On a quest to be the best. [FM15]

Good work with Trafford. Chairman is clean off.

Aye, indeed they are Johno but I'm just pleased we've got quite a good squad for Conference level.

Cheers Cymro, he is like.


We have reached the penultimate month of the year and so far it's been a good season bar a stuttering start as we haven't lost in the league since August and with five league games in November we're hoping the unbeaten run continues, oh we've also got an FA Cup first round home tie vs. Chester.


November began with a well deserved 2-0 win away to Forest Green Rovers thanks to two second half goals. Neil Lyons broke the deadlock on fifty two minutes, winger Michael Wharton doubled the lead with twenty two minutes remaining.

It was then back-to-back away games as we beat Hayes & Yeading three one as Neil Lyons, Fahri Berge and Denis Moon scored.

We then advanced to the second round of the FA Cup, shocking Chester 2-1 at home thanks to a late, late Denis Moon goal as he scored in the first minute of second half stoppage time, Neil Lyons scored the other goal on thirty three minutes.

The side returned to league action with a home fixture against last seasons 'bogey' team Grimsby, we beat them two one. Denis Moon scored seven minutes before half time and then left winger Shaun Gardner won the game as we entered second half stoppage time.

Trip to Dorchester was our penultimate game of the month as we recorded a four two win thanks to different goal scorers all in the second half - Shaun Gardner, an own goal from Cameron Kemp, Fahri Berge and Michael King scored.

We then concluded the month with a convincing 4-0 win away to Tamworth as winger Shaun Gardner converted two penalties either side of half time, James Roberts opened the scoring on thirty one minutes and Neil Lyons completed the scoring with ten minutes left.


Following another unbeaten month, we have a six point lead over Port Vale and I'm pleased as we struggled to get top spot last season in the Conference North. Sixty three goals have been scored in our twenty one games so far and only twenty six have been conceded thus far, quite impressive to date.

It has been a tremendous season to date as the club are proudly sitting six points clear at the top of the table following a long unbeaten run and with confidence high, the unbeaten run (last defeat in August, away to Bath) could continue for a long time, the final month of 2034 will see us play in the league, FA Cup and also participate in the FA Trophy.


Our long unbeaten run continued into December as we began with a 4-1 home success over Woking courtesy of goals from winger Shaun Gardner, Kaiyne Scannell, the prolific Neil Lyons and our other winger Michael Wharton.

Despite Kaiyne Scannell scoring twice inside the opening twenty seven minutes, we could only draw with Macclesfield.

We then made the trip to Vanarama South (I believe they are anyway) side Sutton United in the second round of the FA Cup and advanced to round three after a hard fought two nil win against the ten men. The hosts were already down to ten men before Neil Lyons and Denis Moon struck in the second half.

A trip to Corby began our FA Trophy cup run as we recorded a 5-2 victory in the first round Northern section. Denis Moon, Neil Lyons, on-loan Mark Smith 2 and Shaun Gardner all bagged goals and we will travel to Harrogate in the second round.

On boxing day the side welcomed Peterborough United to our 'wonderful' home and demolished them five goals to one as once again centre back James Roberts scored, this time on three minutes while Michael Wharton scored twice, Jay McManus and Shaun Gardner also on the score sheet.

And the year would end with a 6-3 win over fellow promotion contenders Bath as both Neil Lyons and Fahri Berge hit doubles in this nine goal thriller - Ian Coady and a Kaiyne Scannell penalty the other goal scorers.


The side will head into the New Year with a eight point lead at the summit of the Vanarama Conference table after a long unbeaten run that so far has lasted four long months and with confidence high, I can't see it ending any time soon. A staggering eighty goals have been scored in our first twenty five games and that's pretty mental, thirty three have been conceded.

Happy New Year folks, it's twenty thirty five and we have had an outstanding first half to the league season, losing just the two league games and sitting eight points clear of second placed Port Vale, just three league games were played this month along with potentially two FA Cup ties and the possibility of two FA Trophy games.


The New Year began on the road as the side travelled to Torquay United and secured a 2-0 success as the unbeaten league run continued. Ian Coady broke the deadlock after fifteen minutes before Neil Lyons sealed the points with the second goal on sixty three minutes.

Against all the odds the side then progressed in the FA Cup following a shock 4-1 win over Championship side Blackpool. Darren Halford, Neil Lyons, Fahri Berge and Denis Moon scored and the side will make the trip to League Two side Fleetwood in the fourth round later this month, game to be played in the twenty seventh.

Our long unbeaten league run came to an end following a three one home defeat against Port Vale, Neil Lyons bagged our goal on the stroke of half time.

Two penalty kicks saw us advance to the third round of the FA Trophy after a two one win away to Harrogate. Darren Halford scored both spot kicks after sixteen minutes and in the first minute of second half stoppage time.

Neil Lyons' goal on twenty five minutes saw us seal a single goal win at home to Maidstone.

We then travelled to Fleetwood Town in the fourth round of the FA Cup and secured a one all draw on our travels to force a replay at home, Ian Coady bagged our goal on sixty four minutes.

The month would then be completed with a hard fought 2-1 victory over Macclesfield at home in the FA Trophy third round as both goals were scored in the second period. James Roberts scored on fifty nine minutes while Michael Wharton's goal, ten minutes later, sealed the deserved passage.


We have had no choice but to 'surrender' top spot in the league following that defeat to the new leaders Port Vale and also because of postponements but if we can manage to win the games in hand then our title picture will be back on track. Just four league goals were scored this month and that's so bad, I should maybe resign? Nah, it's still been a tremendous campaign and needs to end with at least promotion to the Football League.

Just three months are remaining in the current season as we have reached the 'business end' of the campaign and with the club still being successful in three different competitions, eight games were played over the course of February over the three competitions - Conference, FA Cup and FA Trophy.


The second month of the year began with a home fixture against AFC Telford as we edged a five goal thriller, 3-2 as Neil Lyons was the difference maker with the striker bagging a treble - the former Barrow man's goals arrived after two, twenty three and forty minutes with the third coming from the spot.

Just four days later and the side advanced to the fifth round of the FA Cup on penalties against League Two side Fleetwood Town. It was one apiece after ninety minutes when Neil Lyons fired home on sixty three minutes, Kaiyne Scannell then scored six minutes into extra time and Lyons' second came on one hundred and six minutes. The side advanced on penalties.

We then needed extra time to defeat Oxford City in the FA Trophy fourth round tie - Ian Coady scored on the stroke of half time before Neil Lyons and Michael Wharton added two more goals in extra time.

Scunthorpe then scored four goals to send us to our fourth defeat of the season as they won four one. Neil Lyons scored our consolation goal with twenty one minutes remaining.

Our FA Cup run ended at the hands of Hull City away from home but I'm proud to have gotten to the fifth round, not bad for a Conference side who was only predicted to get to the second round. We were four goals down at half time iirc but two goals in the final twenty minutes from Shaun Gardner and Jason Cotterill gave us some 'cheer'.

The side then bounced back and beat Harrogate 5-1 at home in a game that saw the prolific Neil Lyons bag a treble while the other two goals were own goals from Graham Collins on twenty two minutes and then Dominic Lamb a half an hour later.

Four days later the side travelled to Torquay United for the FA Trophy semi final first leg and edged the game two one. James Roberts scored from the penalty spot on fifty one minutes and then with the side down to ten men, Bryn Williams nipped in to 'steal' the win.

We'd then travel to Tranmere Rovers to conclude the second month of twenty thirty five and record a 3-1 win as for the third time in this month, Neil Lyons scored a hat trick in the Vanarama Conference.


We remain in second place and two points behind leaders Port Vale but we still have three games in hand over the former Football League side. In our thirty two games, we've scored a remarkable ninety six goals so the one hundred goal barrier in my managerial career will be beaten once again and the side have shipped forty four goals.

A busy month in the league was upon us as we had to navigate seven Conference league games over a twenty three day period and I think that's pretty ridicilous but due to postponements we didn't really have a choice in the matter, we also played our FA Trophy semi final second leg as well this month against Torquay.


And it was that FA Trophy semi final second leg at home to Torquay that began the month and we needed extra time to finally see us the plucky Gulls and ensured our place in the final against Peterborough following a three all draw on the night and a 5-4 win on aggregate. Neil Lyons scored after forty nine and ninety seven while James Roberts' goal on one hundred and twelve minutes ended up being the 'winner'.

We then made our return to league action just three days later and lost two one away to Dartford in a game that was 'televised', Neil Lyons scored our goal with ten first half minutes remaining.

Jason Cotterill bagged a first half hat trick as we beat Aldershot 4-1 at home, the other Trafford goal was an own goal through Russell Sheridan with thirteen minutes left at Shawe View.

Our fourth game in ten days saw the side make the trip to Gateshead's International Stadium and pick up a two all draw as former Barnsley attacking midfielder Mike Miller, signed due to a long-term Kaiyne Scannell injury scored twice in the space of ten second half minutes as we dropped points in the North east.

The busy month continued with another league fixture, this time we welcomed Forest Green Rovers to our home and beat them 5-2 as Mark Smith, on-loan from Rotherham United scored twice, as did Mike Miller while Alex Walton scored our other goal of the game.

We finally had a break as our next game which would be away to Gainsborough wasn't until 'seven days' but when it finally came around, we dropped points in a one all draw, winger Michael Wharton bagged our goal on sixty seven minutes but we perhaps should have won.

It would then be back-to-back draws as we welcomed Hayes & Yeading just two days after the Gainsborough draw, this time the game finished two apiece as Darren Halford and Mike Miller netted, Miller's goal arriving with just three minutes remaining.

The penultimate month then ended with a hard fought and 'stressful' 3-2 victory away at Nuneaton - Alex Walton, Neil Lyons and Michael King bagged the goal but I was disappointed to have conceded two more goals and thus failed to keep a clean sheet this month.


Things are beginning to look a little rosy as we'll be heading into the final month of the current campaign, although in second place, level on points with the leaders Port Vale and still with two games in hand over them as we've both scored goals freely this month - one hundred and fourteen for ourselves and one hundred and ten for Port Vale. Mental.

We have reached the final month of the league season and we're still in with a great chance on winning the Vanarama Conference title this season as we are in the 'driving seat', especially with two games in hand and currently level on points. We have seven league games remaining and we also have the FA Trophy final against Peterborough.


We began the month with the FA Trophy final against Peterborough and despite being outplayed for large parts of the season we still won the competition on penalties following a two all draw after extra time. Mike Miller and Jason Cotterill scored our goals and we won three one on penalties.


The side then travelled to Boreham Wood in the league and secured a four two win as Jason Cotterill got us off to a flyer as he slotted home a spot kick after only two minutes while the other goals came from Neil Lyons, David Foot and Mark Smith.

A home fixture against Dorchester was up next and we recorded an excellent 5-1 win at Shawe View in a game that will be remembered by Mike Miller who scored a hat trick, including a spot kick with five minutes remaining. The other goals came from Alex Walton and Neil Lyons.

It was then a ten goal thriller away to Worcester as we hammered them 8-2 as Mike Miller, Shaun Gardner and Neil Lyons all hit doubles on the road while Denis Moon and left back Shane Shoemark also found the net in the thumping win.

We then made the trip to Woking and suffered a disappointing four two defeat, Denis Moon scoring twice.

Our third consecutive away game in the Vanarama Conference took us to Grimsby Town and the suffered a 'disgraceful' four goals to nil defeat, we were woeful and that's all I'm mentioning on that game.

The side the returned home for just the second time this month and a double from Neil Lyons was enough to see us finally secure the league title as Tamworth were beaten two one. Lyons' goals arrived after twenty nine and forty seven minutes.


However the season would then be concluded with a three two defeat away to Macclesfield Town in a game that saw us play well but fail in a five goal thriller, it was a 'pointless' game at the end of the day as the league had been secured in the previous game. Michael Wharton and James Roberts scored in either half.


This is how the top half of the league table has ended up, we secured the league title, finishing two points ahead of Port Vale who had to deal with a play-off spot along with Dartford, Grimsby and Peterborough as Macclesfield missed out on the play-off's by a point and Bath by two. One hundred and thirty seven goals scored is quite remarkable but seventy three conceded is not.


Following our league and FA Trophy success this season, I have decided to end my reign at Trafford Football Club as I leave Shawe View with immediate effect. I've to admit, I enjoyed my near two year stint at the club but after securing the Vanarama Conference North, Vanarama Conference and FA Trophy in my two seasons, I felt it was a waste of time staying on.

As for my next step in management, I don't know my next destination but it won't be in England.

Nearly averaged 3 goals per game. Good work on the 2 trophies!

Easy season that

Cheers bmg033, it was a great season and I'm delighted to have chalked the league and cup double off.

Yet somehow we only managed to finish two points ahead of Port Vale, Dan?


Following our league and cup double last season, I ended my near two year stint at Trafford around the middle of May and it was time to begin looking for work as I decided to fire up more leagues to give me more teams to 'play' with. I felt the next managerial change needed to be a challenge and I'm hoping this will and I'm praying we don't win the league this season, if we do then I'm closing this thread and never playing Football Manager 2015 again. Fact.


As you can see, I have decided to takeover the vacant managerial post at Lugano who apparently haven't had a manager since their previous one retired something like seven or so years ago and the other thing I noticed when I took over, they had a small squad so work needed to be done and they also didn't have a single staff member, something I didn't even think of checking.

I've been given a transfer budget of nine hundred thousand pound but some of that will need to be pushed into the wage budget if I'm going to sign players, signings are needed and the team are predicted to finish the season down in seventh place so this should be the challenge I need to avoid motivational problems.

Because I didn't have a pre-season, I'll post the signings in this thread.


Thirteen players have arrived at the club but I only signed ten of them (avoid the top three) and now I feel I've a squad ready to compete this season and to cover any possible injuries and suspensions.

Stephan Schulz probably won't play this season, he's been mainly brought in as the under eighteen reserve manager, Andy McCormack, Emanuele Farina and Giacomo De Maio have joined on season long loan deals, Felix Burke and Ross McKay have joined from Dungannon and Glentoran on frees.

We spent twenty four and a half thousand pound to sign Brendan Fleming from Glentoran while Carlo Passiatore, Gudbrand Larsen and Francis Antwi have all joined on free transfers after finding themselves 'unemployed', Larsen previously was on the books of Newcastle and Exeter and at thirty one years old will add experience.

With me having no pre season to get the players prepared with the tactic that I'd use, I had eight days to get signings in and get the formation sorted before my opening game, a home fixture against league favourites St. Gallen isn't the ideal start I'd want, that was one of seven league games this month.


I couldn't have asked for a perfect start to the reigns at Lugano as we faced and beat league favourites St. Gallen 3-1 at home in a game that'll be remembered by the on-loan Italian Giacomo De Maio as he struck a first half hat trick on his debut in our one and only game in July.

We then began the month of August with a trip to Juventus as we eased to a four nil win on our travels. Ross McKay scored on his debut after forty one minutes following his switch from Glentoran, Theo Oliveira then doubled the lead on forty eight minutes and scored a spot kick with fifteen minutes remaining, McKay's second of the game, on his debut sealed an emphatic away win.

I'd then suffer my first defeat of my reign, going down two nil at home to Servette, we had ten men and they scored twice with our disadvantage.

The team would bounce back in style, thumping Tuggen 5-2 but I was a little disappointed to have conceded twice in the game. Goals from Andy Degryse who scored twice, Davide Di Bella, Emanuele Farina and Theo Oliveira had us five goals up before we conceded.

A trip to Le Mont would see us edge a five goal thriller in a game we won three two as former Exeter striker Gudbrand Larsen scored his first goals for the club and that should take the 'pressure' of him now, Theo Oliveira also scored on the road.

However, the visit to Wil would see us suffer our second defeat of the opening month as the hosts won two one. They were in control throughout the game as our consolation goal came from Theo Oliveira as the game entered second half stoppage time.

The first full month of the season would be completed with a hard fought 2-1 win at home to Bienne - Brendan Fleming and a penalty from Theo Oliveira the goalscorers.


It's been a promising start to the league season but I am refusing to get carried away as we are currently suffering a 'nosebleed' due to being so high in the table after the opening seven games as we are only two points behind leaders Winterthur. We have scored eighteen goals in our opening seven games and have conceded the ten.

It has been a promising start to life at Lugano as we have lost just twice in our opening seven league fixtures and we are currently lying in third place, which I'm delighted with but it's still very early days, just three Challenge League games were played in September along with a first round Swiss Cup tie. All four games this month will be on the road.


An awful month began with a single goal defeat away to Schaffhausen, we played well but a fourteenth minute spot kick from the hosts was enough for maximum points as we lost for the third time this season.

We then travelled to Winterthur and secured an undeserved one all draw, central defender Davide Goretti securing the point as he cancelled out Winterthur's twenty eighth minute opener at Schutzenwiese.

Non league Thalwil was up next in the Swiss Cup first round as we eased to a 2-0 victory in our only win this month. On-loan Giacomo De Maio broke the deadlock after six minutes before former Glentoran attacking midfielder Ross McKay sealed the passage to the second round.

St. Gallen got revenge for their opening day defeat against us as they won three one at AFG Arena, I was gutted because Giacomo De Maio gave us a 'shock' lead on sixty six minutes but three goals in the final eleven minutes sealed the points for St. Gallen as we ended a poor month with a fourth defeat of the league season.


Not much damage has been done in the league campaign despite only picking up one point from a possible nine this month but we have slipped down a place to fourth as ten games have been played this campaign, we have conceded fifteen goals in those ten games and scored twenty so far but we need to bounce back and drastically next month.

Last month was a month to forget for the Lugano players, officials and supporters as we failed to win a single league game throughout the month of September and only won the one game, winning in the Swiss Cup. As we entered October, it was important we tried to bounce back and return to winning ways.


Return to winning ways we did indeed as Lugano won all four league games this month and the first would see us beat Juventus three one at home as striker Gudbrand Larsen scored his third and fourth league goals for the club while substitute Luca Nowakowski added a third goal with four minutes remaining on the clock.

Just three days later and we'd shock Servette 2-1 on our travels. Striker Gudbrand Larsen scored in back-to-back games for the first time since joining the club on twenty minutes while substitute Massimilano Mastronardi's goal on sixty four minutes turned out to be the winner.

We then advanced in the Swiss Cup, beating non-leaguers Lancy four one on the road - Theo Oliveira, Ross McKay and a double from Gudbrand Larsen the goalscorers. Unless I'm wrong, I believe we welcome top flight side Thun in the third round

The return to league action saw us beat Le Mont 3-2 at home as Samir Mirvic, an own goal from Jose David Ortiz and Zoran Cosic found the back.

October would conclude with a one goal to nil victory away to Tuggen in a game that was 'televised', Samir Mirvic bagging the winning goal on fifteen minutes.


A superb month has seen us climb up to second place in the league standings but we still remain five points behind leaders and league favourites St. Gallen and it's going to be tough to catch them but that's fine, I don't want to see us win the league this season, it's unrealistic to an extend and we aren't expected too.

Doing very well mate, keep it coming

Cheers Dan, I'm enjoying my spell at Lugano at the moment and hoping to spend a few seasons w/ them.


So far it has been a good season for Lugano as we're currently 'over-achieving' as we are sitting in second place and now we've entered the penultimate month of the calendar year and we have just three games in November, two of them will be at Cornaredo.


The penultimate month of twenty thirty five began with a home fixture against Wil who beat us two goals to nil.

One week later we welcomed Schaffhausen and got revenge for the single goal defeat they dished out on us in the previous game, beating them 5-3 in a game that would be remembered by the on-loan striker Giacomo De Maio who scored four times while Theo Oliveira also scored in the eight goal thriller.

Last game was an eight goal thriller, the month ended with a nine goal thriller as my Lugano side came from four one down to beat Bienne 5-4 away from home. On-loan Andy McCormack scored on his return from long term injury after six minutes, Giacomo De Maio scored twice, Samir Mirvic and Theo Oliveira also scored.


After seventeen league games, we find ourselves in second place and only three points behind St. Gallen as it's been a tremendous campaign to date but their is still a lot of football to be played this campaign (nineteen games?) as we hope to continue our title challenge but I am still refusing to get carried away as we're due another bad month or two.

Been a while since I have been on.Good to see your still picking up the trophies.Good luck with lugano.Going well so far.

Good to see you're back SBR, aye I've continued to rack up the trophies but it's now time to actually have a challenge imo, something I'm hoping will happen at Lugano.


We have reached the final month of twenty thirty five and it has been a fantastic season to date as my Lugano side are lying in second place and only three points behind the league leaders St. Gallen, we have three league games remaining before the winter break.


We stunned top flight club Thun in the Swiss Cup third round, winning 4-1 at home as the on-loan St. Johnstone attacking midfielder Andy McCormack scored twice while Giacomo De Maio and Gudbrand Larsen scored in between the McCormack double.

It was then a nine goal thriller at home to Winterthur as we beat them five goals to four as we had five different goalscorers - Andy McCormack, Bulent Can, Luca Nowakowski, Theo Oliveira and Giacomo De Maio all scored but I was annoyed to have conceded four goals at home, c'est le vie but at least we picked up maximum points.

However our next league game, at home to St. Gallen was one to forget as we lost five one. Theo Oliveira scored our consolation goal on thirty six minutes.

Eight days later though and the club bounced back with a deserved three one win away to struggling Juventus as the on-loan striker Giacomo De Maio scored twice while Jose Antonio Saso's goal, four minutes from time, sealed the maximum points on our travels.


We will head into the New Year three points behind St. Gallen who are at the summit as it's been a remarkable first twenty league games, even if we've lost six times already this campaign and with only sixteen(?) league games remaining, I'm confident we can better our media expectation of seventh place. Forty eight goals have been scored but we've shipped thirty eight times.

Just like the last time I was in a country that had a winter break, I won't be posting the mid-season friendlies as I consider them a 'waste of time' but I'm sure my assistant manager will arrange some, we'll play them and I don't overly care in how they go and we'll then return to competition action with a Swiss Cup quarter final trip to Zurich. Ouch.

It's the first time I get to wish everyone a 'Happy New Year' as we make our resumption from the winter break here in Switzerland and I've a daunting first game back as my Lugano 'charges' make the trip to Super League side Zurich in the quarter finals of the Swiss Cup while we've also got two league games as well.


And it was that 'daunting' trip to Zurich that began our return to competitive action as the Super League side won six four after extra time to advance to the semis. Winger Theo Oliveira scored twice while Emanuele Farina and Gudbrand Larsen was also on target but we couldn't cause the massive upset.

We then had to wait a fortnight for our return to league action as the side made the trip to Le Mont and secured a well deserved 3-0 victory on our travels, on-loan striker Giacomo De Maio broke the deadlock after thirteen minutes before central defender Jose Antonio Saso doubled the lead a minute before half time and then Theo Oliveira's penalty on sixty six minutes sealed the win.

The short month would then conclude with a two goals to nil victory at home to Servette and back-to-back clean sheets in the league as well. Theo Oliveira opened the scoring on seven minutes and then seventy minutes later, versatile defender Cyril Blum added the second.


We are sitting only a single point behind the leaders St. Gallen and I'm delighted with that as it means we remain deep in the title picture and that shocks me because we have seriously over-achieved this season to date as remember, we were predicted to finish seventh, something I'm sure we'll better.

A decent couple of months in the league mate.That st gallen game was a killer with you both so far ahead in the league.Hopefully you can keep going and overtake them and clinch the league.Shame about the Zurich cup game.Bet it was a good one to watch for the neutral.

If I remember correctly SBR, we were outplayed for large parts of the game against Zurich but on the other side, we managed to score four goals away to a top flight side and that can't be 'sniffed' at. As for the league, overtaking St. Gallen is going to be difficult.


With only three months and fourteen games remaining, we have reached the business end of the campaign and while we're still in the promotion hunt, it's going to be difficult to catch St. Gallen as we've been inconsistent this campaign, losing six of our twenty three league games to date this season but yet, we've only drew the once and that's why we're currently just a point behind them.


It turned out to be a mixed month for us but things began brightly as we secured a 4-2 victory at home to Tuggen as experienced striker Gudbrand Larsen scored twice while late goals from Cyril Blum and Giacomo De Maio sealed the maximum points.

One week later and we crashed to a three one defeat against Bienne at our venue, Gudbrand Larsen's goal on twenty three minutes turned out to be a consolation goal for the club.

Gudbrand Larsen continued his rich vein of form this month as his two goals in the space of seven first half minutes was enough to seal a 2-1 victory away to Wil. Larsen's goals arrived on twenty four minutes from the penalty spot and thirty one minutes.

Our second of three consecutive away games to complete the month took us to Schaffhausen as we suffered a terrible four one defeat. Giacomo De Maio bagged our goal six minutes into the second half.

March would then come to an end with a four three defeat away to Winterthur but we recovered well to only lose the game by a single goal. We were four nil down at half time iirc but a Samir Mirvic double and a Ross McKay strike made the scoreline look more respectable.


An awful month for my Lugano side has seen us remain in second place but fall seven points behind St. Gallen but I won't be surrendering the league challenge this quickly. We need to stop shipping goals though as fifty two have been conceded in twenty seven games but sixty four have been scored.

Not a good month like you said mate and more looking over your shoulder than up at st gallen.Hope you can pick it back up mate.

Was a shocking month SBR and one I didn't really want and it's potentially cost us any chance of winning the league so now I should be planning for next season but we'll still continue to battle until the absolutely impossible.


We have reached the penultimate month of the current campaign and with my side Lugano lying seven points behind St. Gallen, I should in reality surrender any hope of securing the league title (it would've been an unlikely one) but I'll continue to battle on until it's impossible, this month we've a crunch clash away to the leaders.


We began the penultimate month of the season with a home fixture against struggling Juventus who we beat 3-1 as all our goals arrived within a nine minute second half period. On-loan Italian striker Giacomo De Maio scored twice while another on-loan player, Andy McCormack added a third goal with twenty two minutes remaining.

Three days later we had the 'crunch' clash away to St. Gallen and we suffered a three two defeat in a game that has probably ended any slim chance we had on winning the Challenge League this season. Giacomo De Maio and Gudbrand Larsen were our goalscorers but we just couldn't find an equaliser.

However the club did bounce back in the next game, beating Servette 4-1 away from home in a game that'll be remembered by experienced striker Gudbrand Larsen as he bagged a treble, Theo Oliveira scored our first goal of the game after seven minutes.

First half goals from Gudbrand Larsen and a Theo Oliveira was enough to see us beat Le Mont two one at home.

A five goal thriller away to Tuggen would see us complete the month as Lugano secured a 3-2 victory thanks to a Gudbrand Larsen penalty in the final minute of the game - Theo Oliveira and Davide Goretti scored the other goals on the road as we failed to keep a single clean sheet this month.


Despite only losing one game this month (which was away to leaders St. Gallen), we have fallen eight points behind the leaders and with only four games remaining and twelve points to play for, we have a VERY slim chance of securing the title but it has been tremendous season and one the players should be proud off. We are also even in trouble of even finishing in the top two but, although it'll be disappointing if we didn't, I can't be too disheartened.

The final month of the twenty thirty five/twenty thirty six season is upon us and it has been a remarkable season for the football club as we've easily exceeded expectations and bettered our seventh place prediction while we also made it to the quarter finals of the Swiss Cup, losing after extra time to top flight side Zurich. Only four league games are remaining as we hope to secure the minimum of a second place finish.


We began the final month of the season with a 4-1 victory at home to Wil but don't let the scoreline fool you, it was a pretty even game but we took our chances. Goals from midfielder's Ross McKay and Davide Di Bella had us seemingly in control after only seven minutes, Theo Oliveira added our third goal and then a Giacomo De Maio strike, two minutes into the second half, sealed the win.

However we wouldn't have as much success in our next game, losing three two away to Bienne as Ross McKay and Samir Mirvic scored our goals but it wasn't enough at the end of the day. This defeat iirc saw St. Gallen secure the league title.

It was then a seven goal thriller at home to Schaffhausen as we edged the game 4-3 in the penultimate league fixture. Giacomo De Maio scored a treble after finding the net in the nineteenth, sixty fourth and seventy seventh minute while Gudbrand Larsen also scored in the victory.

The league season concluded with our second defeat in three games as we crashed to a three two defeat and it was a defeat that ultimately cost us finishing in second place, on-loan Giacomo De Maio scored potentially his last goal for the club (but I'm going to try and get him on-loan again next season) on forty six minutes and Gudbrand Larsen also scored.


This is how the league table has ended up and I'm a little disappointed to have finished the campaign in third place, especially considering we had been in second for so long but that's fine because we still well exceeded the media's expectation. I'm annoyed at the amount of goals we conceded, seventy goals in thirty six games isn't good enough but we scored ninety.

St. Gallen won the league and Juventus were relegated.

Over the course of the summer break, I turned down one job offer from recently relegated Super League side Vaduz, they would have probably been favourites for the league and I could have easily secured the Liechtenstein Cup w/ them but I had no intention of leaving Lugano, not this summer anyway.

The 2nd to last month was great but the st gallen result again was a killer.Had you won that maybe you would of won it.Good luck next season mate.

Forgot about the whole Vaduz/Liechtenstein cup thing, would have been an interesting challenge which I'm sure we'll see in the future some time

Good luck for the new season

That defeat to St. Gallen pretty much ended our slim title hopes SBR but that's fine because we'll try again next season against the odds.

Yeah but unfortunately Vaduz don't play in the Swiss Cup as well and that's a little annoying but something I should have expected KEZ, I'll need to manage them down the line though.


Last season was a remarkable won for F.C. Lugano as our third place finish in the Challenge League was a "record" for the club and one I'm proud with but now it's time to get back down to business as I head into my second season at Lugano and unlike last season, I'll have a pre season to get the club prepared and won't have to go in the "deep end".


Due to last seasons 'success', the pressure is somewhat on us this campaign as the board expect a minimum top half finish and due to me adjusting the wage budget slightly, I will receive a transfer budget of one hundred and ninety thousand and I expect to use that but mainly on agent and signing on fees, rather than actual transfer fees all being well.

To be on the safe side, I have chosen the top half finish option.


Our assistant manager has arranged five pre season friendly fixtures with four of them being on the road. The away games will take us to St. Polten, Savosa-Massagno, Jens and Louhans-Cuiseaux while Lugano's one and only friendly game at home will be against Atletico Nacional and I'm hoping we'll be able to test ourselves.

The league campaign begins with a trip to Tuggen.

A superb season considering mate, well done

Indeed it was Dan chum, hoping this season will be more 'successful', I'd love promotion but it's still going to be difficult.


With the league season about to begin, I have been quite busy in the transfer window as I feel the squad needed a bit more quality around the place and I'm delighted with the signings I've made, especially considering they all arrived on free transfers. Something that hasn't been mentioned in the transfers 'in' page but I'd post it in the bold - I've re-signed Andy McCormack, Emanuele Farina and Giacomo De Maio on season long loan deals. They could be three important players for the club.


We ended up signing seven players on a permanent deal this summer and I'm pleased with the signings. Goalkeeper Matteo Laureyssen will be first choice following his arrival from Sheffield Wednesday, midfielder Oscar Lanza came from AlbinoLeffe, Miguel Martin arrived from Valladolid and Luigi Demontis came on a free and they'll all be first choice for the club. Lucien Leroux, Danny Whittaker and Jose Martin came from Servette, Villarreal "C" and Southampton respectively after agreeing pre-contracts with the Swiss Challenge League side.

Those signings will be joined by trio Andy McCormack, Emanuele Farina and Giacomo De Maio who re-signed on loan for the season.

Only three departed the club this summer, both Roberto Puglisi and Davide Di Bella didn't have their contracts renewed while shot-stopper Sebastien Sidler joined top flight side Thun for one hundred grand.


Wow. I can't believe how well our pre season form went and it looks promising but I can't get too carried away because everyone knows pre-season results mean absolutely nothing when the competitive season begins. We managed to win five friendly games out of five and conceded only five times (one vs. St. Polten, three vs. Atletico Nacional and one vs. Louhands-Cuiseaux) while we bagged twenty four times. Promising stuff.

Perfect pre season mate.Hope this season proves better than the last.

Couldn't have asked for a more perfect pre season, it's important that heads into the league season SBR.


It is now time for me to begin my second full season at F.C. Lugano and it's one I'm looking forward too due to the players I have managed to bring in this summer and if they can all preform to the standard I believe they can then it's going to be a good season ahead, especially in the league. Just two games, both in the league were played in the opening month.


I couldn't have asked for a perfect start to the league campaign as we trounced Tuggen 5-1 on our travels as both Oscar Lanza and Jose Martin both scored on their Lugano debuts, Spaniard Martin scoring twice while Theo Oliveira and Andy McCormack also found the net on the road but we conceded late on.

Four days later and we welcomed Winterthur for our first home game of the season as it ended one apiece, Samir Mirvic bagging our goal on the stroke of half time as we got a little 'revenge' after they cost us a second place finish at the end of last season.


Yeah, we're top after the opening two games but maybe it's only on goals scored as both Schaffhausen and Servette have also picked up four points from their opening two games. I believe Vaduz and Le Mont play each other at the beginning of next month, league favourites Vaduz drew their opening game.