The Werkself Way: A Data-Driven Youth Revolution at Leverkusen in FM24

The Werkself Way: A Data-Driven Youth Revolution at Leverkusen in FM24

1ST SERIES : MAKING MANAGERIAL CHANGES DECISION

After I carry Lyon team during 2023/2024 season with unexpected turnaround during the last game of the season against Paris Saint-Germain where I won and take over to the 1st place with 86 points, 1 point above them, I feel that I would like to express myself and offering my services to other clubs available.

Even though it seems like disrespect, but this has been discussed with Lyon board members that at least gave me a chance to proof and offer myself to others so that I can expand my CV and managerial portfolio to strengthen my reputation in world football

After I chase to Inter Milan and attending their interview, which, perhaps, their choice towards ex-Die Werkself manager himself Xabi Alonso, thus I do understand that his reputation holds more bigger impact on their consideration.

So not long after, I apply for Leverkusen managerial position, and they called me for an interview further.

Not long after Leverkusen interview, Lyon board members approach me to renew the contract with them, since my contract with them only until 2026, worth 11k p/w only. 

But still, their offer is quite low, as I demand, not much I guess, only 27.5k p/w for 3 years

And they rejected instantly at the moment.

So for me, I guess it's time for me to search for new challenges, perhaps.

And not long after contract rejection happened, Simon Rolfes, Leverkusen's Managing Director, approach me to be appointed as Xabi Alonso's successor with 26.5k p/w for 3 years contract.

Suit enough on what I'm searching for, and I accept their offer and with heartfelt moment, need to leave Lyon for Die Werkself.

So here we go!

The Werkself Way: A Data-Driven Youth Revolution at Leverkusen in FM24

2ND SERIES : CONTINUING XABI ALONSO'S LEGACY, BUT IN DIFFERENT PHILOSOPHY

TRANSFERS IN AND OUT

Once I've been appointed, I need to dissect the squad first, somehow I do realize, before I've being accepted, Leverkusen already sold / release for free.

Kossounou has been sold to Atalanta for 25m after being loaned out for a season, the past season, perhaps with a mandatory release clause I guess.

 Meanwhile Jonathan Tah being released for free after Rolfes decided not to renew his contract, or maybe due to Tah seeking new challenges abroad.

Frimpong, although being buyout by Liverpool before the database being updated earlier, seems reflecting the same situation in real life for 34.5m.

And Timo Hubers being sold for 1.6m, with add-ons may up to 2.1m further, if add-ons being met.

Due to being provided around 63m something, perhaps from those Kossounou and Frimpong sales, I do need to manoeuvre something in my current squad before the new season kicks-in.

So I bought these guys in.

Todibo being permanent around 35.5m, with add-ons, if met, may raise up to 46m.

Adrian Bernabe from Lyon for 31m, with add-ons, if met, may raise up to 33.5m

Soumaila Diabate from Salzburg for 1.6m 

Stankovic on-loan with permanent 2.5m

Romeo Amane for 5m

Nacho Ferri from Frankfurt for 2.5m (3.5m with add-ons)

And Nicolas Romero for 8.25m (9.25m with add-ons) from Minnesota

When I dissect the squad, it seems that our defence is quite poor in numbers, so Todibo would be the one of the key players

I know that this may looks like quite a bunch of players. 

But actually I'm just reused the 75m money when Tapsoba being sold to Real Madrid to buy younger players, but surely using data analytics.

TACTICS AND FORMATIONS

For formations, I intend to continue Xabi Alonso's 3-4-2-1 tactics in real life instead of sticking to my own 4-2-3-1 implemented from Lyon last season.

I do agree that why I want more difficulties by changing formations instead of sticking to the formation I've used to won Ligue 1 with Lyon last season.

In this new season, I do want to be more solidified in backline, while maintaining counter-attacks on multiple angles across the next thirds of the pitch.

From the transfers-in that I made, Tenas would be the mainstay protecting the goalpost replacing Hradecky.

Backline of 3 players consist of Piero Hincapie, Dean Huijsen and Jean-Clair Todibo. with Nicolas Romero, Pascal Struijk, Adamo Nagalo, Stanisic, Belocian and Albian Hajdari to rotate among themselves, especially when we want to focus on multiple folds of competition to gain even slightest advantage further.

Next layer, wingbacks would be Gutierrez, Brandon Williams and Elias Jalert

Midfielders, or DMs, would be Bernabe, Xhaka, Andrich and Alex Garcia

No 10s consist of Florian Wirtz, Jonas Hoffman, Fermin and Martin Terrier, which I've convert him as No 10.

Upfront as the sole pole attacker would be Boniface and Schick, with somehow I do use Terrier as well.

I do also planning to implement 3-4-1-2 for further flexibility in attacks and exploitation of space in behind.

SO WHAT'S HAPPENING AFTER THAT?

Not making any losing streak, just winning streaks that our team do understand and immersed into.

HOW'S THE OVERALL PERFORMANCE?

Boniface gone to be top scorer of our squad with 19 goals scored in 20 appearances,

Wirtz next with 19 goal contributions (12 goals 7 assists) across 23 appearance

Patrick Schick also, after considering he's on long-term injury 2 weeks (Pulled Knee Ligaments) and 3 days (Hamstring) doesn't give him any difficulties to score bag of goals (13 goal contributions; 9 goals 4 assists) in only 14 appearances.

Jonas Hofmann, although he's the most veteran, seems to prove he did have more in his tank, by providing 16 goal contributions (5 goals 11 assists) in 19 appearances

Gutierrez also functions as our main provider besides Hoffmann, to contribute 11 assists, besides Jalert with 4 goals and 7 assists in 24 appearances.

Which means our both formations are quite functional to complement all players available in our squad here.

MAIN HIGHLIGHTS FOR FIRST HALF OF THE SEASON

7-0 win vs SC Paderborn

Brilliant performance from Boniface as he's freely scoring 5 goals in the game, thus gaining POTM of the game

Also Hoffman was very functional beside Boniface as he also freely scoring 2 goals and 3 assists in the game as well

5-0 win vs PSV Eindhoven in UEFA Champions League

3-0 win vs Arsenal in UEFA Champions League

5-2 win vs Stuttgart

6-0 win vs AEK Athens

3-0 win vs Real Madrid

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Perhaps this would be the sufficient enough to highlight our first half-season with Leverkusen

Wait for the next series whether we can still replicate unbeaten season like what Leverkusen has done under Xabi Alonso further.

See ya!!!!