[FM23] :Another uninspired title for a journeyman thread:

[Constantine]

A normal game for a change of pace, since I've played Youth Academy saves for quite some time now. Starting unemployed, no badges, working my way up.

[Constantine]

After a number of failed interviews (seriously, it was like a dozen of them, I haven't been rejected this much since high school), finally, one club decided to take a gamble on me. We're going to Andalusia. Our journey starts at C.D. San Roque de Lepe.

Profile :: General :: Facilities :: Finances

Not much I could find online about them that isn't in Spanish. They've been in 4th tier since 2016 and, currently, Aurinegros are having some trouble remaining in there. That's where I come in. One point away from safety after 17 games, with that many to go. Far, far from hopeless.

Got a decent sized squad at my hands. Couple of standout players. And we're professional! That surprised me, I kinda expected most of the clubs at this level to be semi pro. And few of them are but about 80% of clubs, in our division at least, are all pros.

Anyhow, just to give you a sense with what we're working with, here's my first impression, surface level pick of our best players.

Really well rounded defender and, for this level, not many flaws in him...

 

We're well stacked in midfield and pretty much everyone is about same-ish, skills wise. Marrufo's just my personal favorite among them.

 

Same can be said about our attack. A lot of similar looking players. David is maybe the best among them but he's out of practice, currently recovering from hip injury. His return is imminent but we're not in a hurry to rush him back.

Considering our financial situation, I seriously doubt we're dipping into market at this moment. Unless we unload someone, I can't see us getting anyone new in.

As for upcoming schedule... Well, not great, not terrible. Sevilla Atletico, Cadiz B and Velez. Velez at home is a must win game but the rest will be tough.

I think that's about it for now.

Cheers.

 

[Constantine]

C.D. San Roque de Lepe

January & February 2023

 

Transfers

Five players out, as we attempt to trim our wage budget. Brian was an outlier, he signed for Arosa on Bosman but I offered him out to get his wages off the books right now, since we're well covered in the front line.

Also, our backup goalie went to Sevilla!! No idea what the hell happened there...

 

Two players in. Llamazares is a backup goalie we've got on loan for nothing and Victor Olmo is our new starting left back. He's ridiculously good for this level, wouldn't sign on without a clause so here's hoping no one touch him in near future.

 

Segunda División RFEF - Grupo IV

Flew up the table! Lots of luck brought us here (we were badly battered v Cadiz B, I even left for coffee, like, five minutes before 90th min so imagine my surprise when I saw final score; away at Xerez, took the lead early, dropped the ball almost instantly and showed nothing till half time only to mount a massive comeback from a genuinely dodgy penalty) but shout out to the boys, they were spectacular. I don't think we can keep it up but as long as we're above that red line, I'm happy.

[Constantine]

C.D. San Roque de Lepe

March & April 2023

 

Segunda División RFEF - Grupo IV

We're safe!! Though we weren't in that much danger, considering our great runs, it is still nice to have that in writing.

Still in the  game for play offs but... We won't talk about it till and if we get in there. Two more games to go and we'll be facing UCAM Murcia and Utrera.

Got a new contract for myself so that means I'll be staying here for at least one more season. Sadly, same can't be said for a number of my players, usually the ones I want to keep but... Let's ride this season out and see what we can do.

[Constantine]

C.D. San Roque de Lepe

May 2023

 

Segunda División RFEF - Grupo IV

No play offs for us but I'm happy. We showed bit of a character, going down in both of these games (it was 0-3 for Utrera at one point) but we fought back and got points from the clutches of defeat.

Side note, petty one, but I'm glad Xerez and Mancha Real went down as they were one of the clubs that deemed me not good enough to manage them. Who's laughing now?!

On a more serious note, I'm delighted. Couldn't wished for a better start to my career. Got to stay in the league, comfortably, nearly got in the play offs, had some amazing games...

Now we can get on with contract negotiations. Maidana, Camacho and Charaf are priorities but honestly, I'd resign most of the lads as I'm not a fan of massive overhauls all at once. Used to do that pretty regularly but that changed in the last couple of editions... Finances are still a worry though, not as bad as it was but it isn't looking great either. Board expectations for the next seasons are midtable, which is very doable but if we keep the band together, I'd say we maybe could make a cheeky promotion push. Still, way too early to think about that. Let see first how will negotiations pan out...

 

[Constantine]

C.D. San Roque de Lepe

September & October 2023

 

Transfers

God, I forgot how late the season starts in Spain... Done our business early as usual and then just sat on my hands till late August.

Anyhow...

I wanted to keep the guy but I can't really blame him for leaving. He went back home, for 5 times the salary. All fine in my book.

Also, four more players left after their contracts expired. Sergio Garcia and Marrufo were only ones that featured heavily in our starting lineup. Neither was willing to sign an extension.

 

Because of a late league reset in Spain, we have a two screens for incoming players.

Eight players In. Had to replace those four who run their contracts down plus few of those who were here on loan.

Brais Val is former Deportivo player whom I developed into decent Primera backup few years back when I managed them. Not sure what his potential is now but if he turned out half as good as he was back then, I'll be happy.

Asier Grande is signed from Basconia, Athletic Bilbao affiliate and will provide some competition for Paco Torres at the right back.

Carles Llario is legitimately one of my favorite players I've never seen play in RL. I've brought this former Real Madrid academy graduate everywhere I've managed in last two editions of the game and he always delivers.

Charlie Pérez, a Valencia Mestalla mainstay, signed as a backup for Maidana but he's looking really, really good and I could see him displacing Santiago in a year or two.

Javi López. We're paying, like, 500 euros a month for this guy. Great value for money, I'd say...

Baba is second right winger Real Madrid academy dropout we've signed this season. He'll share minutes with Jacobo but considering the latter's injury history, Baba could easily end up with more games played this year.

Florentino Sánchez came in as a fourth CD in the pecking order but Camacho and Antonio Lopez kept getting those silly, little short term injuries so Florentino played nearly half the games so far. 

Ángel Troncho's here to cover for Pablo Haro. Could've got him for free but I've upped his salary so I could lower his squad status. Measly price to pay not to have his manager bother me every two games...

Our team's much stronger than it was this time last year. Media predicted us to finish mid table (at 10th) but IMO, we're better than that.

Finances still suck, though. Went little over our wage budget but not that much. We're bleeding money. If the board don't step in, I'll have to sell someone in January.

 

Segunda División RFEF - Grupo IV

Luckily, our off the pitch troubles don't seem to translate over on the pitch. We're doing great so far, following Betis' affiliate in their step. Could we have done better? Surely but I really don't have any ground to complain. The boys are looking great so far.

Llario almost scored as many goals in 9 games as our top scorer did for an entirety of the last years.

God, I love him.

 

To wrap this up...

 

[Constantine]

C.D. San Roque de Lepe

November & December 2023

 

Segunda División RFEF - Grupo IV

We've hit a roadblocks... Rather, few of them. Three consecutive defeats after record unbeaten run have shaken me a bit but the boys pulled us back onto the tracks. Hopefully we'll improve a bit more going forward.

Also, I've seen that I forgot to mention two players in the last update. Antonio and Ousmane Kokoe Paye. Both of them are academy graduates, only ones I signed and it is a decision influenced more by our financial troubles but they're promoted to the first team and both actually played some minutes here and there.

 

Copa del Rey

Started out with a win. And it will most likely be where our journey ends, since we've drawn a Primera league side, Real Zaragoza. Out of a billion other clubs. Just unlucky, I guess...

[Constantine]

C.D. San Roque de Lepe

January & February 2024

 

Transfers

Pedro was bothering me for a new contract, despite us being deeply in red. He wouldn't shut up about it so on the transfer list he goes. And we've got some money for him, nice. Drop in an ocean but it helped tiny bit.

 

Oriol is a straight replacement for Ingles. And we aren't paying no fee, which is the best part.

 

Segunda División RFEF - Grupo IV

Flawless. We've clicked together after (SPOILERS!) we got eliminated from the Copa del Rey. Llario just kept scoring and we just kept winning. Sure, we had some luck and refereeing decisions coming our way but that doesn't take away from our success.

Now, the question is, can we keep at it? Can we stay at the top? Sevilla and Betis are relentless.

 

Copa del Rey

We haven't went down without a fight but they were just too strong for us. Better luck next season...

 

 

[Constantine]

C.D. San Roque de Lepe

March & April 2024

 

Segunda División RFEF - Grupo IV

We did great but even that wasn't enough to keep us at the top. Dropped points (and 3-1 lead v Betis Deportivo) turn out to be costly as we slip down the table.

Also, we have a tough schedule to wrap our season up; Sevilla Atletico, Almeria B and El Ejido. Technically, we win all three, we win it all. But I suspect it won't be as easy as that...

 

Youth Intake

Three players signed this year. All of them are training with the first team and, considering our injury situation, they aren't far from making a debut.

Daniel Junco  ::  Tomás  ::  Víctor Marchena

Edited March 14, 2023 by Constantine

[Constantine]

C.D. San Roque de Lepe

May & June 2024

 

Segunda División RFEF - Grupo IV

Failed to win the league, as Betis were impeccable but we've got ourselves promoted through the play offs. Firstly, we were facing Talavera, 5th placed side in Group V and then, admittedly, we've got incredibly lucky, as we rapid-fired our way through Villareal C. They had more shots and opportunities but we were lethal from what little we've created. And I have to mention the fact that four sides got promoted from our group. Four. To put things in the context, all other groups had one or two. Just speaks to quality opposition we've had to face...

 

I'll fight tooth and nails to keep most of them together. Well, mostly because we're in deep trouble, financially, so much that I had to scale back our scouting budget. This is the best we've looked in ages. Still, somehow, we have a nice chunk of wage budget to play around with. No idea where's that money coming from but I have to be conservative with it.

Charaf is missing from our squad page. As soon as we got promoted, he came asking for a new contract. We couldn't negotiate what he deemed a fair price so off he goes to Morocco.

This comes without saying, we must keep Llario!! Victor Olmo's as good as gone, he has some ridiculous clubs interested in him, Empoli and Rennes among them, he won't negotiate with us so... Yeah, he'll be sold. But Llario... Carles, my boy, you'll stay, right?

Right?

We'll see in a few weeks time...

 

[Tikka Mezzala]

Xerez have really fallen off a cliff. Weren't they in La Liga in living memory?

[Vakama2619]

6 hours ago, Tikka Mezzala said:

Xerez have really fallen off a cliff. Weren't they in La Liga in living memory?

I swear they're in an unplayable league irl now, but yeah they defo were around the same time we (Scunthorpe) were in the Championship I do believe

[Constantine]

They were in La Liga during 2009/10 season. Got relegated straight away and since 2014, they've been in 4th tier limbo. A fate shared by quite few clubs I remember from back in the days...

[oche balboa]

Good story, Keep up the good work

 

[Constantine]

C.D. San Roque de Lepe

September & October 2024

 

Transfers

We did all of our business early on. And just sat on our hands til preseason rolled in.

As expected, Olmo's out. We've had a bidding war going on for him, starting at 150k but we ended up pulling out the great deal for us, 250k + 50% of his next sale.

And somehow, we're still in the red. And it's gonna get worse.

 

Spent basically nothing getting all these fine gentlemen in on Bosman but in doing so, our wage budget ballooned. Still within the set limits but it's way, way bigger than it was last year. It's no wonder we're bleeding money.

Hugo Bueno - Great replacement for Olmo. Genuinely surprised no one approached him, kinda expected offers to pops out of nowhere as it happen when you bid on promising youngster.

Sala - Our new striking partnership now consist of two former Real Madrid graduates. I'm expecting big things from Sala and Llario.

Javi Villar - With Brais Val, Javi'll make a nice, strong core to our team.

Xavi Sintes - I've made it my personal project to make a great CD from Xavi. I mean, look at him, he's perfect for the role.

Goyo Medina - Brought in to help our Pablo Haro.

Marc Jurado - He's got a pedigree, having attended both Barcelona and Man Utd academies. Brimming with potential and I'm hoping we'll tap in into that.

Mohammed El Attabi - Hadn't plan on it but Mohammed fought his way to our starting XI. Sintes and him has been really good together.

 

Primera RFEF Footters - Grupo I

Decent start, followed by few close losses only to round this period out with a perfect score.

Ignore that trip to Madrid. It never happened. Definitively did not happen.

Anyhow, great start. Not playing for draws bit of mentality but that's fine. As long as we're in the top half of the table, I'm happy.

 

 

[dtown1414]

Some good signings for sure. 

[Constantine]

C.D. San Roque de Lepe

November & December 2024

 

Primera RFEF Footters - Grupo I

Undefeated period. It seems like we're kinda really good.

Though we do concede a lot. My own fault, really. Our backup defenders, three of them, to be exact, are 16 to 17 years old kids.  Who could've predicted they might not be ready for first team football yet...

But our attack is amazing. Everyone scores. Lovely stuff.

 

Copa del Rey

Easily dispatched Union and went to the Second Round where we'll face...?

Valencia.

Our luck is just... Rotten.

 

 

[Constantine]

C.D. San Roque de Lepe

January & February 2025

 

Transfers

Yeah, Val is gone... I had plans for him but the French were so, so persistent and we negotiated fantastic price. And we have sell on fee clause too.

Before this sale, I sold off 50% from next fee clause we had for Olmo and got 320k. One million euros went in the club and we're still barely afloat. My goodness...

Pablo Haro wanted a new challenge and Jacobo had unreasonable wage demands so off they go.

And we got one player leaving on Bosman soon. Iddrisu, thank you for your service. He's got a great offer from Ghana, 8 times the salary he had with us.

 

Three players out, three players in. Straight replacements, basically...

Jordi Martin - Either footed winger.

Adrian Guerrero - Talented right winger on loan from Deportivo. We've got quite few players from them.

Sergio Lozano - Will fit in straight into our starting XI. Somehow, no one picked him up. He's great.

 

Primera RFEF Footters - Grupo I

If January was the definition of mixed month, February is text book perfection. All wins, no goals conceded, leapfrogged few others to sit upon 1st place... Lovely, just lovely.

It's really tight though, one or two bad results and this could get hairy...

 

Copa del Rey

I have no idea how but we managed to eliminate Valencia!!

Only to draw bloody Catalans right after.

Gave them a fight, bloodied their nose but there was no doubting the winner, they just overpowered us, brute strength and all...

 

The Squad, after transfer deadline closed.

[Constantine]

C.D. San Roque de Lepe

March & April 2025

 

Primera RFEF Footters - Grupo I

We're barely containing Fuenlabrada, who's been on a fantastic run ever since they've beat us. Those boys have 8 victories from 9 games.

Which will most likely continue, since they have much easier schedule than us.

Can we keep our top spot?

Find out in the next episode of Dragon Ball Z!!

Yeah, it's a stupid joke... Sorry about that.

 

Youth Intake

Only one player signed this time around.

Alberto González. Winger by nature but looking at his spread of attributes... Yeah, he's a central midfielder.

[dtown1414]

Nice bounce back after that away loss. It's slim, but you're still in the driver's seat.

[Constantine]

C.D. San Roque de Lepe

May & June 2025

 

Primera RFEF Footters - Grupo I

We've had bit of a scare but the boys pulled through. We got promoted to Segunda!!

Jinxed Fuenlabrada with my last post, as they almost immediately started throwing up points. Steadied the ship in last three matches, racked up three victories but it was too late, we were already gone.

Sadly, they haven't got a card for a trip up the division as they stumbled in the play offs. No other side from our division managed it. Unfortunate, really, some of them had great seasons.

As for us... I'm really happy. The boys are coming together, squad is settled, the spine is there and I think we'll need just some fine tuning to achieve our goal, which is, simple enough, to survive.

We're going against some of the big boys next year. Baby steps...

Finances are dire as usual but I think there's some Segunda money coming in since we somehow got half a million transfer budget for upcoming season.

 

 

[Constantine]

C.D. San Roque de Lepe

August, September & October 2025

 

Apologies for the lack of updates, I'm dealing with some wrist issues at the moment and that makes it hard for me to sit and work the mouse for prolonged amount of time.

 

Transfers

Our #1 went back home and joined Velez. We already had a new keeper lined up, Maidana accidentally at the same time asked for a change of scenery and I obliged.

 

Once more, all our business is done within the first two weeks of transfer window opening.

 

Álex Robles - Some competition for Jurado on the right. He can also play in the center rather competently should the need arise, which is just a plus in my book.

Jon Aramburu - Jon and Xavi Sintes will make for our main CD pairing coming into this season.

Nil Ruiz - Our already mentioned new starting goalkeeper.

Marco Moreno - Third choice CD.

Alfon - Backup for Baba and he can seamlessly slot into ST in a number of roles.

Theo - It's no proper summer window until we sign one Real Madrid academy graduate. Theo is just the latest and, dare I say, the most talented of them all. Brilliant player, so happy he decided to join us.

 

LaLiga SmartBank

Great start, signs of trouble in the middle and wheels off during final third of this period. Still, we're at the great spot right now, doing better than I thought we would. Can't really complain, can I...

 

Full squad. Still sticking with our own kids in backup roles. Reminiscent of my time playing Youth Academy challenge, no doubt. Younglings can surprise with how decent they can be, given the chance to shine.

Also, I think I'll stop moaning about finances for a while... We're doing great now. Those 5 mill from Segunda TV rights helps a ton.

Now I just have to convince the board to get some upgrades rolling. They've been resistant to my charms so far...

[Constantine]

C.D. San Roque de Lepe

November & December 2025

 

LaLiga SmartBank

It starts out with us drubbing some poor fellas 5-1 with Llario scoring a few and ended up with us drubbing some poor fellas 5-1 with Llario scoring a few.

God, I love him...

Again, apologies for delay. But I'm getting better and I hope things will pick up soon.

 

Copa del Rey

Jerez took the lead but we got serious in the second half and did the job.

Elche C.F. is next.

 

On a side note, I've got an offer I might not be able to resist. I'm such a romantic, man, I want them to do well, I managed them few editions ago and I'm torn on what to do.

Saved the game and will sleep on it a little. Think it through.

We'll see...

[Constantine]

R.C. Deportivo de La Coruña

 

I'm taking it. Justified this, both with my romantic self and realist self. Negotiated myself 10 times the salary so it makes zero sense for a rookie manager to reject that big salary hike to manage a relegation threatened fallen giant.

 

Profile :: General :: Facilities :: Finances

Los blanquiazules can't catch a break. Got relegated from Primera in 2018 and never got back. Since then, they were in a free fall, even had a taste of third division football for couple of seasons before promoting back to Segunda in 2023.

Finances are bit of a mess... Sigh, I thought I was past it, repairing a financially damaged club. I guess not... Gotta start with sorting out that ridiculously overblown wage budget and go from there...

 

This squad could use some work but they're far, far from terrible. Why are you underperforming like this?!

 

Decent #1.

 

Great defender. Though, that salary... Boy, that is a lot.

 

Well rounded midfielder.

 

Former wonderkid, genuinely one of my favorite FM players.

 

Decent option to have up top.

 

Our schedule isn't the kindest but we'll manage. Board is demanding middle of the table and I guess we can achieve that, they aren't that far off.

We're still in the Cup and facing league rivals. Gonna try and go as far as possible. Deportivo has a reputation to protect.

 

As for San Roque Lepe... Thank you for the opportunity. Seriously. No one wanted me but they took the gamble with me. Left them with a great, young core, 3rd placed and I really hope we'll both get to play in La Liga down the road.

Now... Let's get this party started.

 

[Constantine]

R.C. Deportivo de La Coruña

January & February 2026

 

Transfers

Um... We had bit of an exodus going on... All high earners with double digit salary are out along with few players that weren't in my plans, as well as few kids who got sent out on loans.

Got quite nice sum of money for some of our best players but I was of opinion that we'll be alright without them. Time will tell how right or wrong I was...

 

Just two players in. We had a large squad as is...

 

Yago Santiago - Former Tottenham midfielder, brought in for cover but over time he sneakily got into starting XI.

David De la Víbora - It's becoming bit of a meme at this point but, I swear, this is completely unintentional. It's not a transfer window till I sign Real Madrid player.

 

As always, couple of kids got promoted to the first team.

Marco - With Adrian Lapena leaving, there was a spot open in CD rotation. As I found no options good enough (for a fair price), I decided to give Marco a chance as fourth CD.

Damián Salgueiro - Retraining this lad to play as DMC.

César Molinos - Can't really take the credit for this one, as he was already part of the first team. He had one sub appearance to his name but I give him some more playing time and, boy, did he deliver...

Andoni Etxaniz - I love players like this, pacey little bastards. He'll do alright as a backup to Kevin.

 

LaLiga SmartBank

Not exactly defensively sound football board asked for but the results are here nonetheless. Rose up from relegation places up to the 12th.

I reckon this is not the end of our rise...

 

Copa del Rey

We had a miracle run, eliminating Villareal and Barcelona somehow, got to the semi final where Real Madrid brought us crashing down to Earth and put us in our place.

 

[Constantine]

R.C. Deportivo de La Coruña

March & April 2026

 

LaLiga SmartBank

Injury or two (or three, four to be exact) was enough to throw us in a bit of a disarray. Still, we're on point, it seems like we'll fulfill our objective for this season, the no man's land in the middle of the table.

We're already preparing for the next season. Here's a teaser for what's to come.

 

Copa del Rey

This series ended 10-2... Ducking hell.

[Constantine]

R.C. Deportivo de La Coruña

May & June 2026

 

LaLiga SmartBank

Well, that's rather unspectacular way to end a season...

Sadly, even San Roque de Lepe dropped the ball, falling out of play off places.

Still, board is pleased with what we've achieved. And we have one exciting summer ahead of us. We have bit of a squad revolution going on, seven new players is arriving to Galicia in couple of days. Few of them going the other way.

This is where the squad's currently at.

We'll be cashing in on Kevin. He had a fantastic season but his misfortune is that Llario is coming. And he's teacher's pet.  

Anyhow, brand new Deportivo, coming soon.

Cheers.

 

Edited April 26, 2023 by Constantine

[Constantine]

R.C. Deportivo de La Coruña

August, September & October 2026

 

Transfers

We've sold our top scorer to Vallecano!! Got some money for backup central defender, sent out few players on loan, let some contracts expire.

We had bit of a squad revolution going on this summer.

 

Two players joining us from my previous club, two obligatory players coming from Real Madrid and three of my countrymen.

Eventful.

 

Talent found in lower tiers of Spanish pyramid.

 

Used to be the next big thing coming from Madrid's academy, now, here, in Galicia, looking for a fresh start.

 

No place for Jacobo on Madrid's bench but he easily start for us.

 

Talented wingback snapped from Gelsenkirchen. Due to lack of better options, he's in starting lineup.

 

You already know how much I love him.

 

Switched both the club and nation this summer, some big decisions from young fella.

 

Grabbed him for peanuts from Serbia. Already great and had a bag of potential.

 

Jacobo's partner in crime.

 

Former Watford player. We needed someone like him, to ground our midfield.

 

Backup goalie.

 

LaLiga SmartBank

Brutal start to the season but that unlucky defeat away at Eibar seems to sent us to a downward spiral.

Hopefully we snap out of it. Soon. Tenerife isn't joking around.

 

To wrap this up, our full squad. I'm happy with it, lots of young, talented players. That comes with its own downsides but we'll manage.

Board is asking for a midtable position, I'm feeling more like a play off spot. We can get involved in promotion fight. Club like Deportivo deserves to get back into spotlight.