Intro: Who Am I 

My name is Lucas Halberg. I’m 30 years old, and I’m about to take my first steps into the unpredictable, unforgiving, and occasionally beautiful world of men’s football management.

But this story doesn’t begin with trophies or glittering debuts. In fact, it starts with failure—mine. I was a professional footballer, once. If you check the stats, you’ll find my name somewhere in the archives of the lower leagues. Northampton Town, a couple of loan spells in National League clubs, a handful of appearances, a few yellow cards, one red I still claim wasn’t my fault, and no goals. I was a midfielder, nominally, though I spent more time chasing the game than controlling it. I had the engine, not the finesse. A “solid lad” as one manager called me. “Never quite enough” was what another said under his breath but loud enough for me to hear.

By the age of 24, my boots were still hanging in the dressing room, but my heart was already somewhere else. I knew. I wasn’t going to make it. And I wasn’t going to delude myself either.

But where some might’ve spiraled or turned bitter, I felt relief. Because truthfully, my obsession with football was never just about playing—it was about understanding. Even as a kid, I was that weird teenager who’d pause Match of the Day to rewind a tactical switch or scribble down a formation I didn’t recognise. I’d watch games twice: once as a fan, and again as a student.

So when my playing career ended, I didn’t mope. I enrolled. I started collecting coaching badges like they were Pokémon cards—Level 1, Level 2, UEFA B, then A. The theory excited me. The grind suited me. And unlike on the pitch, I wasn’t “mediocre” anymore. I found my voice, my eye, my edge.

I grew up in Northampton, raised in a football-loving household where Saturday kick-offs dictated the rhythm of the week. My dad was English through and through, a Cobblers fan with the patience of a saint and the tactical insight of a pub pundit. My mum brought a bit more flavour—she’s of mixed Dutch and Danish heritage, and through her I grew up with one eye on the Eredivisie and Superliga. And then there was my uncle Oddvar from Norway—he wasn’t actually my uncle, but he lived with us for a year when I was nine and he introduced me to Rosenborg, snowy away days, and a fierce sense of discipline.

Those cultural threads wove into my understanding of the game: the English grit, the Dutch intelligence, the Danish pragmatism, the Norwegian humility. When I finally started coaching, I pulled from all of them.

I cut my teeth at the youth level. First with the U14s at a local club in Northampton. It started as a way to stay sharp, stay connected. But I found something there—something real. You can’t fake it with kids. They know if you don’t care, and they’ll expose you if you don’t know what you’re doing. So I made sure I did. I studied every session plan. I borrowed drills from Dutch academies, modified rondos I saw at Ajax youth level, added physical components I’d learned from Danish coaching seminars online.

I moved on to U18s soon after, joining a semi-professional club’s development system. It was there I really began to understand what it meant to coach—not just the tactics and the drills, but the people. I learned to speak to players, not at them. I learned when to push and when to hold back. I learned that man-management isn’t something you can copy—it has to be lived, moment to moment. You earn respect not by shouting, but by showing you care more about their progress than your own ego.

Some of those lads made it. A few went on to sign pro contracts. One of them still messages me after every game he plays in League Two. But I knew I had to move on too.

I’m 30 now. Not old, but not green either. I’ve put in my time in the shadows. And while there’s something special about shaping young players, the hunger in me has changed. I want the pressure. I want the scoreboard. I want the scrutiny of a senior dressing room, where livelihoods are on the line, not scholarships. I want to build a culture, take a club with potential and turn it into more than the sum of its parts.

That’s why I’m stepping into the men’s game.

I won’t walk into a Championship dugout. I know that. I’ll probably start in a leaky stadium with 600 fans and a second-hand tactics board. But I’ll be there. Fully in. No shortcuts, no bluster.

People say I’m analytical. That I see patterns before they emerge. That I don’t coach from instinct—I coach from insight. Maybe that’s the Scandinavian side of me. Maybe it’s just what comes from watching hundreds of games with a notepad rather than a pint.

But don’t mistake quiet confidence for softness. I demand intensity. My teams play fast, with verticality, aggression, and intelligence. Every player knows their role. Every role has a reason. The ones who’ve played under me say I expect a lot, but I give more.

I don’t know where this road ends. Maybe I’ll climb the pyramid. Maybe I’ll be sacked in six months. That’s football. But one thing I know for certain: I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.

Not every failed player becomes a good coach. But every good coach I’ve ever admired had one thing in common—they learned how to fail early. I’ve done that. And now, I’m ready to lead.

My name is Lucas Halberg.

And this is where it begins.

Lucas Halberg: Searching for first job  

There’s a silence that creeps in after rejection. Not a loud, theatrical silence, but something deeper. It’s the kind that hums quietly beneath your day-to-day — when the inbox stays empty, when your name isn’t called back, and when your ambitions start to feel like they might never leave the notebook you scribbled them into years ago.

When I stepped away from playing at 24, I knew I was turning the page early. I wasn’t pushed. I wasn’t carried out on a stretcher or publicly disgraced. I just… wasn’t good enough. But I had clarity. I had a plan. I knew exactly what I wanted — to coach, to lead, to live the game from the other side of the white line. I threw myself into the learning side with everything I had. And when I turned 30, I was ready. Coaching qualifications in hand, youth experience under my belt, and a philosophy grounded in my multicultural football education — England, Denmark, Holland, Norway. I believed I was ready to manage.

But no one else seemed to believe it.

The job hunt began with quiet optimism. I cast my net wide — England, obviously, but also Denmark, Norway, and the Netherlands. I knew I had roots in those places, if not through language, then through football culture. I’d grown up watching De Klassieker, admiring the tactical patience of the Norwegians, and learning about the Danish emphasis on physical intelligence and structure. I even looked to Scotland — smaller leagues, tight margins, good places to cut your teeth.

Thirty applications went out in the first month. Lower league sides, struggling mid-tablers, even a few U23 and assistant positions just to get through the door. I wrote each cover letter like a mini tactical thesis. I tailored every one of them.

One reply.

Just one.

Telstar — mid-table Eerste Divisie. A club I genuinely respected. I prepped like it was a Champions League interview. I studied their last five matches, did player reports, came in with session plans and recruitment ideas. I thought I’d nailed it.

But in the end, I was told I was “an intriguing option,” but ultimately “too much of a risk.”

I won’t lie — that one stung. Because they were right. On paper, I was a gamble. No senior managerial experience. No big name from my playing days to fall back on. Just a 30-year-old with ambition, ideas, and a CV that screamed theory, not execution.

The weeks that followed were long and dull in the worst way. I kept busy, of course. Watched games. Networked. Attended coaching seminars online. But the calls weren’t coming.

November arrived, and things changed — sort of. A few clubs began sniffing around. One from the Danish second tier. Another from the Scottish Championship. A League Two side with an aging squad and a chairman who talked like a used car salesman.

And yet… none of them felt right. Maybe that sounds arrogant, considering I was unemployed and unproven. But I didn’t just want any job. I wanted the right job. I had always told myself that the first step had to be measured. Strategic. A poor fit now could derail everything. Reputations are fragile in this business — especially when you haven’t got one yet.

So I waited. Politely declined. Kept the faith.

Then, in mid-December, the call came.

Peterborough United.

League One. A sleeping, twitching, perhaps even dying giant — but a giant nonetheless at this level. A club with infrastructure, expectation, history of giving young talent a platform, and enough mess to make it an opportunity.

They were in 21st — just inside the relegation zone after 22 games. Morale was low. They’d only won one in their last five. Darren Ferguson, the man with more lives than a Football Manager save file, had finally departed. They needed a new direction, and I needed a platform.

We met. I presented my ideas. I didn’t try to bluff. I acknowledged the situation but offered clarity. I spoke about identity. Pressing triggers. Building from the back. A development pathway that didn’t just prepare academy graduates for the pitch, but for pressure.

They listened.

I left that meeting not sure whether I’d done enough.

On the morning of December 24th, my phone rang. The number was local.

And just like that, I was appointed manager of Peterborough United.

Christmas Eve. Most people were wrapping presents or pouring drinks. I was walking into an office in the Weston Homes Stadium, a freshly printed contract in my hand and a thousand ideas running through my head. The press immediately latched onto the story. “Inexperienced.” “Unproven.” “Left-field choice.” They weren’t wrong. I hadn’t earned my reputation yet. But I was here. And I wasn’t going to let the moment pass me by.

The first thing I noticed? The room didn’t feel like it belonged to a team. It felt like a group of individuals stuck in a tactical identity crisis. The squad was disjointed. The mood was brittle. There was talent, but no cohesion. Style? Hard to say. They had flirted with pressing, tried sitting deep, and failed to truly commit to either.

League position: 21st. 22 games played. Just 5 wins. 6 draws. 11 losses.

Scoring goals wasn’t the biggest issue — Ricky-Jade Jones, Malik Mothersille, and Iliev had all chipped in with 5 apiece — but we were soft defensively. Too easy to play through. Too reactive. The midfield often looked stretched. No control. We were caught between systems, and worse, caught between ideas.

Archie Collins stood out. A 6.97 average rating in a struggling side is something to build around. Cian Hayes had 6 assists and was a clear creative spark. But overall, the numbers were bleak.

The cups had been equally underwhelming. Knocked out early in the FA Cup by Mansfield. Eliminated in the Carabao Cup by Barnsley. No real cup run to speak of. The board hadn’t expected much, thankfully — “not judging” was the phrase they’d used — but still, it painted the picture of a club drifting.

There was potential, no doubt. But it was buried beneath fragility. Confidence was brittle. The challenge was obvious: stabilise the team, implement a clear identity, and avoid relegation.

I knew I’d need time. I also knew I wouldn’t get much.

I’ve always believed that the first hundred days define a manager’s legacy more than most think. It’s not just about results. It’s about imprint. Belief. Culture. I wanted to bring structure to Peterborough United — both on the pitch and off it. The goal wasn’t just to survive. It was to build.

And so, I got to work.

I called a meeting with the coaching staff. I wanted to hear their views, but I also needed to set a tone. We’d play with energy. We’d be brave. We’d develop patterns — not just rely on moments. I brought in a sports psychologist. I met with the analytics department and pushed for deeper data feedback. I made it clear that every player, from top scorer to reserve right-back, would be judged on contribution, not reputation.

The January window would be critical. I knew I needed to reshape the squad slightly — not an overhaul, but targeted adjustments. Smart additions. Players with character, not just talent.

But for now, the focus was on the pitch. The next match was against Cambridge — a local rival, a winnable fixture, and the perfect place to start turning the tide.

As I walked into the dugout for the first time, I wasn’t nervous. I felt ready. I had visualised this moment for years. The floodlights. The crowd. The sound of boots on concrete before kick-off.

It had taken me six months, thirty-plus applications, one failed interview, and a mountain of self-belief to get here. But I was here.

Lucas Halberg — manager of Peterborough United.

My story had finally begun.

Great start to your story. Really enjoying it. 

Season One: An instant impact 

When I signed the contract on Christmas Eve, I remember thinking to myself: “Well, Lucas, you’ve either saved your career or just jumped head-first into a woodchipper.”

Peterborough United, 21st in League One. A club that had won just one of its last five, slipping into a slow, worrying decline. It wasn’t a blank slate; it was a crumpled, coffee-stained sheet halfway torn through.

But I took the job with open eyes. Not because it was easy, or because the board offered false promises. I took it because I saw potential. Beneath the inconsistency, the tactical disarray, the fragile confidence — I saw a club that just needed a plan. A clear identity. And maybe, for the first time in a while, a little bit of belief.

Six months later, we finished second. Automatic promotion to the Championship. From 21st to 2nd. That’s not just a turnaround — it’s a statement.

But let’s not romanticise it too much. The truth is, those first weeks were rough. The training ground felt muted, like the belief had slowly been drained drip by drip. The dressing room wasn’t toxic, just tired. Players were either underperforming or overthinking. The fanbase? Skeptical at best. Rightfully so. They’d seen too many false dawns.

I wasn’t a name they recognised. I wasn’t even someone with senior experience. I was a 30-year-old with youth team credentials, a tactical playbook, and a stubborn sense that I belonged at this level. I knew I’d have to win people over. Not with words — with results.

And results came.

Eventually.

The State of the Club Before My Arrival

Let’s be honest — the pre-Halberg part of the season wasn’t going to win any end-of-year DVDs. We were adrift. Twenty-two games in, just five wins. The squad wasn’t lacking in talent, but there was no clarity in our play. Tactically, it was like flipping between books without finishing a chapter. Players were guessing, not believing. The attack was inconsistent, and the defence leaked goals in bunches.

Some decent signings had arrived in the summer — Jack Sparkes, Ajiboye, Katongo — but cohesion? None. The team didn’t know what it was.

The FA Cup? Out in the first round to Mansfield. Carabao Cup? Gone in the third round to Barnsley. The EFL Trophy? Knocked out by Notts County. We were limping through the calendar. And by December, we were staring relegation in the face.

I walked into a fire. And I didn’t have a hose — I had a plan.

The Rebuild: Slowly, Surely, Relentlessly

I came in with a 4-4-1-1 system — not glamorous, but structured. Defensive shape, layered pressing, control in possession, vertical transitions when the moment’s right. It wasn’t about flair, it was about trust — giving players roles they understood and the freedom to execute them.

The results weren’t immediate. We lost a few early on, especially over the festive period. But I could see things beginning to click. Players started to trust the shape. The gaps in midfield began to close. And then came Cambridge at home. My first match in charge. We won 2–0. Clean sheet, control, chances created. It wasn’t just three points — it was a blueprint.

From there, we didn’t just improve. We soared.

The League One Climb: 21st to 2nd

Between late January and mid-March, we went on a run that would’ve been dismissed as fantasy if you’d suggested it in December. Eleven wins from twelve. We hammered Lincoln 4–0, outplayed Huddersfield 3–1, and beat Stevenage, Blackpool, Crawley, Rotherham… the list kept growing.

Yes, we still had a wobble here and there — a humbling 5–0 defeat to Birmingham, a frustrating final-day loss to Mansfield — but even then, our heads didn’t drop. We always responded.

What made it more satisfying was how we won. We didn’t grind our way up the table with scraps and set pieces. We controlled games. We played with intelligence and structure. Our press was synchronised. Our movement purposeful.

We deserved second. And we got it.

The Key Players

Some players lit up this run. Others grafted quietly in the background, doing jobs only coaching staff truly notice. But make no mistake — this promotion was a squad achievement.

Ricky-Jade Jones was our top scorer with 19 goals. He started the season as a confidence player, hot and cold. By the end, he was our most important forward. His pace in behind, his improved decision-making, and his clinical edge gave us an outlet and a weapon. He scored crucial goals in wins over Exeter, Stevenage, and Lincoln — moments that defined our run-in.

David Ajiboye was a revelation. Six goals, seven assists, and a constant outlet on the right. But beyond numbers, it was his intensity. He pressed like a demon, tracked back when others would walk, and never once complained about being doubled up on by opponents. He was our engine.

Hector Kyprianou was the midfield general. Nine goals from deep midfield — including three penalties under pressure — and he anchored our shape with intelligence beyond his years. People outside this club don’t realise how much of our tactical identity stemmed from Hector’s positioning and composure.

Archie Collins, our metronome. Four goals, thirteen assists. He covered 13.3km a game and still had the vision to split lines. His pass to Ajiboye against Charlton — a 40-yard threaded diagonal — is one of the best I’ve seen live. He doesn’t shout. He directs.

Joel Randall, the wildcard. Ten goals, eight assists. Unpredictable in the best way. He floated between lines, picked pockets, and had an eye for the big occasion. His brace at Wigan changed the tempo of our season.

And I have to give credit to Chris Conn-Clarke. Came off the bench more often than not, but finished with six goals and four assists. Every time I needed a spark, he delivered.

Transfers: Hits and Misses

As I said, most business happened before I arrived. But that doesn’t mean it didn’t shape our season.

Best Signing: Jack Sparkes. Free from Portsmouth, and an absolute steal. Solid defensively, smart in the final third, and never shirked a duel.

Biggest Impact Loan: Jadel Katongo from Man City. Played right-back, centre-mid, anywhere I asked — and always gave 100%.

Biggest Disappointment: Abraham Odoh. Came from Harrogate with promise, but struggled to adapt. Showed flashes, but in this system, consistency is king.

Losing Jonson Clarke-Harris and Ronnie Edwards could’ve derailed us. Instead, it gave space for Ricky-Jade Jones and Oscar Wallin to emerge. Sometimes subtraction adds clarity.

Tactics, Fans, and Club Direction

I stuck to my guns — control possession, high pressing, 4-4-1-1 with some rotational flexibility. It wasn’t about overcomplicating. It was about discipline.

The fans took time to warm up to me. I don’t blame them. I was a nobody, stepping in with a side on the slide. But that night we beat Burton 4–1… I heard the roar after our fourth goal and thought, they believe now.

The board were supportive. Didn’t interfere. Let me build. And they were fair in their assessments — concerned at times about the goals we conceded, but pleased with the identity we established. That’s the word I keep coming back to: identity. This team didn’t have one in December. Now it does.

Where We Go From Here

Promotion changes everything — expectations, pressure, budgets. But it doesn’t change me.

We’re going into the Championship with a clear idea of who we are — but we also know what we lack.

• We need a vocal centre-back — someone with leadership and experience at this level.
• We need a reliable No. 9 — Ricky has pace, but we need a penalty-box killer who can convert low xG chances.
• We need depth in goal — Brandon Austin did a job, but we need more composure in distribution and presence under pressure.
• Most importantly, we need to protect our structure. Don’t chase shiny systems. Don’t tear it up to impress.

This isn’t just about surviving in the Championship. It’s about building something sustainable.

Final Thoughts

There were nights I sat in the office after training — empty stadium, cold wind whipping through the car park — and wondered if I’d made the right call. If leaving youth football behind for this chaos was wise. If maybe Telstar were right to pass me over.

Now I look back at those moments, and I smile.

Because the only way to build something is to step into uncertainty and say, “This is mine to fix.” I wasn’t the popular choice. I wasn’t the safe one. But I was the right one — for this club, at this time.

One season down.

A lifetime to go.

Let’s see where this story leads.

Season Two (part 1): Back to the whiteboard

There’s something strangely cruel about pre-season.

It’s supposed to be the time for optimism, for clean slates and new beginnings. But instead, I’ve spent most of it staring at a whiteboard covered in names that won’t be here anymore, and numbers that make your stomach turn if you look at them too long.

We’re back in the Championship. That should feel like an achievement — and it does. But the reality hits quickly: the margins are thinner, the gaps wider, and the punishment for failure far more brutal.

The bookmakers have had their say. Peterborough United: nailed-on for relegation. Dead last. Twenty-fourth. Rock bottom.

No surprise there. They’re looking at the squad we’ve got, the budget we’re working with, and the players we’ve lost — and, truthfully, I can’t blame them.

But they don’t know what we’re building. Not yet.

Picking Up the Pieces

Let’s start with what we’ve lost.

Sam Curtis, on loan from Sheffield United last season, was our right-back, our outlet, and at times our most mature player on the pitch — and he was 19. There were games where he ran 13 kilometres, made five interceptions, and then had the composure to clip in a perfect cross with his weaker foot. That’s rare. He’s gone now. Sheffield United want him in their first team, and I can’t argue with that.

Jadel Katongo? Even harder to replace. He was our Swiss Army knife — full-back, central midfield, emergency centre-half, wide cover when we needed it. You name the gap, he filled it. On paper, he didn’t grab headlines, but in our dressing room, he was gold dust. A quiet pro who never moaned, never dropped a session, and kept everything ticking. He’s back at Manchester City now, likely heading out on a higher-profile loan than we can afford.

But the biggest loss — the one I’ve still not fully made peace with — is Hector Kyprianou.

Hector wasn’t just a player. He was the heartbeat of our turnaround last season. I took over in December, and from the moment I started implementing structure, Hector became the first name on every team sheet. Nine goals, two assists, no countless recoveries, and the calm authority of someone ten years older. He dictated the pace, broke up attacks, scored from deep — he made my system work.

And now? He’s gone. Walked out on a free. Contract agreed elsewhere before I could get a real say. That’s how this game works sometimes — the clock outruns you.

These three players alone represent more than just quality. They were reliability. You don’t just replace that with a couple of YouTube clips and a hunch. So yes — I’m facing a rebuild. A big one.

The Rebuild Required

There’s no avoiding it: this squad needs better players. I’m not dressing that up.

We may have earned our promotion, but the Championship is a different beast entirely. There’s no hiding place. Last season you could ride momentum, get away with the occasional tactical error, even afford a poor first half and still nick it.

Not now.

We need a new centre-back — someone with Championship pedigree, who can lead the line, take pressure off the full-backs, and actually speak during games. Far too many young defenders are quiet these days. I want someone who treats a clean sheet like a goal.

We also need a right-back to replace Curtis — and not just a body. I want someone who’s aggressive in transition, technically solid, and willing to cover ground. We build from the back, but our full-backs are vital to progression. That role can’t be passive.

Left wing is a problem too. Ajiboye can play there, but I see him more on the right. Randall prefers central spaces. We need someone dynamic — who can isolate defenders, beat a man, and deliver consistently in the final third. Our wide play last year was good in spells, but it wasn’t sharp enough.

Centre-midfield? A minefield right now. Without Kyprianou, we lose our deepest playmaker. Archie Collins is excellent — he stays — but he needs a partner. Someone who can win duels, carry the ball under pressure, and play simple when the game gets messy. Right now, we don’t have that.

And finally, the big one: a striker.

Jones was electric last year. Mothersille chipped in. But neither are 20-goal strikers at this level — not yet. We need someone who can lead the line, make the ball stick, and finish half-chances. That kind of player doesn’t come cheap — which brings me to the next issue.

The Budget

We’ve been handed a £1 million transfer budget and £100,000 per week in wages.

That’s not low. That’s bottom of the barrel. The next lowest wage budget in the league is double ours.

Let that sink in.

Clubs around us are throwing seven figures at mid-table stability. Some are getting parachute payments that dwarf our annual turnover. I’ve seen League One teams with more financial firepower than we have right now.

So how do we compete?

We have to be smart. We have to be better.

Free agents. Loans. Undervalued players. Former academy talents who lost their way. Scandinavian markets. Technical midfielders written off for being “too small.” Quick wingers dropped for lacking end product. We’re not looking for perfect players. We’re looking for potential — and we’ll coach the rest.

It won’t be a flashy rebuild. But it will be ours.

Tactical Identity

This is the one thing I’m not changing.

I believe in structure. I believe in control. I believe in a 4-4-1-1 that compresses space vertically and stretches it horizontally. I believe in pressing as a unit, not with individual sprints. And I believe in patterns — in relationships between players that turn habits into chances.

This group — even as it stands — understands the shape now. We know how to defend in blocks. We know how to counter with pace. And we’re starting to show signs of manipulating the ball with real purpose.

Tactically, we’re ahead of where most newly-promoted clubs usually are. But we need the bodies to execute it for 46 games.

So no, I’m not ripping it up. We’ve worked too hard to create an identity. Now, we evolve it.

My Ambition

If you ask the board, the media, and probably most neutral fans, they’ll tell you that survival is our only realistic goal.

They’re not wrong.

But I’m not managing this team to finish 21st.

I’m managing to finish mid-table. Not because I’m delusional, but because I know what this group is capable of — and I know that in football, culture can outrun money if you get the culture right.

The truth is, we’ve already done something most people didn’t think possible. We dragged this club from the relegation zone in League One to automatic promotion in five months. We didn’t fluke it. We dominated spells of that season.

So yes, the leap is bigger now. But so are our standards.

If we recruit smartly, build momentum, and hold our nerve in tough spells, we can finish 12th. Maybe higher. That’s what I’m aiming for. I’ve told the staff. I’ve told the players. I’m telling you now.

We’re not here to make up the numbers. We’re here to stay.

Final Thoughts

This summer is going to test me. It’s going to test my recruitment eye, my patience, my coaching, and my man-management.

The players will need to believe before the results tell them they’re good enough. There will be bad weeks. Injuries. Setbacks. But if I learned anything from last season, it’s that belief — real, earned belief — can change everything.

I love this club. I didn’t grow up here, I don’t have a tattoo of the badge, but I care. I care because I see what it can become. Because I walk through the gates at the Weston Homes Stadium and see possibility, not limitation.

We’re going to fight. We’re going to surprise people.

And if things go right, the same pundits tipping us for 24th will be asking, “How the hell did Peterborough do this?”

That’s the question I want ringing out come May.

Let’s get to work.

Season Two (part 2): Playoffs, Really?

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My Life From The Dugout

Thanks for taking the time to join the journey, if it’s your first time here check out the journey from the start. If you’re back to continue the journey a BIG thank you for your support.
 

By now, people are probably tired of hearing about “Little Peterborough” punching above its weight. That’s fine. I’m not here to control headlines or pander to clichés. I’m here to keep doing what we’ve done since I walked through the door 12 months ago—make this club better, week by week, quietly, relentlessly.

And yet, even I have to admit… 6th place at the halfway point of a Championship season is something worth talking about.

We’ve played 25 games. We’ve been in the playoff positions since matchday eight, and we haven’t dropped out since. It’s not a purple patch. It’s not luck. It’s consistency—gritty, unglamorous, sometimes draw-heavy, but real.

We’re not here by accident. But that doesn’t mean it’s been easy.

A Brutal Start

The season hadn’t even begun, and I was already rewriting plans.

Archie Collins, one of our most intelligent midfielders, suffered a broken foot during pre-season. Three months out. No warning, no contact—just a bad step in a routine drill. I knew right away it was serious. Losing him hurt—not just because of his quality on the ball, but because he understood our system inside out. We’ve coped, but we’ve missed his rhythm and press resistance.

Then, barely a month in, Brandon Austin—our first-choice keeper—tore his wrist ligaments in a collision away at Sheffield United. Five weeks out. And just like that, I was down to my backup, Will Blackmore, for a month of crucial fixtures. To his credit, Blackmore stepped up brilliantly. He even posted a 7.12 average rating, kept clean sheets, and helped steady the back line.

But those two early injuries set the tone. This season was always going to be about adaptation.

Transfer Market Mastery (or Something Close)

With a bottom-three budget and a Championship full of parachute payments, we had to be ruthless in recruitment.

We lost some big names:

Hector Kyprianou to Ajax on a free. One of my favourite players I’ve worked with, but his mind was made up before the summer even started.

Sam Curtis and Jadel Katongo returned to their parent clubs. Both would walk into our XI today.

And then there was Ricky-Jade Jones, sold to Wrexham for £600K. Financially necessary, emotionally difficult.

So we moved fast:

Khayon Edwards, released by Arsenal, joined on a free and has been nothing short of sensational—17 goals in 21 starts, and leading the line like he’s been doing it for years.

Noël Atom, on loan from Brighton, has added composure and steel to our defence. He’s probably the most reliable young centre-back I’ve worked with.

Kyriani Sabbe, loaned in from Club Brugge, replaced Curtis at right-back and has been outstanding—pace, pressing, technical security.

Edouard Michut, Martim Neto, Samy Chouchane—three different types of midfielders brought in to share the Kyprianou workload.

On paper, it doesn’t look like a top-six team. But tactically, they’ve slotted into the system I built last season. And they work.

The Football: Structure, Identity, and Grit

We’re still using the 4-4-1-1. That hasn’t changed. Why would it?

It’s compact defensively, allows for quick vertical transitions, and creates structure in possession. The players know their roles. They know how to press. They know how to recover into shape.

This year, we’ve leaned into one core strength more than ever: being hard to beat.

We’ve drawn nine games already—against sides like Swansea, QPR, Sunderland, and Oxford—and while some may look at that and say we’re too cautious, I see something else.

I see a team that doesn’t lose when it doesn’t have to. A team that’s learned how to manage momentum, how to survive bad spells, and how to protect its structure. That’s not timidity. That’s maturity.

Defensively, we’ve conceded 37 goals—not elite, but competitive. Atom and Grant have formed a solid partnership, and Sabbe and Sparkes are doing their part out wide.

Offensively? We’ve scored 44, with Khayon Edwards leading the way. Joel Randall, Chris Conn-Clarke, Josh Martin, and even Michut have chipped in creatively. We don’t rely on just one route to goal.

We’re not blowing teams away every week. But we’re in every game. And that’s half the battle at this level.

Competition-by-Competition Breakdown

Sky Bet Championship

Expectations: Fight bravely against relegation.

Reality: 6th place, 42 points, and firmly in the playoff conversation.

The early season saw us beat West Brom 4–2, dominate Crystal Palace 3–1, and take points off teams we were expected to crumble against. Our most complete performance? Probably the 1-0 home win over Leicester in early November. Tight, disciplined, intelligent football.

We’ve had setbacks—the 4-0 away defeat to Bristol City hurt, and losing two in a row over Christmas (Bristol and Luton) reminded me how quickly things can unravel. But in general, we’ve always responded. There’s no panic. There’s just work.

Carabao Cup

We beat Middlesbrough in the first round with a rotated XI. Then came Leeds away in the second round. We lost narrowly (2-1), but I saw enough to know our depth is improving. The Carabao Cup was never the priority. The league is our battleground.

FA Cup

And then there’s the big one—Everton at home in the Third Round. Premier League opposition. They’re vulnerable right now, but their squad depth is worlds above ours.

Still, I’m not afraid. I won’t deviate from our system. We’ll prepare thoroughly and we’ll compete.

Player Performances: Standouts and Surprises

Top 5 Players So Far

Khayon Edwards – 17 goals | 7.09 rating

The headline act. He’s a complete forward in the making—clinical, mobile, and surprisingly composed under pressure. His hat-trick against Preston? Ruthless. If we keep him fit, anything is possible.

Noël Atom – 3 goals | 7.06 rating

Tall, calm, strong in the air, and positionally excellent. He’s been a rock at centre-back. Reads the game like someone five years older. Brighton have a gem here—and I’d take him permanently tomorrow if I could, he’s going to be a huge miss in the second half of the season as Brighton have decided to recall him from his loan deal.

Joel Randall – 6 goals | 4 assists | 6.95 rating

Drifting into pockets, linking play, scoring late equalisers—he’s been our heartbeat in the final third. Joel is that rare player who makes things happen without needing the ball constantly.

Kyriani Sabbe – 6.78 rating | 13.0km avg distance per game

Work rate, tactical intelligence, and a great one-on-one defender. He’s settled in seamlessly and gives us width and urgency down the right.

Josh Grant – 6.88 rating | 92% pass accuracy

Now one of our most experienced players, he’s adapted brilliantly to a deeper role at centre-back. His calmness has been crucial in late-game scenarios.

Honourable Mentions:

Jack Sparkes – 6 assists and always reliable on the left.

Chris Conn-Clarke – A wild card with goals and assists off the bench.

Martim Neto – Still growing, but already has 4 goals and several key passes.

Ryan De Havilland – Only a few starts, but a 7.38 average rating. Could be one to watch in the second half.

Honest Squad Assessment

Strengths:

Tactical cohesion – Everyone knows their role. This allows us to be greater than the sum of our parts.

Fitness and intensity – We’re covering serious ground. Some players are regularly pushing 14km per game.

Mentality – We don’t collapse. We draw when we could lose, and we win when we sense opportunity.

Weaknesses:

Midfield creativity without Collins – Neto and Michut have done well, but neither control games like Archie can.

Lack of depth at striker – If Edwards gets injured, we lack a like-for-like replacement.

Susceptibility in wide areas defensively – Sparkes and Sabbe push high, which occasionally leaves us exposed.

A Moment of Distraction

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t take my eye off the ball in early December.

As the calendar turned, job opportunities began appearing. Bigger clubs. Bigger budgets. Different challenges. I started thinking.

I’d already turned down two contract offers from Peterborough by that point. Not because I want to leave — far from it — but because I want to keep my options open. I’m ambitious, and I owe it to myself to explore.

Then came the big one: Norwich City. Premier League, albeit bottom of the table, but a squad packed with talent. They called me in for an interview on the 12th of December, and I accepted. I was honest with my staff about it. I prepared, I presented, and I left thinking I’d done well.

But they went another way.

I wasn’t bitter. If anything, it clarified my focus. This job isn’t a stepping stone — it’s a project. And we’re nowhere near finished yet.

Looking Ahead

We’re halfway through the season. We’re in the playoff places. We’re outperforming every budget model in the league.

But I know this league well enough to know what’s coming. Injuries, form dips, fixture congestion. The second half is where your squad’s character is revealed.

So what’s next?

We keep our identity. No panic, no tactical overhauls. Our shape works. The players believe in it.

We push for January reinforcements. One centre-back and one striker. That’s the goal.

We stay humble. Nobody expected us to be here. That’s our weapon.

I won’t make any bold predictions. But I will say this: we’re in the mix now. And once you’re in the fight, anything is possible.

One year ago, I took over a team in 21st place in League One.

Now we’re 6th in the Championship.

Still here.

Still rising.

Season Two (part 3): Back to Back Magic

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There’s a photograph someone took of me at full time on the final day of the season. I’m walking down the touchline at St. Andrew’s after our 4–1 win, clapping the away fans, drenched from the rain but grinning like a man who’s just won the lottery. It’s blurry, unflattering—but it’s real. It captures the full chaos and magic of this season in a single frame.

Because on that day, Peterborough United were confirmed as champions of the Sky Bet Championship.

We did it.

Ninety-three points. Twenty-seven wins. Ninety goals scored. Top of the table ahead of Southampton and Leicester. A squad with the smallest budget in the division, expected to finish bottom, just secured back-to-back promotions—League One to the Premier League in two seasons.

Even now, writing this, I struggle to process it. But let me try.

The Hardest Path is Often the Right One

This season didn’t start with glory. It started with setbacks and difficult decisions.

We lost Archie Collins to a broken foot in pre-season. Three months out. Our most intelligent midfielder and someone I had earmarked to lead the middle third of the pitch. Then Brandon Austin, our No.1 goalkeeper, suffered torn wrist ligaments after a mid-air collision at Bramall Lane in September. Five weeks out. That was another major blow in a critical run of games.

And still, we dug deep. We adjusted. Will Blackmore, who hadn’t started a league game in over a year, stepped in and posted a 7.12 rating, two clean sheets, and some of the best distribution I’ve seen from him in training or matches.

In a way, those injuries made us stronger. They forced us to trust the squad, to rely on each other. And from matchday eight, we never dropped out of the top six. Not once.

Temptation, Loyalty, and a Lesson in Timing

If you think managing a Championship club on a shoestring budget is hard, try doing it while every major job in the country seems to flash in front of your eyes at the same time.

I’ve never hidden my ambition. I want to manage at the highest level. And this season, for the first time, the footballing world started to notice what we were building here.

On January 1st, I was officially rejected by Norwich City after interviewing earlier in December. They were bottom of the Premier League but had a talented squad—I thought I had a chance. I didn’t. That stung, but I moved on.

Then, just days later on January 3rd, I had interviews with both Bournemouth and Leeds United, both in the Premier League. I travelled, prepared, and presented my vision. Again, nothing. Maybe I was too honest. Maybe I didn’t have the name. Whatever the reason, they passed.

But then came the first real approach. Ipswich Town, then mid-table in the Premier League, massively overachieving, came calling. It was different from applying—it was an invitation. I attended the interview. They asked whether I’d take over immediately or finish the season with Peterborough. I told them the truth:

“If I’m the man you want, I’ll come in the summer. I won’t walk away from this squad in the middle of what we’re building.”

They respected that. But ultimately, they went another way. It was a bitter pill, but one I’d swallow again to honour this club and these players.

In March, the final approach came—Nottingham Forest, 18th in the Premier League, four points off safety. A storied club, a big project. I interviewed. I didn’t get the job.

Looking back now? That might’ve been a blessing. Forest went down. We went up.

Competition-by-Competition Performance

Sky Bet Championship —

1st Place | Champions | 93 Points

Let’s not forget what the media said in August: “Peterborough are favourites to finish bottom.”

We turned that prediction into fuel.

From the opening month, we set a tone—drawing with Plymouth, beating West Brom, winning away at Crystal Palace. Our 4–4–1–1 system gave us structure and belief. By October, we were steamrolling teams—West Brom, Luton, Huddersfield.

By December, despite a wobble with defeats to Bristol City and Luton, we remained within touching distance of the top two.

And then came the run.

From February through April, we won 12 of 13 matches. A relentless stretch that saw us beat Leicester, Crystal Palace, Coventry, West Brom, Stoke, and Southampton. That 3–1 home win against the Saints? A statement. That 3–2 comeback at The Hawthorns? Grit and guile.

We finished the job with a draw against Burnley and a stunning 4–1 demolition of Birmingham on the final day. Champions.

FA Cup — Fifth Round

Our run began with a memorable two-legged affair against Everton. We drew the first match 2–2, then went to Goodison Park and beat them 3–1. We knocked out Birmingham next, before falling narrowly to West Ham in the Fifth Round. The lads gave everything. No regrets.

Carabao Cup — Second Round

A rotated squad lost to Leeds. Disappointing, but not surprising. Our depth wasn’t built for cup glory this year.

Transfers: Building on a Budget

This might have been my most satisfying window in football.

With a limited budget, we had to be smart:

Khayon Edwards (Free) – What a signing. Thirty-three goals in all competitions. Fast, lethal, and mature beyond his years. He was the difference.

Noël Atom (Loan, Brighton) – Calm, composed centre-back who played like a veteran. His recall back to Brighton in January could have been a real blow.

Kyriani Sabbe (Loan, Club Brugge) – Our best full-back. End of story.

Edouard Michut, Martim Neto, Samy Chouchane – Three midfielders, each with a different skillset, who helped paper over the loss of Kyprianou and the absence of Collins early on.

Losing Ricky-Jade Jones hurt, but we made £600K and freed up wages. The balance worked.

We didn’t just build a team. We built a unit that fit our identity.

Top 5 Performers

Khayon Edwards – 38 apps, 33 goals, 7.12 avg rating

He gave us goals in games we were struggling. He turned draws into wins and fear into confidence. One of the best free transfers I’ll ever make.

Josh Martin – 44 apps, 12 assists, 7.00 avg rating

Silky, smart, and reliable. He became our chief creator, constantly finding space and serving quality.

Joel Randall – 47 apps, 11 goals, 3 assists, 6.92 avg rating

Not always flashy, but always clutch. His goals against Watford and Leicester were season-defining.

Kyriani Sabbe – 42 apps, 6.78 avg rating

A defensive rock with boundless energy. He played a crucial role in stopping some of the league’s best wingers.

Edouard Michut – 42 apps, 2 goals, 6.93 avg rating

Carried the midfield for stretches when others were injured. Smart positioning, safe passing, and an underrated engine.

Honourable Mentions:

Chris Conn-Clarke – 8 goals, 6 assists, and several crucial moments off the bench.

Martim Neto – 10 goals from midfield. A constant threat.

Josh Grant – A steady presence in the backline. Great leadership late in the season.

Brandon Austin – After returning from injury, he kept 11 clean sheets and regained top form.

Honest Assessment of Squad Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths:

Tactical understanding – Everyone knew the shape, their roles, and how to adapt mid-match.

Goal threat – We had goals from every area—strikers, midfielders, even full-backs.

Mental resilience – We responded to setbacks with character. We didn’t lose two in a row after December.

Weaknesses:

Defensive frailty in transition – Our high line got caught occasionally, especially when Sabbe pushed forward.

Goalkeeping depth – Blackmore performed admirably, but we lacked a third keeper.

Set-piece defending – We conceded too many goals from corners and second balls.

Strategic Outlook: Preparing for the Premier League

We’ll be favourites for relegation again. But so what? That’s nothing new.

We’ll need:

A Premier League-level striker to support or rotate with Edwards.

At least two centre-backs—one with pace, one with experience.

A deep-lying playmaker to ease the burden on Michut and Collins.

A right winger with Premier League speed and consistency.

A backup goalkeeper with top-flight experience.

But most of all, we’ll need to hold onto our identity. We’re not going to park the bus and hope. We’ll go in with shape, bravery, and belief.

My Personal Reflection

This was a season of choices.

I had offers. Interviews. Possibilities elsewhere. And I chose to stay. Not because it was the easy choice—it wasn’t. But because I believed in these players and what we were doing.

The fans have been incredible. Away at Bristol, they sang for 90 minutes after a loss. At home, they lifted us when our legs were gone. They’ve embraced me, supported the project, and—somehow—I’ve become a fan favourite in just 18 months.

I haven’t signed a new deal yet. I’ve turned down two extensions—not out of disrespect, but because I want to make the right call for the long term. I love it here. I might stay. I might not. That’s a conversation for another day.

But for now?

We’re Premier League.

And we’ve earned every second of it.

Season Three (part 1): A Step Back to Move Forward

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I’ll always look back on my 18 months at Peterborough with pride—real pride. It wasn’t just a chapter in my career. It was a proving ground. A place where I transformed from an ambitious, untested youth coach into a manager capable of building something special.

We achieved the unthinkable. Back-to-back promotions. From League One relegation candidates to Championship winners. We weren’t supposed to be in the Premier League. But we made it.

Yet sometimes, even success isn’t enough.

The End of the Road at Peterborough

When the final whistle blew on our Championship title-winning season, I knew—deep down—that it was the end of my time at London Road. As much as I cared about the club, the players, and the supporters, I couldn’t shake the feeling that we were being set up to fail in the Premier League.

Despite everything we’d achieved, the board’s support once again fell painfully short. £34 million for transfers and £400k per week in wages. The smallest budget in the Premier League. Again.

I wasn’t naïve. I knew survival in the top flight would require either a miracle or a complete overhaul of the squad—and neither seemed remotely possible with those resources.

And so, I made a difficult but necessary decision. I would honour my contract, guide the club through the summer window and early pre-season, and then walk away. Quietly. Without drama. I owed the club that much, but I owed myself the chance to keep growing.

The Offers and the Pull of France

Within days of the season ending, the offers began to arrive.

Three clubs came forward first, each with intriguing possibilities: OGC Nice, Stade Rennais, and Real Hispalis (Real Betis). All three came from strong footballing cultures, clubs with tradition, passionate fanbases, and aspirations beyond mediocrity.

Nice were first to make their move. A well-run club with financial power, nestled on the French Riviera. They moved quickly, confident. Peterborough, understandably, panicked, offering me a last-minute extension. We sat down. I explained it calmly:

“I’ve loved it here. But I can’t keep climbing if I stay. I’ve taken this team as far as I can. For me to grow—and for the club to evolve—this is the right time.”

They understood, even if they didn’t agree.

Before I could finalise anything with Nice, though, Rennes came in with an interview. I didn’t expect it. But once it arrived, I had to stop and reassess.

I pulled up both squads. Compared infrastructure, finances, youth academies, board philosophies, and fan culture. Nice were strong—but Rennes offered something different. Something more aligned with who I am as a manager.

Choosing Rennes

Stade Rennais is a club rich in tradition but not weighed down by expectation. Nestled in the heart of Brittany, Rennes is a city that lives and breathes community. It’s not as flashy as Paris or as exotic as the Riviera, but it has soul. The kind of place where football means something deeper.

The club has a reputation for producing and nurturing young talent. The likes of Ousmane Dembélé and Eduardo Camavinga both came through the ranks here. That matters to me—developing players isn’t just a tool; it’s a core value of my philosophy.

Last season was a disaster by their standards. Predicted to finish 3rd, they ended up 9th, outside the European spots, and looking lost. The football was stale, the dressing room fractured, and the belief had ebbed away.

But I looked at this group—not through the lens of what they’d just done, but through what they could become. And I saw potential. Real, tangible, explosive potential.

The board agreed to back me with £24 million in transfer funds and a £900k per week wage budget—not PSG territory, of course, but competitive. Especially in Ligue 1, where many clubs still operate with modest means.

And so, I packed my bags, left Peterborough on good terms, and flew to France.

A Step Back? Maybe. But Not for Long.

I’ll be honest. On paper, moving from the Premier League to Ligue 1 looks like a step backwards.

But this isn’t about status. It’s about platform. And Rennes gives me a stronger one than I ever had in England.

The Premier League is a beast. Staying up with Peterborough would have been a minor miracle. The squad, while spirited, was simply not ready for that level. And the financial constraints were too heavy to overcome.

Here, I walk into a team that’s underperformed, not unqualified.

We’ve got no European football to stretch us thin. No midweek fixtures to rotate for. Just one focus: Ligue 1 and the domestic cups. And with the squad we’ve got, Champions League qualification isn’t a dream—it’s a target.

The Squad: What I’ve Inherited

There’s serious quality here.

Adrien Truffert at left-back is an international-calibre player. Intelligent, quick, and technically excellent.

Arthur Theate is a commanding presence at centre-back. Left-footed, great in the air, and confident in buildup.

Amine Gouiri is pure class on the wing—direct, skilful, and a goal threat.

And then there’s Arnaud Kalimuendo. A complete centre-forward in the making. Great movement, composed finishing, and a willingness to press.

These are players who can slot into my system almost immediately. The tactical base is there. What they’ve lacked is clarity, structure, and belief. That’s what I’ll bring.

There are, of course, gaps.

The centre of midfield needs strengthening—especially someone with composure in tight spaces, capable of dictating tempo. We don’t have that metronome yet.

The goalkeeper position is also one I’m keeping a close eye on. We need someone with command of the box, shot-stopping reliability, and the bravery to play out under pressure.

And every signing will need to align with my philosophy: no one over the age of 23 unless they’re truly exceptional. This isn’t just a transfer rule—it’s a developmental belief. Players grow in the right system, and my job is to create that environment.

My Philosophy, My Rennes

The football won’t change.

We’ll play a structured 4-4-1-1, flexible enough to morph into a 4-2-3-1 when in possession. Press with intent, control the middle third, and attack with purpose. Transitions will be sharp, movement timed, and every player will know their role.

But this isn’t Peterborough. The demands are higher. The expectations more nuanced.

Rennes have flirted with success for years without quite breaking through. This club has finished 3rd, 4th, 5th, but never really sustained its place among France’s elite.

That’s my job now—to bring consistency, identity, and ambition.

We may not dislodge PSG next season. That would be unrealistic. But we can compete with Marseille, Monaco, Lyon, and Lens. And if we hit our stride early, there’s no reason we can’t finish top three and secure Champions League football.

That’s the bar I’m setting. And I’ll demand a deep cup run, too. France has a rich domestic cup culture, and I want us to take it seriously. Silverware breeds confidence.

The Bigger Picture

This move is about more than just results.

It’s about building something sustainable, in line with the club’s values and my personal ambitions.

France produces talent. Rennes has one of the best academies in Europe. I’ve already met with the youth development staff. I’ve reviewed the U19 squad and pinpointed three players who will train with the first team this season.

If we do this right, Rennes can become one of the most exciting, dynamic teams in Europe within two to three years.

And for me, this is a chance to step into the continental spotlight. Ligue 1 has launched so many careers—coaches and players alike. I’m not here to tread water. I’m here to compete, develop, and eventually take this club where it’s never been.

Final Thoughts

Leaving Peterborough was hard. I gave them everything I had. The fans embraced me. I became, somehow, a part of the club’s story.

But football is a forward-facing profession.

At 32 years old, I’ve now managed 76 senior matches, won a league title, earned promotion, turned down the easy route, and landed at a club with genuine top-four potential.

Rennes is a new beginning—but I’m not starting from scratch. I’m arriving with clarity, with experience, and with the hunger to take this project to the next level.

No distractions. No divided focus. No false modesty.

This year is about one thing: Champions League qualification.

Let’s get to work.

— Lucas Halberg

Manager, Stade Rennais Football Club

Season Three (Part 2): Living In Dreamland

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My Life From The Dugout

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When I walked into Roazhon Park this summer, I knew I wasn’t being welcomed into a club on the rise—I was stepping into one that had just tripped over its own expectations.

Stade Rennais had finished 9th in Ligue 1 the season before, a catastrophic underperformance for a team expected to be challenging PSG, Marseille, and Monaco. The dressing room was fractured, the fans frustrated, and several of the best players were eyeing the exit door due to the absence of European football.

I wasn’t walking into a clean slate.

I was walking into a project that had nearly lost its way.

But here we are. January 1st, 2026. Top of Ligue 1. Undefeated. 15 wins, 3 draws, zero losses. 48 points from 18 matches.

Rennes leads the pack, and we don’t just look like Champions League contenders—we look like contenders. Full stop.

Winning Trust Where It Wasn’t Guaranteed

The first few weeks were tense.

Several players—understandably—had their doubts. They weren’t shy about voicing them either. “Why would I stay if we’re not in Europe?” “What’s the project here?” “Do we even have the ambition to match our potential?”

I don’t blame them. After a year of underachievement, belief was in short supply.

What I had to do was convince them that belief could be rebuilt.
 

We didn’t start with tactics. We started with honesty. I told them we wouldn’t win Ligue 1 overnight. I told them we might lose some players along the way. But I also told them that if they bought in, we’d create something that mattered. Something sustainable. Something that would turn heads across Europe.

Slowly, things changed. Players started to see the cohesion forming. The training became sharper. The principles became clearer. And once the results started flowing, the doubters became believers.

One of the proudest moments so far wasn’t a result—it was seeing Arthur Theate, Amine Gouiri, and Arnaud Kalimuendo pull younger players aside during a training drill and explain positional rotation. That’s when I knew the culture was shifting.

On The Pitch: Relentless, Cohesive, Dominant

Our identity is now clear.

We play a high-tempo 4-4-1-1, with aggressive pressing, wide creativity, and a vertical link between midfield and the forward line. In possession, we often morph into a 4-2-3-1, with our attacking midfielder and wide men tucking into half-spaces to overload central areas.

And it’s working.

The Competitions

Ligue 1 —

1st Place | 18 Games | 48 Points

Standout Results:

3-2 away win at Paris Saint-Germain – Not only a statement of intent but a tactical masterclass. Kalimuendo scored twice, and Pavlović ran the midfield.

5-1 demolition of LOSC – Clinical, ruthless, unrelenting. We were four goals up by the hour mark.

1-0 over Marseille – Gritty, narrow, and hard-earned. The kind of win you need to challenge for titles.

We’ve scored 46 goals—more than anyone else in the division—and conceded just 13, the joint-best defensive record. The team is compact when out of possession and fluid when we break lines. We’ve mastered transitions, controlled the middle third, and most importantly, found multiple ways to win.

Draws against Reims, Monaco, and Lorient were frustrating, but even then, we never looked in real danger of losing.

French Cup: Quiet Ambition

The board asked for a Quarter-Final appearance. I want more.

We face FC Lorient in the Ninth Round. A club in disarray, sitting 17th in Ligue 1. But I won’t underestimate them. The cup presents a chance not just for silverware—but for momentum, morale, and statement wins.

I’ll rotate a little, but not heavily. Our squad is deep enough to compete across fronts now.

Transfers: Constructing The Machine

We brought in 9 players and offloaded 13. It wasn’t a rebuild. It was a reshaping.

Key Transfers In:

Isaac Babadi (£20M From PSV)

My marquee signing. And he’s been worth every cent. A technical wizard, gliding through midfield and wing positions with grace and aggression. 7 assists, 4 goals, and a rating of 7.58. He’s our most dynamic playmaker, and at 21, he’s only just warming up.

Aleksandar Pavlović (£17.5M From Schalke 04)

Our metronome. Controls tempo, breaks lines, and wins duels. 6 goals, 3 assists, and a 7.39 rating. He gives us what we lost when Kamara left and adds more physicality to our midfield spine.

Dennis Seimen (£7M From VfB Stuttgart)

I needed a goalkeeper who could grow with us. At 21, he’s still learning, but already he’s kept 9 clean sheets in 18 games and commands his box like a veteran.

Zoran Alilović (£4.6M From Partizan)

A quiet but brilliant addition. Has already made 16 starts and contributes defensively and creatively. Great rotational option for our attacking midfield roles.

We also added free agents like Albert Navarro and Paulo Gustavo—players with promise who have already contributed in meaningful spells.

Notable Departures:

Talisca (£20.5M To Wolves)

Getting older and doesn’t fit the philosophy I am trying to install, but is a good player and could be a bad move. His experience, vision, and composure add a different dimension, especially when teams sit deep.

Glen Kamara to Hibernian

Albert Grønbæk to Nottingham Forest (£10M)

Hans Hateboer, Gauthier Gallon, and Alidu Seidu to free up wages and space

We stuck to the plan: sign under-23 players, inject pace and technical ability, and slowly phase out veterans who didn’t fit the system.

Player Performance Summary

It’s one thing to win games. It’s another to have a squad full of players performing at or above expectations. That’s where we are now.

Top 5 Performers

Arnaud Kalimuendo – 17 Goals | 7.55 Rating

The focal point. Clinical, tireless, intelligent. His movement creates space even when he doesn’t score. Right now, he’s Ligue 1’s most complete forward outside Paris.

Isaac Babadi – 7 Assists | 4 Goals | 7.58 Rating

Our engine between the lines. A joy to watch. His dribbling, vision, and set-piece delivery have transformed how we progress the ball.

Aleksandar Pavlović – 6 Goals | 3 Assists | 7.39 Rating

Rock-solid. Rarely gives the ball away, wins 81% of his tackles, and contributes with goals from deep.

Arthur Theate – 16 Starts | 7.19 Rating

Leader at the back. Wins duels, dominates aerially, and keeps the back line organised. Quietly elite.

Adrien Truffert – 15 Starts | 7.07 Rating

A constant outlet on the left. 92% pass accuracy, strong defensive contributions, and always pushing high when we attack.

Honourable Mentions:

Gonzalo Montiel – 7.16 rating, overlapping threat, brilliant 1v1 defender.

Fabian Rieder – Often from the bench, but impactful with 2 goals and 4 assists.

Daniel Dos Santos – Offers pace, flair, and incredible ball retention (95% pass accuracy).

Zoran Alilović – Always effective when called upon; 7.08 average rating from 17 appearances.

Squad Assessment

Strengths:

Depth across the board – Every position has rotation options. We’re no longer one injury away from imbalance.

Pressing structure – The system works. Opponents struggle to break lines or play out comfortably.

Set-piece dominance – We’ve scored six goals from corners and free-kicks this season already.

Weaknesses:

Transition defence – Occasionally caught when we overcommit. Pavlović and Santamaria help, but against pacey wingers, we must be more compact.

Over-reliance on Kalimuendo – He’s been outstanding, but if he picks up an injury, we don’t have a like-for-like replacement. Bertuğ Yıldırım is solid, but not at the same level.

Fans & Atmosphere: From Doubt To Devotion

At the beginning of the season, I felt the tension. The fans weren’t hostile—but they were cautious. After all, the last season had promised the world and delivered mediocrity.

But slowly, as the performances came, they warmed to me. Then they began to believe.

The 5–1 win over Lille was a turning point. The stadium was electric. From that moment on, every home game felt like a celebration—and every away trip felt like a mission.

By the end of December, the board listed me as “untouchable”, and the supporters’ spokesperson admitted they couldn’t be happier with the job I was doing.

It means a lot. Not because I need validation—but because this isn’t my country, my language, or my roots. And yet, I feel at home here now.

Looking Ahead: What Comes Next?

We sit top of Ligue 1. But PSG lurk. Marseille aren’t going away. This title isn’t ours yet—it’s far from it.

But I don’t want to just scrape into the Champions League. I want to win this league. Yes, even against PSG.

We’ve beaten them once. Why not again?

And in the cup, I want silverware. Not just a run. Not just potential. A trophy. Rennes hasn’t lifted enough in its long history. I want to change that.

Final Thoughts

This has been one of the most satisfying half-seasons of my career.

At Peterborough, I had to prove I belonged. At Rennes, I had to convince others to believe again—in themselves, in each other, and in a vision that wasn’t yet real.

Now? That vision is materialising.

There’s still half a season left. But we’re not here to survive. We’re here to dominate. To build something that lasts.

Let’s go finish what we’ve started.

Season Three (part 3): Making History

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It’s hard to find the right words for this season.

Coming into Stade Rennais last summer, I knew it was going to be a challenge—one I wanted. But I don’t think I truly realised just how much this place needed something to believe in again. The club was wounded. Ninth place the season before, no European football, players unsure about their futures, fans losing hope. I was walking into a dressing room that had ambition, but no direction.

Now, ten months later, we’ve lifted the first Ligue 1 title in Stade Rennais’ 125-year history. We didn’t scrape it. We didn’t fluke it. We earned it. Every goal. Every clean sheet. Every battle.

We finished with 85 points, eight clear at the top, with just one loss in 34 games. We played some of the most consistent, dominant football in France. We restored pride to a club that had waited more than a century for a moment like this.

It wasn’t perfect. We suffered setbacks, lost key players, and made promises that hung heavy on my shoulders. But we kept our focus. And in the end, we made history.

Transfers: Youth was Key

The transfer market was a crucial part of setting the tone for the season. I came in knowing that the squad needed energy, discipline, and technical quality. Not volume—impact.

Top 3 Signings

Isaac Babadi (£20M, PSV)
A sensational signing. Dynamic, clever, press-resistant. He was our main creative outlet from day one—playing across the attacking midfield and flanks. He finished with 5 goals and 12 assists in all competitions, constantly unlocking defences and carrying the ball through pressure. A perfect fit for the style I want to play, and only 21.

Aleksandar Pavlović (£17.5M, Schalke 04)
My midfield metronome. He gave us rhythm, control, and bite. Pavlović scored 7 goals, provided 3 assists, and kept the team ticking through tight games and high-pressure phases. He was exactly the kind of player we needed: smart, secure, and intense.

Dennis Seimen (£7M, VfB Stuttgart)
Signed to become our new No.1, and immediately delivered. Just 21, but plays with the poise of a veteran. He kept 18 clean sheets across all competitions, including big performances against Marseille, Toulouse, and PSG. An excellent shot-stopper, confident in distribution—already a pillar of the team.

Top 3 Departures

Albert Grønbæk (£10M, Nottingham Forest)
A good player, but didn’t fit the tactical model. Moved on in January. Wasn’t a flop, but didn’t influence enough games.

Talisca (£20.5M, Wolves)
An experienced forward brought in early, hoping for leadership and goals. He never adapted to our pressing system and struggled with consistency. Moved on quickly. A rare misfire in recruitment.

Glen Kamara (Hibernian)
Professional in training, but limited impact on the pitch. Allowed to leave to clear wages and make space for younger midfielders.

A special mention has to go to our January signing Andreas Schjelderup, it was never my intention to sign him but when a player of his quality becomes available you have to bite the bullet. Although he didn’t set the world alight he has been very consistent since joining.

The transfer window was also defined by keeping our core. The board feared losing key players after missing out on Europe last year. I had to sit down with Arthur Theate, Adrien Truffert, and Arnaud Kalimuendo and convince them this would be different.

They asked me plainly—“Will we be back in the Champions League?”

I said yes. Not out of arrogance, but belief.

They stayed. They fought. And they were right to trust me.

The Competitions

Ligue 1

We built our season around Ligue 1. No European distractions, no midweek overloads. And from matchday one, we looked ready.

We started with a run of eight wins in ten, including the turning point of our season: a 3–2 away win at PSG. Kalimuendo scored twice, Pavlović bossed the midfield, and the whole team showed a level of maturity we hadn’t yet proven.

That night in Paris changed everything. It made us believe we could do more than qualify for Europe—it made us believe we could lead the pack.

From there, we were relentless. We didn’t just beat the teams below us, we out-thought and outplayed the sides around us. We went unbeaten until April, scoring freely and defending as a unit.

The only league defeat of the season came at home to Lorient—a frustrating 0–1 where we lacked intensity. But rather than collapse, we responded with a four-game winning streak, including a professional 2–0 at Monaco and a 3–1 dismantling of Angers.

We sealed the title with a 2–2 draw against PSG at Roazhon Park on the final day. By that point, we’d already won it. The draw was a celebration, not a necessity.

Across 34 matches, we won 26, drew 7, and lost just 1. We scored 72 goals, conceded 23, and posted 18 clean sheets.

We topped the table for 28 consecutive weeks. This was dominance—not a lucky run.

Coupe de France

We also made a strong run in the Coupe de France, falling just short of the final.

We opened with a 4–2 win over Lorient, before thrashing Marignane 5–2. In the Round of 16, we edged Rodez 2–1, and the quarter-final saw us explode with a 7–0 hammering of Concarneau. Kalimuendo and Alilović were unstoppable.

The semi-final brought heartbreak. We lost 4–3 to OGC Nice, despite leading twice. It was one of the most open, chaotic games I’ve managed. We lacked composure defensively and were caught in transition repeatedly.

It stung. Not just because we were so close to the final, but because it was a chance at the double. But that’s football. We’ll be back for it.

What I’ll remember most is the way we responded—four days later we beat Brest 2–0, and didn’t look back.

Player Performance Summary

This squad wasn’t just full of good players—it was full of players who bought in completely.

Top 5 Performers:

Arnaud Kalimuendo – 32 appearances, 29 goals, 4 assists, 7.35 avg rating

Ligue 1’s most complete striker this season. He led the line with pace, intelligence, and ruthlessness. When we needed a goal, he delivered. From poacher’s finishes to long-range efforts, Kalimuendo was the heartbeat of our attack.

Isaac Babadi – 31 appearances, 5 goals, 12 assists, 7.41 avg rating

Our main source of creativity. His ability to drift between lines, beat his man, and thread final passes was unmatched. Defences never knew how to deal with him—and neither did fans, who now idolise him.

Aleksandar Pavlović – 33 appearances, 7 goals, 3 assists, 7.34 avg rating

The controller. Rarely flashy, but never wasteful. He dictated tempo, protected the defence, and contributed goals at key moments. His performances against PSG and Strasbourg were masterclasses.

Zoran Alilović – 37 appearances, 11 goals, 8 assists, 7.28 avg rating

Silky, clever, and a nightmare to track. Played as a 10 and a wide midfielder, always contributing in the final third. Calm under pressure and clinical when it mattered.

Arthur Theate – 34 appearances, 7.18 avg rating

The leader at the back. Marshalled the defence, dominated in the air, and was a vocal presence all season. His consistency and tactical discipline laid the foundation for our success.

Honourable Mentions:

Dennis Seimen – 18 clean sheets, massive saves in tight matches.

Adrien Truffert – Non-stop engine on the left, quality crosses and high recovery numbers.

Enrico Delprato – Stepped up after Montiel’s injury, never let the level drop.

Fabian Rieder – A wildcard option with goals, assists, and calm distribution.

Honest Assessment of Squad Strengths & Weaknesses

Our biggest strength this season was our balance. We were structured without being rigid. Attacking without being reckless. We had options across all zones of the pitch, and the players bought into their roles completely.

We covered more ground than most teams in Ligue 1. Our pressing was coordinated. Our build-up was calm. And we rarely gave away cheap chances.

We had the best goal difference in the league. We scored the second-most goals. And our defensive record was only matched by PSG.

But we weren’t perfect.

Our main weaknesses:

Right-back depth. Montiel’s injury left us light. Delprato was excellent, but we didn’t have another natural full-back in his mould.

Transition defending. In high-tempo games, especially the semi-final loss to Nice, we struggled to recover shape quickly.

Dependence on Kalimuendo. He carried the goal-scoring burden. If he’s injured or sold, we need a replacement of real quality—not just a stopgap.

The board were delighted, as were the fans, who now sing my name from the stands. But we have to keep moving.

We’re in the Champions League next season. That changes everything.

We need:

A second striker to ease the load on Kalimuendo.

Two new full-backs to cover both flanks.

A more experienced attacking midfielder to guide the younger players in Europe.

Tactical tweaks to ensure we can control tempo against elite European sides.

Final Thoughts

We won Ligue 1. That will live forever. But now we have to show we belong among Europe’s best.

The board offered me a new contract in April. I said no—not because I don’t want to be here, but because I want to keep my options open.

I believe in what we’re building. But next year will test all of us. And if we’re going to keep competing at the highest level, I need to know the backing is going to match the ambition.

For now, I’ll enjoy the title. I’ll remember this group. And I’ll remember the fans who never stopped believing.

We’ve made history. But we’re not done yet.

Season Four (Part 1): Preparing For Europe

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There are some moments in your career that remind you exactly why you fell in love with football in the first place.

Hearing that Champions League anthem ring out for the first time at Roazhon Park this season will be one of those moments.

We’ve earned this. Not just the club. Not just the staff. But this entire group—players, supporters, the people behind the scenes who keep the place running. We’ve built something that now stands among Europe’s elite.

This is my first ever season managing in the Champions League, and I won’t pretend otherwise—it’s special. It’s something I’ve thought about since my early coaching days back in Northampton, and now here we are. Rennes are in the big time.

But with that excitement comes a different kind of pressure. We’re not here to admire the lights—we’re here to compete. To grow. To evolve.

And that means making the right choices now, before a ball is even kicked.

The Board’s Backing Us

Let’s start with the big picture.

The board have shown faith again—not just in me, but in the project. They’ve handed us a £42 million transfer budget and a weekly wage allowance just over £1 million. That might not seem massive compared to clubs like PSG or the big hitters across Europe, but for Ligue 1 standards, it’s competitive.

It gives us a chance to be smart. To add the right players without breaking the squad dynamic that brought us to this point.

Tactical Identity

I’m not ripping anything up. This is still the team that won the league. The tactical foundation stays the same—the same one we developed back at Peterborough.

It’s been with me since the beginning: the 4-4-1-1 that shapes into a 4-2-3-1 in possession. High-tempo pressing out of possession, controlled buildup when we have the ball. We play with wide creativity, vertical passing lanes, and a clear link between midfield and attack.

The players understand it now. They don’t need to be reminded of the principles—they live them. Our pressing structure, our defensive blocks, our attacking rotations—it’s all second nature. And that’s powerful. When players don’t need to think, they play free. And when they play free, they perform.

That’s not to say we’re standing still. The Champions League demands more than domestic comfort zones.

We need to adapt without losing identity. That starts with depth.

What’s Got To Change

I’m not looking to make wholesale changes this summer.

We’ve already got a strong, balanced core that includes key figures like Kalimuendo, Theate, Pavlović, Babadi, Truffert, and Seimen. These players are the spine of the team—young, intelligent, physically capable, and already experienced in high-pressure situations.

But if we’re going to juggle the league, domestic cups, and Europe, we need more options. The demands are different now. The rhythm of the season shifts. The gaps between fixtures shrink.

So recruitment this summer will be targeted and practical.

We’re looking for two key additions:

A second striker. Someone who can push Kalimuendo, support him in a two-striker system when needed, and offer a different threat. We relied heavily on Arnaud last year—and while he delivered, we can’t leave ourselves exposed like that again.

A versatile defender. Someone who can cover both centrally and at full-back, ideally with Champions League experience. With Montiel returning from long-term injury and Delprato carrying a big load last season, we need rotation and resilience at the back.

Beyond that, we’ll assess as we go. I don’t want to buy for the sake of it. If we can find value—young, hungry players who fit the system and the culture—we’ll act. But the priority is maintaining cohesion.

To keep that cohesion, we also have to be honest about who moves on.

There are a few players in the squad who are now either past their peak or no longer aligned with the dressing room culture we’ve built. I won’t name names here, but internally, we’ve had the conversations.

This isn’t about punishment. It’s about progression. If someone’s not happy, if they’re blocking the path for a younger option, or if they’ve become a source of unrest—they need to move on.

I’ve always said that squad harmony is as important as tactical execution. I’ll stand by that again this year.

Our Ambitions

The bookmakers have us down to finish third in Ligue 1 this season. It’s a strange feeling seeing Stade Rennais among the title favourites. A year ago, they had us outside the top six. Now they think we can do it again.

I take that as a compliment—but not a prediction.

The reality is that defending a title is one of the hardest things to do in football. Every team wants to beat you. Every player gives an extra five percent. You’re no longer the underdog—you’re the target.

PSG will be stronger. Marseille have recruited well. Monaco will bounce back. And Lyon, I’m told, are quietly building something dangerous.

So no, I don’t expect a repeat title. Would I love it? Of course. Will we chase it? Absolutely. But my realistic ambition is this:

Qualify for the Champions League again through the league.

Compete to win at least one domestic cup.

Make it out of the group stage in Europe.

If we can do that while developing our younger talent and keeping our principles intact, it’ll be another successful step forward.

That’s the mark of a serious club—not just one who wins once, but one who stays in the conversation.

Stealing A Piece Of My Heart

There’s also an emotional side to all this.

This will be my second full season at Rennes—and my third managing in a top league. I’ve now overseen back-to-back promotion at Peterborough, a historic title in France, and a squad that’s been reshaped into one of the most dynamic in the country.

It’s been a rapid rise. I know that.

But I also know I’ve stayed true to who I am. Tactically, structurally, culturally—nothing’s been forced. Everything we’ve built here has been based on relationships and trust.

I’ve turned down contract extensions so far—not because I want to leave, but because I want to keep my future flexible. I’m 34. I’m ambitious. I’m open to what comes next, whether that’s continuing the journey here or taking on a new challenge. But what I won’t do is walk away mid-process.

This club gave me belief. I owe them a season in Europe. At the end of it, we’ll sit down and talk.

Until then, it’s business as usual.

Final Thoughts

The fans have been incredible. Last year, they embraced me fully. This season, they’ll get to see Champions League nights in Rennes for the first time in years—and I want to give them nights they’ll never forget.

They’ve backed this team through every twist and turn. Now it’s our turn to repay them with performances that do justice to this badge and this city.

So we go again.

Not as underdogs this time, but as champions—with all the pressure, pride, and purpose that comes with it.

Let’s see what we can do.

Season Four (Part 2): Balancing Success & Entitlement

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There’s a comfort in continuity—but also a danger in complacency. This season, more than any other, has tested my ability to hold both truths in balance.

We came into this campaign on the back of history. The first Ligue 1 title in Stade Rennais’ 125-year existence. We knew that would change how the world looked at us—but what I underestimated, perhaps, is how much it would change how the players looked at themselves.

Confidence has never been an issue this season. We’ve gone 18 games unbeaten in Ligue 1, sat top at New Year’s Day, with the best defensive and one of the most potent attacking records in the league. In Europe, we’ve held our own and more in a ruthless Champions League format, currently sitting 3rd in the league phase behind only Barcelona and Arsenal.

But behind that glittering success is something much more difficult to manage—entitlement.

For the first time in my managerial career, I’ve had real issues with contract disputes—not because we don’t value the players, but because our financial reality still doesn’t match their expectations.

Three of our most important players—Adrien Truffert, Enrico Delprato, and Isaac Babadi—have all come forward demanding significantly improved terms. In truth, they’ve earned it. But I can’t magic funds from nowhere. The board have been generous relative to our size, but we are not PSG. We are not Arsenal. We can’t throw £100,000-a-week at every starter.

It’s not that I don’t want to pay them. I’d sign off the raises myself if I could. But there’s a bigger picture here, and maintaining the wage structure is part of protecting this club’s future. Some understand that. Others, less so.

Babadi’s situation has been the most emotionally difficult. After lighting up the start of the season and quickly becoming the key creative piece in our midfield again, he suffered a horrific broken ankle in a 2–1 win over Monaco in October. It’s kept him out ever since and will continue to until at least mid-to-late February.

He was our link—the heartbeat of our transitions. Losing him felt like losing a little bit of our identity. But the team hasn’t collapsed. We’ve reshaped. Others have stepped up.

And through all this, I’ve remained focused on the group.

Commitment

The board offered me a new contract again in November. I declined—again—not because I want to leave, but because I still need to see how this season plays out.

If a massive job becomes available—and a few have—I’ll need to look at it. I owe that to my career, and if I’m honest, I owe it to the work I’ve done over the last four years.

But the difference this year is that for the first time in my career, I feel completely at home at a club. Several high-profile jobs opened up during the first half of the season, and I didn’t even flinch. I didn’t apply. I didn’t call anyone. I didn’t ask my agent to poke around.

I’m here. Fully.

And if we can keep doing what we’re doing now, this could be another very special season.

Transfers: Less Was More

The summer was, by design, relatively quiet.

We brought in:

Balázs Vécsei (£14.5M From West Brom) –

A towering, left-footed central defender who has quickly slotted into the rotation with Østigård and Theate. He’s raw, but the tools are all there.

Jef Godelaine (£6.5M From Antwerp) –

Perhaps the best-value signing I’ve made. Young, explosive, and clever in the box. He has 7 goals already across all competitions and is averaging a 7.23 rating.

Felix Diallo (£5M From AZ) –

Cover at right-back after Montiel’s departure. Still settling.

Matty Warhurst (Free From Man City) –

Developmental forward. Early signs are promising.

Gastón Rodríguez (Loan From Unión) –

Versatile option who has made a handful of appearances across the backline.

Outgoing, we made tough decisions:

Gonzalo Montiel left for £14M. A good servant, but surplus after last season’s injuries.

Baptiste Santamaria and Fabian Rieder also moved on—players we once leaned on but who no longer fit the evolution of the side.

Jordan James and Yoan Akwa departed to make room for younger options in midfield.

Clear Identity

We’ve maintained our tactical identity with the now-classic 4-4-1-1, which continues to offer the flexibility we need to press, rotate, and break with control. Our pressing remains elite. Our transitions are sharper than ever. And we’ve improved our ability to manage possession in deeper areas thanks to Pavlović’s growing influence.

The Competitions

Ligue 1

We began our Ligue 1 title defence with a bang—15 wins and 3 draws from our opening 18 games. The only team to really run us close so far has been PSG, and even they trailed us by four points going into the winter break.

We’ve scored 42 goals, conceded just 11, and kept 12 clean sheets. We’ve smashed Marseille (4–0), thumped Nice (4–0), and held PSG to a 0–0 draw at the Parc.

What’s impressed me most is our game management. We’ve become a mature team—more measured in when we press, more intelligent in how we shape ourselves in difficult away fixtures.

Champions League

That experience has translated into Europe, too.

Our Champions League campaign has been nothing short of outstanding so far. In the new league format, we currently sit 3rd, behind only Barcelona and Arsenal.

Wins against PSV (3–0), Benfica (4–3), FC Midtjylland (4–0), and Fenerbahçe (2–1) have been dominant.

A credible draw against Chelsea (0–0) showed we can hold our own defensively.

Our only loss came narrowly at Feyenoord (0–1) in a match where we controlled possession but lacked the final punch—likely the only game Babadi’s absence felt truly obvious.

We’ve scored 18, conceded 6, and look like a genuine contender to reach the knockouts as a top-8 seed.

Trophée des Champions

In the Trophée des Champions, we opened the season with a statement 2–1 win over PSG—Gouiri and Østigård with the goals. That trophy, while minor, sent the message: last year wasn’t a fluke.

Coupe de France

And now we’re entering the Coupe de France, starting with EA Guingamp in the ninth round. We’ll take that seriously. We always do.

Player Performance Summary

Our success has been a collective one, but a few individuals deserve special praise:

Top 5 Performers

Jef Godelaine – Striker
Apps: 9 | Goals: 7 | Assists: 1 | Avg. Rating: 7.23

The new signing has hit the ground running. Direct, instinctive, and lethal inside the box. His movement complements Kalimuendo perfectly, and his ability to stretch play has opened up new dynamics for our attack.

Mesfin Tesfaye – Winger (Youth)
Apps: 16 | Goals: 1 | Assists: 6 | Avg. Rating: 7.36

At just 18, Tesfaye has been electric. Confident, composed, and relentless in pressing. He’s added width and flair to the right flank and looks destined for stardom.

Aleksandar Pavlović – Midfield General
Apps: 23 | Goals: 1 | Assists: 9 | Avg. Rating: 7.26

Orchestrator of our tempo. He’s become our most consistent midfielder, balancing aggression and vision. His influence in tight Champions League games has been key.

Zoran Alilović – Attacking Midfielder
Apps: 24 | Goals: 6 | Assists: 3 | Avg. Rating: 7.14

Quietly efficient. His movement off the ball and ability to link midfield to attack has kept us balanced in Babadi’s absence.

Dennis Seimen – Goalkeeper
Apps: 25 | Clean Sheets: 12 | Avg. Rating: 7.14

A wall. His development has been remarkable. Saves points every other week and now commands his box with real presence.

Honourable Mentions:

Amine Gouiri: 9 goals, 5 assists, 7.16 rating—vital link between midfield and attack.

Arthur Theate: Our defensive general, still consistent as ever.

Albert Navarro: Stepped up at left-back when needed—delivered every time.

Ludovic Blas: 5 goals, 3 assists, averaging 7.25—veteran experience invaluable.

Squad Assessment

The squad is strong, but not without fault.

Strengths:

Tactical cohesion—players know their roles and can rotate positions without confusion.

Squad depth across most areas, particularly wide positions and midfield.

Experience blended with youth—we’re getting production from both.

Weaknesses:

Contract situations brewing quietly in the background could become bigger if unresolved.

Defensive lapses against deep blocks still frustrate—Feyenoord was a reminder.

Over-dependence on key players like Kalimuendo and Pavlović when the team needs control.

Looking Ahead: How Do We Keep It Going

So what comes next?

Strategic Outlook:

We must resolve or at least manage contract tensions—Truffert, Delprato, and Babadi need to feel valued, even if that means creative incentives rather than straight salary bumps.

Babadi’s return will need to be carefully managed—he’s key, but we can’t rush him.

In the January window, we may look to add a central midfielder if injuries mount, but no major overhauls are expected.

We must aim to finish top 8 in the Champions League phase—guaranteeing a better draw for the knockouts.

Prioritising squad rotation in the spring will be crucial—we have the squad to do it.

Final Thoughts

Personally, I’m proud. Not just of the results, but of the evolution. We’re not the same team we were last season—we’re smarter. And if we finish the second half of the season as strong as we’ve started it, we won’t just defend our title. We’ll redefine what this club is capable of.

Season Four (Part 3): The Invincibles

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The funny thing about football is that no matter how much you win, you never feel done.

You’d think going an entire Ligue 1 season undefeated—34 games, 28 wins, 6 draws, 0 losses—would bring some sense of finality. A kind of closure. Instead, what I feel is something closer to momentum. We’re not at the end of something. We’re in the middle of something extraordinary.

This season, Stade Rennais wrote its name into history. Again. We retained the league title with a level of consistency and resilience I’ve never experienced. We fought in Europe. We held our own against the very best. But the moments that will stay with me forever weren’t always the flashy ones. They were the quiet decisions, the personal battles, the dressing room disputes, the pressure of choice when no answer was perfect.

This season was personal. For the club, for the players—and for me.

Transfer Reflections: Precision Over Overhaul

The summer wasn’t about fireworks. It was about balance. Champions League football meant we had to be smart—not just in who we brought in, but who we let go.

Top 3 Incomings:

Gastón Rodríguez (Loan From Unión) –

This was one of the best signings I have ever made, it has to be up there with the free signing of Khayon Edwards back when I was at Peterborough. At just 18, Rodríguez played nearly every minute as our right full back, he managed 4 assists and 1 goal. He has impressed me that much that I have agreed to make him a permanent signing going forward next season.

Jef Godelaine – £6.5M From Antwerp

An inspired piece of business. A sharp, instinctive striker who bagged 8 goals in just 13 appearances, he offered a much-needed alternative to Kalimuendo. His debut brace in the Champions League against Benfica turned heads.

Balázs Vécsei – £14.5M From West Brom

Quiet but reliable. A central defender who gave us control when Østigård or Theate needed rest. Particularly strong in aerial duels—won 64%—and tactically aware.

Top 3 Outgoings:

Gonzalo Montiel – £14M To Al-Gharafa

Montiel had been solid, but age and injuries caught up. Letting him go wasn’t easy, but it allowed Gastón Rodríguez and Diallo to grow into the role.

No Baptiste Santamaria – £17.5M To Al-Wehda

Another respected servant who didn’t fit the tactical future. His leadership was missed, but we’ve evolved.

Jordan James – £3M To Troyes

Deserved more minutes, but competition was too fierce. We respected his desire for regular football.

Competition-By-Competition Review

Ligue 1 Uber Eats – Champions (90 pts)

Let’s be honest—this was historic.

To go unbeaten across an entire season is rare at any level. To do it in France, against the might of PSG, Marseille, Lyon, and Monaco? Almost unthinkable.

We:

• Scored 78 goals
• Conceded just 22
• Kept 24 clean sheets
• Never trailed in the table after October

Key matches defined our run:

• 4–0 vs OM (Nov) – A ruthless demolition at home.
• 3–0 vs Lorient (April) – Kalimuendo’s second-half hat-trick was a masterclass
• 3–1 vs Lyon (Final day) – Fitting to close out the season with confidence.

Even when we had blips—like a late draw vs Toulouse or a sluggish 0–0 with Metz—we didn’t break. That resilience is a credit to the squad’s mentality.

UEFA Champions League – Round of 16

It was our return to Europe’s top table. I’d waited for this my whole career.

We finished 3rd in the league phase:

• Wins vs PSV, Benfica, Midtjylland, Fenerbahçe
• Draw vs Chelsea (0–0) at home
• Loss at Feyenoord (0–1)

Knock-out play-off:

Beat Athletic Bilbao 3–1 on aggregate. Tight in Spain, commanding at Roazhon Park.

Then came the test: Paris Saint-Germain. We drew 0–0 at home. I was proud of that. Disciplined, well-drilled. In Paris, we fought. Gouiri even gave us hope. But a 2–1 defeat knocked us out. Fine margins at the top.

I won’t call it failure—it was a debut campaign to be proud of.

Coupe de France – Quarter Final Exit

We beat:

• EA Guingamp (2–0)
• Auxerre (1–0)
• Lorient (2–0)

But in the quarter-final, we drew Marseille away. Zoran Alilović opened the scoring, but they pegged us back, and penalties decided it. A tough exit, but understandable.

Trophée des Champions – Winners

We opened the season with a 2–1 win vs PSG. Østigård’s header and Gouiri’s volley set the tone.

Player Performance Review

Top 5 Players:

Mesfin Tesfaye (7.33 Avg, 9 Assists, 4 Goals)

At just 19, he was electric. Our best wide outlet, and probably our most creative player with Babadi sidelined. His work rate and fearlessness made him undroppable.

Dennis Seimen (7.18 Avg, 24 Clean Sheets)

His shot-stopping is elite. Seimen is not just a goalkeeper—he’s a difference-maker. At 22, he already plays like a veteran.

Ludovic Blas (7.22 Avg, 10 Goals, 7 Assists)

The heartbeat of our midfield. Never flashy, but always effective. He stepped up in Europe when we needed someone to dictate pace.

Zoran Alilović (7.09 Avg, 10 Goals, 22 Assists)

Quietly became our assist machine. His set-pieces were deadly. 22 assists speaks for itself.

Arnaud Kalimuendo (19 Goals In All Comps)

Our finisher. Always delivers. His consistency has been key in games where chances are few.

Honourable Mentions:

Isaac Babadi – Despite injuries, 5 goals and 10 assists.

Arthur Theate – Led the defence with aggression and control.

Aleksandar Pavlović – Orchestrated transitions with intelligence.

Squad Dynamics: Strengths And Fault Lines

Strengths:

Balance – We have youth, experience, and depth in almost every position.

Identity – Our 4-4-1-1 pressing system is cohesive and understood.

Resilience – From Babadi’s toe break to fixture congestion, we always found a way.

Weaknesses:

Contract disputes – Delprato, Truffert, and Babadi have pushed for new deals. I understand them, but we’re not in a position to offer massive increases. It’s an awkward dance—especially with Babadi’s status.

Omari’s frustration – Warmed Omari has voiced his unhappiness over playing time. I’ve tried to rotate him, but in truth, he’s not at the level needed to start ahead of Østigård or Theate.

Fatigue – Our intensity comes at a cost. A few matches in spring—like the draw with Nice or the late-season stalemate with Metz—showed tired legs.

Club Developments And Off-Pitch Highlights

A few big milestones worth mentioning:

New Stadium Announced

The board officially confirmed plans for a brand-new stadium. Capacity, location, and timeline are still under wraps, but the symbolism is clear: Rennes is not content being a mid-table side in history. We are building something to last.

Youth Dominance

Our U19s won the French National League. That’s not just a fluke—it’s a sign of our structure. We’ve got at least four players in that group I’d consider for preseason call-ups.

Strategic Outlook & My Future

Let’s not avoid it.

My contract ends this summer.

I’ve had talks. The board want me to stay. And I want to stay… maybe. But I’ve also got to be real with myself. I’m 35. I’ve just gone undefeated in Ligue 1, retained a title, and navigated the Champions League knockout stages on debut. This might be the time to take the leap.

I haven’t engaged with any clubs yet. But I know a few jobs are about to become available—jobs that could define a career.

The only promise I can make is this: I’ll make the decision for football reasons. Not for money. Not for ego. I love this club. I feel comfortable here. But I won’t stop myself from dreaming bigger just because comfort feels safe.

Wherever I end up—whether here in Rennes or elsewhere—I’ll be proud of what we’ve done.

And I’ll never forget this season. Because undefeated campaigns don’t come around often.

But belief? Belief should never leave.

Season Five (Part 1): Goodbye Rennes

Written by

The Second Half FM

in

My Life From The Dugout

Thanks for taking the time to join the journey, if it’s your first time here check out the journey from the start here. If you’re back to continue the journey a BIG thank you for your support but if you did miss the last update it’s here. 
 

The last time I wrote one of these, I had just completed a season without losing a single league game. We’d lifted back-to-back Ligue 1 titles at Stade Rennais, competed in the Champions League knockout rounds, and been declared untouchable by a board who were in the process of building a brand-new stadium in my honour.

Now I sit here, not at the pinnacle of a dominant club, but preparing for my first game in charge of a Villarreal side sitting mid-table, five months into a messy campaign, trying to bring direction to a squad that has lost its way.

And yet, I’ve never been more excited.

Leaving Rennes

This summer, after Rennes’ historic invincible season, I decided the time was right to push for the next step. I applied for one job. Just one. The big one: Inter Milan.

The Blu-Neri had just finished 4th in Serie A and sacked Simone Inzaghi after two consecutive trophyless seasons. With £180 million in transfer funds and one of the strongest squads in Europe, it was the kind of project I felt ready for. Honestly, I believed it was a perfect fit.

But football doesn’t always hand you what you’ve earned.

Despite my record—undefeated Ligue 1 champion, two-time title winner, Champions League contender—I didn’t get the job. The board went in a different direction. I was disappointed. Not bitter. But it made me reassess where I was.

That’s when I knew my time at Stade Rennais was done.

I went into the boardroom and told them, face to face, that I was leaving. It wasn’t about money. It wasn’t about status. It was about timing. I’d taken the club as far as I could. We had completed something historic together, and I wasn’t going to let things stagnate or unravel. They offered me a multi-year extension. They tried. But I knew.

And when you know, you know.

Where I See Myself Next

After leaving, I made the conscious decision to take a step back. Not out of the game entirely, but from the intensity. I’d been in management non-stop since I was 30. At 34, I’d achieved more than many ever do. But I also knew I had more to give. I just needed the right club.

That’s when I created my own criteria.

My next job needed to be:

A Champions League-calibre club, or at least one with the infrastructure and ambition to get there quickly.

Based in Germany, Spain, Italy, or England—the top four leagues in Europe.

A team with a top-four ceiling and room to grow.

That might sound arrogant to some. But I’ve earned the right to be selective. I knocked PSG off their perch in France. I took a club with no title history and made them champions twice—once undefeated. I’ve beaten elite clubs with less money, less reputation, and a fraction of the resources.

Now, I wanted to test myself at a club with the pedigree and ambition to match my vision.

Heading To Spain

Months passed. I stayed patient. I watched football again as a fan. I spent time with my family. I kept my eye on the market.

Then in December, Villarreal came calling.

At the time, they were languishing in 11th place in La Liga. They had won just 3 of their first 13 games. The squad was ageing. The atmosphere had turned. But beneath the surface, I saw something. A core group of players worth building around. A club with Champions League history and a fan base starving for clarity.

I met with the board. We talked about the identity I wanted to bring. The tactical philosophy. The development pathway. They talked about a modest but manageable transfer budget, a desire to restructure the squad with youth, and full control over the sporting side.

It wasn’t Inter Milan. It wasn’t a Champions League club. But it was real. And most importantly—it was mine to build.

So I signed.

Now, I’m preparing to take charge of my first game at Villarreal. The club has just won three games on the bounce—all under interim guidance. That momentum is something I can work with.

And though I haven’t managed a minute yet, I’ve watched every game from the past two months twice. I’ve sat in on training. I’ve spoken to every player in one-on-one meetings. And I’ve already begun shaping what this team will become.

The tactical setup will not change. This club is going to adopt the system that I’ve built and refined since Peterborough. The 4-4-1-1 that flexes into a 4-2-3-1 in possession. High-tempo pressing, organised transitions, vertical build-up, wide creativity, and structure in the middle third.

It won us titles at Rennes. It’s going to define this rebuild at Villarreal.

Foundations Are There But Work Needed

Let’s be honest—the squad needs work.

There are too many players on the wrong side of 30, and too many roles being filled by players who are past their best. But there’s also a core that I can build around. Three players, in particular, have impressed me before I’ve even taken charge:

Anel Ahmedhodžić – A physically dominant, ball-playing centre-back with leadership qualities and a sharp reading of the game. One of the few defenders in the squad who hasn’t lost a yard.

Mathías Olivera – Still a highly effective left-back with strong defensive instincts and relentless stamina. I love full-backs who press high and recover deep. He fits that mold.

Hugo Larsson – Possibly the most exciting player in the team. A dynamic midfielder who breaks lines, presses relentlessly, and has an eye for goal. He’s got shades of Pavlović in him.

Those three are the foundation. Add to that some promising youth prospects from the B team, and we’ve got a platform.

The board have allocated a reasonable transfer budget. It won’t rival the giants, but it’s enough to bring in 3-4 impact players in January, and to move on some of the older faces who are no longer contributing at the highest level.

Targets are already identified. We’ll focus on:

A young, quick centre-forward who fits our pressing system.

A versatile centre-back under 24.

A dynamic attacking midfielder capable of unlocking tight defences.

And possibly, a new goalkeeper if performances don’t improve quickly.

The Process

This job won’t be about instant trophies. It’s about rebuilding with a plan. Villarreal have fallen behind in the past two seasons. They’ve watched other Spanish clubs invest, evolve, and modernise—while they stagnated.

Now it’s time to shift that trajectory.

My goals for the second half of the season are clear:

Establish our tactical identity.

Finish top eight, if possible. But above all, build momentum.

Create a platform for next year—where we target top four, Europe, and silverware.

Final Thoughts

On a personal note, this feels like a new chapter—maybe the most exciting one yet. I’ve tested myself in England. I’ve built something unforgettable in France. Now, I take my methods to Spain—into a league filled with technical brilliance, tactical nuance, and pressure.

I know some people are watching to see if I can succeed outside Rennes. I understand that. But the truth is—I’m ready. More ready than I’ve ever been.

This job isn’t just a stepping stone. It’s an opportunity to create something lasting.

I’ve been out of the dugout for a few months now, and I’ve missed it. I’ve missed the training ground, the analysis, the post-match reflections, the chance to mould a group.

Now I get to do it all again—at a club with history, expectation, and opportunity.

I haven’t managed a game yet—but I’m ready.

Let’s go.

— Lucas Halberg

Manager, Villarreal CF

Season Five (Part 2): Defying All Expectations

Written by

The Second Half FM

in

My Life From The Dugout

Thanks for taking the time to join the journey, if it’s your first time here check out the journey from the start here. If you’re back to continue the journey a BIG thank you for your support but if you did miss the last update it’s here.

What a whirlwind of a season. It’s hard to believe that less than a year ago I was sitting in my office at Rennes, fresh off back-to-back Ligue 1 titles, Champions League qualification, and a near-undefeated domestic run. Leaving Rennes was never going to be easy, but I knew I had taken them as far as I could. I had a sense that it was time for the next chapter. So when Villarreal came calling in December with the club languishing in 11th, I decided to take on a fresh challenge.

I walked into a club in flux — one clearly underachieving with a squad full of aging stars and lingering doubts. The opening 13 games of their campaign had only produced three wins. The squad was capable, but confidence was shot. Still, what I saw in this group was fight. And after three wins on the bounce before I officially took charge, there was at least a flicker of belief.

From the moment I arrived, I stayed true to what brought me success — the 4-4-1-1 control possession system I’d honed since my Peterborough days. There were no grand tactical overhauls, just a belief in structure, clarity, and accountability. I instilled pressing triggers, disciplined shape, and the same identity that had carried me to the top of French football. The transition wasn’t instant, but it took hold quicker than I expected.

We rallied. We evolved. We surged.

Despite injuries, setbacks, and dips in form, we achieved something many didn’t think was possible in December — finishing third in La Liga. Villarreal, a club that looked destined for a mid-table slog, is now back in the Champions League. And while there were bumps along the way, I am incredibly proud of what we accomplished in just under six months.

Transfer Analysis

We didn’t overhaul the squad, but we made shrewd additions — a blend of youth, potential, and a couple of bets. With just over £20m spent in the winter window, we were operating within limits, but got maximum output.

Top Three Signings:

Jonas Madsen (£10M From FC Midtjylland)

A young Danish midfielder who struggled to adapt at first but showed flashes of why we brought him in. Still raw, but a tidy passer with physicality — a long-term investment.

Oscar Espósito (£5M From Lanús)

A clever signing from Argentina. Despite only playing six games, he averaged a 7.05 rating and showed a directness we lacked. He’ll be a big piece going forward.

Miodrag Miljković (£2.5M From Čukarički)

The Serbian anchorman played 24 games and held his own in tough fixtures. Quietly efficient and tactically disciplined, his debut season was more than promising.

Departures:

Ramón Terrats (£10M To Al-Khaleej)

A big personality to lose, but he wasn’t part of my long-term vision. At £10M, it was smart business.

Santi Comesaña (£9.75M To Rosenborg)

This one was a risk, as he had a role to play. But we had younger options who needed opportunities. A tough call, but necessary for evolution.

Alfonso Pedraza (£2.7M To Leeds)

A long-time servant of the club, but age and injuries had caught up. Moving him on opened minutes for younger fullbacks.

Competition Review

La Liga — 3rd Place (73 points)

When I arrived, we were stuck in 11th, eight points off the top four. My only instruction to the team was simple — let’s go game by game and build momentum. We did more than that.

We collected 50 points in the final 25 games under my watch. Some big results: a 3-0 home win over Real Hispalis, thumping 4-0 victories against Eibar and Bilbao, and the crucial 2-1 win over Getafe late in the run-in.

What impressed me most was our resilience — from matchday 26 onward, we never dropped outside the top four. Even with key absentees, the squad showed steel. Barcelona and Real Madrid were a level above, but for now, we’re comfortably the best of the rest.

Spanish Cup — Quarter Final (Lost to Barcelona)

We had a decent run but ran into the Barcelona juggernaut at Camp Nou. Losing 3-1 was tough to take, especially after battling so hard to get there — including dramatic wins over Granada and Eibar. Still, the cup run offered minutes to fringe players and showed we’re building depth.

Player Performance Summary

We saw standout campaigns from several players, with veterans leading the way and younger stars emerging.

Top 5 Performers

Álex Baena – 7.08 Average Rating, 15 Goals, 11 Assists

The heartbeat of this team. His late runs, goal contributions, and big-game temperament made the difference. He hit double digits in both goals and assists and was named in our internal player of the season vote.

Anel Ahmedhodžić – 7.19 Average Rating

A rock at the back. Commanding in the air, comfortable in possession, and vocal throughout. He made 41 appearances and rarely dipped below 7/10.

Matías Arezo – 20 Goals

Our leading scorer and a menace in the box. He combined power with intelligence, scored big goals in tight matches, and was the spearhead we needed.

Jean-Clair Todibo – 7.05 Average Rating, 5 Goals

A leader in every sense. Added a surprising goal threat from set-pieces too. Rarely beaten in 1v1s, and his form in the second half of the season was vital to our top-four finish.

Reiss Nelson – 7.07 Average Rating, 7 Goals, 8 Assists

The winger played his best football under my guidance. Efficient, hardworking, and technical — he delivered consistency, something he’s struggled with in the past.

Honourable Mentions:

Hugo Larsson – Solid in midfield with a 7.09 rating, chipped in with 3 goals and 5 assists.

Marco Asensio – Veteran presence who contributed 7 goals and 13 assists across 37 games.

Mathías Olivera – Brilliant season at left-back before injury cut his campaign short.

Tariq Lamptey – Energetic and tireless at right back. Had to carry the load during key absences.

Squad Assessment

Strengths:

Creativity and balance in midfield: Baena, Larsson, and Pobega provided variety — goals, steel, and control.

Defensive leadership: Ahmedhodžić and Todibo formed one of the league’s top CB pairings.

Depth on the wings: Reiss Nelson, Asensio, Akhomach — we had rotation and different profiles for different games.

Weaknesses:

Injury concerns: Losing Olivera and Hedl at crunch time nearly derailed our run-in. Depth at fullback and GK is still light.

Lack of elite striker options: Arezo was great, but we need another forward with a different skill set to challenge or complement him.

Aging rotation options: Ceballos, Danjuma, and Živković are good pros, but next season we need to replace or phase them out.

Strategic Recommendations For 28/29

Reinforce the left side of defense: Olivera is great, but his injury history means we need a reliable understudy or rotational starter.

Buy a goalkeeper: Hedl is solid, but we can’t afford to risk another run-in without dependable backup. A ball-playing GK would elevate our build-up play.

Sign a striker with pace: Someone who can stretch defenses and offer something different from Arezo. We rely too heavily on Baena and Reiss for creative spark — we need a chaos-maker up top.

Move on the aging depth: If we’re serious about competing on all fronts, we can’t carry players who only offer leadership. Squad evolution is crucial.

Keep faith in the system: The 4-4-1-1 works. We’ve proven it in England, France, and now Spain. Don’t fix what isn’t broken — just polish it.

Final Thoughts

This season felt like a turning point in my career. I proved I could walk into a club mid-season and implement my ideas quickly. I took a mid-table Villarreal side and dragged them into the Champions League spots. The feedback from the board and fans has been overwhelmingly positive — but I won’t pretend there weren’t moments of strain.

The big headline came when, after just 148 days in charge, I applied for the Liverpool job. That might raise eyebrows, but I’ve always said I’ll be honest about my ambitions. I’m not looking to leave Villarreal immediately — I love it here. But when a club of Liverpool’s stature becomes available, you have to look. It’s not disloyalty — it’s progression.

Whatever happens this summer, I’m proud of what we’ve built here. This team is exciting, brave, and bought into my vision. Whether I’m here next season or somewhere else, I’ll never forget the 27/28 season — the season we proved everyone wrong.