argento Posted July 16, 2017 Author Share Posted July 16, 2017 We won 1-0 but so did United so we finished runner ups, I would of taken that at the start of the season and considering how far they were ahead of us we done well to pull it back Delgado ending up being one of our best players and I did have high expectations but after we lost 5-1 to Man Utd on the opening day I wasn't too sure he was ready but he proved me wrong I thought we had it all sewn up but a late comeback from West Brom forced us into extra time, Rui who sent us into the final of the Champions League popped up in the again with a big goal as we lifted our second trophy of the season. Now onto Scotland as we head to Hampden for the Champions League final Shocked by this to say the least I thought they were going to hammer us but Miguel scored a screamer from the edge of the box and then despite them dominating possession we managed to keep them at bay after a fantastic rear guard display. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidthekid Posted July 16, 2017 Share Posted July 16, 2017 Awesome season. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltablue Posted July 17, 2017 Share Posted July 17, 2017 Who needs the league when you have the Champions League? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
argento Posted July 17, 2017 Author Share Posted July 17, 2017 9 hours ago, deltablue said: Who needs the league when you have the Champions League? True! Need that league title though! Won't consider moving on from the Saints till I do. Half of my squad are getting their heads turned though... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
noikeee Posted July 20, 2017 Share Posted July 20, 2017 Increasingly bizarre, this game world. I can take WS Bruxelles being champions of Europe multiple times, but Southampton? No way. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
argento Posted July 20, 2017 Author Share Posted July 20, 2017 6 minutes ago, noikeee said: Increasingly bizarre, this game world. I can take WS Bruxelles being champions of Europe multiple times, but Southampton? No way. They were multiple Europa League winners before I arrived, the foundations were already laid. Perfect start to the season as we picked up a couple of trophies Penalty kings! A repeat of last years European Super Cup final and a repeat result as we picked up the trophy Good start in the league with 10 points and we've had two tough games already, sitting pretty top of the table Quite a straight forward group and I don't foresee any problems. My old boys could be in a tough spot as they have both Chelsea and Ajax Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
argento Posted July 22, 2017 Author Share Posted July 22, 2017 Forgot to recap the window. A fair few players were released and most of the ones sold were only peripheral figures. The only real first teamer for Ernst who fled to Bayern for £46M we have a strong showing at centre half so decided against replacing him. Now the new boys Very promising striker from Bruxelles who we had on loan last season and he has made the permanent switch now. Also came through the ranks at my old club and was on the transfer list for just £10M, nearly brought him for 30mill a year ago so getting him on the cheap after his transfer listing seemed like good business. Free transfer, back up left back. Signed as back up for Kamal Scouts highly recommended him and as he still develops he has gone back to San Lorenzo for the season. I don't expect to keep Miguel or Aubert for much longer as interest mounts so I am preparing for the future. Talented young Serbian midfielder who is still learning the ropes and I have sent him to Italy for the year for some first team football. September/October update We have had some decent results in Europe and we keep progressing in the League Cup but our league form has been patchy as we won just 2 of our 6 matches. Despite this we are still in the mixer sitting just outside the top 4. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
argento Posted July 23, 2017 Author Share Posted July 23, 2017 Our 3rd trophy of the season! We have been in great form in the league winning on the bounce to pull us into the top 4 and back in contention, we also have a few games in hand in the league now after our participation in the World Club Cup. Both Manchester clubs have been in dismal form with United sacking their gaffer, Arsenal having finished 6th last season have bounced back and look the team to beat. We had a few hiccups in the Champions League but we still managed to hold off Besiktas the surprise package of our group to win the group. PSG were a shock casualty. Chelsea pipped Bruxelles to the top spot, they are the one team I do not want to face, for obvious reasons. So who do we get? Another trip to Turin! We faced these in the groups last year where we both won one a piece and we have beaten them twice in a row in the European Super Cup so they will be after revenge. One of the better draws my old boys could of got as they will be hoping it to make it past the 1st knockout round since my departure Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
argento Posted July 26, 2017 Author Share Posted July 26, 2017 January Transfer Window Young Ghanaian striker signed for half a million, no where near ready for the first team so he will probably end up on loan The latest prospect from Malmo, he comes highly rated. Low determination though. Will probably end up on loan for the foreseeable future. Had this arranged in the summer but he has just turned 18 now and finally made the move. Looks like a decent prospect The best of the four signings and the closest to the first team and could well be a steal at just £5.75M. Was a long month and it wasn't the best start as we lost our first two league games and was taken to a replay by Brentford which was another game we didn't need. We ended the month stronger in the league by winning 3 on the bounce, Liverpool got the better of us over two legs in the League Cup semi final, bit gutting to get this far to lose but we are still in the FA Cup so still got a shot at a day out at Wembley Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
argento Posted July 28, 2017 Author Share Posted July 28, 2017 Been a very busy few months as we continued to progress in all competitions (that we are left in). We have booked ourselves a Wembley spot after a big win at Portman Road in the quarter finals, to be fair it has been quite an easy route except for the 5th round where we faced Arsenal but we managed to dispatch them with style. Despite a scare in the first leg we continued our good form against Juventus to progress to the quarter finals where we meet Chelsea who despite struggling in the league continue to shine in the league. Onto the league after some fantastic performances we managed to pick up 25/30 points in the last ten games. We have now hit the summit with just 6 games to go we have our destiny in our own hands. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
argento Posted July 30, 2017 Author Share Posted July 30, 2017 April 2042 Heartbreak in the Champions League as we crashed out on aggregate after failing to overcome a first leg deficit, Chelsea were then drawn out against my old boys WS Bruxelles. We had a relatively easy draw in the FA Cup semi final as we smashed Championship leaders to set up a final v Reading. We picked up 7/9 points and with all the teams around us dropping points the league is well and truly ours to lose now. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
argento Posted July 30, 2017 Author Share Posted July 30, 2017 FA Cup final day! Reading have become a decent side but should be no match for us We draw first blood after some good work down the left from Adauto who swings the ball into the 6 yard box and Sousa volleys it in. great finish from close range! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
argento Posted July 30, 2017 Author Share Posted July 30, 2017 Sahimovic makes it 2-0 with a powerful shot after some clever work from Sousa, after an indifferent first season he has now fulfilled his promise Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
argento Posted July 30, 2017 Author Share Posted July 30, 2017 Aduato gets in on the act making it 3-0 breaking the offside trap and ghosting in at the back post! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
argento Posted July 30, 2017 Author Share Posted July 30, 2017 Perfect way to end the season! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
argento Posted August 6, 2017 Author Share Posted August 6, 2017 Was not expecting this I won 10 trophies whilst I was there and I lost 3 games in a row which dropped us down to 6th and was sacked. Losing to Colchester was the final straw and whilst embarrassing I thought considering what I had achieved they would of let me turn it around. Now the decision is what to do next. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
argento Posted August 6, 2017 Author Share Posted August 6, 2017 Well it worked out well for Southampton as they won the FA Cup and the Champions League beating the old rivals Juventus in the final. I have applied for a few jobs but if nothing comes up I may well retire this save. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
argento Posted August 6, 2017 Author Share Posted August 6, 2017 Back in business! They have only won one Copa Del Rey in the last 4 years and Luis Enrique finally quit after 29 years with the club. No pressure then. Buchanan is still at Bruxelles winning 4 league titles and picking up 7 cups, he hasn't managed to replicate my successes in Europe although he did make the final a year ago. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidthekid Posted August 7, 2017 Share Posted August 7, 2017 Operation destroy Southampton has commenced. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltablue Posted August 7, 2017 Share Posted August 7, 2017 That was such a harsh sacking! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
argento Posted August 7, 2017 Author Share Posted August 7, 2017 9 hours ago, deltablue said: That was such a harsh sacking! I was getting bored at Southampton and was going to quit at the end of the season but I wanted to leave on my terms. Will do a report on the Barcelona squad soon, looking at the team I have inherited I can see why they haven't won much lately Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
noikeee Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 On 06/08/2017 at 17:05, argento said: Was not expecting this I won 10 trophies whilst I was there and I lost 3 games in a row which dropped us down to 6th and was sacked. Losing to Colchester was the final straw and whilst embarrassing I thought considering what I had achieved they would of let me turn it around. Now the decision is what to do next. What the hell? Ungrateful *****. Best of luck at Barcelona, sounds easy but it's a special club, I've always wanted to manage Barça! Make them play tiki-taka. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
HawkAussie Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 On 07/08/2017 at 02:05, argento said: Was not expecting this I won 10 trophies whilst I was there and I lost 3 games in a row which dropped us down to 6th and was sacked. Losing to Colchester was the final straw and whilst embarrassing I thought considering what I had achieved they would of let me turn it around. Now the decision is what to do next. All I can say is WTF are they thinking on giving you the sack. Now they will start to go down the rankings. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
argento Posted August 11, 2017 Author Share Posted August 11, 2017 12 hours ago, noikeee said: What the hell? Ungrateful *****. Best of luck at Barcelona, sounds easy but it's a special club, I've always wanted to manage Barça! Make them play tiki-taka. La Liga has been blown wide open with Valencia getting back in the mix, Atletico and Real both winning titles so we are in the mix but I still back us to do well 11 hours ago, HawkAussie said: All I can say is WTF are they thinking on giving you the sack. Now they will start to go down the rankings. I look forward to exacting revenge Onto the new season, trying to play towards typical Barca style with fluid football, short passing and expressive attacking football Using a 4-5-1 for now I may well get rid of the full backs or convert to wing backs and play 3 at the back, we shall see how it goes. Apparently I am trying to sign my own player? Senseless gossip Madani is a familiar face having been a mainstay in my central midfield towards the end of my Bruxelles career also here are ex players Fathy and Engler who will start at the back Lot of players headed for the exit doors most of the players weren't in my first team plans but I held out for as much money as possible, with the impetus on us to develop our home grown talent I only signed three players, Jakelic is probably our future number 1 but as part of the deal he will stay in Croatia at Hadjuk to hone his craft this season. Nearly signed this guy for Saints last season but he turned me down to go out on loan to another club their loss is my gain. Been on my radar since he was 16. Was recommended to me by my scouts at Southampton and I finally snagged him, cost a bit more than I wanted but he will be a quality player for years to come, will come off the bench mainly and will start him against the lower ranked sides in the league. Let the season begin Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
argento Posted August 13, 2017 Author Share Posted August 13, 2017 Had a great start to life in Barcelona as we sit top of La Liga and my first impressions is the league is a lot easier, although there are a few decent sides out there with Valencia, Atletico and Real. Ponferrada are the surprise package of the season so far. We are a point ahead of Real going into the winter break and we still have to play them at Camp Nou so the odds are definitely in our favour After a surprise loss in London to Arsenal in the group stages we finished 2nd but still qualified with ease, my main concern as always is to avoid my beloved Bruxelles side. The draw proved even better as I was given an early chance to exact revenge over my last employers, I just hope I didn't build them too strong. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
noikeee Posted August 20, 2017 Share Posted August 20, 2017 I can't help but smile every time I see these careers far into the future where teams emerge completely out of the blue, Ponferrada fighting for a Champions League slot. Awesome to draw Southampton in the CL, go avenge your sacking! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
argento Posted August 23, 2017 Author Share Posted August 23, 2017 A big win at the Camp Nou was enough for us to go through and revenge was had! Knocked out Real Madrid in the semi finals of the Copa Del Rey and a win against them in the league sees us take the lead as we head into the final stages with a legit shot at the treble Bayern is a tough draw but not the worst one we could of had. Also didn't realise this but Buchanan who replaced me at Bruxelles left to join Arsenal so Atletico Madrid manager Leandro Silva joins my old club Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
argento Posted August 26, 2017 Author Share Posted August 26, 2017 We could only manage a 0-0 draw away to Ponferrada but it was enough to see us snag the title on goal difference. Looking forward to more battles with Real in the future. Double completed! Now onto the big one, Champions League final against PSG Sadly the treble wasn't to be as PSG were too good for us, reminded me of my first Champions League final with Bruxelles when I lost to them again. It was a familiar face who put us to the sword as my old playmaker Gargano struck twice to see us off. He has had quite the career Missing out on the Champions League was disappointing, definitely will e staying here next season too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
argento Posted August 27, 2017 Author Share Posted August 27, 2017 Transfer window was spent mainly thinning the squad out. With us playing only 1 up top and Edmar and Dietl both scored a fair few goals but neither was that consistent and I was given the opportunity to signing one of the top strikers in the game at the moment so I snapped him up. Alberca is the top striker I snapped up, I signed him as a teenager for Bruxelles but after I left Chelsea snapped him up. He was put on the transfer list by request and I reckon £65M could end up still being a bargain World class player on a free transfer, yes please. Has been at Bayern all his career so was surprised when they let him go. I am well stocked at left back already but he can also play left midfield which came in handy. I've got a few right wingers who are decent but I feel Pereira could be a genuine world class winger, I signed him at Southampton and I am happy to have him on board. Think my director of football arranged this transfer before his contract ran up as I couldn't remember approaching him. Looks a decent prospect and have sent him on loan in Belgium to aid his development. After a shaky first leg, 2nd leg insert Alberca for his debut and a 4 goal haul. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
noikeee Posted August 31, 2017 Share Posted August 31, 2017 The double (even the league was just on goal difference!) and a run to the CL final really isn't bad at all for the first season at the club, specially given it had been less successful on recent years. Well done. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
argento Posted September 5, 2017 Author Share Posted September 5, 2017 On 31/08/2017 at 17:22, noikeee said: The double (even the league was just on goal difference!) and a run to the CL final really isn't bad at all for the first season at the club, specially given it had been less successful on recent years. Well done. Yeah I was quite pleased with how it went, I am enjoying the game at the moment but I am starting to get bored, I think if I win the Champions League I may well resign. I think the only thing left to achieve is International success so after World Cup 46 I might see what jobs become free. League has been pretty easy so far, despite getting beat by Real Madrid 3-1 recently we are still way out in front as they had a horrendous start. We qualified from our Champions League group with ease and were drawn with Arsenal, they are having a bad season in the Prem sitting 9th having recently sacked Buchanan. A few surprise qualifiers in the latter stages with Kobenhavn and Malmo making the last 16. We are all set for another final appearance in the Copa Del Rey, we edged past Real Madrid in the quarters and we hammered Ponferrada in the first leg. Award season We have 3 players in the team of the year and 4 of my former players make the XI with Gargano from Bruxelles and 3 Southampton players. Alberca has been in sensational form since completing his £68M move from Chelsea scoring 36 goals in just 31 appearances. My old team got a financial windfall as one of my last signings went for 3 figures to Southampton. A lot of the squad I assembled have left now with only a few of my old boys still there with a few of them close to retirement. Just one transfer in the window as I snapped up this Iranian youngster for £110,000 after he was touted to me by his agent, he has joined the B team as I do not have any more non-eu spots left in the first team, may well send him out on loan next season to get him some good football Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
argento Posted September 24, 2017 Author Share Posted September 24, 2017 A great result to end a perfect season and with that my short tenure with Barcelona is over, I haven't really enjoyed this save since leaving my beloved RWS Bruxelles so this is probably the end, I have resigned my post but not retired just in case I decide to revisit this Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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