clloyd
10 years ago
3 years ago
81
And now the time has come, to celebrate this season of which we finished in style. With worldsoccer.com finally putting a positive spin to my name, and seeing 'Chris Lloyd, and his reigning Chinese Dynasty' in the local paper back in Ol'England.. was music to my ears. I'd had the most up and down season you could imagine with these boys - and so onto the headlines.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/6DFBSUJy8FroYeQ6JEgK59P8UTfuTswft7tZ4RlR.png


Han Jikun has cemented himself into a Chinese Icon, all at the age of 20. Joining my ranks at the age of 19 he was a shy and reserved character, however through the tutoring of Elkeson, he flourished into a capable and dominating player

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/HENmKyD3BArwaY3Z9A4dyxhxGQw8V5lb7dldQXMn.png


He has come along way since he first started, and now at the age of 20 Tot has estimated his value to be around the $3m mark at a push. However here's hoping the club will hold onto him and further release his potential as the best defensive midfield in China. Even a personal phone call from the ex manager Marcello Lippi of Juventus and Guangzhou brought a huge smile to my face.. nothing could ever beat this feeling

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/P0x74oss2g9Fs4D5NVv0nP91eJOw2kvhtAvVfj2w.png


And finally to top it off, it seems that the team of the year happens to consist of a few Guangzhou players - I say a few I mean 90% of the team!

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/X1TlVke2X2cw21iuhlGyqeDff2qzovqKTgRyiOb1.png


Now it's time to relax and sit back.. I have a lot of thinking to do and a couple of games to just ease the season out. Most notably is our annual game against the CSL All stars, hoping to take the cup for the 3rd time in a row.. and of course the Club World Cup tournament, hopefully being able to last a little longer and break our 7th place finish from last season!
clloyd
10 years ago
3 years ago
81
And so comes my decision. I breath a huge sigh of regret or relief.. I'm not sure yet, as my printer finally finishes printing the page that seals my fate at Guangzhou.


'To the Board, most notably Chairman Xu Ming,

A club with the stature of Guangzhou is always going to be under tremendous pressure to perform, and since the first ACL win I took last year it seems the pressure has almost doubled and exceeded our realistic hopes, I mean winning the World Club ? That is a completely different ball game to the ACL.. You, Mr. Ming, have been exceptionally supportive with me over the past two years, however this declined after I was unable to sign high value and high profile players for the team. This in any other continent would have been fine, however the Chinese talent is sub par at the best, and every single class player in the League was already at Guangzhou!

The potential for the club seems to have hit this wall of none progressing Chinese players. With my youth system and facilities fully upgraded over the past year, the youth intake for Guangzhou was so low that not even a single youth was offered an U18 contract which is just ludicrous.. And believe me I needed to get in new blood as many of the golden oldies were refusing contracts - 'seeking better clubs'. Even Jikun was reluctant to sign a new contract at the team, however on his behalf I would encourage him to get out and follow in the foot steps of other world class Asian players such as Honda or Park Ji - Sung.

This reluctancy of the team showed in their play on the pitch, only just scraping the league title when in fairness we should have been miles ahead as you yourself have seen. I'm honestly suprised that we retained the ACL and I'm positive this was probably down to the excellent management team we have here, most notably Mario Tot my good friend and advisor.

I will be playing out the end of the season with my mind set to win the All stars game and push up the World Club rankings.. However with much regret if nothing substantial changes I am not sure the outcome to my career here at Guangzhou.

It has been an honour Mr. Ming,

Regards,

Chris Lloyd.'

I'm sure that I'll be called in a few days after the World Club, I can't see them signing me off before then considering the titles and accomplishments I have made at this club. It would be a complete dishonor. Oh well... Time to ring the wife at home and have a heart to heart, she's always been good at helping me come to decisions. Time for the All stars.
clloyd
10 years ago
3 years ago
81
We gave it our all, losing out to River in the semi finals at 118 minutes is a tragedy for the team and they gave it there all, they know that they did too. The lads worked hard and earned Guangzhou a huge cash boost for their performances however it was not meant to be.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/09394NRHAka3CKRM6dfRV0EucE4V0lWcIt0NhDiU.png


The All Stars game went according to plan with a dominant 5:0 win, however even this was not enough to tempt me.. with recent results being good and three trophies lifted, I couldn't help but feel sad and even uncaring about the silverware won.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/3XiLLcr8LInRzqAvxUxN27orllIz2Ok1Qdh1oTWY.png


However it was my time to leave, having two seasons that I will never forget.. It has undoubtedly played a huge part in my managing career and hopefully becomes a stepping stone and a platform to launch into even bigger and better, even more challenging world class leagues and teams. I have kept my head held high when leaving, and have not left them in the lurch - Making sure all contracts have been sorted from players, staff and youths. I have set up a good mix of friendlies for the team and have created a huge profit from last year. So good luck to whoever takes over, I admit that it will be hard to fill the whole.. but no harder than the whole left by Lippi. Out of the pan and into the fire.. as they say!

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/7N4kFNFbWADqcgk5KPQXdxOkVu2Ya6rxAU2owIV7.png
Dan
13 years ago
1 year ago
16,964
Well done mate, certainly can't complain at what you've done in China
Buzzindave
11 years ago
9 years ago
74
What a fantastic story im loving it keep it up pal
clloyd
10 years ago
3 years ago
81
Well done mate, certainly can't complain at what you've done in China

Thanks, I've had a great run in China but it is definately time to move on!

What a fantastic story im loving it keep it up pal


Thanks bud! More coming, however slower updates as I have engineering exams next month!
clloyd
10 years ago
3 years ago
81
And so, I step out of the comfortable world of Guangzhou Football Club - as comfortable as I could see any position in management at the moment..

The worlds economy was in turmoil, clubs cutting back on staff, only hiring the best of the best. I knew it would be hard to secure a job on another continent given that my reputation of world manager is literally in the confides of Asia and only Asia. I attended meetings, interviews and group workshops to no avail. I say to no avail, I did however manage to narrow down potential job markets and their respective leagues.. Hopefully something will come up soon.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/hLAhTTB0S15kwW1PxTo0CToOTeo1mtFnVX6WKuO3.png


The Spanish Liga Aldenete is one of the top leagues to search. Given my continental reputation and utilising the advice from former Guangzhou, Juventus and Napoli manager Marcello Lippi, we discussed how the BBVA was almost impossible to get into right off the bat - the next possible location was of course the league below in the Aldenete.

The Serie A was also a contender, although at the same reputation level as la Liga BBVA it was almost 10 times more likely to get a job there because of the rate they go through managers.. which is great in terms of getting a job but equally as scary at the inevitability of one wrong result and off with your head!

My favored next move is an unlikely one, given how hard getting jobs in the English Divisions is. Unless the team is guaranteed relegation it is extremely difficult to survive, only if an opportunity to progress and succeed in the leagues would temp me.. But who knows. Entering in at the Sky Championship would be a sure fast way to try and reach my home team Villa, although that still seems a bigger task than anything I have ever taken before. The prospect of competing in the Sky Championship or even the Skrill premier makes the Chinese and Honk Kong leagues look amateur.. a scary thought.
clloyd
10 years ago
3 years ago
81
Waking up to the sun glistening in my eyes through the curtains.. the silhouette of my fiance casting a shadow across the room. 'I think you'll want to see this sweetheart' she says..

I take the piece of coarse thick paper from her delicate hands, sleepily scanning over the document.. my heart stops beating, the world is now my oyster.

'One moment honey, I need to ring a few of my friends, I need to find out what the best option is.. go grab me the phone, I'll try find Tot's number'.

I search through my address book, thrashing the pages to find the people I need.. Tot, Dan, Dave, Gaz, George, Tongy and Xera.

'Guys, I need your help.. I don't know what to do'

___________________________________________________


I need your help to decide which league I head into, I'm not going to divulge into the teams that have offered me a job - just the Leagues. They are all world class offers, I really need your help. What do you think guy's? Oh okay I'll give you a couple of days to figure it out.. let me know. We can meet up over lunch this week to talk about it. Saturday? Tomorrow? Okay. See you then mate.


I disconnected from the call. Where to? You decide

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/OyLMsfrXu6MYRyfHwJQ2h7AtHh3uKJC3qs7Fxmyc.png
clloyd
10 years ago
3 years ago
81
Just a quick note, if you guys really want me to tell you the teams to help you make your minds it's up to you!
van6969
17 years ago
2 years ago
647
gaz12321
15 years ago
3 weeks ago
502
Nice work getting that many offers, clubs would probably help but from those leagues i'd say Ligue 1.
clloyd
10 years ago
3 years ago
81
I've narrowed it down to just a few of the league offers so here they are:


https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/ntZXjf9SdlHHovi1PPm8bSPf0h3XrEgbrmmRd2No.png


From the clubs offered, I know that Montpellier is the least reputable. I would absolutely love to work at Dortmund and Arsenal however I think the pressure would be too much, I've never worked at a club as big as those before as they are mountains compared to Guangzhou.

Roma have been a love affair for me alongside Villa since growing up, having been to see a couple of games as a child!

Nott' Forrest and Watford would be the most challenging as they have both just been relegated from the Premiership but are both capable of bouncing straight back up ( The idea of following Clough at Nottingham forest seems appealing however).

I'm going away for a couple of days so would love to see what you think now the clubs are up! I'm leaning towards Roma, Dortmund and Nottingham at the moment.. Arsenal just seem a little too big for my boots.
alilane4
15 years ago
1 week ago
252
Roma or Dortmund for me. They're both good enough to compete but also not too good that you'll walk the league every time.

However this all depends on how they have done on your game so far. I'd try to go to an underperforming side then you have more scope for improvement and the chance to out your own stamp on the team.
gaz12321
15 years ago
3 weeks ago
502
From the list of clubs you have a real tough choice on your hands, personally i'd go with Roma but Arsenal & Dortmund are great opportunities too.
clloyd
10 years ago
3 years ago
81
Roma or Dortmund for me. They're both good enough to compete but also not too good that you'll walk the league every time.

However this all depends on how they have done on your game so far. I'd try to go to an underperforming side then you have more scope for improvement and the chance to out your own stamp on the team.


Club positions:

Arsenal - 5th
Dortmund - 5th
Roma - 8th
Nottingham - 20th

I'm definitely leaning towards Roma though.. however I don't think a Dortmund job will come up again! aghhh
Dan
13 years ago
1 year ago
16,964
I'd go Dortmund and dominate Germany for a bit!
Shedender
18 years ago
4 weeks ago
13,751
clloyd
10 years ago
3 years ago
81
So far we have two for Roma and two votes for Dortmund. They both have really decent players in the team, including olds and youths. I know Dortmund would be easier in terms of securing a decent league place which means Roma would be a better challenge. Still undecided!
George14brfc
13 years ago
4 years ago
3,912
Dortmund for me mate! Great career!
Buzzindave
11 years ago
9 years ago
74
you got to go dortmund pal it might never come up again
clloyd
10 years ago
3 years ago
81
Dortmund for me mate! Great career!

you got to go dortmund pal it might never come up again

Had a little look at the Dortmund team and 5 keys plays (Over 20m value each) are injured for 3 months, and a few other first team players are unhappy. Whereas the Roma team are content and no one is injured.. Hmm.

I wana go to Dortmund but I think it will be a complete club rebuild :/
clloyd
10 years ago
3 years ago
81
Had a little look at the Dortmund team and 5 keys plays (Over 20m value each) are injured for 3 months, and a few other first team players are unhappy. Whereas the Roma team are content and no one is injured.. Hmm.

I wana go to Dortmund but I think it will be a complete club rebuild :/


Oh to hell with it, It'll be fun!!
Buzzindave
11 years ago
9 years ago
74
good choice pal go dominate germany
clloyd
10 years ago
3 years ago
81
I'm back!

After pretty much taking a year and half break from gaming due to University etc, I now have time to revive my former story. The issue I have is that I have just made the jump from fm14 to fm16, meaning a completely new story possibly. In fact I started an unemployment challenge last week and have already had great success..

Here's hoping Dan reads this post! I remember you enjoyed my old story and I'd love some advice with what I should do.

I finished off fm14 with job offers from Arsenal, Dortmund and Roma (That save has gone along with my old PC), my new save I had a year of unemployment and then won the Hong Kong permier division with Eastern (Against former love affair Kitchee!)


Any ideas?


I'd go Dortmund and dominate Germany for a bit!
Dan
13 years ago
1 year ago
16,964
I'm back!

After pretty much taking a year and half break from gaming due to University etc, I now have time to revive my former story. The issue I have is that I have just made the jump from fm14 to fm16, meaning a completely new story possibly. In fact I started an unemployment challenge last week and have already had great success..

Here's hoping Dan reads this post! I remember you enjoyed my old story and I'd love some advice with what I should do.

I finished off fm14 with job offers from Arsenal, Dortmund and Roma (That save has gone along with my old PC), my new save I had a year of unemployment and then won the Hong Kong permier division with Eastern (Against former love affair Kitchee!)


Any ideas?

I'm still here matey! I'd personally like to see your new fm16 unemployed save which you claim you've had great success with.
Ipswich Knights
10 years ago
4 years ago
1,392
gaz12321
15 years ago
3 weeks ago
502
I agree with the other guys, post a new one up.

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