my unemployed Career [Nice]

Claude Puel was sacked by the club, after 11 matches and a heavy defeat from Lyon.
Nice had only 6 points from 6 draws, and it was obviously enough for the 20th position in Ligue 1.



So after a successful interview, they hire me as a new manager, I chose to fly the team to a safe mid-table position.



I never played in France before, so let's see how can it be...

At first I chose Mouez Hassen instead of Pouplin in goal (as Delle was injured), and it seemed a good choice as he did have two clean sheets in a row.
Mouez Hassen


Unfortunately I did not find the winning tactics due to the absence of some great players. At first I chose a 4-5-1, then 3-5-2, but any of them were good in attack. I signed Benoít Cheyrou from free transfer list, hoping that he brings routine to this young squad. The success was so far as we played the first few games. My first victory broke the ice, I found 4-1-4-1 DM for the team's best tactics, with playmaker Eysseric in CM/Advanced PM position, and Bodmer in DM.
Benoít Cheyrou

At the start of 2015, the team started to get together, flamboyant winger, Eric Bauthéac was healthy again, and Dario Cvitanich earned place in my starting 11. The injured Hassen was replaced by Joris Delle in goal. A very hurtful defeat at home in the French Cup, but we were out of danger, after the visit at Lille, Nice was at the 16th place.

Everything went well in March, we almost got Lyon, but we were unlucky. Dario Cvitanich scored 4 goals in 1 match, and our hot prospect Neal Maupay was in form as well. The main suffer came during the match against Reims. Eysseric injured for 3 months, so we had to play the last games without our key player. Although Nice was at the 12th place, it seemed to be good - but very hard to keep.

Due to suspensions in defense, Mathieu Bodmer was DC again, his Nampalys Mendy was outstanding in DMC position. Without Eysselic, Cheyrou tried to be the leader of the team, but (for me) the third-called striker Bosetti showed some of his skills, and played really well in May. We could be 12th, but we have to be happy with the final, 14th position. Rennes was astonishing during the whole season, and a big underachiever was PSG, Zlatan couldn't be happy beside his great performance.



Far the most draws of the league makes our defence proud, but we have to find our scoring boots next year. Although Nice performed quite average, I'm proud of the team, I can see the youngsters can achieve EL place in 2016. Didier Digard played only a few games, but he made lots of mistakes, so I did not give him chance to play again. The best 11 was Delle - Puel, Diawara, Bodmer, Amavi - Mendy - Bauthéac, Cheyrou, Eysseric, Pléa - Cvitanich.



My stats are not so high, hopefully next year I can make a good run of wins.
Thank you for following PLEASE COMMENT your opinion.

Done well mate, turned thing around very well

The club management was satisfied with the performance of the team, and although I did not get a new contract, I had a chance to prove I can make the team fly higher than a safe mid-table finish. The 2014/15 season best eleven announced - only 1 position seems unexpected: Pouplin.



I tried not to buy expensive players, but I had to strenghten the midfield, as I expect lots of injury there. I signed 3 players and sell only Didier Digard.
Serey Dié - a real DM, but I look forward to use him as a defensive CMMoussa Dembelé - a hot prospect [4stars potential] capped at France national team U19Birama Touré - too good DM for not signing him on free, has plenty time to develop to a key player

A fantastic start for Nice, PSG and Montpellier were much stronger than us, but the we controlled most of the other games. The new singings played well.

Great months for Nice, two key players born beside Valentin Eysseric: Mathieu Bodmer found himself in another golden age period, and Dario Cvitanich scored the important goals for the team. The only loss was against Bordeaux, and we beat OM twice, maybe that is why Marseille sack Slaven Bilic who was hired at 12/12/2014. This year's overachiever beside Nice is Dijon. Two players in the squad are unhappy with lack of playing, haitian defender, Roman Genevois, and flamboyant belgian left winger, Julien Vercauteren. They were promised to get more chance, I don't want to lose them.

Only two losses from the two better team in December and January flies Nice to the 5th place. Bosetti was a perfect substitute of Cvitanich, but luckily none of my key players forgot playing or got injured. Vercauteren playerd really well on left wing, Bauthéac left out sometimes though he was fit to play. Hurtful defeat from Rennes in french cup, we played really well, but were unlucky in penalty shootout.
Against Lyon we tried 3-5-2 instead of 4-1-4-1 DM, and our impressive midfield play made me keep this tactical formation. The results speaks for itself! Our goal was a respectable position, but now we should finish in an Europa League position.
In January Nice loaned midfielder Fékir (touted as the next Michel Platini in my game) from Lyon, for helping 3-5-2 improve. Our most promising youth player was sold to PSG for $ 2.9M, which I found a very good money for a 15 year-old unproven youngster.

Nabil Fékir - on loan from Lyon
Johan Montagnon - was my promising midfielder

Good months