Hootieleece

June 2037: The Offseason Part II Manager's Thoughts Jester was interested in improving the squad anyway possible while cutting costs. That is why he extended present players for the most part and went after Free transfers as well. He understood that the team still had $600M+ in debt to service and that to be established as a top half Bundesliga team was the only way to do it. He had no thoughts that the team would repeat the past season anytime soon. Luck went our way too often this season was one of making sure the team didn't end up relegated. Highlights The month started with giving a stalwart of our run an extension. Weber is an Attacking Midfielder that wouldn't be out of place at center back, but to make use of his playmaking skills and tackling he has been the Segundo Volante DMCR in our 4-2-3-1 and it is a role I expect him to keep for now. Since we were profitable somehow, we pay our taxes. The Members chip in to help the club. Financially it was a good season especially in Prize Money and Broadcast Revenues. Jester expects the revenues to dip a bit as the team regresses to midtable for this season. Too Much went "right" for our Best of the rest finish in the Bundesliga, let alone the Europa League! Jester also extended the new Right Center Back, moving him from backup Left Center Back. Three New Teams to bully! The Bundesliga is in 4rth place ahead of Ligue1. Schalke04 is now in the top 100 teams in the World! The Team improved the Sports Scientists this offseason. Personality fits the team culture that Jester is building. The Team lost one of its better coaches to RB Leipzig. Schalke04 at #82 is at the lower end of Continental Reputation. Something to work on this season. The Bundesliga season was reviewed and not surprisingly we were the biggest over achievers! Jordyn Bergin was one of the signings of the season! The Board met with Jester to define the season's expectations: All of the expectations are do able especially the Cup requirements! Since he was extending a number 0f players Jester made sure the new Captain got an extension. Herrlich is rewarded for a magnificent season. We get to play FC Bayern another time.......oh joy oh rapture! In an effort to get more technical skill in the team Jester made a move for this Free Agent. This player will mostly be in Schalke04 II and was a bit of a "Panic Buy" for depth at Left Back. Amri is really making the rounds...... and he ended up signing with us instead of the Saudi's and will be the Backup AMC AP-A. The Coaching Staff was also shored up for the campaign ahead of us. She is a little worse than Tobias Schrock whom she replaced but not by much. Job offers out of nowhere.......If this was a Journeyman, Jester would have entertained it. There is still unfinished business in Germany. Namely knocking FC Bayern off their perch! Management Report Financial Report It looks like we have a lot of money in the bank, that should cover our operating costs with some help from the Champions League. Looking Ahead to be continued:

Thank you for the compliments. I will have to look into how PSG and Chelsea fell into the Europa League. This past season was one of the balls bouncing our way and 23 goals from a backup Striker mostly in the Europa League. I expect mid-table mediocrity next season mostly because too much went our way this season.

No wonder.

May 2037: Offseason Part One Manager's Thoughts After the whirlwind that was the end of the season that saw Schalke04 climb to greatness. Jester headed for vacation in Spain. He had thoughts about how to improve the team and started implementing it. He will only bring in one or two players after last season's splurge and will either sell or terminate the contracts of some veterans. He is looking for more creative talent that has ball skills and is a dead ball specialist. So that Herrlich can head in corners instead of serving them. Highlights Jester had his eye on this young Club Brugge player and made an offer but he wasn't interested in negotiating a contract with Schalke04. Jester had planned on training him as a Anchor-Defend Defensive Midfielder. Normally I (Jester) would send in an application, but I decided that one job change was enough for this save. Jester found his player to fill the creative and Dead Ball Specialist role on the team after being transfer-listed by Hertha Berlin. He is a little older than Jester would have preferred but penny pinchers can't be too choosy. He has pace and decent ball skills which will actually improve the team for analysis purposes. Jester created another Two Day Tournament to get match fitness off and running. He wasn't expecting Liverpool to be the Semi-final opponent! He is going to talk to the sales and marketing department about scheduling in the future. Jester has received this award for a second time! This makes the board happy.....but the fact that Jester didn't apply for the Liverpool job probably pleases them more! Two of our players made the Team of the Year! Collecting a Bonus! Jester had talks with club Captain Brinkmann about selling him in that Bundesliga is a little too far above his level of technical skill, but after putting him up for sale no one was taking so mutual termination was arranged. He is a great leader, but the team needs more technical skill. And Bayern won the Champions League! Management Report Financial Report to be continued:

What's up with Arsenal?

Keep at it. Defense might be helped if you change the partnerships sometimes. Look at the Attributes for the role and look at all the players at the club. Make sure to keep the Gunners down in the Relegation Brawl.

It was an amazing season, and all the comebacks kept me going. As for Herrlich, if you look at his attributes, he is nothing special except for heading, but he is a different sort of player from Ndiaye who is more of an attacking midfielder playing at Striker. There is going to be a shuffle up top of the formation next season. Herrlich is still going to come off the bench though.

Congratulations! I only had time to play golf and FM with my summer off. You are much more ambitious than me with your time off.

Thanks! I'm not sure I can replicate it, but I will try for at least one more season.

May 2037: End of Season Bundesliga Final Stats Awards Ceremony Twenty-Five Players were given Medals for Europa League Victory! Player of the Year Young Player of the Year The What could have been..... Board Meeting to be continued: (Jester thinks)

May 2037: Regular Season and Post Season "Impossible Dream comes True." Manager's Thoughts The team kept its incredible run of play going into May. Yes we lost to Rangers. Both goals were due to mistakes more than being beaten by a better team. Which was proved when we played them at Veltins Arena and overturned the 2-goal deficit to win in Extra time The team continued its good play in the Bundesliga with the backups with starter subs beating Leverkusen and losing to Bayern, but having the team come in best of the rest! The Europa League Final was something the team was down two Center backs but played with determination and took PSG to penalties. Which is always a lottery and we won! Winning the Europa League for the first time in 40 years, since 1997! Jester is still trying to decide if wants to continue with his rebuild of Schalke04 or retire on top, because this season will be hard to top. Schedule Highlights After the loss to Rangers the team needed to recover and take on Leverkusen to assure a Champions League place. Schalke was favored because the match was at Veltins Arena. Jester used a Half-rotated squad to give some rest to the players needed for the second leg against Rangers. Just before the game came a an article about transfer spending in the Bundesliga. Schalke04 was in Transfer Debt, but how the season had gone so far it was worth it. Now on to the big match versus Leverkusen Led by an Early Goal by Richard Rogers, Schalke04 went on to victory. The Leverkusen Manager wasn't happy. The Hero of the Hour Champion's League this is the best season in years for the club, but there is still a chance to match 40 years ago and the 1997 Europa League Championship. If we can overturn the Rangers at home. After the match Jester told everyone what a tough match it was......and how he was proud of Schalke04's Performance. No bitterness in the loss. After the Leverkusen match the team got ready to host Rangers for a chance to be in the Europa League Final. But first we had to reward our academy graduates that would join the U-19's. The Fans thought a draw was most likely to happen but with a slightly better chance of a Schalke04 win. Just before the crucial match our new wonderkid got injured. Game time came and the boys really put up a fight...... The match went into overtime, but Schalke04 overcame the two-goal deficit to book their tickets for Liege and the Europa League Final! The fans went nuts on Social Media after the match! and as a reward for our hard work, we get to play: We have a chance to match the 1997 season which is referenced in the slide. It came out after the match that Jester's Halftime Oratory fired the team to victory! We still have another match to win before we celebrate! Schalke04 pays approximately 51% of its Turnover to payroll for players. That is about as much as the club can afford based on current Debt levels. Otherwise, they could afford about another 30% or $30M. The Final match of the Bundesliga season would see us take on FC Bayern the Champions Since there was almost a week between the Leverkusen match and this one. Jester made sure everyone got plenty of rest and actually was going to play a half -rotated squad in preparation for the Europa League Final and this being dead rubber. Jester showing confidence in his team that has been through the fire of the season. Nagelsman actually respecting us. We lose another defender who was actually sitting out this match. We lost and the scoreline flatters to deceive. We scored two goals late to make it look respectable, but we were dominated. It was our backups that played with some starters subbed on. We ended up second in the Bundesliga and the prize money pays off this seasons debts! Final League Table Highlights Part II The Board wished us Luck. We will need it! This is how PSG Lineup! Fan Polls are crazy saying we would win this one....or did they know something? The Media hyping up the match! Jester was looking for luck against PSG! and he got it! The team won the Europa League on penalties! The Impossible Dream had come true! More money for the bank account, but most will go to bonuses! Our Backup Right Back who played a lot in the early rounds takes home an honor! Biggest Overachievers! Seasonal Analysis Report Management Report Financial Report to be continued: (I think)

I played for the Europa League place and used a recovery period everyday between matches and used a half-rotated match against Leverkusen. It all worked out in the end. (Spoiler)

April 2037: Regular Season "Dreaming little Dreams" Manager's Thoughts The team was playing well in the Bundesliga using mostly backup players as Jester dreamed of and chased trophies. The DFB Pokal came to an end in Hamburg due to penalties, but The team overcame a first leg defeat against Valencia to advance to the Europa League Semi-Finals versus Rangers. This keeps up the dream of another Europa League Title which would match the 1997 season now 40 years in the past. This season has been the best season Jester has had and it is mostly because his "misfit" players work hard and never give up. Schedule Highlights The month of April's matches started with one versus SC Freiburg. The backups were set to play because of the match against Valencia in a Few Days in the Europa League and Freiburg was in the Relegation Spots. The Backups did a professional job winning the game with a clean sheet. Someone isn't happy with the outcome! Schalke04 somehow is favored by the fans going into the match versus Valencia. Winning is where it is at. Jester likes to play the first of a two-legged match away because of home advantage! Valencia won the match but it was a close hard fought match that could have gone the other way. The team came home after the loss to Valencia to take on Hoffenheim. Schalke04 was favored as home team. The team went down a goal early due to a penalty, but the team stormed back late with two goals to win the match! Our backup Striker is having a season to remember! Jester likes to make the supporters happy! According to a media report EVERY Bundesliga team is in the red..... Schalke04 is still favored even after losing the previous match. Schalke04 fans must be skewing the online poll. Jester was confident ahead of the match. Schalke04 dominated the match but didn't get its goals till late on but they were enough to overturn the first leg defeat! On to the Europa Semis versus Rangers! Man of the match! The Semi-Final for the right to play the winner of Chelsea vs. PSG! After the thrilling win over Valencia the team then had to take on Relegation threatened Hertha Berlin. A rotated squad would take them on. Jester hoped the team wouldn't be too distracted by the pleasures of the Capital...... Jester was happy that the backups came through with a draw against a determined team with something to play for. We are now second! by goal difference! Three matches to go to secure Champions League! The next match is in the DFB-Pokal Semi Final in Hamburg. It will be a tricky match. Jester thought Schalke04 had a chance if they could beat HSV. The chance at the Pokal was lost on peanlties.... It would have nice, but it wasn't meant to be....at least we still have Europa League! After the loss to Hamburg the team headed to BMG for another match for the backups! Schalke04 was favored due to league position. Someone hates losing to Jester! BMG scored early but Gordon Herrlich pegged them right back and even got a winner late on! Eating Humble pie once again! More goals from the Backup that gets starts! Fans pick Schalke to beat Rangers in Glasgow! It was a close match but two bad goals made it look like a dominant victory for Rangers! League Table Monthly Analysis Report Player of the Month Management Report Financial Report Looking Ahead to be continued:

I did make the Europa Semis, but that was after beating Valencia. We play Rangers for the right to play the winner of Chelsea vs. PSG! (spoiler) I'm still playing April.

March 2037: Regular Season Manager's Thoughts The team is playing well and coming through in important moments to give this season the beginnings of a chance at greatness not just being a "Good" season. The Team has made it to the DFB-Pokal Semi Finals and that is the trophy the team has the best chance for. Making the Quarterfinals of the Europa League is wonderful but the chances of winning it are less likely due to the presence of Chelsea and PSG in the competition. Valencia, Schalke04's next opponent isn't to be overlooked either. By consolidating 4rth place in the Bundesliga the team is showing that they aren't one season wonders and were underestimated by many. Schedule Highlights The month of March started off with a trip to Spain to take on Real Hispalis. Real Hispalis was favored but Jester had confidence in his Starters! and the team won the away match when Jester wanted to get a goal or two. The team returned home and spent the better part of the time until the match with HSV with the physios and sports scientists with a celebration thrown in. HSV was favored but Jester thought Schalke04 had a chance to pull off the upset. Jester played it conservatively with a rotated squad, but Gordon Herrlich the backup Striker couldn't be denied and beat HSV on his own! Herrlich accounted for all four goals in an all-action effort with the last coming from a corner with him being our "dead ball" specialist. and now we get another match with Hamburg in the DFB-Pokal Semi-Final. The return leg of the Europa League against Real Hispalis was next and Schalke04 was still not favored even with the first match win and now playing at home. A convincing 2-0 win with a goal from Wonderkid Weiss! On to the Quarterfinals! The fans are getting excited about Schalke's chances in the Europa League! Jester is worried about getting Chelsea or PSG in the next round. The wonderkid is settling in well with a man of the match performance! While the celebrations were still going on Jester and the boys were preparing for a trip to Bremen to take on Werder. Schalke04 was favored but would need to do a professional job with a rotated squad. a good win against a determined Werder team. This email means we will not be relegated! The Youth team wasn't able to defend the trophy. Just before the team left on International Break Mainz05 was to visit Veltins Arena. The starters would play in the final match of the month. It was a hard fought match and Schalke04 just edged it with a 1-0 victory late in the match. The match was highlighted on Tv's all over Germany! Solidifying 4rth place in the Bundesliga! Youth Intake 2037 During the International Break came Youth Intake Day. Even with the poached players it looked like a "good" intake. Sabit Bekic Pawel Wrobel David Besch Mario Stipic Gil Hoeness Jester is impressed and thinks that several will become regulars down the road. He really likes Bekic but he needs to work on the physicals. Schalke04 continued its policy of signing players off the "unwanted" list. Wonderkid Report He isn't homegrown but he slotted right into the starting lineup and has put in great performances already! and he has a $57M Release Clause. League Table Monthly Analysis Report Player of the Month Management Report Financial Report The only worrying thing is the amount of debt that is being piled up even with Jester's penny pinching with transfer funds. Looking Ahead to be continued:

Respectable 4rth place finish and a return to the Europa League. Good Season.

February 2037: Regular Season Manager's Thoughts The team played well this month and showed that they were a team that could finish what they started, they are a little off the pace of the top teams and still need a little luck to beat them. Jester also showed that he has a great eye for talent and is willing to spend within limits to improve the team. If the team keeps up its current pace this could be a true season to remember with the team still in the Europa League and DFB Pokal. Schedule Highlights The month of February would start with a huge match away versus RB Leipzig Schalke04 came into the match in good form but beating the Energy Drink Giants on their own pitch is always tough. Schalke04 played their typical possession-based press and were at a loss to stop Ivan Mesa from Scoring a Brace...... Mesa put the player of the week performance against us! Jester commended the player on his performance. Trade Deadline Day came and Jester did decide to make a move. $1.3M for this young Slovakian Stud Defender! He will end up in the top 50 Wonderkids in a future edition! He slots right into the starting line up! This was the business done by the club during the window. We are overachieving based on our payroll. Bayern Spends SIX times as much as Schalke04! Bayern Spending away to keep up their domination of the Bundesliga and possibly win Champions League! Jester set a record for spending, but he is hoping to keep up the momentum.....sometimes you have to spend money. A $1.3M deal turns out to be $57M when sold.....what's not to like! As a reward for beating Hansa-Rostock we end up with tough match versus Leverkusen. The team's next match was to be against Union Berlin at Veltins Arena. Schalke04 was favored and Jester was confident. It was a tough match but a mistake by a Union Berlin Defender scored the only goal of the match! and Oto Weiss had a spectacular debut! After the match with Union Berlin the Team had to ready themselves for the Revier Derby vs. BVB! Schalke04 gets the first victory in the Derby of Jester's Reign! Social Media blew up after the hard fought match! Bergin had another great game...... Media trying to create a rivalry! Schalke04 then had to head home to Gelsenkirchen to prepare for FC Koln. The opposing manager is scared. Another hard-fought match that was won by bringing JP Ndiaye off the bench to win the match! and now blaming his players for the failure to win the match. Schalke04 found out who they would play in the Europa League. A tough match is predicted. The Pokal match against Leverkusen was next.....both team were playing well and Jester used his Starters. but had a few key players missing the match due to nagging injuries. and Jester's Policy is to NOT play injured players! Normal Starter Kemal Ozcan came off the bench at halftime to lead the comeback! the assists setup two of three goals! After the thrilling comeback win versus Leverkusen the team had another match. A trip to Wolfsburg and there was to be a little of a letdown in the match. Schalke04 dominated the match but couldn't score! Asked if he was bothered by RB Leipzig, He said he had better things to do than watch their match! League Table Monthly Analysis Report Player of the Month Richard Rogers quietly put together a great month playing AML. Management Report Financial Report Looking Ahead to be continued:

It has been good so far and has the chance of being a great season. Other than the Debt we are incurring.

10 more points and you should stave off relegation.

All-American Final is better than all Mexican! Especially for MLS! If they are to ever takeover the first spot in Concacaf!

I didn't realize this wasn't your first Champion's League win. Great Double!

January 2037: Regular Season Manager's Thoughts The team played well. Jester thinks the Two-Day Tournament for Match Fitness helped the team find its form. Yes the team lost to Eintracht Frankfurt and the Famalicao match was close due to the Over-the -top ball which remains an Achilles heel of our team, luckily most teams try to play through the press or give up and just defend and those matches usually end up with wins. Schedule Highlights The month of January started with the rescheduled Midseason Cup a Two-Day affair to build up match fitness after the Christmas Break. The backups were set to take on lower league Belgian team. The Backups strutted their stuff! That setup a final against Legia from Poland for the Starters. The starters played well and got their fitness up as well as winning some silverware! (Made Up Tournament) The Team then spent the week getting ready for the Eintracht Frankfurt Match. The starters were ready and raring to go......unfortunately the team fell to the Over-the Top ball from Frankfurt and lost the match. It was a close fought match but Direct play over our press is our achilles heel! And those Over-the-Top balls made this guy look good! So, after the disappointment against Frankfurt, it was on to the next match. The next match was held at Veltins Arena and was the Third Round of the DFB Pokal. The Backups were set to play with help from the starters off the bench if needed. Hansa Rostock was up for the match and their defense and Goalie were from another world even after going down to ten men, they only lost in penalties. Of Course Jester had confidence in his team. The team then had to make a trip to relegation threatened Stuttgart. The Starters put together a great performance dominating the match! Bergin the AMR-IF-S was the man in the match! After the Stuttgart match the First-Choice keeper comes down with the Flu and is sent home. The next match was a trip to the Netherlands for a match against Feyenoord. Jester decided to play the Starters in this match to possibly get a bye in the knockout rounds. The win allowed us to keep 5th place in the Europa League standings with much bigger clubs. Jordyn Bergin was the man of the match yet again! Someone wasn't happy with the loss.... The team then returned home to take on relegation threatened FC Augsburg. The Backups were set to start this match. more international jobs litter Jester's inbox and he repeatedly says NO! The match was the tale of a Super-Sub. JP Ndiaye came off the bench to score a Hatrick! Ndiaye made Jester look like a genius! The next match was against Famalicao and Jester expected the Starters to play. Kemal Ozcan is creating the Assists from another place on the field. the AML position instead of Striker when Bayer was in Bundesliga2. Jester decided to sign this player on a Bosman to be a backup DM for next season. The Over-the-Top ball was a problem, but the team won in the end. We secured the bye in the knockout round of the Europa League! Man of the Match yet again! We still have much to do the season isn't over yet! League Table Monthly Analysis Report Player of the Month Management Report Financial Report Looking Ahead to be continued:

Just trade for him instead.

December 2036: Regular Season Manager's Thoughts It was a month full of frustration for Jester, his team was playing well but there were more draws and losses than wins. Jester thinks that the Midseason Xmas break is coming at a perfect time for Schalke04 to refresh and get ready for the second half of the campaign. It will be important to keep rotating and avoid injuries if possible if Schalke04 is to reclaim a European Place. Currently the team is in 7th place just outside of the European places. Schedule Highlights The month of December started with a visit from "Die Alt Dame" from the Capital. Schalke04 was heavily favored but Jester was uneasy for some reason before the match. Jester used the backups looking forward to the clash with BMG and that was a mistake. But Jester took his anger out on the players,,,,,anyway! Asked why he used so many players, He retorted have you seen the injured players list! The team then hosted BMG and the Starters returned to the lineup. Someone is salty..... Jester tried to defuse the situation. The Starters rest had been worth it for the dominant display led by JP Ndiaye! Two more goals for the "perfect" Pressing Forward-Attack for Jester Ball II. The BMG boss tried to say his team was better than us even though we dominated them! Another international opportunity declined because Jester has a job here! Even with all the poached players it looks like we have some promising players in the academy! Rogers is challenging Ozcan for the Starting AML position and at his low salary it was no brainer. The next match would see Malmo FF come to town in the Europa League. The Backups would play another match. Malmo gave us a tough fight with a defensive minded 5-2-1-2WB Formation that stifled our attack. We took our chances but couldn't convert because of their goalie. A Frustrated Jester lashed out after the match. Analytics show we should have won! After the disappointment midweek the team had to ready themselves for a trip to Leverkusen. Two equal teams fought hard and the end was stalemate. The important match was highlighted all over the tv in Germany! Complaints about VAR.....are never ending! Ozcan the starting AML will miss the match versus FC Bayern! Backup keeper heads home to Luxembourg early. The last match of the first half of the season will be against FC Bayern at Veltins Arena. Our Vice Captain signs on for the long haul. Jester was just being realistic. The match was highly anticipated and was considered the best of the week on German TV! The team battled hard, but an upset didn't happen. The reaon why the match was closer is that Jester didn't listen to the coaching staff and play more defensively. FC Bayern weren't expecting it. Jester wants to win the next one in Munich! Another International Job that Jester has NO interest in. The Royal Blue XMAS Cup against Ligue1 teams was cancelled so Jester created a replacement. A couple of lower-level Belgian Teams and Legia from Poland to give our players some match fitness before the resumption of the season. A highly rated youth player commits. League Table Seventh place at the halfway mark isn't bad for a team picked 15th! Monthly Analysis Report Player of the Month The backup RB has been showing his worth in Europe and the Bundesliga providing assists. Management Report Financial Report Looking Ahead to be continued:

What a Final! Let's see this out. CP for the win!