Sochaux - Rise Of The Lions

Its time for a new save since we're not getting fm25 until March 25 so I've download an updated database from Sortitoutsi. I'm wanting something to get stuck into that will keep me going for a few months and will hopefully keep people interested in the save as well. I've put a lot of thought into what to do with even trying to do a poll on here with very little success there with interaction. Looking to try and stay away from England and Germany as the money just makes it a lot easier when you get to the top. I'm wanting to do a mix of promoting youth players through to the first team and trying to conquer Europe.

With that I've decided to go to France and start in the lower leagues with FC Sochaux-Montbéliard.

Sochaux was founded by Jean-Pierre Peugeot, a prominent member of the Peugeot family, and is one of the founding members of the first division of French football. The club has won both Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France twice and have also won the Coupe de la Ligue. Sochaux's last honour came in 2007 when the club, defeated favourites Marseille 5–4 on penalties in the 2007 Coupe de France Final

Sochaux is known for its youth academy, which has regularly finished in the top ten rankings of youth academies in France.  The academy has produced several notable talents, such as Yannick Stopyra, El-Hadji Diouf, Jérémy Ménez, Bernard Genghini and Benoît Pedretti, among others. The club were a regular in the top flight, until relegation in 2014 to Ligue 2.

The club was sold by Peugeot in 2015 and financal problems which all caught up with them at the end of the 2023 season where the DNCG confirmed the administrative relegation of Sochaux to Championnat National due to their financial crisis. The club is now back under Frech ownership and we will look to take them back to the top of French football utilising the youth academy to get us there as we will look to overthrow PSG as the power house of French football before conquering Europe.

Board Vision

The board seem to want us to try and rise up the leagues quite quickly which is fine for this season but will make things interesting the following couple of seasons as we look to try and bring through young players into the fold so hopefully this doesn't upset them as I certainly see it as more of a long term project.

Supporters Vision

Well the fans want the same as the board this season which will be the main objective to start our journey back up and they want us to develop players as well which is going to be the key thing for us this season.

Squad

Its a very young squad but there is pockets of experience which are going to be vital this season as we could definitely do with stronger players across the squad but we will take the hand we've been dealt and take it from there as we enter the transfer window with no expectations to bring in anybody else unless we really need to
 

Preseason

Well a very mixed preseason here as we started off very well and got a great win over Metz to give us a good confidence boost but it then went downhill quickly but it was against stronger opposition so wasn't too bad well until the final game which was arranged to get us back to winning ways but it backfired as we lose to a much weaker team so now its onto the season.

Tactic

We've decided to try and not do anything too fancy here playing a simple 4-2-3-1 which the players can hopefully adapt to it but we will probably change it up over the season.

Expectations

We all knew that promotion was going to be the target for everybody but at least we just need to be competitive in the cup and hopefully we can go on a run or get a decent draw to bring some cash in.
 

August

A nice start for us with a game against US Avranches before a game that our fans want us to win against Nancy away from home before a game against Versailles which could go either way

August

Sochaux v US Avranches

Perfect start for us in the league campaign here as we get off to a great start in the opening 20 minutes before going a bit cold for the next 55 minutes but with 20 minutes to go we made sure we were going to get the 3 points with some great team performances from our young players.

Nancy v Sochaux

A much tougher game here against another team who are down here due to financial issues but we hold our own and make an opening just outside the box for a great strike that finds the bottom corner from 30 yards out. We then scored from a lovely set piece routine from training

Sochaux v FC Versailles 78

A bit of a scare here going into the final 5 minutes after looking comfortable at 2 up before they got a goal back before halftime. The stand out performer here was Dacosta who looks like he's going to be a great attacking full back after his 2 goals here.

League

We're one of two unbeaten teams so far but its not much to brag about after only 3 games into the season.

September

We get stuck in properly now to the season with 5 games and what is another tough game against Dijon who have come down over the last few seasons as well.

September

Paris 13 Atletico v Sochaux

Koffi hasn't scored since the opening day of the season but at 21 consistency will come with the more experience he earns as he gets a 2nd brace.

Sochaux v Dijon FCO

Not a fun game to watch until the end after conceding a penalty from a terrible challenge and we were lucky to still have 11 men on the park but in the dying minutes of the game we rallied and with 2 goals turned a poor game into a comfortable win.

Aubagne FC v Sochaux

Thankfully back to a much more comfortable win here as all the goals come from our midfielders here thanks to two penalties for Lienard.

Sochaux v FC Rouen

Its the top two facing each other here and Koffi is at it again as the stand out player here with two great goals from just inside the 6 yard box

Niort v Sochaux

Koffi looks like he is deadly when he gets the ball within the 6 yard box and if he keeps getting in the right positions the goals will come easily for him. More importantly we keep our 4th clean sheet of the month.

League

8 games in and we have a heafty lead as it looks like we're going to run away with the league early on.

October

There are so many ex Ligue 1 teams in this league as Nimes were only there 3 seasons ago and US Orleans were there 5 seasons ago which shows how competitive this league actually is

October

Sochaux v US Orleans

We knew  a defeat was always coming but I didn't expect to be so one sided over a 4 minute period where it seems like half the team walked off the park but at least we stemmed the flow after 3 but weren't able to get back into the game at all.

FC Villefranche v Sochaux

A game we really expected to win but its still taking us a bit of time to get over the last result it seems and at least it was only the one goal we conceded this time.

Sochaux v Nimes

We finally bounce back with our only win of the month as we have to rely on a free kick and a corner to get the goals but no matter how they come we'll take them.

League

A poor month see's US Orleans close the gap on us to 4 points and even 3rd is only 5 points behind us now as well to keep it interesting

November

The cup game has been pushed back into November due to a waterlogged pitch so that will kick us off before getting back to the league with some more tough games as we won't be taking any of them for granted after this month

November

Coupe de France 6th Round

US Ploeren v Sochaux

We expected an easy game but decided to take no chances here as we put out our strongest XI as we run riot and Corentin Jean gets a rare goal from the right wing showing the flashes of brilliance which got him his move to Monaco all those years ago.

Chateauroux v Sochaux

Chateauroux have been struggling so far this season but we got very lucky here with a late penalty to get us the 3 points.

Sochaux v Valenciennes

What an end to a really boring game for the first 85 minutes as it looked like Valenciennes had won the game with a tap on with 4 minutes to go before Koffi strikes home from a lovely pass into the 6 yard box from Jean

Coupe de France 7th Round

FC Bassin Arcachon v Sochaux

We went big again here as we want to progress as far as possible and even though we got a fright when they pulled a goal back, but at leas tit spurned us on to get another easy win.

US Boulogne v Sochaux

We're being made to work in the league now but vetran midfielder scored a belter of a goal where he took it past 3 players before curling it into the goal from outside the area to secure the 3 points

League

We're still not running away with the league which adds some healthy competition for us

December

Yet another team hit by financial troubles over the years with Lens and with them 3rd in the league will be another tough game and we have to face Goal FC who we haven't faced yet in the league in the cupp.

December

Le Mans FC v Sochaux

A very tough game here as with neither side taking chances until right before half time where Vincent scored a lovely shot from outside the area for the only goal of the game.

Coupe de France Eighth Round

Sochaux v GOAL FC

It was important that we bounced back straight away here to continue our cup run going and it didn't look good for us after 9 minutes and it took some choice words at half time to turn things around and it was Corentin Jean who stood out again here with some great goals along with an assist for Koffi as we move to the next round.

Sochaux v SO Cholet

Of course we struggle against a team right at the bottom of the league but it takes a late goal from our veteran midfielder here to get us 3 points.

League

with the loss in the league our lead is only cut to 4 points now as we're just 1 game short of being half way through the season.

Youth Preview

With an important part of this save being youth development then this is a vital part of the season as we get a small insight into what the youth intake will be and if we can get one decent prospect we'll be happy but by the looks of it we could have a few if its true.

January

Another short month here thanks to the winter break. It will also give us some time to scout some players to see if there is anybody that meets our needs to add to our squad for the rest of the season.

January

Coupe de France 9th Round

Sochaux v US Thionville Lusitanos

We really stuggled here against a team in the leagues below us and thankfully we managed to hold onto our slender lead in the 2nd half after losing our left back and having to rearrange things at half time.

GOAL FC v Sochaux

It seems to be our thing just now conceding early in games and then having to wait until half time to fire the players up and then get quick results with 4 goals in the space of 13 minutes for a very good win, if only we could perform like this over the whole 90 minutes.

US Avranches v Sochaux

A really poor result here given how well we performed in our last game as we have to settle for a point.

Coupe de France 10th Round

US Concarneau v Sochaux

The first time we have a faced a team in one of the two leagues above us who have been struggling as there is a chance if we go up they will come down as well. They seem to have underestimated us here though as we still went out playing attacking football and got a very good win thanks to Koffi poking it home twice from inside the 6 yard box.
 

League

We increase our lead at the top of the table to 5 points now but its still close as only 11 points between us and 5th as we pass the halfway mark.

February

Another great draw for us in the Coupe de France as we draw one of the two teams still left in the competition that are playing beneath us but it gives us a great change to get through again. A lot of good fixtures in the league now as well with all the reverse fixtures.

February

FC Versailles 78 v Sochaux

The month kicks off in a usual fashion with a nice win over Versailles with a rare clean sheet as well.

Coupe de France 11th Round

Sochaux v Avoine Chinon

Well it looked like it was going as expected as we raced to a 3 goal lead in 30 minutes but with half an hour to go it looked like it was going to unravel but we manage to hold on just to get through to the Quarter Finals.

Sochaux v Paris 13 Atletico

A really poor result here with Paris being in the relegation zone but we know we're going to drop points at times but wish it was against teams at the other end of the table

Dijon FCO v Sochaux

A similar story to the last game where we just weren't good enough.

Sochaux v Aubagne FC

We get back to winning ways here which of course is against a top 6 side but we get the 3 points 

Coupe de France 12th Round

Sochaux v Rennes

Our cup journey comes to an end but we did extremely well to get to this stage of the competition thanks to favourable draws the whole time and don't expect it to be replicated again next season

League 

Even dropping points this month we have managed to increase our lead at the top of the table to 6 points now to have a 2 game buffer and more importantly have a 9 point gap over 3rd as well/ 

March

With just the league to concentrate on now its time to get through to the end of the season

March

FC Rouen v Sochaux

We knew a tough game was coming here but we manage to hold on as Koffi has really excelled in our system this season

Sochaux v Niort

​A much better game here as Dacosta makes a great run and is able to tap in at the back post after just 3 minutes to set us on our way.
 

US Orleans v Sochaux

A pretty fair result considering it was the top 2 teams facing each other, we could of done better in the opening minutes but we're happy to walk away with a point.

Sochaux v FC Villefranche

We bounce straight back as Koffi gets another brace. We could struggle to hold onto him in the summer. A rare clean sheet always helps as well

Nimes v Sochaux

Our 3rd clean sheet this month along with another brace from Koffi. Lienard has also been a key player for us in the middle of the park all season at the age of 35

League

​We have increased our lead again this month as it looks like promotion and the title are in the bag for us.
 

Youth Intake

We are living the dream here with this intake with no less than 6 players who make up the golden generation coming into the club

Sami Brun

A big defender coming in as Brun looks like he should turn into a decent player at 6'4" at only 15 and having a high work rate.

Eliott Benoit

A nice versatile player who we are looking to improve his role in the middle of the park as we could do with him in central midfield going forward

Yaw Yeboah

Another good defensive midfielder coming in with a high work rate but with his high tackling and at 6'1 he could do well at CB where we are lacking number at the moment.

Ali Mze Issa

A new exciting striker is on the books, he doesn't look like he'll set the world alight with some pretty poor technical stats but but we'll see how he develops.

Kevin Berger

Yet another defensive midfielder and he looks the most exciting of the players and he will be getting game time next season as we look to develop him to be a key player for us going forward.

April

The league should be sorted this month if we get a couple of resorts going our way meaning we can start planning for next season very early

April

Sochaux v Chateauroux

Daho has shown great composure down the left wing this season for somebody so young and has been key for us there as he scores a wonderful brace from cutting in from the wing for both goals.

Valenciennes v Sochaux

Our first chance to tie up the title and we manage to blow it here with two terrible own goals which severely cost us. 

Sochaux v US Boulogne

And we go an secure the title with a very gritty 1-0 win over 4th placed Boulogne as our AMC scored a curling shot from just inside the area to send the fans wild.

Sochaux v Le Mans FC

The guard of honour walking out to the pitch really fired the team up as Fatar who was coving the injured Jean showed he was up for it with a goal after 9 minutes and then we left it late to secure the win with Koffi producing another 2 tap ins.

League

Well the season is all sorted now as we had a great season and ended up running away with the title in the end even though it was very close over large parts of the season

Budget

A great budget for us considering we'll be promoting some of the regens into the senior squad for next season and we will be looking to bring in a few players as well

May

​The title is in the bag so its time to go out and just enjoy the football and give some players who haven't featured much over the season a run out

May

SO Cholet v Soxhaux

Its great to be getting a guard of honour before the games and we need to make sure we don't switch off and what an end to the first half here with 3 very quick goals in the space of 5 minutes to get the 3 points

Soxhaux v GOAL FC

We are just making things look easy now as we run riot here with 3 goals in each half.

Soxhaux v Nancy

Final game of the season as we get a huge win over our divisional rivals to finish the season well in front of our own fans.

League

Well we win the league by 13 points which isn't as comfortable as we thought it might have been but we win the league and now get to get set for next season.

We will be looking to bleed in our new youth players into the first team next preseason along with looking to bring in a few new faces as well to help out to make sure we don't get relegated.

Season 2

Preseason

We start off preseason with a bit of news that the chairman is looking to step aside and sell the club so hopefully it doesn't drag out over the next few months hampering us in the transfer window

Transfers Out

We only had the one player leave the club for a transfer fee this summer as Corentin Jean moves to Troyes for £1.1 million

His contract was going to expire in 2025 and at 29 it made sense to bring some money into the club to help balance the books and we can replace him with a younger player. He scored 8 goals for us from the right wing last season and was a key player but his time is up.

Transfers In

Dies Janse

We wanted to bring in a new defender who could fit our philosophy of young players getting first team football as he joins from Ajax for £180,000

Camil Jebara

Even though he's not the most technical player in the world but we needed to replace Jean and he should hopefully develop and worse case we can make a profit off him if we sell him as we spend a whopping £1.7m to sign him from IF Elfsborg.

Jesse Benet

I have decided to bring in a bit of experience this time for the middle of the park as Liénard retired at the end of the season and he will be coming in to the middle of the park to try and run the game. He joins from Grenoble for £950,000

Lenny Pirringuel

Again we splash the cash here on an exciting young player from Quevilly-Rouen who have just been relegated from Ligue 2 for £1.5mi as he will be utilised in all 3 positions he's able to play.

Gaizka Ayesa

A new keeper was a must this season to be our final line of defence as Ayesa is a big step up as he joins on a free after his contract expired.

Squad

We have a very young squad with some of last seasons youth intake making up the numbers as we look to integrate them into the 1st team while they are still available for playing for the U19's as well to ensure they aren't missing out on match fitness to continue their development. We are still quite weak in a number of areas but thats the fun of this type of save as we don't want to go mad in the transfer windows and not let our players get their chances to develop. It does mean we won't tear the league up but we're playing the long game here.

Tactic

I've decided to go with a DM this time instead of an AMC to try and keep us a bit more sturdy at the back this season as teams will probably be able to overrun us in the middle of the park as they have much stronger teams.

Expectations

The board want us to finish mid table this season which would be around my expectations as well. Even though we still have plenty of money to spend we don't plan to spend it unless its on some youth players for the future or injuries come up and players need to be replaced.

August

Its a busy and difficult start especially with newly relegated Reims as our first match so lets get the season started and see how we do.