Adders788
1 year ago
11 months ago
15

Meet Will Owen: about to embark on a new career as a football manager.

 

In many ways, he's just like me: 45-years old, born in Chester with Welsh as a second nationality. Supports Everton. Speaks French, as well as English (and Welsh, which I don't really, but comes with the Welsh second nationality).

 

Unlike me - he played semi-pro; and has the lowest coaching badge - National C.

 

We'll be starting unemployed, with a large database and a large number of leagues added, and we'll see where life takes us. Previous best journeyman took me from Malaysia to managing PSV Eindhoven

 

 

 

 

And away we go


Zen Tipher
16 years ago
3 months ago
67

I wish you Good luck !

Adders788
1 year ago
11 months ago
15

The first batch of applications is in - but alongside any club job, I'll be tasked with taking New Zealand Under 23s through qualification for the Olympics. Qualification should be achievable:

 

Adders788
1 year ago
11 months ago
15

As we head in to October, no club team is minded to take a chance on an unproven manager.

 

But maybe that will change - because 5 straight wins at the OFC Olympic Qualifying Tournament leave us with a 100% record and as tournament winners.

 

 

 

So a first piece of silverware, and more importantly qualifications for the Olympic Tournament in Paris in 2024!

 

 

Adders788
1 year ago
11 months ago
15

After qualifying for the Olympics, three more friendlies have resulted in three more wins.

 

By December, NZ U23 under my management have played 8, won 8 - scored 30, conceded 9 with a positive goal difference of +21.

 

And still not even an interview for a club job!

Adders788
1 year ago
11 months ago
15

Still no interest from any clubs by May! I've never seen this on any previous journeyman save, so I'm not quite sure what's going on.

 

Next up are the Olympics, and we've been drawn into a tough group:

 

 

I took the New Zealand Under 23s job on the basis that qualification was possible, and we achieved that. Hopefully my reputation will improve with results at the Olympics proper which will allow me to get a club job. Any club job!

TinakoFM
10 years ago
8 months ago
1,522

Taking the Des Buckingham managerial route, I see. 😁

On my save I went from late 2028 to early 2031 with only a few interviews which was unusual compared to my past experience on old FMs, so perhaps SI have tweaked something in regards to securing a job in FM24?

Adders788
1 year ago
11 months ago
15

Something strange does seem to be going on with my Manager Reputation, which I'll post about later


 

But on to the Olympics.

 

It's only an 18 man squad for the Olympics, and I can now pick three over-23 players, so I have to be ruthless.

 

Chris Wood of Nottingham Forest (and formerly Newcastle and Burnley) comes in to lead the line, and I also bring in Niko Kirwan at right-back and Callum McCowatt onto the left wing.

 

The Dominican Republic have also qualified, so we arrange a friendly as a warm-up, and beat them 5-1, with Wood getting a hat-trick and McCowatt one of the other goals.

 

Bring on the Olympics:

 

  

Adders788
1 year ago
11 months ago
15

We got off to great start in the Olympics, beating Israel 3-1:

Mali are up next, who lost to Argentina in their opening game. Another win would virtually guarantee us a Quarter-Final spot!

Adders788
1 year ago
11 months ago
15

But it wasn't to be. We never really got going, and despite it only being 1-0, we never put any pressure on or had any clear chances to equalise.

 

So it's all on the Argentina game, and here's how the table looks:

 

Adders788
1 year ago
11 months ago
15

Well, it was fun whilst it lasted. Argentina were predictably too strong for us, running out 3-1 winners. And a draw for Mali with Israel is enough to see them through with 4 points.

 

But what's this? A 96th minute winner for Israel and we're through to the quarter-finals on goal difference!

Adders788
1 year ago
11 months ago
15

It's a tough draw in the Quarter-final though - we've got the hosts:

 

Adders788
1 year ago
11 months ago
15

Well, tough was something of an understatement. France beat us 5-1, and it didn't flatter them at all.

 

 

 

And that brings my time in charge of New Zealand U23s to an end, with no more football until, presumably, the next Olympics


 

Adders788
1 year ago
11 months ago
15

We're off to Japan with FC Gifu


 

QuinlanFM
18 years ago
1 month ago
12
Adders788
1 year ago
11 months ago
15

Avoiding relegation is the target. We sit in 17th, two places above the relegation play-off spot with 13 games to go:

 

 

Adders788
1 year ago
11 months ago
15

Avoiding relegation is the target. We sit in 17th, two places above the relegation play-off spot with 13 games to go:

 

And it was never in doubt. 7 games unbeaten to start (beginning with the 4-4 and 3-3  draws!) meant we never seriously looked like being in trouble. We won 5, drew 4 of the 13 games, with 4 losses. Three of the four losses came in the last three games of the season when we were out of danger, but still disappointing.

 

 

 

A 14th place finish, and on to next season:

 

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