[FM24] Stuniverse's FM24 Adventure - Norway (Scandinavian / Nordics) adventure

[phnompenhandy]

Damn, I was gunning for Gneist. Guess you'll end up with Verdal. Good luck!

[Stuniverse]

8 minutes ago, Stuniverse said:

The question is...

The question is, do I accept Mr. Bjerge's kind offer and manage Loddefjord IL in the Norsk Tippinig-ligaen Avdeling 3 or do I delay for a week and wait to see if IL Brodd or Verdal IL offer me a job?

What does the "IL" before and / or after the football club's name mean?

11 hours ago, XaW said:

Just ask if you need any details about Norway, I'll be happy to help!

Well, you did offer, @XaW 

[Stuniverse]

6 minutes ago, phnompenhandy said:

Damn, I was gunning for Gneist. Guess you'll end up with Verdal. Good luck!

Well Loddefjord are the only one to offer me a job so far...

[phnompenhandy]

Just now, Stuniverse said:

Well Loddefjord are the only one to offer me a job so far...

Oh cool, seems a decent gig

[Stuniverse]

Episode 3 - Job Hunting continues "Do I delay Loddefjord IL or accept?"

That is indeed the question.

1 hour ago, Stuniverse said:

The question is...

The question is, do I accept Mr. Bjerge's kind offer and manage Loddefjord IL in the Norsk Tippinig-ligaen Avdeling 3 or do I delay for a week and wait to see if IL Brodd or Verdal IL offer me a job?

--

So what do I know about Loddefjord IL?

--

The transfer window closes on Saturday 1st April

--

First Team Squad (including four newgens and eight greyed out players)

--

U19 Squad (all newgens)

--

Backroom Staff

--

1 hour ago, Stuniverse said:

Episode 3 - Job Hunting continues "Thank you Mr. Bjerke. Thank you."

Petter Bjerke, the chairperson of Loddefjord, has offered me the job of managing his football club.

--

The question is...

The question is, do I accept Mr. Bjerge's kind offer and manage Loddefjord IL in the Norsk Tippinig-ligaen Avdeling 3 or do I delay for a week and wait to see if IL Brodd or Verdal IL offer me a job?

 

Edited November 20, 2023 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Episode 3 - Job Hunting continues "IL Brodd"

Are Brodd IL a better option than Loddefjord IL?

Assuming Brodd offer me a job which isn't guaranteed.

--

--

First Team Squad

Note: transfer window closes on Saturday 1st April.

--

U19 Squad (all newgens)

--

Backroom Staff

Edited November 20, 2023 by Stuniverse

[phnompenhandy]

Partly depends on what the board's expectation are, which you won't know until the interview.

[Stuniverse]

Episode 3 - Job Hunting continues "Verdal IL"

Are Verdal IL a better option than Loddefjord IL?

Assuming Verdal offer me a job which isn't guaranteed.

--

--

First Team Squad (including 4 newgens and 10 greyed out players)

Note: transfer window closes on Saturday 1st April.

--

U19 Squad (all newgens)

--

Backroom Staff

[Stuniverse]

11 minutes ago, phnompenhandy said:

Partly depends on what the board's expectation are, which you won't know until the interview.

Well I've attended the interviews for the three Third Division (Fourth Tier) football clubs already.

Loddefjord IL - Status: Job Offer received

43 minutes ago, Stuniverse said:

Episode 3 - Job Hunting continues "Do I delay Loddefjord IL or accept?"

That is indeed the question.

--

So what do I know about Loddefjord IL?

--

The transfer window closes on Saturday 1st April

--

First Team Squad (including four newgens and eight greyed out players)

--

U19 Squad (all newgens)

--

Backroom Staff

--

 

--

IL Brodd - Status: attended job interview

25 minutes ago, Stuniverse said:

Episode 3 - Job Hunting continues "IL Brodd"

Are Brodd IL a better option than Loddefjord IL?

Assuming Brodd offer me a job which isn't guaranteed.

--

--

First Team Squad

Note: transfer window closes on Saturday 1st April.

--

U19 Squad (all newgens)

--

Backroom Staff

--

Verdal IL - Status: attended job interview

5 minutes ago, Stuniverse said:

Episode 3 - Job Hunting continues "Verdal IL"

Are Verdal IL a better option than Loddefjord IL?

Assuming Verdal offer me a job which isn't guaranteed.

--

--

First Team Squad (including 4 newgens and 10 greyed out players)

Note: transfer window closes on Saturday 1st April.

--

U19 Squad (all newgens)

--

Backroom Staff

 

[Stuniverse]

Until Next Time

With the transfer window due to close in six days time, I have a decision to make.

Do I accept Loddefjord's kind job offer or delay to see if Brodd and / or Verdal also offer me a job?

What would you do?

--

Any questions...

Thoughts, comments, general feedback appreciated.

Any questions, just ask and I'll answer them if I can.

Thank you for reading and following.

Until next time...

Stuni Stuniverse

Edited November 20, 2023 by Stuniverse

[phnompenhandy]

Dicey timing. The other offers, if they materialise, might come too close to the end of the transfer window. Hmm, dunno

[Stuniverse]

46 minutes ago, phnompenhandy said:

Dicey timing. The other offers, if they materialise, might come too close to the end of the transfer window. Hmm, dunno

Yeah, that's my dilemma. Normally I'd have no hesitation delaying for a week, waiting to see if I had just the one, two or three offers, and then making a decision.

If I delay Loddefjord for a week, the transfer window will be closed, so I'm almost saying I'll accept Brodd or Verdal (if either of them make an offer) otherwise I'll miss out on the transfer window.

Edited November 20, 2023 by Stuniverse

[XaW]

11 hours ago, Stuniverse said:

What does the "IL" before and / or after the football club's name mean?

Well, you did offer, @XaW 

Certainly!

Here are a few of the most common abbreviations (I'm capitalising the abbreviation as we contract words together just like German);

IL = IdrettsLag = Athletics Team
IF = IdrettsForening = Athletics Association
FK = FotballKlubb = Football Club
SK = SportsKlubb = Sports Club
BK = BallKlubb = Ball Club
FF = FotballForening = Football Association
IK = IdrettsKlubb = Athletics Club
TF = ToppFotball = Top Football (usually used when a team has several teams where some are professional, but they also have amateur sides)
UIL = Ungdoms- og IdrettsLag = Youth and Athletics Team

I think those are the most common ones, if any other pop up, just ask!  

[Stuniverse]

5 minutes ago, XaW said:

Certainly!

Here are a few of the most common abbreviations (I'm capitalising the abbreviation as we contract words together just like German);

IL = IdrettsLag = Athletics Team
IF = IdrettsForening = Athletics Association
FK = FotballKlubb = Football Club
SK = SportsKlubb = Sports Club
BK = BallKlubb = Ball Club
FF = FotballForening = Football Association
IK = IdrettsKlubb = Athletics Club
TF = ToppFotball = Top Fotball (usually used when a team has several teams where some are professional, but they also have amateur sides)
UIL = Ungdoms- og IdrettsLag = Youth and Athletics Team

I think those are the most common ones, if any other pop up, just ask!  

Amazing. Thank you, @XaW

[Stuniverse]

Episode 4 - | I have a job "I may regret this, but..."

I may regret this because I'm rushing my decision for one reason, and one reason only - the transfer window closes in six days time!

That's right, it's Sunday 26th March 2023 and the transfer window closes on Saturday 1st April 2023.

So, even though I haven't heard back from Brodd or Verdal following my interviews, I arrange a meeting with Loddefjord chairperson Petter Bjerke to discuss his kind offer for me to manage Loddefjord IL in the Norsk Tipping-ligaen Avdeling 3 (fourth tier).

Loddefjord is just outside Bergen, the second largest city in Norway I believe, and Mr. Bjerke suggested we meet at the Alvoen Country Mansion.

So, in beautiful surroundings, Mr. Bjerke and I sit down and discuss the terms of my Amateur £0.00 per week contract.

As a sweetner, Mr. Bjerke announces that I can have free board and lodging at the Alvoen Country Mansion in exchange for some bar work and waiter duties.

I agree.

And that's that, I'm going to become the manager of Loddefjord IL.

Sorry Brodd and Verdal but you're probably better off appointing somebody else any way.

Edited November 21, 2023 by Stuniverse

[XaW]

Ah, Loddefjord, a nice place outside Bergen. Got some relatives living just a bridge north of there, so driven around there a few times. Never been to the pitch though! Good luck with them!

(Also, a note on the transfer window, it's true that the window closes, but Norwegian rules allows you to register players at any time during the season, and I think you can pick up free transfers outside the window, but don't quote me on that last part as I'm not 100%)

[Stuniverse]

Episode 4 - I have a job | "It's official"

Loddefjord IL won the 4. Divisjon Hordaland last season and were promoted to the Norsk Tipping-ligaen Avdeling 3, the highest they've ever been in the Norwegian football pyramid.

Apparently we don't have enough players to field an 11-a-side team ????

Edited November 21, 2023 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

39 minutes ago, XaW said:

Ah, Loddefjord, a nice place outside Bergen. Got some relatives living just a bridge north of there, so driven around there a few times.

Loddefjord looks beautiful from the limited number of photos I’ve been able to google.

40 minutes ago, XaW said:

Got some relatives living just a bridge north of there, so driven around there a few times. Never been to the pitch though! Good luck with them!

Your relatives are very lucky living there.

Thank you, @XaW. It’ll be Loddefjord who need the luck with me managing them.

41 minutes ago, XaW said:

Also, a note on the transfer window, it's true that the window closes, but Norwegian rules allows you to register players at any time during the season, and I think you can pick up free transfers outside the window, but don't quote me on that last part as I'm not 100%)

My friend is doing a similar save in Norway (your instructions helped him unlock Tier 4 and make it playable, thank you) and he says the transfer window applies to free transfers as well. I’ll soon find out for myself.

[I have nothing to say]

Just popping up to say hello, I'm the sitting next to Stu at pride park friend who is "very knowledgeable" about Norwegian football (I dunno about that but I know a little 😁) friend Stu references earlier in the thread. Have joined after much nagging from him 🤣

Ironically (probably cos it's the only job we are good enough for) I also took over at Loddefjord over the weekend but as, unlike Stu I have no life, I have completed season 1 already so looking forward to seeing how he gets on. I don't think I'm nearly as interesting or as good a writer as Stu however so probably won't be making any threads of my own, happy to just read along and occasionally chip in if wanted.

Edited November 21, 2023 by I have nothing to say

[Stuniverse]

41 minutes ago, I have nothing to say said:

Just popping up to say hello, I'm the sitting next to Stu at pride park friend who is "very knowledgeable" about Norwegian football (I dunno about that but I know a little 😁) friend Stu references earlier in the thread. Have joined after much nagging from him 🤣

Welcome, @I have nothing to say. Great to have you on board.

41 minutes ago, I have nothing to say said:

Ironically (probably cos it's the only job we are good enough for) I also took over at Loddefjord over the weekend but as, unlike Stu I have no life, I have completed season 1 already so looking forward to seeing how he gets on. I don't think I'm nearly as interesting or as good a writer as Stu however so probably won't be making any threads of my own, happy to just read along and occasionally chip in if wanted.

Thank you for getting me interested in Norwegian football. Let's see how I get on...

[phnompenhandy]

You're starting your career at exactly the same time as me. Both of us go for depth rather than speed - let's see who dawdles the most!

 

Good luck!

[Stuniverse]

2 hours ago, phnompenhandy said:

You're starting your career at exactly the same time as me. Both of us go for depth rather than speed - let's see who dawdles the most!

Ah, @phnompenhandy, now that's a challenge.

2 hours ago, phnompenhandy said:

You're starting your career at exactly the same time as me. Both of us go for depth rather than speed - let's see who dawdles the most!

 

Good luck!

Good luck to you in your save as well.

[Stuniverse]

Episode 4 - I have a job | "Board and Supporter Expectations"

Before introducing me to my backroom staff, the Loddefjord Chairperson, Petter Bjerke, reminded me of the Board and Supporter Competition Expectations.

Edited November 21, 2023 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Episode 4 - I have a job | "Meeting my backroom staff"

My Chairperson, Petter Bjerke, introduced me to the only other staff member, first team coach Roar Olsen.

 

And after discussing with Petter Bjerke which job roles he'd be happy for us to appoint on an amateur £0.00 per week basis, I got busy placing adverts in the Job Centre.

Now to wait and see if anybody actually applies...

Edited November 21, 2023 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Episode 4 - I have a job | "Roar talks me through the playing staff"

I met with first team coach Roar Olsen, the only person in my backroom staff, and he gave me his initial thoughts on the Loddefjord players.

First Team Squad

 

U19s Squad

--

With the transfer window closing in six days time, and no scouts at the club, and no scouting reports either, I told Roar Olsen that I'll need him to recommend as many players, in all positions, that he thinks would improve us and be willing to join.

I explained to Roar that, whilst I would normally invite players in on trial, assess them in training and friendly matches, and then offer contracts to the players we wanted to keep, there simply wasn't the time to do that... so we're going to have to offer amateur £0.00 per week contracts to as many players as we can, convince them to sign, and then assess them in training and competitive matches as the season progresses.

Edited November 21, 2023 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Until Next Time

My first team coach Roar Olsen and I have a lot of work to do in the next few days.

Roar Olsen

--

Any questions...

Thoughts, comments, general feedback appreciated.

Any questions, just ask and I'll answer them if I can.

Thank you for reading and following.

Until next time...

Stuni Stuniverse

Edited November 21, 2023 by Stuniverse

[warlock]

22 minutes ago, Stuniverse said:

My first team coach Roar Olsen and I have a lot of work to do in the next few days

You're not wrong . Good luck with the challenge!

[Stuniverse]

30 minutes ago, warlock said:

You're not wrong . Good luck with the challenge!

Thank you, @warlock

[Stuniverse]

Episode 5 - Getting up to speed | "We're out of the Cupen"

Loddefjord were knocked out of the Cupen by Djerv 1919 on penalties before my appointment as manager.

We have four more Friendlies scheduled before our Norsk Tipping-ligaen Avdeling 3 campaign gets underway away at Brodd.

[Stuniverse]

Episode 5 - Getting up to speed | "Contracts offered"

Based mainly on players recommended by my first team coach Roar Olsen we've offered amateur £0.00 per week contracts to quite a few players, plus one loan offer.

 

Edited November 22, 2023 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Episode 5 - Getting up to speed | "Meeting the players"

I've met the first team players now, all 14 of them and, hand on heart, it didn't go as well as I'd hoped.

I got a warm welcome but, then, when I told them I thought we could avoid relegation they were offended.

I didn't back down, I told them that if we all gave it everything we had, and dug deep, and played for each other, we could avoid the drop.

They still didn't get on board which is fine, that's up to them, but that's the aim for the season to stay up and if they don't want to be a part of that, well, I'm looking to sign new players any way who will fight for the cause.

On the plus side, the players were happy with the Code of Conduct. I suppose, when you're being paid zero per week, it doesn't matter how many weeks wages you're fined.

Roar Olsen confirmed after the Team Meeting what I already knew - it didn't go well.

Edited November 22, 2023 by Stuniverse

[phnompenhandy]

Those illogical player reactions do my nut. I now adamantly refuse to do any late season team talks before a promotion push or cup final. If I've got that far, their morale is good and risking it in a team meeting is a fool's errand.

[Stuniverse]

Episode 5 - Getting up to speed | "Unhappy players"

18 minutes ago, phnompenhandy said:

Those illogical player reactions do my nut. I now adamantly refuse to do any late season team talks before a promotion push or cup final. If I've got that far, their morale is good and risking it in a team meeting is a fool's errand.

That's not the half-of-it, @phnompenhandy... players are unhappy according to Roar Olsen and Odd Hoel (PLayer Liaison Officer).

Daniel Misund for definite, although he hasn't requested a one-to-one... yet.

And Roar's getting negative vibes about Isak Hannes, Marius Bildoy and Joachim Westrheim as well.

Edited November 22, 2023 by Stuniverse

[phnompenhandy]

I was getting the dreaded 'depth' charges from nobodies in my squad all the time in my last save. Weirdly, despite having a total squad of 18 now, no one's come at me with it.

[Stuniverse]

Episode 5 - Getting up to speed | "Meeting the media"

Thanks to Isabel Rikstad, our Press Officer, for organising everything so well, I've now had my first press conference.

There were 11 journalists in attendance, which was somewhat scary, but...

Isbel said the press conference was fine.

I did get a couple of tricky questions about my lack of experience, and being younger than most of my players, but I thought I answered them confidently and stated I didn't think they were issues.

 

[Stuniverse]

@XaW I assume these journalists are from sports related media, TV, radio, newspapers etc., yes?

[Stuniverse]

Episode 5 - Getting up to speed | "Everything was going so well, Mr Bjerke..."

As everything was going so well with my Chairperson, Petter Bjerke, I decided to ask him about a coaching course.

Mr. Bjerke asked for time to think it over.

Then Mr. Bjerke came back and said "No" before admitting it was for selfish reasons because Loddefjord would be more likely to lose me to a bigger football club if I had qualifications.

I suppose that's some kind of back-handed compliment.

I did try and discuss it further with Mr. Bjerke but he wasn't willing to spend any more time debating it.

[Stuniverse]

Episode 5 - Getting up to speed | "New signings arrive"

With the transfer window closing on Saturday we didn't have time to waste so, as I explained to Roar, normally we would take players on trial, observe them in training, assess them in friendly matches, and then make a decision, time is against us so we're just going to have to sign players to £0.00 per week amateur contracts and then assess them after they've joined.

Anyway, that's the approach we've taken for this transfer window and new players are starting to sign up and join us at Loddefjord.

--

--

--

--

--

--

 

[Stuniverse]

Episode 5 - Getting up to speed | "Daniel's all smiles again"

 

Edited November 22, 2023 by Stuniverse

[phnompenhandy]

A bit unethical, but you can sign u any number of amateurs and non-contracts, promise them the world and bin them off after a cursory glance!

[Stuniverse]

18 minutes ago, phnompenhandy said:

A bit unethical, but you can sign u any number of amateurs and non-contracts, promise them the world and bin them off after a cursory glance!

That's a cunning plan, @phnompenhandy. As cunning as a fox who's just been appointed Professor of Cunning at Oxford University!

[Stuniverse]

Episode 5 - Getting up to speed | "More New Signings"

[Stuniverse]

Episode 5 - Getting up to speed | "But one gets away"

[Stuniverse]

Episode 5 - Getting up to speed | "Journalists have me on speed dial"

--

[Stuniverse]

Episode 5 - Getting up to speed | "Transfer Deadline Day"

--

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[Stuniverse]

Episode 5 - Getting up to speed | "Two more get away"

--

[Stuniverse]

Episode 5 - Getting up to speed | "More players arrive"

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[XaW]

19 hours ago, Stuniverse said:

the Cupen

Cupen just means "The cup", so no need for an extra "the" if you write it like that. Either the Cup, or just Cupen.

3 hours ago, Stuniverse said:

@XaW I assume these journalists are from sports related media, TV, radio, newspapers etc., yes?

All of those seems to be local newspapers around the Bergen area. I can say I've only heard about a few of them (Bergens Tidene, Bergensavisen), but based on the name they seems like smaller local newspapers and the names are from the wider Bergen area as far as I can tell without looking them all up!

Also, of all those countless signings I've only ever heard of one, Andreas Uran, which I think was a somewhat promising youth player at Molde some years ago that seemed to just never take the next step.

[Stuniverse]

46 minutes ago, XaW said:

Cupen just means "The cup", so no need for an extra "the" if you write it like that. Either the Cup, or just Cupen.

Thanks, @XaW I didn't know that.

46 minutes ago, XaW said:

All of those seems to be local newspapers around the Bergen area. I can say I've only heard about a few of them (Bergens Tidene, Bergensavisen), but based on the name they seems like smaller local newspapers and the names are from the wider Bergen area as far as I can tell without looking them all up!

Good to know. Thank you.

46 minutes ago, XaW said:

Also, of all those countless signings I've only ever heard of one, Andreas Uran, which I think was a somewhat promising youth player at Molde some years ago that seemed to just never take the next step.

Well I hope at least some of them are good enough to allow me to cobble together a competitive Loddefjord side.

I really wanted to sign Andreas Uran because after our first intake of left-backs we were still weak in that area. I hoped Uran would improve us there, but...

... he chose to join Gneist over us.

 

[XaW]

4 minutes ago, Stuniverse said:

Well I hope at least some of them are good enough to allow me to cobble together a competitive Loddefjord side.

I really wanted to sign Andreas Uran because after our first intake of left-backs we were still weak in that area. I hoped Uran would improve us there, but...

... he chose to join Gneist over us.

Well, I hope the ones you do get are good, as I have no idea how good the rest are. This guy was my only hope of knowing how good your players would be!