Hootieleece

The AMC can be retrained to MC easily enough. Use RPM-MC Training until 18. Then change to the specific role for your team.

What a way to win it and break the curse!

If you get any "good" Youth Prospects have them train with the First team to take advantage of the facilities and make sure they are available to the appropriate youth or Reserve team for playing time. Only pick 2-3 and also make sure to check in on them monthly and maybe modify their training or ppm's worked on.

I think it was the DFB Pokal in 2011. The team has won Bundesliga2 twice (once under Jester) since the career started.

Finally on the deserved stage in the Champions League Final. Not winning the league hurts but whenever a team goes unbeaten, they deserve it. (Especially interesting that the AI managed it and will they actually defend their title is the question)

September 2035: Regular Season "Can't stop leaking goals" Manager's Thoughts The team is still scoring for fun in the early stages of matches, but the team adjusts after halftime, or our players are tired of pressing and we give up late goals that change wins to draws. Going forward Jester is going to become more of a "Match Manager" and play more defensively and less intensively. That should help with the Goals Against problem. The Members elected a new board and Jester is just hoping that they forget about the new stadium and allow Jester to invest in better players for the team. Schedule Highlights September started with an International Break and reminder that the board of this club was elected by the members. After the International Break the team headed to Bremen and had great traveling support. Werder was favored as the home team. Werder's Manager takes exception that I tend to have a lot of Homegrown players in my teams. Mostly Jester has them because Schalke04 Can't AFFORD Foreign Players! Again, we went out to an early lead, but then Werder made adjustments and the match ended in a draw. That's all Jester has to say about that...... A Director retires before the elections...... Bayern Munich were coming calling and Jester wanted to minimize the damage to the team morale.... So he played the backups and would setup defensively. Bayern have wone the Bundesliga for 20 years straight. Talk about "King of the Mountain". Yeah you do, but it helps when everyone of your players has more transfer value than my entire starting XI. It was a "Park the bus" and take our beating match. He talks too much..... In better news Schalke04 is one of the four teams leading in the production of National team players. Unfortunately, none are currently on our team. The final match of the month was a trip to Mainz. Jester was hoping to get an away win versus a relegation threatened opponent. We were both struggling for form but ours was better, and our loss was against Bayern. So, Jester thought we had a chance to take all three points. Another early lead the defense couldn't hold. Jester is thinking of becoming more defensive as the match goes on instead of going Gegen press at all times. After the match the thoughts of management and the members turned to the Election. and the new board informed Jester of its objectives. Nothing about a New Stadium.....maybe the new board has sense. League Table Monthly Analysis Report Scoring and conceding a lot outliers this season. If Jester can figure out the defense, it could be a year to remember. Attacking numbers are all good and it means were passing well. Goals Against is horrible. Management Report Financial Report Looking Ahead to be continued:

August 2035: Regular Season "Offense over Defense" Manager's Thoughts Jester wasn't sure how his team would play in the Bundesliga. He had an inkling. He was happy to see the team scoring for fun, but the defense was terrible especially the goalies. Some of this is due to playing a higher line with a team known for playing deep and blocking and clearing everything. He is happy with the perfect record but he has stuff to yell at his players about on the training ground and the locker room. This should be another year where the team mostly stays out of the Relegation Fray. If the GK problems persist Jester will look for a new one in the January transfer window. Schedule Highlights The month of August started off with the Marketing Department show Strong Ticket Sales.... The team was also gearing up for its last dress rehearsal before the Season a trip to visit a minnow in DFB Pokal 1rst Round. Since the team is still learning the new system the Starters will start the match except the Goalie. It was a "Blitzkrieg" with goals from the front Four. our new #10 playing as an AP-A was star of the match! After the victory in the Pokal the team returned to Gelsenkirchen to prepare for the Bundesliga season and a visit from Hannover. The Board reminded Jester of the season objectives. In the opening press conference Jester was "bullish" about the team. Just before the match Marketing came in with the final Season Ticket Sales......rather lackluster about the same as last season. But that didn't stop the fans from seeing some entertaining football.... Jester made a mistake on the lineup card and left Backup Goalie Massey in the lineup. Other than that, it was a successful match! Hannover's Manager wasn't too happy with his team performance..... Jester was happy that Ndiaye led the line wonderfully for the team. After the Victory the team then prepared for a trip to Wolfsburg. Schalke04 has good support wherever they play. Wolfsburg was favored as the home team, but Jester was confident of Schalke's Chances. It was a hard fought victory over a team reduced to 10 men. It was also a bit of a pyrrhic victory as well because the team lost Nubbemayer to injury. The Media did a piece on Commercial income in the Bundesliga. Schalke04 has the smallest income something to work on by winning! The Next match is against newly promoted Dynamo Dresden and will be on September 1, 2035, but that is two days before the Transfer Window and International Break. Schalke04 was favored and this was a must win match in the Relegation Battle! The offense isn't the problem now it is the defense! The new loanee is winning over the fans! and his $4.5M Transfer Fee is affordable! At the Press Conference after the match Jeser said no time for deals......he was happy with his team FOR NOW! A decent squad player took a pay cut to stay with the team. Transfer Day Where would we get $114M? Transfer Deadline came and went and Schalke04 stood pat. Goalkeeping is concerning and maybe a target for January. After the Transfer Window Payrolls were discussed Bundesliga Wide: League Table Monthly Analysis Report Not the best numbers but it is only three matches and we won them ALL! Player of the Month Management Report Financial Report Looking Ahead to be continued:

Good work so far midtable is good place to be. Maybe? get a Championship split spot.

I generally allow the DOF to run my scouting meetings and negotiate contracts for U-19's. Of course I keep final say on all matters. Also, I have found that having one that is good at analyzing data is helpful.

July 2035: Preseason "Turning into a Heavy Metal Band" Manager's Thoughts Jester still had a few players he needed to add to the roster if his vision of bringing "Heavy Metal Football" to Schalke04 was going to be a reality. He found two perfect candidates to play on the wings and the players already here can make adequate backups in those areas. This is Jester fighting fire with fire since his team was pressed hard during the second half of the season. Also Jester believes that hard work pressing will level the playing field against better teams so that his team can stay out of the relegation battle. The 4-2-3-1 Wide is the primary system and worked well surprising two bigger opponents. The team isn't totally familiar with the system yet but the early returns are promising. Schedule Highlights July 1rst came and the new Bundesliga window opened. Jester expected to be busy. These were the all ready finished negotiations. Reinhardt and Wirtz were expected to slot into the starting lineup. Maeno was bought for Schalke II. Reinhardt brings pace to the backline. Wirtz protects the backline and breaks up attacks. Even after these new players came in Jester was looking for Attacking Midfielders out wide if he was to finish his radical tactical transformation of the team. Marketing checked in to say that Season ticket Sales were strong. Jester found his targest of the Preseason out wide. Kemal will play on the left and is a free agent. Bergin will be the splash transfer of the season for us and will play on the right. The deal for him will be a loan with option to buy. Ozcan signed on decent terms with us. One of the first Loans with option to buy Jester has ever done. Academy Product remains with Schalke II. Bergin is joining us. Jester is thrilled. Media talked about the state of Matchday Revenue in the Bundesliga. Schalke04 is healthy. Now to field a team that much support deserves! The team then started playing Friendlies and had Training Camp in the Trento region of Italy. Played teams of all types but a win over RB Salzburg was the Highlight of Training Camp. After we came home from Training Camp the team was to play Benefica of Roberto Martinez with Mudryk in the team. It was an open game, and we rode our luck. Jester thinks that Benefica was surprised by our Tactical Shape and Gengenpress and we were clinical early that set the tone. @SixPointer and @Warlock After the big win Marketing Checked in with more good news about Season ticket Sales. The DFB Pokal opponent is a real minnow. Who will face the First team in our final match before the Bundesliga season starts. Transfers Jester rid himself of another options at the end of his contract player and ring leader of last seasons mutiny! Season Preview This is the new primary formation. This is the secondary formation. and the 5-2-1-2WB is still our third formation. Nobody believes in the team with improvement and tactical reinvention can match last season's accomplishments. Management Report Financial Report The bank balance looks good now, but the team NEEDS to remain in the Bundesliga to afford its new stadium. Looking Ahead to be continued:

I may use the idea next Preseason or During the Christmas break in Germany.

Benefica might be in trouble after losing that game in Porto's hand and 3 points behind Sporting Braga. Did you focus too much on Champions League. Schalke04 is playing a Friendly against Benefica in my game world. I expect to lose.

June 2035: Offseason "Vacations and leaked negotiations" Manager's Thoughts Jester went on vacation the last week of May and First week of June and tried to get away from Football. Upon his return he was inundated with messages, meetings, and interviews about the team. All the while he was trying to make improvements to the team after his decision to radically change the tactical formation of the team. Unfortunately, the team doesn't have a large transfer fund and the targets were represented by the same Agent. Who leaked all transfer negotiations and finally Jester had enough and ended the process. The team went ahead with its pre-negotiated deals with Schalke04 Players and Prospects, New players would have to wait for Free Agents in the Preseason. Highlights After his week in Barcelona on the beach trying to get away from football Jester was back in his office in Gelsenkirchen. Trying to figure out a way to improve the team on a miniscule budget. Also he watched a lot of Game film from when Jurgen Klopp managed the Rivals Borussia Dortmund in 2014. Now that he was back in the office he had to face questions from reporters. Jagustin is a young Croation AM that is coming through the U-19's and might be ready for Schalke II. He just signed his first contract with us give him time! Luxembourg's #1 is our #1 when he does well his teams do well. The German Government came for their share of the profits.......hopefully the Board will see sense! Almost $6M from the supporters at about $100 euros/member that pays the taxes. Commercial activity is up and the jerseys are mostly Strikers even though the best one only put in 9 goals! Scouting was improved with Jester expanding the Scope to ALL of Europe from just Central Europe in an effort to find undiscovered gems. Since Jester has decided to switch to a 4-2-3-1 Wide he needed some talent out wide......and it looks like an agent leaked the story to put pressure on Hannover who just got promoted to the Bundesliga. Three New old Teams joining the Bundesliga. Really funny that both of our targets are with the same agent...... We made another offer and this one was leaked as well... Basically, since we didn't play in Europe or qualify this season, we lost our place in Europe! Somehow, we were more respected when we were in Bundesliga2! We made another offer and this one was leaked as well......shortly thereafter Jester pulled both offers and would wait for the Free Agents in July. and Jester decided to expand the staff a bit. He brought on a new coach. He wasn't exactly right for the job since we would predominantly play a 4-2-3-1 DM Wide but he was proficient enough and tactically familiar with our secondary formations. We are now 18th best team in Germany supposedly......even though we came in 12th in the Bundesliga. Hertha Berlin put our achievements to shame.... but we did make midtable and that is the objective again this season. It will be a long time before a Schalke Transfer is found on this list unless we get lucky with a Bosman. Jester decided to up the expectations to the second round of the Pokal because most likely play a minnow in the first round. Jester had a meeting with the board, and they accepted Jester's Vision of Transfer Revenue retained increased instead of their initial proposal to increase the salary for a loan manager which we don't even have! This is the Star player and the one the team is built around. Media trying to stir up trouble. another U-19 Graduate will move onto Schalke II. Vlcek is another promising youngster headed to Schalke II for now..... Financial Report to be continued:

Good Job Staying up other than you didn't gain any places in the table it was a time of fine form.

Seeing Estrela in the top 6 reminds me of @Dong21's thread. Good luck with the league you have quite a fight on your hands.

It is 2035 you know......gotta have a new stadium to keep up with the Schmidt's of Bayern. We already had the 3rd best attendance in the Bundesliga.

Just beat Winterhur and Thun and you should be safe.

May 2035: Regular Season "Tying up loose ends." Manager's Thoughts The team finished out the season competitively but the glaring weaknesses were there for all to see. Jester had to do a radical tactical rethink with as negligible budget. The Board since they got a $47M windfall for coming in 12th in the Bundesliga it was time to build a new stadium. Even though they were $20M in the red before it and don't have enough money in the bank to pay the players and staff next season at this time. Jester thinks it's all a little bonkers, but he will do his best, but this next season might be his last. Highlights The week after the Eintracht Frankfurt Match was taken up with meetings and news from around Germany. Due to Jester's penny pinching Schalke04 is in a better financial position, but will the board restrain themselves in the face of sudden prosperity. In other places Bayern Munich won the Bundesliga for the 14th straight time.......It is very much their league and were living in it. Schalke04 had to head to Wolfsburg to finish the season. With nothing but pride on the line this might turn out to be drab affair. This is a player we are letting leave at the end of his contract this summer. We scored early then were terrible after due to the usual suspects shots from the goalline and balls over the top. We then sunk to defeat and Jester was happy to see the end of this season especially since he knew he had a lot of work to do. The season was productive in that we achieved safety in the Bundesliga, but that was due to our fast start. The Board was thrilled and had delusions of grandeur dancing in their heads. They Ignored the fact that we only had $28M left in the bank......so Jester will have to continue his penny pinching ways. Dynamo Dresden will be joining us in the Bundesliga. League Table Season Stats Players of the Year The defensive efforts of these two players made the difference for Schalke04. Most saves held and tied for most shots blocked! Seasonal Analysis Report Team Dynamics The team is in a good place after the mutiny. Wonderful things happen when you win and stay up. Winning covers up many flaws. Board Meeting and at that moment Jester knew the board was crazy...... Highlights #2 Bayern pulled off the Quadruple! Management Report Financial Report to be continued:

How many maches left in the League? 7? If so, just makes sure you beat the teams lower than you and you should be fine. Seeing Abi play well is always bittersweet for a fan of "Les Verts".

April 2035: Regular Season Manager's Thoughts Jester wanted to play competitive matches and do our best to win until safety was assured. We did play competitively but the Achilles heels of our system continue to be exploited by our opponents. It has been a superhuman effort by our GK that we are in the position we are in. Jester is thinking of making a major tactical change of system over the offseason. Schedule Highlights The month of April began with a visit from a struggling Leverkusen team, but they had won their last match. Both of these teams were coming off an International Break. Schalke04 didn't have many absences from the main team except for Cardoso, Luxembourg's #1 GK. So the team was able to work on tactics and Set Pieces to hopefully win a few matches. Both Bayer04 Goals came from just outside the box from DMs with plenty of space and time to hit world class unstoppable shots. The team then had to right themselves against this season's Cinderella Team Hertha Berlin. Traveling to the Capital is always fun for the players due to the entertainment available, but not often for managers of mid-table/relegation team. Match day came and the boys put up a good fight..... Losing late on a set piece...... After the deflating Draw Jester was brought into some financial meetings about the state of the Club. Only Bayern is profitable and $12M of our losses are loan repayments. Jester has been pinching pennies. The team after the draw against Hertha were informed that they would remain in the Bundesliga. and of course with our financial difficulties a youth player was poached. After those meetings Jester was ready to entertain Hoffenheim at Veltins Arena. Another Midtable Match with nothing really to play for but Jester wanted the best possible finish to the season. (for financial reasons) Schalke04 scored first but were unable to get a winning goal past their defense....and just before the whistle had to settle for a draw with Hoffenheim's late goal. The Last match of the month would see us head to Relegation Threatened Braunschweig. We played well and it showed but it was probably because our opponents were just going through the motions. Refereeing and VAR have been controversial all season and Jester is sick of the questions! Youth Facilities were upgraded which will help a few years down the road. Bulent Celik Andre Abrogast Nikolaj Popovski Maximillian Schmidt Murat Aslan The first match of May was against rivals Eintracht Frankfurt (I just watched a documentary on their 2023 Europa League Victory) Jester was hoping for competitive football while taking on a team in the European places. The Team played well but we were put behind the proverbial eight ball early after some shaky VAR and Refereeing rulings. Monthly Analysis Report all about the GK! Management Report Financial Report Looking Ahead: to be continued:

I don't really feel we will face the drop this year. If play continues as it has next season it is definitely an issue to be dealt with. Jester is thinking about a radical tactical change. (Back to the Future) The team played a 4-2-3-1DMWide before Jester arrived and most of the coaching staff prefers it so the team might go in that direction over the summer.

March 2035: Regular Season Manager's Thoughts The team played better but is very susceptible to very direct teams and Jester will be looking to improve the pace of the backline and find a defensive midfielder who will either press or make interceptions for us to improve the defense for next season. The team is now 2 points from the mythical safety line in the Bundesliga of 35 points. Jester will continue to try and win to finish as well as possible because the team's coffers need the money. $12M/month just to payback loans....until 2042! Schedule Highlights The month of March would start with a trip to Bremen with the team trying to make good on the win against Stuttgart. Werder was favored as the home team, but this was a midtable team that Jester thought Schalke04 had a chance against. Jester was going to continue with his possession heavy tactics as a way to keep the team from being leaky defensively. Unfortunately, Werder played direct both through balls and over the top and Schalke04 had no answer. The leader of the malcontents will be out of the lineup for the next two matches! We might win! Schalke04 returned home to Veltins Arena to take on BMG! BMG manager ends the media's try to create controversy. Schalke04 played some of their best football in months, but the defense remained leaky. Again, all of Schalke's wins are owed to our GK! The team then had to travel to Rostock and take on Relegation Rival Hansa Rostock in our next match. This was a Six-Pointer and Jester was keen to take all the points. It started well, but after a while we ended in a draw because of an own goal and an inability to breakdown Hansa's defenses. It is release list day and the list that Jester looks through to help build his teams! Jannes Fruhling is the star of the list. The Academy was culled and it looks like we may have some players. After the Youth commitments, Jester had to finalize his plans for the trip to Hamburg. HSV was the favorite, but Jester hoped to pull off a "Smash and Grab"! Jester tried NOT to ignore the platitudes before the match...... It backfired since HSV played direct to the AF Jorsch who found acres of space behind the Schalke04 backline. Robert Voloder missed a penalty that would have led to a draw. Jester didn't want to talk about refereeing! League Table Monthly Analysis Report Good Goalkeeping and bad at interceptions..... Player of the Month Management Report Financial Report Jester can't wait for the Prize money to handed out. Thus, the team will try to get as high a position as possible minimum of 15th of course. Looking Ahead Jester would like to get a minimum of 6 points next month especially with Hertha Berlin being the toughest team we face THIS season. (Otherwise, it would be Bayer04) to be continued:

February 2035: Regular Season "Winter of their Discontent" Manager's Thoughts The month of February was terrible for Schalke04. We played all the best teams in the league and were beaten badly. The string of losses brought Fan and locker room discontent to the forefront. Jester insisted to the players that they play better, and things would improve. The next match saw the team get a priceless 1-0 win over a relegation rival Stuttgart. So, all is now right in Geisenkirchen, but Jester is still looking for 7 points to assure a 15th place finish, so the team doesn't have to go through the playoff with a Bundesliga2 team. Schedule Highlights February would be a month to make or more likely break us with all the big teams on the schedule. First up RB Leipzig. Trips to Leipzig are never fun only a little more fun than trips to Munich. of course our star player gets the flu just before the match! Not that he would have made a difference. There is a gulf in quality between $40M players and $5M players. The team returned home from their chastening in Leipzig to take on another big team Freiburg. Sitting in the European places. It was a close match except for the terrible refereeing that favored Freiburg.....the VAR comments might have backfired! It was working but now we are playing better competition! The fans and media are such morons! Trying to stay away from Refereeing and VAR comments.....Jester commented about our abysmal defending of crosses and through balls. Looks like another pasting in the works and to help with morale (LOL!) Jester plays the backups and plays very defensively on suggestion of the Assmen! another critic of using German players in Germany! Jester sent an Assman to the Press Conference...... and then Bayern's Shooting practice began....... it was awful! Jester WILL NEVER setup so defensively again in his life! Also, the Referee wasn't the best either. Even Nagelsman thought it was bad refereeing and his side benefitted from it! This is what happens when you are a relegation battle team, and you play four of the Five best teams in the league in a row! After Nagelsman's remarks Jester felt justified in complaining about the referee. support from Nagelsman! The supporting fans who made the trip to Munich were refunded their tickets! Our Goalie made Team of the week even though he gave up 7 goals, BECAUSE he saved 37 shots! After the Bayern match and our string of results the obvious mutiny came.......Jester told them if they played better they would enjoy playing more most accepted it except the North Macedonian contingent that had been a thorn in Jesters side ever since he took over as manager. Igor Illevski's less than convincing performances all this season have him as next player out of the team. Luckily we would next be hosting a team in the bottom three to get ourselves right against! Teams keep trying to pry our good young players away from us because of our financial problems. Jester set up the team with the usual setup positive midblock etc. and every one of the starters except Illevski in the Starting XI. Illevski was asked to come on late to secure the victory. as a sop to his importance as a team leader. Hopefully the team can get the 7 points needed to stay up without playing in the playoff! Bayer came on for Ndiaye and scored the Game winner! The backup RPM-S that played well gets the Flu....... The Goalie who is keeping out of the relegation fight gets food poisoning and will miss the next match. League Table Monthly Analysis Report The good we have a good goalkeeper who makes lots of saves and we have players in the Defense and Midfield strata that block and clear well, but there is a lack of interceptions breaking up opponents attacks and that leads to this: Player of the Month Management Report One victory gets the boys back on Jester's side. Financial Report Looking Ahead Jester is hoping to get the 7 points needed for safety next month. to be continued:

January 2035: Regular Season Manager's Thoughts The team came through the Christmas break in good spirits, but Jester wanted to build a more cohesive team. Over the past few transfer windows players have had their heads turned by our rivals. Some of these players went as far as saying they were waying their options at the end of their contract. So, Jester did his best to let these "lukewarm" players leave. He wants players that want to be here and build a consistent winner. He brought in two Free Transfers for Next season and with the bringing in of an older player for "right now" he is trying to make sure that Schalke04 IS NOT in the Relegation Battle. Consistently becoming midtable is the first step in the process of rebuilding this team. Budget constraints have made Jester realistic. Also, this is much like what was happening at Preston. The Team got a win against Mainz a midtable team and lost a close one to rivals Borussia Dortmund. The loss to Koln even though they are in European places was embarrassing. Much work is left to be done. Schedule Highlights The month of January started with a Friendly against Worms to have the team ease back into training mode after the Christmas break. It was a bit of a walk over, but they did show some flaws in training. To remedy that Jester decided the team needed to add players that wanted to be here. Instead of being held hostage by players wanting weigh their options at the end of their contract. Reinhardt is for next season and is a player that will slot into the backline having not broken through at RB Leipzig. Daniel Wirtz is for next season as well and will bring depth to the midfield. Daniel Wirtz-DM-D After the Free signings for next season, it was time to play matches again. First up a visit from Mainz. The match was a good one and the boys delivered the victory that Jester was looking for..... It was a bit messy and our place in the table added some intrigue to the Revier Derby which was next. A trip to Borussia Dortmund. Dortmund wasn't playing well but it was a derby and they were the home team. and of course, the media did their best to hype up the match. another player who could have been useful but had his head turned leaves with Jester wishing him nothing but the worst....... Game day came and it was a feisty affair and all the scoring was early and then settled into a match neither team wanted to take chances and lose..... A bit of intrigue and controversy after the match..... So after the loss to Dortmund Jester put his GM hat back on and started looking for players to build up the team. He was brought into provide depth at the RPM-S position. Neitzel was brought into provide depth at the RWB/IWB position especially if Kvestri leaves during the window. and Jester made a splash acquiring a player that went against his instincts of building a young team. He was brought in to be the new LWB NOW! As the transfers were being made, changing the team it still had to play. The next match was against 4rth place Koln. A close tough battle was expected unfortunately it didn't deliver. Maybe because Jester was to involved with transfers the team just played uninspired. and Jester blamed it on VAR! Look for more VAR calls to go against us in the future...... Another of the "lukewarm" players is out even if he was one of our better players...... Three in one out not counting the Schalke II players. Jester is slowly molding a team that he wants to bring glory back to Schalke04. It will be a long process due to the financial difficulties at the club. Which is why the payroll will be one of the smallest in the Bundesliga for some time to come. League Table Monthly Analysis Report Player of the Month Management Report Financial Report The Transfer costs of Merlin will hurt in the short term and we will need the Prize money to balance the books. Looking Ahead If we can get past next month with at least 4 points we should be safe. Because we will play none of the top teams over the last two months of the season. to be continued:

I think so too, but the first half of our schedule has ALL the big teams. RB Leipzig, Koln, Bayern Munich, and of course our rivals Borussia Dortmund. If we can survive until March and beat each of the Cellar Dwellers, we should be good to go.