[FM18] I never realised that to become a jockey you needed to be a horse first!

[smp20]

57 minutes ago, kidthekid said:

That Singaporean striker is really tearing it up

He's becoming a bit of a legend. 

[The_Gato_In_Goal]

18 minutes ago, smp20 said:

He's becoming a bit of a legend. 

Definitely take him with you to the Jordanian national team 

[smp20]

Just now, The_Gato_In_Goal said:

Definitely take him with you to the Jordanian national team 

Hmmm, that might be a difficult one!

[Makoto Nakamura]

Katie Price pays well! Good luck with her.  

[smp20]

24 minutes ago, Makoto Nakamura said:

Katie Price pays well! Good luck with her.  

D'oh, I didn't realize it was asset management and not football management!

[smp20]

TWL is the best young player in Asia

I went for the job at newly promoted Yanbian who were offering an impressive £30 transfer budget, however they were less than impressed with my youth policy.

This would be a cracking opportunity to break into the Middle-Eastern managerial market at an Abu Dhabi based sugar-daddy club. Please...

[smp20]

I get the thumbs up from the fans.

[smp20]

This can mean only one thing...

[smp20]

I got the job . Southeast Asia makes way for the Middle-East; a much better place for my club/nation dual management. Al-Wahda may be struggling at the moment but they have a proud history:

A very good base for development. I'm hoping to steer away from relegation this season and push on for the Asian Champions League next season where I can showcase, hopefully, my managerial abilities.

This was my final game with Johor. TWL has had an incredible start to the new season and I hope it's not the last time I will manage him.

10 in 3.....9.47....

[The_Gato_In_Goal]

How are the quality of the strikers in that league compared to TWL?

[smp20]

7 hours ago, The_Gato_In_Goal said:

How are the quality of the strikers in that league compared to TWL?

We shall soon find out  With his goalscoring record I think he's worth a punt in a higher standard league!

[After]

Sean Page & Tay Wei Liang : name a more iconic duo... 

[smp20]

2 hours ago, After said:

Sean Page & Tay Wei Liang : name a more iconic duo... 

When We've won a Champions League with TWL leading the line then we can receive such praise 

Making steps towards it though, now got my AFC Pro Licence

[DarkSleeper]

Great thread so far smp20, fun read!

What are the budgets ur working with at Al-Wahda?

[smp20]

26 minutes ago, DarkSleeper said:

Great thread so far smp20, fun read!

What are the budgets ur working with at Al-Wahda?

Cheers @DarkSleeper . I've got a £3m budget at the moment, but it's close season so I'm working with what I've got and waiting til July to improve the squad.

[kidthekid]

Their budget will probably adjust to a larger one i assume. From what I gather, many Gulf teams are really rich

[BoxToBox]

28 minutes ago, kidthekid said:

Their budget will probably adjust to a larger one i assume. From what I gather, many Gulf teams are really rich

I'd imagine that's a midseason budget, so short of what the chancer before SMP spent in pre-season.

[smp20]

17 hours ago, kidthekid said:

Their budget will probably adjust to a larger one i assume. From what I gather, many Gulf teams are really rich

 

17 hours ago, BoxToBox said:

I'd imagine that's a midseason budget, so short of what the chancer before SMP spent in pre-season.

Yes indeed . Bolstered by the sale of 2 foreigners my budget for the new season is £20m! End of season update to follow today.

[smp20]

I took over with just a few games left of the season and I managed to steer the club away from threat of relegation without being able to make any changes to the squad - I'm pretty happy with that.

Results

I've finished the season unbeaten with the club and managed to win the cup which gives us entry into the Asian Champions League - something to really look forward to.

League Table

A nice climb up the table. Hopefully we will be able to push for the title next season but Al-Ain, Al-Jazira and Al-Ahli will be tough competition.

Player Stats

There will be a lot of changes for next season, but overall this is a good crop of players.

[smp20]

International Update

A decent start with my first NT job but that all came crashing down with a thrashing by Vietnam, followed by the retirement of our best player Abdallah Deeb. My head was turned elsewhere:

I'm still deciding what to do!

[smp20]

Squad Update

A busy July and some huuuuuge signings. Outgoing were 3 of or foreign players to Qatar. I wasn't too concerned about selling Chang-Woo and Batna as we got some good money for them but I was reluctant to let the moaning Dzsudzsak leave. The best signings were (not including TWL who we already know about):

What a signing! Kante was enticed to the Emirates for huge wages and a long contract, but I'm sure he will be worth every penny.

Wilshere is another excellent addition and he will supplement Kante very nicely in central midfield.

In front of Wilshere and Kante, completing a deadly midfield trio, is the signing of Emirati hero Omar Abdulrahman - our most expensive signing. That midfield duo could compete in any league in the world!

Ro-shaun is a player that I really rate and he brings a physical game combining speed and strength to the UAE that is missing.

Another classy Emirati that will be an attacking full-back for us.

Al-Eedi lacks height for a centre back, but should be okay alongside Ro-shaun in a very high defensive line.

I'm very, very excited about this team     

[Rikulec]

Wow, looking really strong there.

[The_Gato_In_Goal]

Kante < TWL honestly. But those signings are something else

[andychar]

That is a deadly team for that part of the World. This should open up some serious doors for you!

[DarkSleeper]

So crazy that u signed Kante, why on earth would he go to the middle of nowhere on the age of 30. Where he 'only' earns 140k a week.

Weren't there a bunch of teams trying to get him on a free transfer?

Whats are u spending on wages atm?

[smp20]

11 hours ago, Rikulec said:

Wow, looking really strong there.

Agreed

11 hours ago, The_Gato_In_Goal said:

Kante < TWL honestly. But those signings are something else

I hope TWL can turn into a renowned World goalscorer - he's scored buckets for Young Lions, Johor and Singapore!

1 hour ago, andychar said:

That is a deadly team for that part of the World. This should open up some serious doors for you!

I reckon we've got a very good chance of winning the ACL and hopefully turn the heads of some big clubs.

48 minutes ago, DarkSleeper said:

So crazy that u signed Kante, why on earth would he go to the middle of nowhere on the age of 30. Where he 'only' earns 140k a week.

Weren't there a bunch of teams trying to get him on a free transfer?

Whats are u spending on wages atm?

I offered him a contract on 1st July, at that point Leicester were major interested and Barcelona minor. He said he'd only come for an amazing offer; I offered £80k, he countered with ~£110k and I upped it again to £140k (our max) to secure him . Currently spending £600k a week on wages; £250k of which is earned by our midfield trio.

Edit: in contrast, I'm still on £1.4k a week 

[smp20]

After weighing up all the options I decided to accept the offer from South Korea for 4 reasons:

1. Financial. The £16.75k a week on offer was far higher than the next best of Algeria's £9k a week. African giants Ivory Coast and Nigeria were offering more or less the same I was earning at Jordan.
2. Travel. There are multi-daily direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Seoul with an 8 hour flight time; only matched by Lagos but they were far less regular.
3. Staying in Asia. I've not left Asia yet and I'm liking working here so why rock the apple cart and hop over to Africa? The 2022 World Cup is being held in Australia which is (arguably) in Asia so a selection of our players will be familiar with playing there.
4. Number of upcoming competitions. 2021 East Asian Cup (hosted in S. Korea to add), 2022 World Cup and 2023 Asian Cup coming up. They obviously thought that Choi Kang-Hee, after a poor Confederations Cup, was not the man to lead them in this trio of competitions. World Cup Qualification is not done and dusted yet though:

Kuwait are the only side to have already qualified for the World Cup from Asia, well actually in the World bar the hosts. We have two games left which I must not mess up.

Upcoming fixtures - hoping to get at least a point against fierce rivals Japan and win against Iraq which will be enough to qualify.

 

[smp20]

Erm what? Why give me the money then? 

That's okay then... 

[andychar]

7 minutes ago, smp20 said:

Erm what? Why give me the money then? 

That's okay then... 

Haha I bet your bricked it for those 4 minutes.

[smp20]

9 minutes ago, andychar said:

Haha I bet your bricked it for those 4 minutes.

I did 

[smp20]

Good way to start 

[smp20]

A disappointing second game in charge. I think changes will be needed - been using a 4-1-2-2-1 wide with inside forwards who have created nothing.

[noikeee]

The move to the UAE is a huge breakthrough, specially with that kind of players. Honestly you've got the material to fight with anyone else in the whole of Asia.

Getting to the World Cup is another huge breakthrough...

[smp20]

2 hours ago, noikeee said:

The move to the UAE is a huge breakthrough, specially with that kind of players. Honestly you've got the material to fight with anyone else in the whole of Asia.

Getting to the World Cup is another huge breakthrough...

Yeah I agree, this is a great job to land. Speaking of the World Cup:

I don't think I've ever seen more of a group of death 

[BoxToBox]

Ouch.

[smp20]

Time for some underdog tactics, built around this TM up top. Soak it up, counter, cross it in, win the header, goal. Not my usual style, but needs must. It will be tested in the East Asian Cup as well as upcoming friendlies against France, Germany, Wales and Australia.

[The_Gato_In_Goal]

That is a very odd player. Superb physicals, very good mentals, not much technicals, but 18 finishing.

[DavidBeckham]

Good luck at the world cup mate! Physicals play a huge part on this version and I believe Hong will get the goals in for you!

[noikeee]

13 hours ago, smp20 said:

Time for some underdog tactics, built around this TM up top. Soak it up, counter, cross it in, win the header, goal. Not my usual style, but needs must. It will be tested in the East Asian Cup as well as upcoming friendlies against France, Germany, Wales and Australia.

I'm not a huge fan of how that looks but then again I'm more of a tiki-taka guy so obviously wouldn't.   Just looks a bit one-dimensional although a striker with 20 jumping certainly is worth building around!

[smp20]

7 hours ago, The_Gato_In_Goal said:

That is a very odd player. Superb physicals, very good mentals, not much technicals, but 18 finishing.

He is an odd player - I'm not sure just how useful that finishing will be as most of his delivery will be to head.

3 hours ago, DavidBeckham said:

Good luck at the world cup mate! Physicals play a huge part on this version and I believe Hong will get the goals in for you!

Cheers @DavidBeckham - I'm hoping so too!

8 minutes ago, noikeee said:

I'm not a huge fan of how that looks but then again I'm more of a tiki-taka guy so obviously wouldn't.   Just looks a bit one-dimensional although a striker with 20 jumping certainly is worth building around!

I was playing a much more fancy style previously but we just weren't good enough to pull it off. I'm usually Very Fluid, Attacking with a short passing game but it's time to try something a bit different.

As you can see it worked well in the East Asian Cup, granted against weaker opposition compared to England, Belgium and Columbia.

[BoxToBox]

That lad would do damage anywhere.

[noikeee]

10 minutes ago, smp20 said:

I was playing a much more fancy style previously but we just weren't good enough to pull it off. I'm usually Very Fluid, Attacking with a short passing game but it's time to try something a bit different.

As you can see it worked well in the East Asian Cup, granted against weaker opposition compared to England, Belgium and Columbia.

Well clearly others beyond Very Tall Guy are getting goals too, so it's fine. 

[smp20]

Just now, noikeee said:

Well clearly others beyond Very Tall Guy are getting goals too, so it's fine. 

One was a pen, one a CB header and one a bit of Son magic - so it might be a little deceiving...

[smp20]

Big test here!

[smp20]

Plenty of work still needed - hopefully it'll gel together in the warm up campaign.

[andychar]

Encouraging result against France.

[After]

Can you post a screenshot of Aouar please ?

[smp20]

1 hour ago, andychar said:

Encouraging result against France.

Not bad, but not great either. Was hoping for a 0-0

37 minutes ago, After said:

Can you post a screenshot of Aouar please ?

Looks very decent!

[After]

Thanks! Got him for free in my game but with less good attributes.

[smp20]

League Table

A very dominant season, our one and only loss against newly promoted surprise package Dibba. Their city counterparts didn't fare as well...Also a shocking season from Al-Ahli who were threated with relegation despite being part of the 'big 4'. Al-Jazira and Al-Ain sacked their managers, Ali Daei and Laurentiu Reghecampf, throughout the season because they just couldn't keep up with us.

Domestic Cups

Incredible run in the league cup with some very heavy scorelines. It was disappointing to go out in the first round of the Presidents Cup, the won we won last season for ACL qualification, but for once Al-Ain turned up. Struggling Baniyas won the Cup in the end.

Champions League

We've been a tad dominant on the continent, 8-2 againsti Al-Gharrafa and 6-1 against Al-Shabab in the knockouts really stand out. We will most likely face a Saudi side in the Quarter Final, unless Bunyodkor manage to beat holders Al-Ahli.

Player Stats

Using an attacking 4-2-4 once Ahmed Khalil was signed, we've really dominated the Emirates and Asia, let's hope we can push on in the ACL.

Personal

Now in the top 20 manager's ever to have managed in Asia, base on trophies.

I was offered the Shanggang job which would have given me a lot of money to spend (£70m transfer budget) but they didn't want to pay my wage demands. I think I made the right decision turning them down, they're out of the ACL and I've got a chance to achieve something special at Al-Wahda.