I'M CALLING IT NOW, CITY TO WIN THIS BY AT LEAST 2 OR 3 GOALS!!!”

[Tony is still crunking in the corner, much to everyone's shock and horror, oblivious to what is happening on the pitch.]

[ManUtd1]

“Milinkovic-Savic to take…Tony, take the call…”

“The tension is immense, Gary.  Like when Ross and Rachel almost didn't get together, and it seemed like all was for naught… TURN ON RIDE OF THE VALKRYRIES, GARY, BECAUSE WAGNER JUST STUFFED THAT SERBIAN LIKE A THANKSGIVING HAM!!!!”"

[ManUtd1]

“20 minutes in, Joey, and all of City’s possession has been for naught.  This has echoes of the Group Stage, doesn’t it?”

“History doesn’t repeat itself, Gary, but it does speak in rhymes.  Mark my words.  City to win it once Bakero’s men are shown up to be the frauds that they are.”

[Tony begins crunking again in the corner, humming softly to himself.]

[ManUtd1]

“After a furious start to the match, Ajax have begun to squeeze the life out of the game.  Focused, relentless.  The next goal could be everything.  Tony?”

“If United keep doing the scoring thing, I’m confident they will win.”

"You mean Ajax?"

"Ehh...yeah.  That's what I said."

[BoxToBox]

2 minutes ago, ManUtd1 said:

“If United keep doing the scoring thing, I’m confident they will win.”

[ManUtd1]

“GARY!!!  THAT’S JONATHAN ‘TEDDY BALLGAME’ FOSTER!!!  WITH HIS SECOND!!! AJAX HAVE ROUNDED SECOND, HEADING FOR THIRD ON A STAND-UP DOUBLE!!!”

“HMMMSSAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUGGHHHHLLLLRRRRRROHHHHH”

“Ehhh…ok...someone ought to get an extra tenner for that happy ending...  Can we get Gary a tissue, please?  Back on Planet Earth, Tony...  It's like I've been saying all night!  Ajax are a cosmic womb of creativity on the counter, and when that baby is kicking, Bakero can’t be held responsible for what happens."

[ManUtd1]

“20 minutes to play, Gary…is this their moment?”

“From where I’m sitting, it has to be, Joey.  I just can’t see City getting back into this one here.  All night, barring the penalty, they’ve not looked dangerous in front of goal.”

“Just don’t drop into a prevent defense.  Because as Johnny Madden always said, that just prevents you from winning.”

“Are you winding me up, Tony?  What color is the sky in your world, Planet Snurp?”

“More like Planet Sizzurp, right, Joey?!”

“Naw, that’s Gary.”

[ManUtd1]

[Tony stops crunking for a moment.]

“Well, put me in a dress and call me Aunt Sally, because that last shot from Mavro...Mavro...uhh...that swarthy-looking guy with glorious ****ing hair, could not have been more off target.”

“I hate so much about the things you choose to be, Tony.  Back from Planet Snurp, City are running out of time…15 minutes plus stoppage time, and City just look dead on their feet.”

[ManUtd1]

“I’d say it’s squeaky bum time, Joey, but I don’t want to make you jealous.”

“*** off, Gary.  I’ve been saying all along, this is Ajax’s cup to lose.”

“And by all along, you mean in the last 20 minutes, right?:

“**** off, Gary.”

[ManUtd1]

“AND THAT’S THE FINAL WHISTLE, A STUNNING PERFORMANCE FROM THE KICKING GUYS OF HOLLAND!  THEIR FIRST EVER CONTINENTAL TITLE!!!  ONE FOR THE AGES!!!”

“We’ve been over this, Tony….”

"TWO TEAMS, ONE CUP!!!  WHO WILL--"

"--NO, TONY!  BAD, TONY!  STOP!!!"

[BoxToBox]

[ManUtd1]

The post-match press conference passes in a blur.  Per usual, I defer to Zlatan.  He's in rare form, fully-clothed and jubilant.  All in the world is good, until he blurts out, apropos of nothing, "In the coming days, there will be news about The GaiZlat's future.  It has been very nice managing here at Ajax."  The cameras flash, catching a grinning Zlatan with me looking stunned at his side.

Sure, we've discussed this...but never publicly.  

 

[ManUtd1]

13 minutes ago, BoxToBox said:

Thanks, man!  It has been an epic ride, but the time has come to move on from Ajax.

As I've indicated before, there are a few places I've had in mind but it looks like my top choice could open up.  Their manager's contract is expiring and he's talking up the Juventus vacancy in the media...

Only urCristiano knows how this will end.

[BoxToBox]

2 minutes ago, ManUtd1 said:

Thanks, man!  It has been an epic ride, but the time has come to move on from Ajax.

As I've indicated before, there are a few places I've had in mind but it looks like my top choice could open up.  Their manager's contract is expiring and he's talking up the Juventus vacancy in the media...

Only urCristiano knows how this will end.

Can't wait to see what happens!

[ManUtd1]

Good men don't become legends.

2026/27 Season Review

Zlatan's post-match comments have created a media furor.  The speculation is rampant, but neither of us is saying a word.  The Board is not pleased, as Zlatan's spontaneous announcement stepped all over our victory celebrations.  No matter how we try to walk it back, the air of uncertainty remains.

The Board have offered us a virtually blank check to extend our stay in Amsterdam, and we've told them we will give it due consideration.  The reality is that if the right position were to open up, we'll be off.  This has been an incredible chapter, but we need to be somewhere else, in a more competitive league, where we can build a true dynasty. 

Goals for 2027/28: Move on from Ajax, but only to the "right" kind of club for Gaizka and Zlatan.

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

Eredivisie Fixtures 1|Eredivisie Fixtures 2|Champions League Fixtures|KNVB Beker Fixtures

Save Overview

[Rikulec]

[Fer Fuchs Ake]

Very well done 

[HawkAussie]

The air in the Ajax board right now trying to avoid the tension.

Also well done on Champions League success.

[ManUtd1]

Ok, a quick look around Europe before: (1) we progress into the international friendlies this summer; and (2) GaiZlat potentially move on from Amsterdam...

Manchester had a monster year, claiming yet another title.  The city has a lock on the Premier League...is GaiZlat heading there to break it up?  Atletico claimed the titled in Spain, continuing the Spanish capital's own streak...maybe sunnier climes are calling?  Dortmund finally claim a title in Germany, and Brendan Rodgers at Bayern is hoping that our lads won't show their faces in the Bundesliga.  PSG is boring the life out of French football fans.  Fener finally won a title in Turkey.  The Kiwi farmers won one in Belgium.  Malmo continue to dominate Sweden, while Red Star does the same in Serbia...maybe Partizan need a rejuvenation?

      

   

  

  

[ManUtd1]

This makes me happy.  But it is time to move on...and my hat has been thrown into the ring for a position Zlatan and I agree is ideal for our purposes.  And our attitude.

 

[dllu]

[SmileFaceGamer]

1 hour ago, dllu said:

No I

[Minuy600]

PSV - Feyenoord in the EL eigth final

[ManUtd1]

Walking out of the building, Zlatan and I try to keep our cool.  Once in the car, however, the dam bursts.

"The Zlatan thinks we nailed it, Boss."

"I agree.  That part you ad-libbed about investing in youth was genius, Zlatan."

"The Zlatan doesn't know where that came from, but they loved it!"

The chatter continues as we head to the airport for the short flight back to Amsterdam.  While we have to wait for an official offer, this one seems in the bag and we can't help but plan for the future.

"The real question, Zlatan, is what players we need to bring with us."

"Foster.  Foster.  And...that Aussie lad, what is his name?  The Zlatan does not rememb-- oh, yes, Jonathan Foster."

No disagreement there.  

There was something off about the meeting, but I just can't place it.  Granted, the Chairman is entitled to be a bit eccentric, as reclusive as he is rumored to be...but he seemed normal during our few minutes with him.  Was it all a facade?  

"Zlatan, did something feel...strange...about the meeting with the Chairman?"

"If you're referring to his mechanical hand, The Zlatan agrees!"

"No--it.  His hands were normal.  Try again."

"Now that you mention it, he did smell like cabbage--"

"He did not smell like cabbage.  That was his secretary."

"You know, he did have really small hands, like a carny--"

"--Zlatan.  Enough.  It had nothing to do with his hands.  Or his secretary."

"Ehh...do you mean when  he started talking about waffles for dinner, Boss?"

"That didn't happen, Zlatan."

"The Zlatan is quite sure it did, right during the part of our PowerPoint where you emphasized why using an inverted ramdeuter would confuse those ****s at Bayern."

"He didn't mention waffles, Zlatan.  Just...nevermind."

Zlatan may not have noticed, but there was something wrong about that meeting.  I just can't put my finger on it.

[theBlackPrince]

The next chapter..... where will it be, no-one knows! But the Dynasty will continue!

[ManUtd1]

Minutes away from our public unveiling, and our new Chairman wants a word.

Only there's no face-to-face meeting this time.  He's sitting behind a screen, passing notes to the secretary who smells like cabbage, who in turn reads them out for him.  At least, we think it is the Chairman...the one time I tried to sneak a peak around the screen, security sat me back down.

A truly bizarre way to have a conversation.

Beyond that, things seem normal.  I simply can't put my finger on what was bothering me before.

Zlatan, meanwhile, has become enamored with the secretary.  It's like his brain has disconnected from the rest of his body.  Certainly from his nose, at least.

[ManUtd1]

12 hours ago, Minuy600 said:

PSV - Feyenoord in the EL eigth final

I liked Arsenal drawing Barcelona...and actually winning.  Totally absurd result.  #SortItOutSI

[HawkAussie]

Something does seem to be off but I can't quite put the finger on it just yet. It's almost as if an old friend as returned from the dead.

[ManUtd1]

The One who hates... The darkness inside... He’s watching.  Something’s going to happen... Something bad.

June 2027 Mini-Update

The announcement shocks the football world.  I'm only surprised that word didn't leak out.  I guess meeting with the Chairman in Finland helped throw people off the scent.

You can feel the hatred boiling across the continent.  The managerial duo that most big clubs were after has gone to a club that most football supporters hate.  But they can't see what we can.  A commitment to youth and attacking football.  A side that has fallen continuously short in the Bundesliga and on the continent, wanting to make a name for itself.

And, to be frank, we love the fact that so many people across the continent will react with revulsion at this announcement.  It will make it all the more delicious when we conquer the Bundesliga, win the Champions League, and build a dynasty to rival that of any club, anywhere, anytime.

A 41-man first team in desperate need of culling.  But we're off to the CONCACAF Gold Cup shortly...guess we'll have to walk and chew gum at the same time.

Welcome to GaiZlat, Germany.

   

  

[Rikulec]

Knew it was going to be Leipzig. I wonder how a certain project is going...

[MarcxD]

Fantastic stuff. Champions League lalalala 

Not sure if it makes me a plastic football fan but I actually quite like RBL as well, so good luck to you!

[dllu]

14 minutes ago, MarcxD said:

Not sure if it makes me a plastic football fan but I actually quite like RBL as well, so good luck to you!

Me too, because 1) Yussuf Poulsen and 2) it's always nice to see a club from East Germany challenge the Western clubs. For the same reason I have a soft spot for Hansa Rostock.

[dllu]

For those of you who speak German:

[ManUtd1]

On 24/07/2018 at 02:56, Rikulec said:

Knew it was going to be Leipzig. I wonder how a certain project is going...

Read and find out 

On 24/07/2018 at 04:25, MarcxD said:

Fantastic stuff. Champions League lalalala 

Not sure if it makes me a plastic football fan but I actually quite like RBL as well, so good luck to you!

Thanks, man!  It's a bizarre sort of affection, but it's there.

On 24/07/2018 at 04:42, dllu said:

Me too, because 1) Yussuf Poulsen and 2) it's always nice to see a club from East Germany challenge the Western clubs. For the same reason I have a soft spot for Hansa Rostock.

Hadn't really thought much about Hansa, but I can see why you'd think that.

20 hours ago, dllu said:

For those of you who speak German:

Google translate definitely was needed, but it got a chuckle out of me 

[ManUtd1]

I love it when the in-game world starts to spin off of its axis... Case in point, Unai Emery moved from Barcelona to Ajax to replace Gaizka.  Utterly bonkers.

 

[ManUtd1]

Another example...West Ham have been the purchasing club in two of the biggest transfers in history, buying Osmar from Barcelona ($126M) and Cornelis from United ($120M). 

Yes, you read that correctly.

 

[ManUtd1]

Oops...meant to post this earlier, these are the West Ham transfers in.

  

[SmileFaceGamer]

FM at its finest

[Constantine]

Always had a soft spot for Leipzig despite their bad reputation in Germany. They're doing what basically every FM player does transfers wise. Hopefully you'll do well here as your history in Germany is... Well, interesting... :cough: Neverkuzen: cough:  

[SmileFaceGamer]

@Constantine yup, and I’m continuing it in my Leipzig save

[Benjoe]

4 hours ago, Constantine said:

Always had a soft spot for Leipzig despite their bad reputation in Germany. They're doing what basically every FM player does transfers wise. Hopefully you'll do well here as your history in Germany is... Well, interesting... :cough: Neverkuzen: cough:  

[HawkAussie]

2 hours ago, Benjoe said:

I raise you with this GIF.

[oriole01]

8 hours ago, Constantine said:

Always had a soft spot for Leipzig despite their bad reputation in Germany. They're doing what basically every FM player does transfers wise. Hopefully you'll do well here as your history in Germany is... Well, interesting... :cough: Neverkuzen: cough:  

Come on, he went back and won it with Gunnar! That counts, right?

[Benjoe]

2 hours ago, HawkAussie said:

I raise you with this GIF.

Here I am, chilling, sending gifs.

 

And then you drag me into a poker game and goes all in. 

 

This is how I feel about it.

[Constantine]

1 hour ago, oriole01 said:

Come on, he went back and won it with Gunnar! That counts, right?

[ManUtd1]

20 hours ago, SmileFaceGamer said:

FM at its finest

Thanks, man!

10 hours ago, Constantine said:

Always had a soft spot for Leipzig despite their bad reputation in Germany. They're doing what basically every FM player does transfers wise. Hopefully you'll do well here as your history in Germany is... Well, interesting... :cough: Neverkuzen: cough:  

Yeah, their reputation is actually something I'm going to have some fun with (and did the last time around).

Poor Hakan...never could live that one down.  Every new job he took, they'd always bring it up...

But at the same time, those hard times make the save more enjoyable in the long run for me.

9 hours ago, SmileFaceGamer said:

@Constantine yup, and I’m continuing it in my Leipzig save

6 hours ago, Benjoe said:

4 hours ago, HawkAussie said:

I raise you with this GIF.

1 hour ago, Benjoe said:

Here I am, chilling, sending gifs.

This is how I feel about it.

From stabby to anime to dogs with a head out the window...never change, FMCU.

1 hour ago, Constantine said:

If only Gunnar had seen the smile on Hakan's face, as he watched his son claim redemption for Ze Germans...  It was a beautiful day on the island...

[ManUtd1]

CONCACAF Gold Cup 2027 Review

The Americans' elimination at the semifinal stage of the Gold Cup two years ago proved to be the final straw in Tab Ramos' tenure as manager.

This year, we met all expectations, both in our 3 pre-tournament friendlies and throughout the tournament.  Champions for the first time in 10 years.

Between the Cup and Leipzig's pre-season calendar, we had little free time.  At least, I had little free time, as most of my time away from the American side was spent watching livestreams of Leipzig friendlies and training sessions.

Zlatan spent most of the summer watching hotel pay-per-view, and has developed a strange affinity for anime.  Suffice to say, I drew the line at Maiti Saiyan Senshi Aka, a completely unrealistic tale involving a timid young boy saving a small town in feudal Japan with the help of a knife-wielding, sarcastic pelican, and in the process winning the heart of a scantily-clad, buxom schoolgirl and her kitten.  When I complained to Zlatan, even he had to agree.  "Yes, Boss.  Very unrealistic.  The Zlatan has seen hamsters with bigger nipples than she has."

 

  

     

[ManUtd1]

Down 2-0 in the final, playing with 10 men, Mexico resorted to drastic measures and employed The Ween.  Mumbu's Tactical Teachings cannot be far behind.