Stuniverse Posted June 19, 2020 Author Share Posted June 19, 2020 26 May 2025 NAPOLI SACK MARCELINO Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 19, 2020 Author Share Posted June 19, 2020 2 June 2025 AVCI STEPS DOWN AS ATLETICO MADRID MANAGER Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 19, 2020 Author Share Posted June 19, 2020 (edited) 4 June 2025 STUNIVERSE SPEAKS TO GOAL Edited June 19, 2020 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 19, 2020 Author Share Posted June 19, 2020 6 June 2025 SANTOS RETIRES FROM FOOTBALL MANAGEMENT Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 19, 2020 Author Share Posted June 19, 2020 16 June 2025 WEST HAM'S MCDERMOTT RETIRES FROM FOOTBALL MANAGEMENT Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 19, 2020 Author Share Posted June 19, 2020 21 June 2025 STUNIVERSE ATTENDS TSG HOFFENHEIM INTERVIEW Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 19, 2020 Author Share Posted June 19, 2020 (edited) 23 June 2025 SAMPDORIA INTERVIEW STUNIVERSE Edited June 19, 2020 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 19, 2020 Author Share Posted June 19, 2020 23 June 2025 WEST HAM APPOINT SIMEONE AS MANAGER Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 19, 2020 Author Share Posted June 19, 2020 (edited) 25 June 2025 AGENT CALLING Stuniverse: Hi, Stan. How are you? Stanley Baryla: Good, thanks. I have some news. Stuniverse: OK. Stanley Baryla: Hoffenheim want you as their next manager. Stuniverse: Definitely? We thought Marseille wanted me as well, we even discussed backroom staff. Stanley Baryla: This is definite. They've requested backroom changes and made an initial contract offer for negotiation. Marseille were hedging their bets, but Hoffnheim want you, you are their number one choice. Stuniverse: They're not my first choice though. Stanley Baryla: I know. Stuniverse: Have we heard from anybody else? Stanley Baryla: Nothing from Sampdoria since your interview. Nothing from Lazio, Milan or Napoli, nor from Atletico Madrid or Saint-Etienne. I don't think any of them have started interviewing yet. The West Ham job's gone, but you didn't apply for that one in the end. Stuniverse: No. If West Ham had approached us direct I would've spoken to them but I'd like to experience managing on the continent if possible. There's at least three, if not four clubs we've not heard from, that I'd be more interested in than Hoffenheim. I hate doing this, but can we stall Hoffenheim? Stanley Baryla: I can request a delay. Sure. Stuniverse: Let's do that then and see if we get any progress from the other clubs. These interviews never land in the order you’d like, do they? Stanley Baryla: That would make things too easy. Leave it with me and I'll get right on it. Edited June 19, 2020 by Stuniverse 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 19, 2020 Author Share Posted June 19, 2020 27 June 2025 STUNIVERSE TALKS TO SAINT-ETIENNE Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 19, 2020 Author Share Posted June 19, 2020 29 June 2025 STUNIVERSE'S INTERVIEW TOUR TAKES IN MILAN 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 19, 2020 Author Share Posted June 19, 2020 29 June 2025 STUNIVERSE INTERVIEWED BY LAZIO Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 19, 2020 Author Share Posted June 19, 2020 29 June 2025 NAPOLI INTERVIEW STUNIVERSE Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 19, 2020 Author Share Posted June 19, 2020 (edited) 1 July 2025 UPDATE FROM AGENT STAN Stuniverse: Hi, Stan. How are you? Stanley Baryla: Good, thanks. I've heard from Saint-Etienne. Same as Hoffenheim, they want to discuss backroom changes and they've sent through a contract. Saint-Etienne want you, Stuniverse. Stuniverse: That's great, but neither Hoffenheim or Saint-Etienne are my first choice. Stanley Baryla: I know, but they're the only job offers on the table so far. I can delay Saint-Etienne a week, like we did with Hoffenheim, if you want. Stuniverse: Yes please. Stanley Baryla: Hoffenheim will be in touch any time after they agreed to delay a week. What do you want me to do? Stuniverse: Can you try and delay them again? Stanley Baryla: I can, but they're also keen on Clarence Seedorf, who the bookmakers have installed as the 4-1 favourite. You could miss out. Stuniverse: The bookmakers got it wrong over Marseille when they had me as favourite right up to the moment they appointed Thierry Laurey. Hoffenheim aren't my first choice so I'll take the risk. Stanley Baryla: OK. What are your overall thoughts after the interviews? Stuniverse: Good question. Let me summarise what I know. Napoli - finished 3rd in Sere A (this season) Finances: Rich Transfer budget: not known Wage budget: £2.3M (job advert) Next season: 3rd-4th 2026/27: 1st 2027/28: 1st 2028/29: 1st Lazio - finished 4th in Serie A (this season) Finances: Rich Transfer budget: not known Wage budget: £1.7M (job advert) Next season: 5th-6th 2026/27: 5th-6th 2027/28: 5th-6th 2028/29: 5th-6th AC Milan - finished 6th in Serie A (this season) Finances: Rich Transfer budget: not known Wage budget: £3M (job advert) Next season: 3rd-4th 2026/27: 1st 2027/28: 1st 2028/29: 1st Sampdoria - finished 14th in Serie A (this season) Finances: Rich Transfer budget: not known Wage budget: £1.3M (job advert) Next season: Mid-Table 2026/27: Established 2027/28: Established 2028/29: Established Hoffenheim - finished 6th in Bundesliga (this season) Finances: Secure Transfer budget: £8.25M (job offer) Wage budget: £1.6M (job offer) Next season: 5th-6th 2026/27: 5th-6th 2027/28: 5th-6th 2028/29: 5th-6th Saint-Etienne - finished 8th in Ligue 1 (this season) Finances: Secure Transfer budget: £11.5M (job offer) Wage budget: £950K (job offer) Next season: 5th-6th 2026/27: 4th-6th 2027/28: 4th-6th 2028/29: 4th Stanley Baryla: So Lazio, Sampdoria, Hoffenheim and Saint-Etienne sound like the safer options, AC Milan and Napoli the much more riskier options, and Atletico Madrid is an unknown until interview, assuming you get one. Stuniverse: That's how I read it, too. I'm not sure whether to take a safer option or take more of a risk, to be honest. Stanley Baryla: It's all hypothetical any way until any of the Italian clubs make an offer or Atletico Madrid join the party. Stuniverse: Agreed. Stanley Baryla: I'll speak to the clubs and will be in touch soon. Stuniverse: Thanks, Stan. Edited June 20, 2020 by Stuniverse 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaytheGreat Posted June 20, 2020 Share Posted June 20, 2020 This job search got very interesting, very fast. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 20, 2020 Author Share Posted June 20, 2020 (edited) 4 hours ago, JaytheGreat said: This job search got very interesting, very fast. Yes, @JaytheGreat, it most certainly has. I think, in my own mind, I've narrowed it down to: Lazio - safer option AC Milan - riskier option Atlectico Madrid - not ruled out, but not been interviewed yet The danger, as I see it now, is that I could be too clever in delaying the offers from clubs further down my list of priorities, waiting for offers from the clubs higher up on my list of priorities, and that those offers may not come in at all, the clubs I've delayed get fed-up of waiting, and I miss out on all the jobs completely. Edited June 20, 2020 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 20, 2020 Author Share Posted June 20, 2020 4th July 205 CELTIC APPOINT BONG AS THEIR NEW MANAGER The Bhoys: Celtic have appointed Kilmarnock manager Gaetan Bong as the manager to replace Stuniverse who, despite being linked with a number of manager jobs on the Continent, remains unemployed. Bong's Career Milestones: Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 20, 2020 Author Share Posted June 20, 2020 (edited) 4th July 2025 AGENT STAN'S JOB SEARCH UPDATE Stuniverse: Hi, Stan. How's things? Stanley Baryla: More updates for you, Stuniverse. You're certainly keeping me busy. Stuniverse: That's what I pay you for [laughs]. Stanley Baryla: OK. So, as expected, Hoffenheim have followed-up their offer and I've delayed it another week as we discussed. They've agreed, but Hoffenheim are also very keen on Clarence Seedorf and The German Football Review have gone with a story claiming Seedorf is about to be appointed which increases the pressure on Hoffenheim to announce soon. Seedorf remains 4-1 favourite with the bookmakers which makes me think we're now into territory where you could miss out on Hoffenheim. Stuniverse: That's OK. Hoffenheim aren't my first choice, or even third choice, so I'll take that risk. There's the offer from Saint-Etienne to fall back on in any case. Stanley Baryla: Cool. As long as you understand Hoffenheim could get fed up of waiting any day now and appoint Seedorf. They might not even tell us, they could just do it. I delayed Saint-Etienne for a week, also as we discussed, and they agreed to that. Your interview has made the press and 90Min.com have run a story saying Saint-Etienne will announce you as their new manager imminently. I can assure you the leak didn't come from our end and my gut tells me Saint-Etienne know you have other irons in the fire and leaked the story themselves to increase the pressure on you to accept. Stuniverse: OK. Can't say I blame them. But Saint-Etienne have definitely agreed to the delay, yes? Stanley Baryla: Yes, they have. But, like with Hoffenheim, the longer we delay, the more likely Saint-Etienne are to appoint someone else although I'm not aware of anybody else in the frame and you are 1-5 on with the bookmakers. Stuniverse: Any news from Italy? Stanley Baryla: Yes. Good news, too. Napoli have requested your backroom changes and made a job offer. Stuniverse: Wow! And I thought the budgets at Celtic were mouth-watering. Stanley Baryla: Indeed. But at Napoli, high-profile players are more likely to want to sign for you than at Celtic. Stuniverse: Agreed. It's very tempting, but risky as they are very trigger happy. Can we stall? Stanley Baryla: Of course. I have to warn you though that if the job offers you're waiting on, don't materialise, you could end up with no job at all. Stuniverse: I understand, Stan. I don't want to be seen to be following in Neil Lennon's footsteps though. Stanley Baryla: OK. I'll request a delay. Stuniverse: Thanks. Anything else from Italy? Stanley Baryla: No. Nothing concrete. GOAL are reporting that Milan are set to appoint Carlo Ancelotti, who is the 4-5 favourite, but the same story claims you, Abdullah Avci and Niko Kovac are still under consideration. Stuniverse: Of the riskier options, I'd prefer Milan over Napoli. Stanley Baryla: Milan could well go with Ancelotti whereas there's an offer from Napoli on the table. Stuniverse: You'll delay Napoli though. Stanley Baryla: Yes. Potentially less good news regarding Lazio. You remain the 7-2 favourite but there's media reports that Abdullah Avci has been interviewed, offered the job, and he's asked for a delay. If that's true, it's bad news because we've heard nothing about an interview. Stuniverse: Damn. Lazio's the job I really want. I've been out to Italy to watch them play three times. If you hear anything, let me know straight away please. Stanley Baryla: Of course. I would do that any way. Stuniverse: Sampdoria? Stanley Baryla: You remain the bookies favourite at 7-10 but nothing yet. I'll give them a gentle nudge. Stuniverse: Thanks. And Atletico Madrid? Stanley Baryla: Nothing yet. Carlo Ancelotti is the 5-1 favourite but, obviously, he can't take both the Madrid and the Milan jobs. I may be wrong, but it doesn't sound like Madrid have started interviewing yet. I'll send you an email with more detail on the status of all the jobs you've applied for. Stuniverse: Thanks, Stan. Talk soon. ---- Summary details on each job application: JOB OFFERS Hoffenheim - finished 6th in Bundesliga (this season) Interview date: 21st June 2025. Reason: good fit for ambitious vision and track-record playing high-tempo pressing game. Backroom changes: requested 25th June 2025 Job offer: 25th June 2025 - delayed a week / 3rd July 2025 - delayed a further week Finances: Secure Transfer budget: £8.25M (job offer) Wage budget: £1.6M (job offer) Club Vision: * Next season: 5th-6th * 2026/27: 5th-6th * 2027/28: 5th-6th * 2028/29: 5th-6th Saint-Etienne - finished 8th in Ligue 1 (this season) Interview date: 27th June 2025. Reason: good fit for realistic vision and track-record of signing players aged 23 or under Backroom changes: requested 30th June 2025 Job offer: 1st July 2025 - delayed a week Finances: Secure Transfer budget: £11.5M (job offer) Wage budget: £950K (job offer) Club Vision: * Next season: 5th-6th * 2026/27: 4th-6th * 2027/28: 4th-6th * 2028/29: 4th Napoli - finished 3rd in Sere A (this season) Interview date: 29th June 2025 Reason: good fit for ambitious vision and track-record of signing players aged 23 or under Backroom changes: requested 3rd July 2025 Job offer: 4th July 2025 - delayed a week Finances: Rich Transfer budget: £79M (job offer) Wage budget: £2.7M (job offer) Club Vision: * Next season: 3rd-4th * 2026/27: 1st * 2027/28: 1st * 2028/29: 1st ---- INTERVIEWS ATTENDED Sampdoria - finished 14th in Serie A (this season) Interview date: 23rd June 2025 Reason: good fit for scaled back vision and track-record playing entertaining football. Backroom changes: no Job offer: no Finances: Rich Transfer budget: not known Wage budget: £1.3M (job advert) Club Vision: * Next season: Mid-Table * 2026/27: Established * 2027/28: Established * 2028/29: Established AC Milan - finished 6th in Serie A (this season) Interview date: 29th June 2025 Reason: good fit for realistic vision Backroom changes: no Job offer: no Finances: Rich Transfer budget: not known Wage budget: £3M (job advert) Club Vision: * Next season: 3rd-4th * 2026/27: 1st * 2027/28: 1st * 2028/29: 1st Lazio - finished 4th in Serie A (this season) Interview date: 29th June 2025 Reason: acceptable fit for scaled back vision Backroom changes: no Job offer: no Finances: Rich Transfer budget: not known Wage budget: £1.7M (job advert) Club Vision: * Next season: 5th-6th * 2026/27: 5th-6th * 2027/28: 5th-6th * 2028/29: 5th-6th ---- PENDING Atletico Madrid - finished 5th in Spanish First Division (this season) Interview date: n/a Reason: n/a Backroom changes: n/a Job offer: n/a Finances: Rich Transfer budget: Wage budget: £2.2M (job advert) Club Vision: * Next season: * 2026/27: * 2027/28: * 2028/29: Edited June 20, 2020 by Stuniverse 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 20, 2020 Author Share Posted June 20, 2020 (edited) 5 July 2025 SAMPDORIA KEEN TO APPOINT STUNIVERSE Stuniverse: Hi, Stan. How are you? Stanley Baryla: Very well, thank you. You're in demand, Stuniverse. Sampdoria have asked for your backroom changes and have offered you a contract. Stuniverse: That's good news, Stan. Italy is my preferred destination, but Sampdoria wouldn't be my first choice. Stanley Baryla: You've also been offered the Napoli job but, when we spoke the other day, you asked me to delay that one as you didn't want to be seen as following in Neil Lennon's footsteps and, also, after Lennon got sacked after leading them to 2nd in Serie A and the EURO Cup semi-finals, you felt they were too trigger happy. Stuniverse: That's right, but there's still Lazio and Milan. Stanley Baryla: There is, but you need to be realistic here, Stuniverse, there's no guarantee that you'll be offered either of the Lazio or the Milan jobs. Take Milan,the Italian Press are reporting that Abdullah Avci has been offered the job, and Carlo Ancelotti remains favourite, and we've not heard anything since your interview. If there's any truth to these reports, you're third choice for Milan at best. As for Lazio, the press are reporting that Abdullah Avci has been offered the job... Stuniverse: Well, Avci can't accept both jobs, can he? Which means at least one could still be up for grabs. Can you delay Sampdoria please as the situation at Lazio, Milan and maybe even Atletico Madrid will be a lot clearer in a week's time? Stanley Baryla: I'd suggest you think very seriously about the Sampdoria job. I know it's probably the safest of the Italian jobs you're interested in, but you need to bear in mind that you don't speak the language, you don't really know Serie A, and mistakes are more likely to be tolerated by Board and players at a club like Sampdoria, rather than Milan, Lazio or Napoli. Stuniverse: Are you suggesting I play it safe and take a sideways or backwards move from Celtic? Stanley Baryla: I don't see it that way. Sampdoria's wage budget of £1.5M is bigger than you had at Celtic and you'll have a transfer budget of £30.5M. The club vision is mid-table next season and then to establish Sampdoria as a Serie A side thereafter. There's no expectation for Sampdoria to qualify for Europe so you'll be able to ease yourself into Serie A quite comfortably and then move to a bigger club in Italy, if you want, in a few seasons time. Stuniverse: Like I did in Scotland, you mean? Stanley Baryla: Exactly. You went from Falkirk in League One, to the Premiership, onto Hibs, before Celtic. Remember how much fun you had at Falkirk, knocking Premiership teams out of the cups as a League One and Championship side? Remember the exhilaration of qualifying for the Premiership Championship Group with Falkirk at the expense of much bigger teams? Remember the thrill of pushing Rangers all the way to the wire at Hibernian? Stuniverse: [Laughs] We did bloody some noses along the way, didn't we? Stanley Baryla: You certainly did [laughs]. You could do that again at Sampdoria. The expectations at the Stade Luigi Ferraris allow you to do all that again on a much bigger stage. There's plenty of opportunity for you to overachieve at Sampdoria? Stuniverse: You make some good points but, for now, can you delay Sampdoria, please? Lazio remains my first choice and, until Lazio is no longer on the table, I don't want to rule myself out. Stanley Baryla: If that's what you want, I'll see if I can delay Sampdoria. But promise me you will think seriously about Sampdoria. I'd hate for you to come out of all this with no job at all. These are big clubs we're talking about, they won't take kindly to being messed about. Stuniverse. Thanks. I appreciate your candour. And I will give Sampdoria serious consideration. Edited June 20, 2020 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 20, 2020 Author Share Posted June 20, 2020 6 July 2025 STUNIVERSE ATTENDS ATLETICO MADRID INTERVIEW Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 20, 2020 Author Share Posted June 20, 2020 (edited) 6 July 2025 SAINT-ETIENNE AGREE A FURTHER WEEK'S DELAY Stanley Baryla (agent): Hi, Stuniverse. Just a quick update and question for you. Stuniverse: Sure. Stanley Baryla: News of Sampdoria offering you the job has leaked out. Again, I'm sure it's not from our end. I'm almost certain it's on Sampdoria's side, an attempt to use the media to force your hand to join them. Stuniverse: I'll make my own decisions, irrespective of what the media report. Stanley Baryla: I know you will. It's been a week since we delayed Saint-Etienne. What do you want me to do if / when they come back to us? Stuniverse: Delay them again if you can. Like we did with Hoffenheim. Stanley Baryla: Will do. Edited June 20, 2020 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 20, 2020 Author Share Posted June 20, 2020 (edited) 6 July 2025 AC MILAN APPOINT AVICI AS MANAGER Edited June 20, 2020 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 20, 2020 Author Share Posted June 20, 2020 10 July 2025 HOFFENHEIM REJECT FURTHER DELAY Stanley Baryla (agent): Hi, Stuniverse. Stuniverse: Hi, Stan. How are you? Stanley Baryla: Sorry about the Milan job. Stuniverse: Don't be. You gave me the heads-up that it would probably go to Abdullah Avici or Carlo Ancelotti so I was prepared for it. At least Avici can't take the Lazo job now [laughs]. Stanley Baryla: No, he can't. If you're sure about Italy, it looks like your choice is between Napoli or Sampdoria, unless Lazio come in with an offer? Stuniverse: Yes. Although, I haven't ruled Spain out. I liked the sound of Atletico Madrid at my interview the other day. And my preference remains Lazio, although I think we'd have heard something by now if I was top of their list. Stanley Baryla: So do I, although never say never. We need to be careful from here on in, Stuniverse. These clubs won't take kindly to being messed around. Talking of which, we've delayed Hoffenheim twice now, what do you want me to do when they come back to us? Stuniverse: Delay for another week if you can please? Stanley Baryla: And if they don't agree to a further delay, as I'm almost certain they won't? Stuniverse: We walk away. It's Italy or Spain now, I think. You can do the same with Saint-Etienne when they come back to us. Stanley Baryla: Leave it with me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 20, 2020 Author Share Posted June 20, 2020 10 July 2025 LAZIO APPOINT ZIDANE MANAGER Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 20, 2020 Author Share Posted June 20, 2020 (edited) 11 July 2025 NAPOLI RETURN WITH JOB OFFER Stanley Baryla (agent): Hi, Stuniverse. I'm really sorry about you missing out on the Lazio job, I know how much you wanted that one. Stuniverse: I did, and I can't say I'm not disappointed, but you had prepared me for the fact that it probably wasn't going to be offered to me and I appreciate that. Stanley Baryla: No worries, that's my job. But you do have two Serie A job offers on the table so you'll have to go to Napoli or Sampdoria and bust Lazio up and bloody their noses when you play them. Stuniverse: [Laughs]. Stanley Baryla: Talking of which, we delayed Napoli a week ago. What do you want me to do when they come back to us? Stuniverse: I'm running out of Serie A options, aren't I? It's either Napoli or Sampdoria and that's it. Stanley Baryla: Yes. A choice between Napoli, who finished 3rd, but you're not convinced given how trigger happy their Board are and Sampdoria, who finished 14th, and probably under-performed. You can become the Napoli manager today, if you want, we can negotiate and agree a contract with them when I speak to them later today. Stuniverse: No. I'm not Neil Lennon's biggest fan, but two seasons ago he did incredibly well, in my opinion, leading Napoli to a 2nd place finish in Serie A, plus a EURO Cup semi-final and an Italian Cup semi-final, and Napoli sacked him. Unbelievable. Last season, Marcelino, led them to a 3rd place finish, an Italian Cup Final defeat to Juventus, and the European Champions Cup 1st Knockout Round, and they fired Marcelino as well. I'm not sure I'd be comfortable working for such a demanding and trigger happy Board. They need to be realistic, that it'll take time to catch and overhaul Juventus and Inter. Let's delay Napoli another week if we can please? That'll give us more time to see if Atletico Madrid get in touch and for me to decide whether it's Napoli or Sampdoria, if not Atletico. Stanley Baryla: Sure. Leave it with me. Edited June 20, 2020 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 21, 2020 Author Share Posted June 21, 2020 (edited) 12 July 2025 DECISION TIME Stuniverse: Good morning, Stan. Thanks for calling. Stanley Baryla (agent): No problem, Stuniverse. How are you? Stuniverse: Good, thanks. Just keen to get back to work. Stanley Baryla: I bet. You soon will be. Today is decision time. Stuniverse: Between Napoli and Sampdoria? Stanley Baryla: That's the way I see it, yes. They've both offered you a job, we've delayed Napoli twice and Sampdoria once. I'm due to be speaking to Sampdoria again later this morning. We've also delayed Saint-Etienne twice but, I think, your mind's pretty much made up on Italy, isn't it? Stuniverse: Yes. I think so. I like the country, I like the food, I like the weather, I like the people and I've had many a happy family holiday in Italy. All of which is irrelevant in footballing terms, but Serie A is also a higher reputation league than Ligue Un. Stanley Baryla: If we're discounting Saint-Etienne, then it's pretty much a straight choice between Napoli and Sampdoria. Have you decided? Stuniverse: What about Atletico Madrid, have you heard aything following my interview? Stanley Baryla: Nothing. Word on the grapevine is that Atletico have offered the job to PSV's Viktor Goncharenko. If that's true, you'd be waiting on a job that's not going to be offered to you and run the risk of missing out on Napoli, Sampdoria and Saint-Etienne as well. It really is time to decide, Stuniverse. Stuniverse: You said you'd know about Russia and Turkey by about now. Anything there? Stanley Baryla: No. No vacancies currently. Stuniverse: So, Napoli or Sampdoria? Sampdoria or Napoli? Stanley Baryla: Yes. I'm speaking to Sampdoria later today and we could probably delay them one more time and then when Napoli come back to us in a few days time we won't be able to delay them a third time. If you want to go to Napoli, then I delay Sampdoria today, and we do the deal with Napoli when they come back to us in a few days. Otherwise, we confirm the deal with Sampdoria today when I speak to them. Stuniverse: My mind's pretty much made up, I think, but let me speak to Mrs Stuniverse one more time about it now and I'll ring you back in about 15 minutes. Stanley Baryla: Sure thing. Look forward to it. Edited June 21, 2020 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 21, 2020 Author Share Posted June 21, 2020 (edited) 12 July 2025 STUNIVERSE APPOINTED SAMPDORIA MANAGER The Bhoys: Former Celtic manager, Stuniverse, who left Celtic Park earlier this summer after leading The Bhoys to a domestic treble, has been announced as the new manager of Serie A Sampdoria. It seems a strange one to us, as Stuniverse has left the best team in Scotland, a team capable of winning every domestic trophy going, a team competing in the European Champions Cup, for an Italian side who finished 14th in Serie A last season and won't be playing in any European competition. Stuniverse was very vocal in the media about his desire to manage Lazio, even going to Italy a few times during the run-in to watch the team that finished 4th in Serie A, but Lazio appointed Zinedine Zidane instead, leaving Stuniverse with egg-on-his-face. There were reports that Napoli, who Neil Lennon left Celtic to manage in the summer of 2023, were also keen on appointing Stuniverse but these must be speculative rumours because why would Stuniverse choose 14th placed Sampdoria over 3rd placed Napoli? Stuniverse has signed a three-year deal to manage Sampdoria until the summer of 2028. Edited June 21, 2020 by Stuniverse 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 21, 2020 Author Share Posted June 21, 2020 12 July 2025 SAMPDORIA FINANCES AND EXPECTATIONS Finances: Expectations: Club Vision: 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tajerio Posted June 21, 2020 Share Posted June 21, 2020 (edited) I really enjoyed the update style during the job search--very engagingly done. I'll be interested to see the quality of the side you've inherited here. Not sure how much poaching from your old club you'll be able to do this time though. Edited June 21, 2020 by Tajerio 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 21, 2020 Author Share Posted June 21, 2020 (edited) 12 July 2025 SAMPDORIA FIXTURES 2025/26 Blucerchiati Messaggero: Sampdoria's new manager, Stuniverse, will have a baptism of fire as Sampdoria face Lazio (away), Juventus (Home), and Inter Milan (away) in their opening three Serie A fixtures. The fixtures in full, including pre-season friendlies, are: [Translated into English by Football Translation Services] Edited June 21, 2020 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 21, 2020 Author Share Posted June 21, 2020 (edited) 12 July 2025 SERIE A RULES, INCLUDING NON-EU PLAYER RULES Edited June 21, 2020 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoguPL Posted June 21, 2020 Share Posted June 21, 2020 I was managing Sampdoria in my FM18 Journeyman save! Good Luck to you! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 21, 2020 Author Share Posted June 21, 2020 1 hour ago, Tajerio said: I really enjoyed the update style during the job search--very engagingly done. Thank you, @Tajerio, that's exactly what I was aiming for. I hope it made sense, there were a lot of moving parts and even I was struggling to keep track at times. At one point, I thought I was going to be too clever juggling the delays and end up with no jobs whatsoever. I'm disappointed though for two reasons: i) I really wanted the Lazio job and ii) to end up at a club that won't be playing in Europe this coming season. I did have an offer to go to Napoli but, even though Neil Lennon and I have had our run-ins this save, I was highly critical of Napoli's treatment of Lennon (2nd in Serie A, EURO cup semi-final, Italian Cup semi-final = fired after one season!) it just didn't sit right with me to agree to work for that Board. So it's Sampdoria for me as my agent Stan-the-Man goes into hibernation (or to work for his other clients, if he has any) until I need him again... 2 hours ago, Tajerio said: I'll be interested to see the quality of the side you've inherited here. Me too, @Tajerio, which is the main reason why I'm going back to Celtic Park with Sampdoria for our first pre-season friendly. 2 hours ago, Tajerio said: Not sure how much poaching from your old club you'll be able to do this time though. My guess is none. Apart from the fact that there's quite a few Serie A player registration rules and non-EU player rules I've not got my head around yet, I'm not sure any of the Celtic players will want to leave Celtic and European Champions Cup football for Sampdoria and no European competition... no matter how much they love me! For your information, there's three Celtic players I'd be interested in targeting: Karamoko Dembele (right-winger) - quite simply the best player I've worked with on this save. Goals. Assists. Brilliant mazy individual runs. Can play as a winger or an inverted winger. Young, and can improve a lot in my opinion. In the summer of 2024, I was rejecting £90M bids for Karamoko. Stevie Mallan (central midfielder) - I love Stevie Malllan. Simple as that. My favourite player on this save. I inherited him at Hibernian and his penalty taking, corner taking, and free-kick taking was on a different level to anybody else at Hibs. Stevie was the first player I signed for Celtic and he was immediately given penalty, free-kick and corner duties. The number of assists, goals, and man-of-the-match awards he gets in a season is incredible. Chancel Mbemba (defender) - not the best defender at Celtic but, over two seasons, the one I came to rely on the most. Primarily a ball-playing centre-back, Chancel started last season as fourth choice centre-back but, by the end of the season, I was starting him more often than not and he tended to play in the big games for me. In short, I trusted Chancel more than any other centre-back. Chancel's ability to play right-back and left-back to a high standard made him a real asset at Celtic and I'm confident he'd be a real asset for any team he played for. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 21, 2020 Author Share Posted June 21, 2020 22 minutes ago, rrozek93 said: I was managing Sampdoria in my FM18 Journeyman save! Good Luck to you! Thank you, @rrozek93. Much appreciated. I may need your help interpreting some of the Serie A rules. 49 minutes ago, Stuniverse said: SERIE A RULES, INCLUDING NON-EU PLAYER RULES Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 21, 2020 Author Share Posted June 21, 2020 (edited) 12 July 2025 SAMPDORIA SQUAD REVIEW - 2025/26 Goalkeepers 1. Juan Musso (Argentinian) Ro GK 31 (30/06/2028) 13. Yann Sommer (Swiss) E GK 3 (30/06/2026) 15. Georgely Hutvagner (Hungarian) R GK 25 (30/06/2027) George Shelvey (English - nonEU) R GK 24 (30/06/2028) Leonardo Marson (Italian) L GK 27 (30/06/2026) Valentin Rabouille (French) R GK (30/06/2028) Edited June 21, 2020 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 21, 2020 Author Share Posted June 21, 2020 (edited) 12 July 2025 SAMPDORIA SQUAD REVIEW - 2025/26 Defenders 2. Giovanni Troupee (Dutch) R DR /WBR 27 (30/06/2028) 3. Antonio Barreca (Italian) L D/WBL, ML 30 (30/06/2028) 4. Andrea Cistana (Italian) R DC / DR, DM 28 (30/06/2028) 5. Julian Chabot (French) L DC / DM 27 (30/06/2028) 12. Jairo Riedewald (Dutch) L DLC, DM / MC 28 (30/06/2030) - new signing 19. Silvan Widmer (Swiss) R D/WB/MR 32 (30/06/2026) - transfer listed at own request 22. Ricardo Esgaio (Portuguese) R D/M/AMR / DL WBR MC 32 (30/06/2026) 23. Gonzalo Santapaolo (Argentinian) L DC / DL, DM 23 (30/06/2028) 31. Edoardo Olivieri (Italian) Ro DR / DL, WBR 19 (30/06/2028) 32. Marco Novelli (Italian) R DRC / DL, WBR 20 (30/06/2029) 39. Daniel Vispo (Italian) E D/MR / DL WB/AMR 21 (30/06/2026) 40. Vito Grandini (Italian) Ro DC 19 (30/06/2028) Giorgio Scalvini (Italian) Ro DC 21 (30/06/2027) Stojan Simic (Serbian) R DR / DC, MR 17 (30/06/2027) Edited June 21, 2020 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 21, 2020 Author Share Posted June 21, 2020 12 July 2025 SAMPDORIA SQUAD REVIEW - 2025/26 Midfielders 7. Karol Linetty (Polish) R MC/DC, WBR, DM 30 (30/06/2028) - unhappy and wants to leave to play Continental football 14. Jakub Jankto (Czech) L MLC / DM, MR, AML 29 (30/06/2027) 16. Soualiho Meite (French) R DM, MC 31 (30/06/2027) - transfer listed at own request 36. Stefano Sana (Italian) E M/AMC / M/AML, SC 21 (30/06/2028) 37. Alex Noselli (Italian) R M/AMC / SC 19 (30/06/2028) 38. Francesco Gagliardi (Italian) Ro DM, MC / DC 19 (30/06/2027) 41. Matteo Frau (Italian) R MC / MR, AMRC 19 (30/06/2028) 42. Alessio Arcopinto (Italian) Ro AMC, SC / AMR 22 (30/06/2028) Tomas Desiderio (Italian) Ro AMC / MC, AMR, SC 21 (30/06/2027) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 21, 2020 Author Share Posted June 21, 2020 12 July 2025 SAMPDORIA SQUAD REVIEW - 2025/26 Wingers 6. Alessandro Cortinovis (Italian) R MC, AMLC / AMR, SC 24 (30/06/2029) 8. Jamie Yayi Mpie (Belgian) R AMRL, SC / ML 24 (30/06/2028) 11. Andrija Zivkovic [vice-captain] (Serbian) L AMRL / MRLC, AMC 29 (30/06/2028) 34. Giovanni Pagano (Italian) R AMR / MR 20 (30/06/2028) Fabrizio Stefanini (Italian) R M/AML 18 (30/06/2027) Sante D'Andrea (Italian) Lo AMR / MRL, AML 20 (30/06/2026) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 21, 2020 Author Share Posted June 21, 2020 12 July 2025 SAMPDORIA SQUAD REVIEW - 2025/26 Forwards 10. Simone Zaza (Italian) Lo SC / AMC 34 (30/06/2026) 17. Gianluca Caprari [captain] (Italian) R AMC, SC / AMRL 31 (30/06/2026) 20. Massimo Bottaro (Italian) R SC / AMRC 20 (30/06/2028) 30. Nik Prelec (Slovakian) L SC / MR, AMRLC 24 (30/06/2026) 33. Stefano Pezzella (Italian) R SC / M/AMR 21 (30/06/2028) 35. Lamine Diaby Fadiga (French) L SC / AMR 24 (30/06/2027) 43. Andrea Chiodo (Italian) R SC / AMRC 21 (30/06/2026) Alex Marino (Italian) Ro SC / MR, AMRC 21 (30/06/2026) Raffaele Addona (Italian) Lo SC / AMR 20 (30/06/2027) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 21, 2020 Author Share Posted June 21, 2020 (edited) 12 July 2025 RUSSO LEAVES SAMPDORIA Blucerchiati Messaggero: New Sampdoria manager Stuniverse has wasted no time clearing room to bring in his own backroom staff by dispensing with the services of Assistant Manager Daniele Russo. Russo had been Assistant Manager at Stadio Luigi Ferraris since December 2021. Stuniverse is expected to bring his Asistant Manager Jari Litmanen and coaches Steve Wigley and Mark Hudson, who all quit Celtic Park at the same time, with him from Celtic. [Translated into English by Football Translation Services] Daniele Russo Jari Litmanen Steve Wigley Mark Hudson Edited June 21, 2020 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 21, 2020 Author Share Posted June 21, 2020 12 July 2025 SAMPDORIA FIRST-TEAM COACHING STAFF - 2025/26 Vacant - Assistant Manager Giovanni Invernizzi - Head of Youth Development Lorenzo Squizzi - Goalkeeping Coach Angelo Palombo - Coach Nicola Caccia - Coach Mario Innaurato - Fitness Coach Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 21, 2020 Author Share Posted June 21, 2020 12 July 2025 SAMPDORIA RECRUITMENT TEAM - 2025/26 Carlo Osti - Director of Football Joao Mario Reigota - Chief Scout Dejan Vasiljev - Scout Francesco Crisanti - Scout Paolo Mussi - Scout Riccardo Pecini - Scout Stefano Ghisleni - Scout Stefano Screponi - Scout Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 21, 2020 Author Share Posted June 21, 2020 (edited) 12 July 2025 STUNIVERSE FINALISING BACKROOM TEAM Blucerchiati Messaggero: New Sampdoria manager Stuniverse has wasted no time putting together his backroom team with an Assistant Manager, three coaches, and two scouts expected to arrive at Stadio Luigi Ferraris in the next few days. So far, the only casulalty of Stuniverse's regime, has been Assistant Manager Daniele Russo who has already left Stadio Luigi Ferraris after three and a half years at Sampdoria. [Translated into English by Football Translation Services] Edited June 21, 2020 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 21, 2020 Author Share Posted June 21, 2020 (edited) 12 July 2025 STUNIVERSE REVIEWS TRANSFERS OUT Blucerchiati Messaggero: Sampdoria had five transfers out arranged when Stuniverse began his stint as manager - two permanent transfers and three loans. We understand from our sources that Stuniverse reviewed the loan deals and was happy for Stojan Simic, Edoardo Oliviero and Sante D'Andrea to go out on loan. Stuniverse pulled the plug on the two permanent sales of Silvan Widmer and Soualiho Meite because he didn't think the transfer fees represented value for money and, also, he wanted to give all the payers a clean slate and the opportunity to work their way into his plans during pre-season. Meite, who speaks fluent English after playing for Southampton and Bournemouth, demanded a meeting with Stuniverse because he was unhappy his proposed move to Shakhtar Donetsk had been blocked and, by the end of the meeting, Meite found himself back on the transfer list with Stuniverse saying he had no time for players who didn't want to be at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris. [Translated into English by Football Translation Services] Stuniverse suggests a transfer fee of £9M. Meite suggests a transfer fee of £5.75M which Stuniverse increases to £6M. Edited June 21, 2020 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 21, 2020 Author Share Posted June 21, 2020 (edited) 12 July 2025 LANGUAGE PROBLEMS Blucerchiati Messaggero: We have requested an interview with the new Sampdoria manager Stuniverse and both Sampdoria and Stuniverse are happy for that to happen, but it may take some time to arrange due to the fact that Stuniverse does not speak Italian. Sampdoria assure us that they have plans to make their English manager more accessible to the media while Stuniverse will be taking an extensive Italian course as he attempts to learn the language. As far as we are aware, non of the backroom staff Stuniverse has inherited speak English. [Translated into English by Football Translation Services] Edited June 21, 2020 by Stuniverse 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 22, 2020 Author Share Posted June 22, 2020 (edited) Help please with Serie A non-EU Rules I read this to mean that there's no limit on how many non-EU players I can sign in Italy Serie A, but only the first two non-EU players signed can be registered and play that season. But there's more to it than that. This from the Serie A rules: I took over as manager of Sampdoria on 12th July 2025 and George Shelvey is showing as my only non-EU player, but he signed for Sampdoria in July last year so he's actually a last season's signing, not this season’s signing, so I'm confused... Shelvey would have been with us on June 30th this year and here are the transfers that had been done when I arrived. Of the OUTS on 1st July: Obert is Slovakian (but HG as he'd been at Sampdoria since 2018/19), Iago is Brazilian (HG at Sampdoria since 2020/21) and Falk is Danish. Anybody know what this means in practice please? Tagged: @coady @JaytheGreat @Johnny-Trotter @kidthekid @rrozek93 @samboing @Tajerio Edited June 22, 2020 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaytheGreat Posted June 22, 2020 Share Posted June 22, 2020 Even though they were signed last season they still have the tag, but they shouldn't effect registration. I'm pretty sure there's a way you can double check to see if he counts towards the new season, but I don't remember how to do it. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 22, 2020 Author Share Posted June 22, 2020 13 July 205 ATLETICO MADRID APPOINT GONCHARENKO Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tajerio Posted June 22, 2020 Share Posted June 22, 2020 I tried to make heads or tails of it and couldn't. You ought to be able to sign three with no restrictions, since you only have one non-EU player. But your DoF is talking as if you signed Shelvey this season. You're definitely OK to make two signings, but beyond that I really don't know. On a different note entirely, I see why that squad finished 14th in Serie A last year. Not great with the mental stats, not a ton of pace, and not terribly creative either. I think Riedewald is actually a pretty shrewd signing by your predecessor, because he can at least pass and defend (in FM anyway). You've certainly got work to do. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 22, 2020 Author Share Posted June 22, 2020 (edited) Domestic Loans I’m also unsure how many domestic loans I can make from and to other Italian clubs as the Serie A rules only seem to mention ‘foreign based players’ and ‘foreign clubs’. Tagged: @coady @JaytheGreat @Johnny-Trotter @kidthekid @rrozek93 @samboing @Tajerio Edited June 22, 2020 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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