Emulating the Greats - Eastern Europe Edition

[jimbowmanuk]

Some of the greatest players to grace the pitch have had successful careers that many managers can only dream of matching but now is your chance to emulate those greats and surpass them.  

I was originally going to use players from all over the footballing globe then realized that there are dozens out there, so I have decided to break it down into regions or countries.  depending on how this is received may see other Editions for people to attempt.

Choose one of the following greats and follow in the footsteps of their career to greatest

 

 

Hristo Stoichkov (Bulgaria)

El Pistolero (The Gunslinger) Started his playing career at FC Hebros in the Bulgarian Lower leagues, where he caught the eye of A Group side CSKA Sofia, during 6 seasons he picked up 3 league titles and 4 Bulgarian Cup winners medals, in 1990 he was European top scorer, a feat noted by Barcelona manager Johan Cruyff.  During his first spell in Catalan, Stoichkov won 4 league titles in 5 seasons, along with a Champions league title. He would return to Barcelona after a 2 year move to Parma, after a fruitless spell in Italy he was winning trophies again in Spain with another league title and one copa del rey medal along with victory in the now defunct Cup winners Cup.

 

A prolific goalscorer for club and also Country.  Bulgaria qualified for the 1994 World Cup in the USA and that year’s Ballon D’or winner finished the tournament as top goalscorer helping guide his nation to the Semi-Finals.

 

The Challenge

Staring in the Bulgarian Top Division, win 3 league titles and 4 cups, move to Spain and win 4 league titles and the Champions league, take a trip to Italy and spend 2 seasons there before returning to Spain and winning the League and Cup and either the Champions league or Europa league.  As an Extra try and have one of your players Win the Ballon D’or during your career.

As an optional bonus take control of the Bulgarian National team and qualify for the World Cup.

 

The Rules

Leagues loaded, Bulgarian First Division, La Liga and Serie A

Your Managers Nationality must be Bulgarian and you need to start in the Bulgarian First league with any club there, for your reputation select based on club.  You can take over any club in Spain and Italy and you do not need to take over the same club in Spain on your return.

 

Gheorghe Hagi (Romania)

Probably the Greatest Romanian player of all time and arguably one of the best of his generation, Hagi known as Regele (The King) in his homeland had a trophy laden career, starting out at Farul Constanța before a move to Sportul Studențesc in the Romanian lower leagues caught the eye of European Cup winner Steaua Bucharest.  He won 3 consecutive league titles, and picked up 2 Romanian cup winners medals during his time there and also a Euro Super cup title. He was also instrumental in helping Steaua reach the European Cup final but Milan were too strong for them to repeat the feat from a few years earlier. Gheorghe gained a move to Spain with Real Madrid but the Spanish Super Cup was his only trophy with them before moving to Italy and Serie B side Brescia, he helped the Italians gain promotion to Serie A as well as winning the now defunct Anglo-Italian Cup.  Hagi then returned to Spain but this time to Madrid's rivals Barcelona, but again he could only win the Spanish Super Cup, after 2 seasons he moved to Galatassaray in the Turkish leagues, where he earned the nickname Comandante (The commander) after helping them win 4 consecutive league titles, 2 Turkish cups, the Uefa Cup (Europa Cup) and a second Euro Super Cup.

 

The National team also benefited from his playmaker skills, “The Maradona of the Carpathians” played in 3 consecutive World Cups, 1990, 1994 and 1998.  Romania were knocked out of the earlier 2 tournaments on penalties but Hagi shone in 1994 being selected in the tournaments best XI. He also played in the 2000 European Championships after deciding to un-retire from internationals, however his last game for Romania saw him sent off in a defeat to Italy.

 

The Challenge

Starting in the Romanian top division, win 3 league titles and 2 cups, eventually moving to Turkey and winning 4 league titles, 2 cups and one European trophy, you may wish to travel to spain and Italy but its optional,  talking of Optional, you may take over the Romaninan national team and qualify for at least 2 World Cups and one European Championships

 

The Rules

Leagues loaded, Romanain Top Division, Turkish Top Division, La Liga(optional) and Serie B(optional)

Your Managers Nationality must be Romaninan and you need to start in the Romanina Top league with any club there, for your reputation select based on club.  You can take over any club in Turkey(and Spain and Italy if taking the optional route}

 

Andriy Shevchenko (Ukraine)

The all-time top scorer of the Milan Derby, Shevchenko has had a very successful career, starting out in the Ukranian Capital with Dynamo Kyiv, he won 5 successive league titles while also picking up 3 Cup winners medals.  Italian giants AC Milan noticed his scoring prowess and brought him to Italy, he became their second highest goalscorer of all time at the same time winning the league and Champions league as well as winning the Ballon d’Or, he gained a move to the English Premier signing for Chelsea, although a successful club he could only win one league cup and one FA Cup, he was unlucky not pick up a 2nd Champions league winners Medal as Chelsea lost the final on penalties to League rivals Man Utd, he had another spell at AC milan before returning to the club in Ukraine where his career started but the only trophy he won in that time was a Ukranina Super Cup.

 

He is currently the all time goalscorer for the Ukraine national team, as well as having the honour of being the youngest and oldest ever goalscorer for the Country, He helped Ukraine qualify for their first ever World Cup in 2006 and played in the hosts 2012 European championship side.

 

The Challenge

Starting in Ukraine, win 5 league titles and 3 cups, move to Italy and also add the League title and Champions league to your trophy cabinet before embarking for England and winning both cups, as an extra bonus crunchy snap take control of the Ukrainins national team and qualify for one World Cup and one European Championship and also have a player win the Ballon d’Or

 

The Rules

Leagues loaded, Ukranina Top Division, Serie A and English Premiership

Your Managers Nationality must be Ukranian and you need to start in the Ukrainian top league with any club there, for your reputation select based on club.  You can take over any club in Italy and England.

 

Flórián Albert (Hungary)

The Emperor was a one club man, spending his entire career at Ferencváros in his homeland, he won 4 league titles and one cup domestically and also the Inter-Cities Fairs cup which is widely regarded as the first incarnation of what is the Europa league today. That year he was also voted the European footballer of the Year(Ballon d’Or).  Ferencváros honored Albert in 2007 by naming the stadium after him as a thank you for his dedication to the club.  

 

He was also a very accomplished international player, a joint top scorer at the 1962 World Cup and being named in the 1966 World Cup best XI, 2 years after being named in the European Championshi-ps team of the tournament when Hungary reached the Semi-finals. 

 

The Challenge

Managing one club in Hungary’s top division, win 4 league titles, one cup and one European trophy, while having a player win the Ballon d’Or.  As a bonus have a new Stadium named after you and if you’re feeling kinky take over the Hungarian National team and qualify them for 2 World Cups and One European Championships at the very least.

 

The Rules

League Loaded Hungarian Top Division

Your Managers nationality must be Hungarian and you can start with any club in the top Division, with your reputation based on that club.

 

Season updates should include 

League Tables

League Results/Fixtures

Cup runs

Squad Stats

Manager Profile

Any other thing of interest of amusement

NO USE OF THE INGAME EDITOR

 

 

I Hope those that try this enjoy my challenge and feedback is always welcomed

Edited March 3, 2020 by jimbowmanuk