Dans Journey Around The World [FM15]

Weren't expecting a Australian job. Shall be a good challenge. Will you return to Europe?

Haha those cheeky Aussie bastards eh!? Laugh off interest but then come along and offer you a role with the club. Not too sure about the trophies, I had thought there was the league, 1 domestic cup and then the Asia Champions League but I may be completely wrong! Good luck in Australia, I have a feeling you won't have long to top up the tan before moving elsewhere for further glory!

Didn't see a job in Australia coming up, thought you would have remained in Europe for the time being so that's a nice surprise I suppose. Good luck, I've managed in Melbourne before but it was with the Heart, please don't boo.

Thought I'd venture out of Europe, Don't expect to be here too long Tommo. oh of course I'll be back in Europe.

Yeah I thought it was a bit rude DP91. It looks like it is just one cup and one league, but with the league having a regular and closing season, its whether I count needing to win both, then theres the all stars game.

Thanks Shedender, had to mix it up a bit, Australia isn't a bad place to manage, I believe I waas Melbourne Hearts a couple years back too!

I touched down here in Australia, not quite sure what to expect, I mean after being laughed off by Melbourne Victory to them then offering me an interview and then a job. It was strange, I wasn't afraid though, I was ready to jump straight into the action and thats what happened. This summer was busy, with us being tipped as one of the three favourites for the title I wanted to build a squad ready to compete, we also faced loads of friendlies.


The deadwood left the club as soon as I joined, this saw seven players shipped out of the club, all onto free transfers as no one wanted them when I offered them around, I needed shot so just released them, the board weren't best pleased but its what I needed to do, reduce the wage budget to bring in new faces.


Five players joined Melbourne Victory this summer, five players to try and really strengthen the team. First three players through the door were all permanent deals and came through on the day the window opened. Raffaele Alcibiade, the defensive Italian will be a rock at the back this year. Next, David Cotterill joined for one hundred and fifty thousand pounds from Ipswich, the Welsh attacking midfielder will provide plenty of advancement in the top half of the pitch. I then signed Fabio Adobati, a right back from Pescara, he was later not registered in my team due to wage budget and him being the weakest I felt. Finally a took two players in from Newcastle on loan. Firstly defensive midfielder Rob Gibbins and centre midfielder Cyrus Yaganeh.


Here's the squad I've managed to build and bring in, I'm hoping its as strong as it looks on paper, we really have a chance of making it this season should we perform. Theres quality on the pitch and then theres potential quality coming into the squad over the years, I'm hoping they will get instant action and instant gains.


Here is what hapened over the summer here in Australia since I've arrived, its been dead busy on the pitch with friendlies as well as two early cup rounds. In total we faced ten friendlies as we went on to pick up five wins, two draws and then three defeats but in total its been a very good friendly run in for us. Whilst we also faced two FFA Cup games. The First Round saw us beat Sydney FC six three, a dominant showing. Then my two hundredth game in charge came as we welcomed Wanderers FC and beat them two nil in the Second Round of the FFA Cup. Goals from Waterson and Gibbins secured the win.



Next Post: Melbourne Victory FC - October 2019

Nice looking team you have there. Good to see your getting your next qualification

thanks Tommo. it's a strong team and with only two/three trophies on offer here I'm hoping i won't be here too long

My first month in Australia was upon us and it was time to see how things would go here, being one of the biggest clubs here in the country I'm confident of success over the next couple years and hope I won't be here too long, but management is management, we shall see what happens, four games in my opening month outside of Europe.


Well, four games played, four wins managed as we win three in the league and then win the FFA Cup Quarter Final match against CCM. Its been a very good start with two clean sheets to.

We firstly welcomed Wanderers FC, a side we beat in the cup during pre season and here we kicked the league off with a two nil win. Waterson was the man of the game, and the month it'll prove, as his goals on the eleventh and eighty first minutes were enough to secure the three points.

Next up, a trip to Wellington Phoenix where we found a hard thought game, but one we came out on top of late on. We took the lead through Tomi Brattan after just thirteen minutes with Waterson making it two nil in the thirty sixth minute. Second half we were on the back foot and it showed as we conceded twice. With the game level going into the final ten minutes I pushed onto an attacking mentality where we went on to grab a late winner through Luke Fuller.

Back at home we welcomed Adelaide United where we claimed a three nil win, our second clean sheet of the month. Tomi Brattan again giving us the lead, this time just after the half hour mark. El Basha made it two nil on the stroke of the break before Waterson had a fourth in three games late on.

And the month well and truly belonged to us and Waterson as we travelled to Central Coast Mariners in the FFA Cup Quarter Final. Waterson was superb, netting in the seventh and fourteenth minute, seeing us two up early on. We conceded one before the break before Alcibiaed made it three one and then late on in the second half Waterson secured his hatrick and our spot in the Semi Final.


For those of you who don't know Australia, on the game there is just the one league, the top tier has ten teams in and you play each other three times, it then changes again I believe but its not loaded yet. We've already opened up a small gap at the top of the table, sitting two points clear of Newcastle United Jets in second place.

Next Post: Melbourne Victory FC - November 2019

Great start unbeaten. That Brandon Waterson is looking like a great player

That good start made even sweeter by seeing the other Melbourne team sitting bottom!

Welcome to Oz! We're glad to have you here even if you are coaching in Victoria...

As far as competitions, we have the A-League (obviously) and the FFA Cup (which in real life started just this year). The A-League has a regular season and a Finals season (which is why the top six spaces are in green). The team at the top of the table also gets named as the "Minor Premiers" and the winner of the Finals is deemed to be the league champion. This is pretty much how the other two football codes (Aussie Rules and Rugby League) do their competitions, so the A-League used what was familiar to Aussie sport fans.

I would say that to tick off the country, you'd need to win the FFA Cup, the A-League finals and the minor premiership, but the fact that only the finals winners are considered A-League champions may mean that you decide you only need to do the first two.

How stupid are they?! To laugh you off but then offer you interview

Good luck in Australia.

Thanks Tommo. he is a superb player stats wise and on the pitch!

Yes bmg033 and they won it two and three years ago which is surprising see them do so poorly this year

Thanks Simoncoyne, clearing that up has made it a lot easier, with the way things are going I think I'll aim for all three!

I know Johno, but I'm making them realise I was a good appointment

Australia had treated me well first month, in fact, even better than well, it was a superb month, with four games played and four wins, I was on fire. If we could continue this through November it would really show how well we are really doing and set some big goals for this season ahead.


Wow What a run we are on, with six more games this month, we continued the form as we picked up another six wins, five in the league with the sixt coming in the cup semi final.

We first welcomed fierce rivals Melbourne City FC and stuffed them, a sweet seven one win!! We fell behind after five minutes but then turned it on its head. Basha pulled us level before Yeganeh made it two one, Fuller three one and Yeganeh made it four one at the break. Second half Antwi netd two more before Yeganeh secured his hatrick, to seal a seven one win.

The form continued as we took a trip to second place Newcastle United Jets who we beat four one. Brattan netted two in the opening fifteen minutes before Waterson made it three nil Second half we conceded one with twenty minutes to go before Waterson had a second, securing the four one win.

It was back to back four one wins as we travelled to non league side Bentleigh Greens who we beat to book our place in the Final. Alcibiade and Stewart both netted to see us two up in fourteen minutes. We conceded one before Brattan made it three one before the break. Eventually it was four in the second half though as Makarounas secured our spot in the Final We will face Melbourne City FC in the Final.

A home game against Sydney FC saw our league run continue, Makarounas putting us ahead in ten minutes from the spot kick and Waterson making it two nil in twenty two minutes. Second half we did concede one but Antwi secured the win with our third.

Back to back three one wins came as we travelled to league title holders Brisbane Roar. This time the host led inside five minutes but it wasn't to stop us. Brattan, Fuller and Waterson all netting before the break, seeing us three one up and safe, no goals second half.

We'd end the month at home, welcoming Central Coast Mariners and at last a clean sheet came. Makarounas netted a fourteenth minute penalty, the only first half goal. Second half Cotterill and Waterson was both on target.


At the minute, Australia feels like a walk in the sunny park, we have played all put one team to put us a third of the way through the season and have won all eight league games to date, seeing us sit eight points clear of second place already!

Next Post: Melbourne Victory FC - December 2019

Must have loved putting 7 up against your rivals. Your team can't stop scoring.

Thanks Tommo. it was a pleasing result, we have them in the cup final to which could be fun!

Unbeaten heading into December was absolutely brilliant. Another month was here though and I would honestly love to keep this sort of form going but you know soon enough it would come to an end. Not a big month in fairness over the christmas period.


Well, five games throughout December and it proved to be the month we eventually slipped up in. With five games, we picked up four more wins and one defeat, all league games this month.

Away to Perth Glory for the opening game of December which saw us win eight four in the twelve goal thriller. Our eight goals came from Waterson who netted twice, Yeganeh netted one and Brattan netted two all in the first half. Second half Thurtell, Makarounas and Antwi all netted in the second half securing the win.

We then halved the scorline in a four two victory over Wanderers FC. We went behind before Alcibiade pulled one back and then Makarounas netted a hatrick in fourteen minutes, seeing us four one up at the brea. We conceded one after the break though.

Our only clean sheet came as we travelled to Wellington Phoenix who we beat two nil. Both goals coming at operate ends of the scale. Alcibiade netted after three minutes whilst Reddy made it two nil with four minutes left on the clock.

Our first defeat all season came as we travelled to Adelaid Untied, I can't really explain what happened here. We were poor, losing our four nil.

Finally the season, and calender year would end with a home game welcoming Newcastle United Jets who we came back from behind to beat three one. We trailed at the break but the team stopped back to back defeats as Waterson netted twice with Cotterill grabbing one in the second half too.


Well, we have finally lost this season, but it hasn't affected the form just yet, we'll play twenty seven games in the regular season in the league so we are halfway through now and are already ten points clear at the top of the table, if we can continue this way the title will be ours in no time at all!

Next Post: Melbourne Victory FC - January 2020

Wow! Only 1 defeat in 13 league games! Seems early on it's looking like it could well be your season!

Thanks Wilc94, its been plain sailing here in Australia to say the least.

All our good form in 2019 came and gone and now we've gone into another New Year, once again I spend a New Year in a different country, I believe I've spent it in three different countries now since leaving England to start this career. If we could carry on much longer we'd soon secure the league title and potentially the cup.


Four games throughout January as we kicked the New Year off in the same style which we ended last year with. We faced five games, four in the league as well as the FFA Cup Final. We picked up three clean sheets in four league games this month too.

The month started with a trip to strong rivalry side Melbourne City FC who we beat again comfortably, this time five nil. Warerson got us off the mark on the half hour mark before Basha made it two nil first half. Second half Thurtell made it three nil, Makarounas four and then Waterson had his second of the night.

Waterson' brilliant season continue as he guided us to victory over Birsbane Roar in this narrow one nil win. His goal came just four minutes into the game.

Staying at home we welcomed Perth Glory who we beat four two. We went behind after twenty one minutes before Fuller levelled just ten minutes later. Waterson then made his mark on the game, netting on the stroke of half time and his second a minute into the second half. An own goal saw us four one up before we conceded a late consolation.

We ended the month in league action at least, away from home, at Sydney FC who we beat one nil. The only goal of the game coming from on loan Newcastle United midfielder Yeganeh four minutes after the break.


With almost two thirds of the league regular season completed, seventeen of twenty seven games it sees us remain top. With ten games to go in this part of the season we have once again advanced our points gap at the top, sitting fifteen points clear now! We've also netted fifty six times and only conceded nineteen!


Trophy one here in Australia ticked off! We faced Melbourne City for the second time this month and beat them for the third time this season here in the Cup Final. A simple and straight forward win for us. Makarounas gave us the lead early on. Second half Warerson netted to put us two up four minutes after the restart before he netted again four minutes later, securing the win and the trophy!

Next Post: Melbourne Victory FC - February 2020

Great work on winning your first trophy in Australia. Must be close to winning the league now

It looks like Australia could be marked off in the one season, great form mate.

Brilliant to see you're dominating already

Hmmm, laughs off your interest, hires you anyway, utter domination and steamrolling of the competition aaand 1 year later you're out of Australia. Boy, these Aussies sure don't hang around

Still ripping through the league, and a great victory over City in the FFA Cup final! 1 down in Australia already!

Thanks Tommo. delighted we won the cup, now just to try and press on and secure the league!

I'd hope so Shedender, we aren't far from it now!

Thanks Johno

Yeah so strange GG.Com but I think they are relieved they took me on afterwards!

Thanks Wilc94, just one/two to go now.

Into February and with our firs trophy under our belts here in Australia we only had one, or two, depending on how you looked at it, left to scoop here, I was looking to complete it this season as its just the league title, which we are running away with, left.


A busy month for February, we faced seven games in total, five in the league whilst we faced to Champions League games and our form dipped massively come the end of the season.

We travelled to Central Coast Mariners first in February, a four three win came, Yaganeh netted after eleven minutes with Makarounas making it two for us. We conceded twice before the break. Second half Marakounas made it three two before Fuller added our fourth, a late injury time for the host came.

Wanderers FC was next up as they travelled to us. Waterson netted a twenty six minute hatrick. We conceded one before the break before Fuller made it four one. A second went in against us we went to add a fifth Oxborrow netting ten minutes from the end.

A three all draw away at Wellington Phoenix came. Makarounas netted twice and Oxborrow found the net as well. Our defence went to pot though.

Our Champions League Qualifier saw us face Sun Pegasus who we stuffed four one to reach the group stage. We were ahead in a minute with Waterson netting and Ward putting us two up in twenty minutes. Yeganeh made it three before the break. Second half we conceded before Waterson added our fourth.

We lost to Adelaide United two one, we were shocking Fuller netted for us.

We were also poor in our first Champions League group against F Marinos secured a three two win against us. Thurtell and Makarounas.

And then three defeats on the bounce came as we lost away at Newcastle United Jets. A goal in the second half was to send us home without a point.


We have Qualified for the final stage of the A league season! With just seven league games to go we remain at the top of the table and fifteen points clear of Brisbane Roar in second. Melbourne City down in ninth are having a shocking season and completely shipping in the goals.

Next Post: Melbourne Victory FC - March 2020

Great start to the month, shame about the slip in form at the end of the month. Well done on qualifying for the final stage of the league, now to go and win it!

Three defeats on the spin? Shocking mate, should resign.

Thanks again Wilc94 wasn't a bad month, we got a qualification spot sorted now.

Yeah probably should Shedender, least I didn't lost 9-0

Into the penultimate month of the 'Regular Season' and with the league qualification sorted we now had to plan to try and wrap up the league title. It would be another quietish month, not too busy. We were able to wrap up the league title this month should we be able to hold our form.


Five games throughout March meant it wasn't too busy for us in the end and it showed on the pitch, whilst we didn't keep our defensive records down, we won four games and drew one, three league games, two Chmpions League games.

First up, we welcomed Melbourne City FC who we beat four three in a seven goal thriller. We lead through Carter after fourteen minutes but then collapsed, conceding two. Thurtell made it two a piece come half time. Waterson scored after the break putting us three two up before we conceded, Cotterill scored the winner eight from time.

A three one win in the Champions League came against Ulsan put us back on track in the competition. We trailed at the break, a poor first half. Second half we come back though, Waterson bringing us level before Fung netted two in the two minutes, putting us three one up.

A three a piece draw in the league against Brisbane Roar set us back in the league once again. Fuller gave us a twelth minute lead, we trailed three one at the break though. Second half we came back brilliantly, Waterson and Makarounas saved the game, drawing three a piece.

Back to back wins in the Champions League came as we beat Binh Duong three two. Makarounas was our man of the match, netting a hatrick as we blew a two goal lead. A penalty in the final minute saved us the game at home.

We ended the month at home againts Sydney FC who we beat two nil, our first and only clean sheet this month. Both goals came in the first half as Munn netted in the fourteenth minute and Carter made it two a minute before the break.


We are Champions of the Regular Season, we just need to bag the Final Series now! With two league games to go we sit sixteen points clear of second place as we've completely ran away in the league this season! Adelaide are the new team who are sitting second but have Brisbane Roar and Perth Glory just two points behind them.


Another badge ticked off the schedule! I've now completed my Continental C License badge. This leaves me just a few steps from the top of the ladder, needing just by Continental B, A and Pro license.

I've also loaded Iceland in back in November, so that should be my next step.

Next Post: Melbourne Victory FC - April 2020

Ended up destroying the league. 78 goals in 25 games is impressive.

Well that the minor premiership done, now to win the actual title. Good luck in the A-League finals!

Clearly on top as the better team, I think in the final of this one, you should go for a bigger league!

Yes Tommo. we certainly walked the majority of it!

Thanks SImoncoyne one down! Well two down! The Final series to go!

Thanks Bukinapreto we are one of the bigger teams in Australia mind!

The final month of the competitive league season was here. and it would contain Champions League, Regular Season and Final series matches for us as we ended the season, the Champions League has a little way to go yet. Five games originally this month with two later on in the month.


Well, form dipped big time throughout April. Squad registration after the transfer window saw us have to cut people out and this has affected our form. Three defeats and two wins at the start of this month.

Poor game first away at F Marinos as we lost out two nil, both goals coming before the break.

A trip to Perth Glory in our penultimate Regular season game saw us lost four two, Waterson with our two in the second half but again we were poor.

At home against Central Coast Mariners we picked up our first win of the month, we were much better here. Makarounas netted after two minutes before we conceded. But Carter netted twice for us, either side of the break, securing a three one victory.

A trip to Binh Duong in the Champions League saw us destroy them with a six one victory! Munn netted twice, once in both halves, Yeganeh, Waterson and Thurtell also added goals for us as well as an own goal from Do Ngoc Thien.

We ended the group stage with a one nil defeat at home against Ulsan.


We got through the Champions League group stage by the skins of our teeth. Marinos finished top with us going throughout second, completely level with third place Ulsan whilst Binh Duong had a howler with a minus eighteen goal difference.


The Regular season finished like this after twenty seven league games played. We sat top by seventeen points! A superb season where we dominated from start to finish. Melbourne City had an awful season, finishing ninth whilst conceding eighty two as well! We scored eighty three goals, our defence let us down near the end.


The A-League Semi Finals saw us face Perth Glory in a great game, an eight goal thriller which saw us end all square after one hundred and twenty minutes. We were behind in four minutes and two down in five minutes! Then it was our time to shine. Fuller netting in the tenth and thirty seventh minute, putting us level before Thurtell put us three two up at the break. Second half we conceded in injury time, denying us the spot in the final and forcing more time to be played. Extra time saw us lead with eighteen minutes to go as Carter scored, but again we were denied in the final minutes. It went to a penalty shootout, where we went on to win four three! Into the Finals!


Champions! An eleven goal thriller decided the A-League Finals Grand Final as we beat Newcastle United Jets six five. We led after three minutes through Makarounas but then found ourselves trailing two one. It was all square at the break with Waterson levelling for us. Second half we netted in the sixty ninth minute, Waterson' second and then Makarounas had his second two minutes from time as we went four two up. But then we collapsed. Newcastle United Jets netting in the eighty ninth and ninety fourth minute, to force extra time! Extra Time came and we led again, Cotterill putting us ahead. It was level again two minutes before the break in extra time as Burgess netted for Newcastle. But it was to be our final as Thurtell netted the winner in the one hundredth and ninth minute!

Next Post: Melbourne Victory FC 2020

Bloody nora! You little ripper . What a domestic season, coasted it, and what a triller of a final to round up the A-League finals. What's up with the AFC Champions League, does that keep going now in the domestic off season period? Looks to me like the Aussie's need to sort out their strange football setup, it's all over the shop.

The fans certainly got there moneys worth in the semis and final there. Good to see you qualify from Champs League too