Flight of the Dragon

After failing to complete the Pentagon for two seasons in a row, with the final leg in Europe being the major problem. I have therefore decided to a career just travelling to different countries and see where the wind takes me. Hopefully the created leagues hold up for the journey, otherwise it's to plan b.



The starting leagues, given myself a chance to move about the place and take on some new leagues I have never managed in, Thailand, Azerbaijan, Qatar, Israel and Kazakhstan.

I'm going to give myself Sunday League reputation to ensure that I start at the bottom and try to build my rep up. Will look to assign a club to myself who currently has no manager to stop me having to start with an interview and to get me into the game as quick as possible.

So ... the clubs on offer ....



Al Moqaoloun also on offer, plenty of clubs to go and have a look at. Zamalek, Daejeon, Astana all speak to me. Lots to be thinking about.

Good luck mate!

I think Zamalek would be a good place to begin. Good luck with this.

Interesting choices

Some interesting leagues here, definitely one to follow! Good luck chap!

So the start of the tale takes us to Thailand ...

Don't ask me why I decided to jet out to Thailand, was one of those things. Something tells me this is quite an interesting league. Lot of players / people been involved in Thailand. Robbie Fowler, Jay Bothroyd, Jay Simpson and Sven to name a few. A league that possess some Thai talent and the odd foreign gem from Asia and Brazil.

So why Buriram? Well they were free, their previous manager jumped ship to rivals Muangthong United. Not only this but Buriram also progressed to the knockout stages in the AFC Champions League beating Seoul FC on its way there.



The club is interesting, has some value but what it lacks is facilities. The aim will be to address these as soon as possible. Depending on how ambitious my chairman is and enough sucking up to him during the press conferences I am sure I can convince the man to invest.



Have won the league fairly recently and has a small hall in the trophy cabinet. The aim is to add, but you just never know. More than likely I will mess up big time here.



The squad possess some talent, most of its best players are foreign. Will need to look to possibly ship some of them out at some point to ensure I can develop as much Thai talent as possible.



Good news early doors. Chairman shares my ambition. We are in for a good time. Let the good times roll here with the The Thunder Castles!!!

So the first part of the season has proven quite successful. I was never aware we were entered into the Champions League. We are not going to really challenge the big players but any money that we can get from the group stages we can use to develop the club. So when we played and then knocked out Central Coast Mariners in extra time I was shocked. In the group stages we played some tough opponents. Jeonbuk are a class above us but the other sides in the group we competed well against, providing a few shocks.

We lost out to fierce rivals Muangthong United in the Thai equivalent of the Community Shield. Disappointed? Yes. Did we learn anything? Yes. I had to make a few tactical and training changes to ensure we were fully prepared for the start of the season.

As for the league we have looked dangerous, a couple of slip ups on the way was really down to fatigue. We have a smallish squad and we have to rotate youngsters in when we can. The squads average age is 23 so it's pleasing we are a young squad who are ambitious. We are scoring goals but we do have a nasty habit of conceding cheap goals.



Lot of movement in and out. Teerasil Dangda should be known to Man City fans as he spent some of his early career there. Free signings were youngsters who were recommended from the scouts and part of the national set up. Ri-Kwan Chong is a bust. Signed him hoping he would help develop the clubs youngsters at the back. Instead he's thrown and spat his dummy out. Will look to cut our losses come next transfer window. There was high hopes of Anthony Ampaipitakwong producing the goods in the AM role for us, but yet he has failed to deliver that goods. I will persist with him but also have a quiet word with my scouting network.



Top of the league, you're having a laugh .... close at the moment. Too close.

Looks like a fantastic place to start, what formation are you playing? Seems to be working so far,

Also where did you download your badges from sir?

I believe it's Shiny 14

http://sortitoutsi.net/forums/topic/8544/shiny-14-coming-soon-on-sousie

DanW19 - Certainly an interesting place to manage. Home grown talent is weak, but is relatively cheap to buy the best players in. Playing a standard 4-2-3-1 either attacking at home or controlling when away. It does seems to work ... for now. As Johno said, it is the Shiny badges I am using.








More of the same really. We caused a massive upset in the Champions League when we beat Korean power houses Seongnam on the away goal rules. Parked the bus and it somehow paid off. In the league we were a little hit and miss. Winning against the lower teams with much gusto but sneaking against the top end sides. Which is fine and I shouldn't be complaining but I would like to win a bit more comfortably. We did suffer a little mini collapse at the end of June. Complacency became an issue and after the second defeat the players were reminded that they actually need to work to win games. The side has progressed in various cups which is also good. Hopefully we can earn some silverware. If I can, then I can look to move on from here if there are jobs going and my reputation increased. I am enjoying my time in Thailand, but it is a little tedious with the home grown talent being fairly poor.



Comfortably at the top. Need to carry on winning the next few games to hopefully see off the competition and win the league.

It was an eventful end to the season to say the least. We were playing for near on 4 trophies at one stage, a remarkable achievement for the squad. Sadly we came away with half the haul but nevertheless we gave ourselves a good account.

In the Champions League we took on the might of South Korean Jeonbuk. We left the first leg with an important away goal, despite their dominance I felt we could steal it at home. And steal it we almost did. Had it not been for a late goal in both legs, we would have seen ourselves progress to the semis. Again what a fantastic effort from the players. We were never ever in with a chance of winning the Cup or to progress as far as we did, but we did. That's what was most pleasing.

In the league we just about wrapped it up. A tired squad had to muster whatever strength it had left to win the remaining games. We clinched the league and it was a welcome relief. I felt that with a longer season we could struggle. Something I will look to address next season by getting a bigger squad.

We suffered heartbreak against rivals Muangthong in the League Cup Final where they hit us late on to grab the victory. Did they deserve it? Na!!! What cost us? Fatigue. Players were knackered. So learning from this before the FAT Cup Final, I sent quite a few players on a weeks rest and in the last league game we fielded a young side who managed to overcome a resurgent Chiangrai United side. The final was all us. We should have and could have scored more. It was a nice way to end the season. Two trophies in my first season at the club and we were competitive across the board. Cannot ask for more.



Top of the league you are having a laugh ...



A poor youth intake. Was hoping to at least get some players to compete for a spot in the first team. Another year to wait.



I signed a deal to extend my stay. However I'm feeling a little jaded from my time in Thailand and I am looking for another job. But if I can't then I will stay. Just can't really see the club and the league progressing much.



Jeonbuk went on to win the Champions League, could it have been us on another day? I doubt it. But it was nice to know we ran them close.

Just a three game pre season run. Quite easy, went for a short number of friendlies due to international fixtures and also the turn over of players.

Managed to put right the wrong from last season by winning the Kor Royal Cup. Last season it came at just the wrong time with the squad getting used to the way I wanted them to play. This time we dominated the game, and really should have scored more.



I've addressed the squad issue by having a larger playing squad to ensure that we aren't caught short like we were last year a few times. We re-signed some of our own released players who failed to negotiate a contract when at the club but were happy to deal once they were released. Odd!

Rogic was our high profiled signing for the window, I am actually pleased to sign him because I know he will do a job for us and with a few players gaining Thai citizenship it meant that I could go out after another foreign signing.



So not getting out of the group stages then ...



Not for the want of trying I have been looking for alternative employment. Was keen for the job in Azerbaijan, but I wanted a slightly larger transfer and wage budget but the club didn't think they could do that. Was a little gutted but hopefully another successful season here will mean a chance to move on. Updates layout might change also. But we will see.

Bit of a shock really. We took the games to teams and we came away with the reward. Either sides have underestimated us or we actually played well. I guess its the latter. Seongnam were the winners of the league in South Korea and to stay undefeated to them is a real test of character from the squad. We managed to scrape through against Lippi and his boys. Antlers were seen off too, one of the strongest if not the strongest side in Japan. We really put in a shift. Lots of goals, and faith in our Thai keeper has shown we could cause a few more upsets in the Champions League.

Next up is another Japanese opponent. We can win that tie, just got to ensure that injuries don't play apart in stopping it happening.



Top the group which is very pleasing.

Brilliant first season double mate, shame you couldn't scoop the league title too, another good start this year around too!

We are bossing the league at the moment. As you can see from the results. There is a lot of pleasing results that are going on there, we are clinical, but we do have a habit of taking the foot off the boil when we are in control of the game. It could be worse mind, if we didn't score goals then we would struggle, Rogic in the central attacking midfielder role is controlling the game, when he is injured we do struggle. He has been amazing this season and he's deserving of his international caps for Australia. If I win the league I think leaving the club will be on the cards. I don't think the club or a club in Thailand can really push for Champions League honours. The chairman is also refusing to upgrade the youth facilities so we won't be getting any stars coming through the youth anytime soon.



10 points clear and it is ours to lose. Hopefully we can seal the league without much fuss in the coming months.

What a man, what a man what a mighty good man!

Secured the league for the second season running, made light work of it again. Aim is now to progress as much as I can in the Champions League and also the various other cups.

Talking of Champions League ...



Yes, we took it to Sydney FC in the home leg and blew them out of the water. Jay Simpson was running the show and everything he touched turned to gold.

So the return leg ...



A very nail biting win, could have gone differently had Sydney FC taken their chances. This now leaves us with a Semi Final against Iranian side Foulad. There is a real chance of progressing to the final here.

Can't happen ... or can it?

Gone one better and won the cup that we couldn't do last season. Only problem is ... Rogic is out injured for a couple of weeks. Bugger.

Oh dear ... final is where we are going ...

So this is how the Final panned out ....








Unbelieveable scenes .... they will be dancing in the streets of Buriram tonight!



Is this the end?

Despite dominating the majority of the game, couldn't find the equalising or winning goal. Disappointed to say the least. But two days after the Champions League victory it was always the case of getting the players focused again.

End of the road, ended up 6th in the FIFA World Club Cup ... sad way to probably end my stint at the club.

Massive congrats on winning the Champions League.

Jay Simpson is a goal machine! How many has he scored?

Shedender - Cheers boss, completely against the run of play and I was amazed to come away with it.
Sean'67 - Jay's been outstanding in the cups but not so in the league.




Outside of the league he's been a bit of a tank.



One of the main goalscorers of the side. Not as many in the league this year which is slightly disappointing for myself and probably himself.



Scores goals for fun in the league but struggles in the continent.

All three strikers have been the core to the success at the club.

I think its only right that I acknowledge some of the players who have played their part in winning the Champions League and also the early success at the start of my career. Some of their stats are not spectacular and I know that. It is getting them to punch above their weight and getting them to play in a system that allows them to flourish.



Only signed this man at the start of my second season. After Paulo Gazzaniga was instrumental in my first season I knew I needed a good goalkeeper but what hampered my progress in my first season was using a foreign slot on my goalkeeper. Kawin was massive in the success he brought me. Kept us in games, yes he conceded but boy did he keep us in games.



The right back and ex-Manchester City player showed why he was a different piece of gravy to others. His experience at the back was immense and was valuable in ensuring how successful we had become as a side.



This guy was an amazing player. Played in quite an attacking left back role and the amount of goals and assists he provided was unreal. A player who truly flourished in the teams 4-2-3-1 formation.



His stats might look poor, but there was something when I signed this guy on a free that made me think he will be pivotal for us. He was. Along with his partner David Rochela they provided a very strong partnership. He did suffer from the odd minor injury at times but when fit he provided us with quite a bit of stability.



Rochela was the linchpin in defence. Without him to guide and lead from the back success would not have been. He made countless crucial tackles and interceptions and also helped develop out youngsters.



Odd that you might see this guy make the cut. He was one that was signed by Man City when Thaksin Shinawatra was in charge. Provided a good backup role for the club and did well when called upon. Helped Rochela in crucial games.



A youngster who I feel could make the grade in a higher league. He has potential but the lack of facilities in Thailand will probably hamper his development. Part of the Thai contingent I signed to develop home grown players.



Carmelo what a player. Inspirational. Class. Had quite a bit of La Liga experience with Las Palmas and Sporting. He was a class above most players in the league. Provided goals and assisted quite a few too. Crucial in our Champions League campaigns.



One of the stars of Thai football. Underrated by many, took quite a bit of money to get to the club but worth it. Formed a brilliant partnership with Rogic in the Attacking Midfield role and was a constant thorn in many teams sides.



Lastly but by no means least. Teerasil Dangda was an interesting player. Never really scored the goals upfront on his own but I re-trained him to play in the Attacking Midfield role and that is where he was outstanding for us. Thai's national team wonder goalscorer and has obviously benefited from his time at Manchester City when he was a youngster.

So I guess it is almost time ...

Finally ...



Tale of the tape ...



Not a bad record ... could be better ... could be worse ...

Thunder Castle Stadium is such a cool name. I feel like it's a Pokemon arena or something.

Good win ration there in that spell, will be interesting to see where you end up

Cheers man! Thailand has many wonderful names of places for stadiums and team nicknames. Has kept me amused when playing sides.

As for destination ... it is now not unknown ... and came quicker than expected.