withnail316 Posted March 8, 2017 Author Share Posted March 8, 2017 FC Utrecht Season preview 2023/24 Media expectation: 1st Board expectation: win the title Transfer budget (remaining): €12.8m Wage budget: €667,000p/w (€205,000p/w under budget) And so back to the Eredivise, then. After a few months struggling to get back into FM, a chance conversation with a mate about managing in Holland inspired me to fire up my Utrecht file again, and that seemed to get the blood pumping once more. You may recall (if not, you can skip back to page 11) that the reason I left originally was because the board had refused my request to expand the stadium, but if I'd stuck around for just one more day, the club would have done it off their own back! The board have also invested in both our training and youth facilities and they are adding undersoil heating, so they are making an enormous investment in the club (the stadium expansion and undersoil heating alone will cost around €20m). You may also recall that my squad was fairly decent, which is why we'd just won a fourth league title and we'd picked up the Champions League trophy. As a result, I didn't want to make too many changes to the squad, although I did set out to sign young players that I can start to bring through in the next couple of seasons. This has been my first year at the club where I've spent more than I've made in the window, although that could change in the coming weeks. The big name to leave the club was the Brazilian defender Luiz Henrique. He'd slipped to my fourth choice centre back, and considering I had strong youngsters in his position, I snapped the hand of Hercules off when they offered me €10.75m for him - a profit of over €9m. Also leaving the club was left back Hugo, who joins PAOK for €2.4m,and I also sent out a group of youngsters on season-long loans, including outstanding prospect Rodrigues, who has gone to Twente. As for new arrivals, I've signed two players who will immediately feature, although one of them is only likely to play a bit-part role this season unless we have an injury crisis. The biggest deal of the summer was the signing of Dutch U21 international Frank Maas, who joins for a club record fee of €9m from AZ. He's likely to be our fourth choice CB this season despite his price tag, although I would expect him to replace Rini de Ruiter in the near future. The other first teamer to arrive is Finnish striker Jami Markkula, who arrives from Lillestrom for €1.4m. He is likely to test my loyalty to club captain Jiri Masek, but having four quality strikers is a good problem to have. The other two arrivals were both wingers, Valerio Bigliazzi joins from Juventus for €3m and was immediately loaned to Willem II, while Agustin Ruddler joins for €4m from Velez Sarsfield and will be given time to acclimatise to Europe in the youth and reserve set-up. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
withnail316 Posted March 8, 2017 Author Share Posted March 8, 2017 2 hours ago, noikeee said: Goodbye, Danish horses. Hello back, Utrecht. Weird to go back in time, but the heart wants what the heart wants... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
withnail316 Posted March 8, 2017 Author Share Posted March 8, 2017 August A solid first month and another trophy in the bag, although we got a little scare in the NAC Breda game, and we fell behind against Feyenoord. An interesting group in the Champions League, too: Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
withnail316 Posted March 22, 2017 Author Share Posted March 22, 2017 The Dutch Cup is ridiculous. (Proper update to follow) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
withnail316 Posted March 22, 2017 Author Share Posted March 22, 2017 September & October Apologies for neglecting this, but I'm back on the case now and we're flying. Domestically things couldn't be going any better, and we're well placed in Europe to qualify for the knock out stages once more. We've also picked up the UEFA Super Cup, not that I'm especially fussed about that, but it's always nice to win a trophy... We seem to have a fair amount of cash floating around without the club sliding towards debt, so I also decided to spend a bit of money on a midfield prospect: I had to hit his €8m buy-out clause to do a deal, but in the next couple of years I suspect this youngster could be a real star. I wouldn't have done the deal had he been older than 18, but he's another potential homegrown player to add to the list. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
withnail316 Posted March 22, 2017 Author Share Posted March 22, 2017 Two pieces of news on the same day... That will be the ground expanded up as far as it will go, and it also means it will have doubled in size since I arrived. Not bad at all... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deisler26 Posted March 22, 2017 Share Posted March 22, 2017 Good work dude! I've seen that kind of KNVB Beker Final before. Think it was Jong PSV who made it Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
withnail316 Posted March 22, 2017 Author Share Posted March 22, 2017 4 hours ago, Deisler26 said: Good work dude! I've seen that kind of KNVB Beker Final before. Think it was Jong PSV who made it Cheers man. What a bunch of mentalists... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dexter_Morgan Posted March 22, 2017 Share Posted March 22, 2017 Kind of glad you went back a bit as I felt you were on the verge of getting a really good side with Utrecht Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
withnail316 Posted March 22, 2017 Author Share Posted March 22, 2017 10 hours ago, Dexter_Morgan said: Kind of glad you went back a bit as I felt you were on the verge of getting a really good side with Utrecht I did jump the gun prematurely I think, but the problem was more where I moved to than leaving per-se. I had won 4 league titles and a Champions League, so I'd certainly done my bit for the club... Time will tell if I move on again though, or if I look to stay here long-term. I'm just beginning to be linked to some decent jobs again (including Bayern, although I'll not go to club quite that big as it isn't really my style.) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
withnail316 Posted March 22, 2017 Author Share Posted March 22, 2017 November We're still flying at the moment, although we're beginning to feel the affects of a few injuries. Juan Vecchiola is out injured until February, while Hercilio and Markkula are out for a month, and so I've recalled a couple of youngsters from their loan deals. Levi Jacobs was enjoying a very useful spell at NAC Breda, but he's come in and made his league debut, and played very well in the CM/D role, while Ruben van Boekel has come back from NEC as our fourth choice striker. All in all though, I can't complain at all. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
withnail316 Posted March 23, 2017 Author Share Posted March 23, 2017 I'm now getting to the stage where I need to think about breaking this team up, otherwise some of my young players will never kick on. I'm a big fan of both Daniel Mirco and Rini de Ruiter (my assistant isn't so keen on the latter, but he is Mr Consistency, so I think he's a star) but both players are standing in the way of youngsters (not that either of these two are old, btw) and so I might have a painful decision to make. Both Rodrigues and Bigliazzi are impressing on loan spells, but I'm not convinced either would benefit from another year away from the club. I think I'll have to bite the bullet and sell the two established players ahead of them. I may also decide to cash in on club captain Jiri Masek. He's been a revelation since signing for us for €650,000, and has scored over 100 goals for the club, but I suspect I could get an insane fee for him if I sell him at the peak of his powers (touching €20m, which would be a record) and reinvest in a youngster. It's a big call though, as he is just brilliant. I also have all this lot to try and develop, too: It's a good problem to have, but it's definitely a headache! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
withnail316 Posted March 23, 2017 Author Share Posted March 23, 2017 None of my players ever won anything like this in Norway, even if we were the biggest club in the world. Good to see them getting recognition. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
withnail316 Posted March 23, 2017 Author Share Posted March 23, 2017 December Another good month for us, and another trophy for the cabinet, this time the Club World Cup. We had a real battle with Boca, who were 3-1 up in the final, but there is definitely some character about this team. Things are looking good, then. What isn't quite so good is that despite winning our Champions League group, we'll meet the mighty Real Madrid in the last 16. Still, you've got to beat the best teams at some stage if you want to win it, I suppose. One little piece of transfer news, too. Midfielder Mickael Thiriet, who joined us for €375,000 back in 2018, has joined AS Monaco for €4m. Not bad business at all for a player who has dropped to fifth or sixth choice. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjoe Posted March 23, 2017 Share Posted March 23, 2017 Looks good in the league. And some really nice prospects! I like Remco a lot. And also Jørgen Larsen with the beautiful danish name. He looks to become a solid playmaker who can shoot, however, cant dribble. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
withnail316 Posted March 23, 2017 Author Share Posted March 23, 2017 7 minutes ago, Benjoe said: Looks good in the league. And some really nice prospects! I like Remco a lot. And also Jørgen Larsen with the beautiful danish name. He looks to become a solid playmaker who can shoot, however, cant dribble. Cheers, man. Yeah, we've got a decent bunch of young players to come through, so the future is looking quite bright. Speaking of youngsters, I've just added another one to the group on a free for next year: Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjoe Posted March 23, 2017 Share Posted March 23, 2017 Just now, withnail316 said: Cheers, man. Yeah, we've got a decent bunch of young players to come through, so the future is looking quite bright. Speaking of youngsters, I've just added another one to the group on a free for next year: He's.. Well.. Insane. Nice signing! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
withnail316 Posted March 24, 2017 Author Share Posted March 24, 2017 January Not much transfer activity in January, although Jose Alexandre arrived on a long-awaited €8m deal from Corinthians, and we also agreed the free transfer of full back Danny Bernhardt, as mentioned above. Several have left the club, though. Mickael Thiriet joined Monaco for €4m, Rini de Ruiter went to Racing in Spain for €9.25m (plus 50%), and Matthew Billings joined Derby for €2.5m. Erwin de Graaf decided he didn't like his lot in life too and threw his toys out the pram for a loan move. I've transfer listed him, but for now he's joined Frankfurt on a six month loan (they'll pay €200,000 a month for the privilege, too.) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
withnail316 Posted March 25, 2017 Author Share Posted March 25, 2017 February With 10 games to go, we're nearly there as far as the title is concerned. We do have the small matter of Real Madrid in the Champions League to come, though... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
withnail316 Posted March 25, 2017 Author Share Posted March 25, 2017 UEFA Champions League Last 16 1st Leg: Real Madrid 2-1 FC Utrecht A really difficult first leg, and we weren't helped by Juan Vecchiola picking up another injury after just four minutes, but we're very much in the tie. Real took the lead after 20 minutes with a brilliant free kick, but Daniel Mirco rifled in a leveller from distance after 33 minutes. The second half was played on the back-foot, and eventually Real's pressure paid off, but we're very much in the tie at 2-1. 2nd Leg: FC Utrecht 4-1 Real Madrid Absolutely blown away by this performance. We lost club captain Jiri Masek in the previous game, so Ahmed Onuh came in up top, and he took full advantage of the opportunity. Six minutes in and he powered home a header from a Fernando cross, and under 20 minutes later he smashed home a second from 15 yards. Real pulled a goal back soon after, but two goals in 3 minutes from Roel Lagendijk killed the tie before half time. In the second half we tightened up and squeezed the life out of the Spanish giants, and we sealed our place in the quarter final in fine style. Our reward for knocking out Real Madrid? Barcelona. Ouch. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
withnail316 Posted March 26, 2017 Author Share Posted March 26, 2017 Youth intake day, and those sweet little words were included on the report: ..."possibly one of the best players of his generation." And here he is, all 6 foot 6 of him. A monster in the making... There isn't much else to show for the intake, but I'm delighted all the same. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keano16 Posted March 26, 2017 Share Posted March 26, 2017 6'6" at 15. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
withnail316 Posted March 26, 2017 Author Share Posted March 26, 2017 24 minutes ago, Keano16 said: 6'6" at 15. I know, it's unbelievable. He's our third CB of that height, but I suspect he's not finished growing just yet... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted March 26, 2017 Share Posted March 26, 2017 I wanna see what he looked like playing in the u15's, probably like seeing the Mountain roam a battlefield. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
withnail316 Posted March 27, 2017 Author Share Posted March 27, 2017 March The title in the bag, a place in the cup final secured, and a victory against Real Madrid in the Champions League. What;s not to like? *whispers* there's also the chance to go through the entire season without a domestic defeat. Four games to go... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
withnail316 Posted March 27, 2017 Author Share Posted March 27, 2017 UEFA Champions League Quarter final 1st Leg: FC Utrecht 4-2 Barcelona Not quite the tight and nervy first leg I was anticipating against the mighty Spaniards, even if that was my plan. We conceded a penalty after just 9 minutes, which was slotted in by Neymar. I changed to a more attacking stance straight after, and we were given a penalty ourselves soon after, but Roel Lagendijk missed it! Luckily, he responded brilliantly, and after 17 minutes he had levelled. He scored a second on the half hour, pouncing on a defensive mix-up to blast low into the corner, and Ahmed Onuh made it three just after half time. Lagendijk completed his hat-trick with a bullet header after 52 minutes, and then Barcelona threw the kitchen sink at us. They did pull one back late on, but we'll take a two goal lead to defend at the Camp Nou next week. 2nd Leg: Barcelona 1-1 FC Utrecht The run goes on! Barcelona dominated from start to finish, but Tomas Bocek played out his skin in between the posts, and after 88 minutes we launched a lightning counter, and Ahmed Onuh slotted home a leveller on the night to send us through. Heroes, each and every one of them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deisler26 Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 DOMINATION Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjoe Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 This is brutal. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
withnail316 Posted March 27, 2017 Author Share Posted March 27, 2017 2 hours ago, Deisler26 said: DOMINATION Certainly looking that way. I'm not in any rush to move on, though. 1 hour ago, Benjoe said: This is brutal. Yep. The big three are all out spending us though, so perhaps if they spend it more wisely, things could change... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjoe Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 49 minutes ago, withnail316 said: Yep. The big three are all out spending us though, so perhaps if they spend it more wisely, things could change... The big three being AZ, PSV and Ajax? Don't see them reeling you in unless you sell all your main guys and completely fail to replace them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
withnail316 Posted March 27, 2017 Author Share Posted March 27, 2017 20 minutes ago, Benjoe said: The big three being AZ, PSV and Ajax? Don't see them reeling you in unless you sell all your main guys and completely fail to replace them. Not quite... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
withnail316 Posted March 27, 2017 Author Share Posted March 27, 2017 UEFA Champions League Semi final 1st Leg: Chelsea 1-1 FC Utrecht Not surprisingly, we spent much of the first leg on the back foot, with Chelsea dominating long periods. They were much the better side in the first half, but thanks to good performances across our back four (and a little bit of luck) we got into half time at 0-0. The second half was a bit more even, but Chelsea deservedly went in front after 66 minutes, slicing us wide open in the process. I decided not to change anything tactically (in truth, I'd have taken a 1-0 loss) but Roel Lagendijk turned home a Filadelfo Papa cross with 15 to play, and we left London with a very promising result. 2nd Leg: FC Utrecht 3-1 Chelsea Our home form is just incredible, and another outstanding display in front of our fans sees us into a second straight final. It didn't start well though, and we fell behind after 27 minutes when we fell asleep at a corner. Juan Vecchiola instantly levelled, drilling home a partially cleared cross on 29 minutes, and 9 minutes later Lagendijk pounced on a loose pass back to put us in front. The second half was a bit of a non-event, but Marcel Bond made things safe in the 92nd minute, capitalising on the freedom of the Chelsea half to drill under the goalkeeper, and send the home fans into dreamland. We'll meet Juventus in the final in Madrid, who knocked out Club Brugge on the away goals rule. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
withnail316 Posted March 27, 2017 Author Share Posted March 27, 2017 April League title - check. Dutch Cup - check. Club World Cup - check. Dutch Super Cup - check. UEFA Super Cup - check. Champions League - in the final. Ridiculous season so far... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltablue Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 Good luck in the final. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjoe Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 3 hours ago, withnail316 said: Not quite... Ah I see, Much like irl I guess then. But impressive to see AZ that high considering how much less they pay. And you are quite a substantial amount behind too. Massive season and hopefully you can clinch the last title left of the season even though it's on neutral ground! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
withnail316 Posted March 27, 2017 Author Share Posted March 27, 2017 UEFA Champions League FinalFC Utrecht v JuventusSaturday 25th May, 2024 So after 9 long months, the season was just about at its climax, and we had the chance to finish it in the best possible style. We also had the opportunity to become only the second club to retain the title, since the competition became the Champions League all the way back in 1992 (the only other side to have done so is Manchester United, who won it in 2016 and 2017.) We've been truly magnificent in the knock out stages, but after beating Real Madrid, Barcelona and Chelsea, I wondered if Juventus might be just one super-club too many. This would be the third time the Old Lady had got to the final since the save began, and their draws had been a little kinder, having knocked out Leverkusen, Spurs and Club Brugge, but they have immense quality in their side - this was going to be a big test, there is no doubt about it. I had no real injury problems to report ahead of kick-off, the only man definitely ruled out was Brazilian defender Beto, but I did have a selection headache. Central defenders Frank Maas and Bozo Jaksic are very similar in quality, but Jaksic has been the man in form, so he got the nod to play alongside Gerry Vissers. Midfield was more difficult - I could easily have changed all four of the players I started - but I elected to play my strongest 4, which meant I had to leave Dutchmen Marcel Bond and Remco de Laat on the bench. Up front I knew Lagendijk would start, but club captain Jiri Masek was the man who got the nod to lead the line with him. 1st half The game started brightly for us, with Jiri Masek flashing a shot wide of the post within the first minute after great work from winger Hercilio. Just three minutes later, that pair combined for the opening goal. Hercilio slid into a crunching challenge to win the ball thirty yards out from our own goal, and set away quickly up the line. He played a give-and-go with Juan Vecchiola around 35 yards out from Juve's goal, then picked out a peach of a far post cross for Masek, who powered a header into the back of the net. The next 30 minutes were uneventful, but Juve sliced us open after 34 minutes and Dutchman Dennis van Dijk should have done better from 10 yards, but screwed his effort wide. That was the last chance of the first half, and we went in with a 1-0 lead. 2nd half Very quiet for the first 15 minutes, but we had a moment to forget on the hour. Haye gave the ball away in midfield from a goal kick, and a chipped pass forward was misjudged by Gerry Vissers, but Juventus' striker screwed wide when in one-on-one with Bosek. A massive let off. Moments later, we should have killed the game. Hercilio again played a 1-2 with Vecchiola, and the Brazilian's brilliant cross should have been turned home at the far post by Filadelfo Papa, but the Italian fluffed his lines from close range. Roel Lagendijk missed an even better chance two minutes later, Papa found him unmarked six yards out from a deep free kick, yet he somehow managed to put it wide (my arms went up in celebration initially!) From that moment on we just had to hang on, but it took a 92nd minute one-on-one save from Bosek to get the job done... and thankfully he made it... This was in the bag for a second year in a row! Final score: FC Utrecht 1-0 Juventus Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 Brilliant, well done! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deisler26 Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 Woop! Winnaaaaaaahhhhhhssss Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
withnail316 Posted March 27, 2017 Author Share Posted March 27, 2017 FC Utrecht Season review 2023/24 League (Eredivisie) Media prediction: 1st Finished: 1st (champions) Cups Dutch Cup: Winners UEFA Champions League: winners Dutch Super Cup: winners UEFA Super Cup: winners Club World Cup: winners UEFA Europa League winners: Liverpool Top scorers Positives Erm, just about everything? The squad is in incredible shape, which is shown by us winning everything we have entered, the board are upgrading our facilities again, and the stadium will be fully expanded up to a capacity of 48,852 by the start of next season. We also have an insane amount of money sat in the bank, and so I won't need to sell anybody I don't want to, even if I end up going on a spending spree this summer. Things are pretty peachy, I must be honest. We also have SIX players in the Dutch squad for the upcoming European Championship. Concerns At the club, my biggest concern is how I'm going to integrate some of the young players into the first team squad. I don't have many "older" players ready to move on (there are no players over the age of 29 at the club) and so I'm scratching my head over what I can do to bring some of them through. Still, it is a great problem to have. Other than that, I'm a little concerned that the rest of the league aren't putting up much of a fight, although I expect this unbeaten season is to be an exception, rather than a rule. Ambitions As of right now, there is only one club that could tempt me away from Utrecht, but I don't even have the league loaded at the moment. That will change this summer, but I wouldn't expect to be leaving in the next 12 months. Instead, I'm targeting a third Champions League win. Player of the season Manager's choice: Roel Lagendijk Fans choice: TBC Attendances Lowest attendance: 29,983 (v JVC, Dutch Cup 2nd round - stadium capacity was reduced to 31,000) Highest attendance: 45,822 (sell-out - 25 sell-outs in total, although many before stadium was expanded) Average attendance: 39,688 (40,388 in the league - 3rd highest in the division) Finances Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
withnail316 Posted March 27, 2017 Author Share Posted March 27, 2017 25 minutes ago, BoxToBox said: Brilliant, well done! Cheers man. 23 minutes ago, Deisler26 said: Woop! Winnaaaaaaahhhhhhssss Musn't grumble, eh? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
withnail316 Posted March 28, 2017 Author Share Posted March 28, 2017 I have an utterly monstrous transfer budget to spend, but I don't know where to strengthen.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
acidmonkey Posted March 28, 2017 Share Posted March 28, 2017 if no need to strengthen splash it all on one player Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
withnail316 Posted March 28, 2017 Author Share Posted March 28, 2017 I'll have to break my wage structure and smash my transfer record into a million tiny pieces... but look at him!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
withnail316 Posted March 28, 2017 Author Share Posted March 28, 2017 7 minutes ago, acidmonkey said: if no need to strengthen splash it all on one player You read my mind, fella... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
withnail316 Posted March 28, 2017 Author Share Posted March 28, 2017 Nope, not going to happen. €32.5m and €88,000p/w is just too much. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deisler26 Posted March 28, 2017 Share Posted March 28, 2017 I just got a player like that from Real Madrid on my save. £10.25m Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
withnail316 Posted March 28, 2017 Author Share Posted March 28, 2017 19 minutes ago, Deisler26 said: I just got a player like that from Real Madrid on my save. £10.25m I suspect I'll break my transfer record (€9m) this summer, but I need to have a think first. That deal would be utter madness on my part, I suspect. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
withnail316 Posted March 28, 2017 Author Share Posted March 28, 2017 Transfer record smashed.... €17.5m from Frankfurt. His arrival means the end of Thom Haye, who is off to Stade Renne for €11m, but I'm elated with this deal. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
withnail316 Posted March 28, 2017 Author Share Posted March 28, 2017 Now then, can I ask your opinions please? (@Deisler26 @noikeee @deltablue @BoxToBox @Dexter_Morgan and anybody else who is interested...) Jiri Masek has scored 125 goals in 184 games for us, but I've definitely had my head turned for a new striker. I believe I can get Saidana for around €11m, and he's scored 50 goals for River in the last two seasons. Do you think I'd just be signing him for the hell of it, or would he be an upgrade. I'm feeling extremely indecisive! Oh, and I use an AF/A and a poacher, if it helps... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted March 28, 2017 Share Posted March 28, 2017 He's definitely an upgrade, better in most of the key areas. How's your depth at striker, could you keep them both? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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