This is The Munster Rebels Project: a Football Manager 26 save focused on restoring Cork City FC while building a bold new identity for the club.

The rebuild will be overseen by Billy King, an ambitious young Irish manager tasked with bringing stability, purpose and pride back to Turner’s Cross. In recent seasons, Cork have become something of a yo-yo club, bouncing between divisions and struggling to find the consistency their size, history and support demands. The immediate goal is clear: win promotion from the First Division, a league Cork City simply do not belong in.

Beyond that, the project is about building something far more sustainable. King’s long-term vision is to create a club rooted in Munster, powered by youth development and shaped by an aggressive, high-pressing tactical style. The aim is not just to get Cork back to the top flight, but to build a squad with local roots, a clear pathway for young players and a footballing identity they can grow into over time.

At the heart of the save is one guiding principle: Cork City should become the leading homegrown development club in Ireland.

That ambition feels achievable because Cork already have a phenomenal youth system. The club has a genuine production line of talent, and this project is about trusting it properly. Young players will not be treated as emergency cover, short-term assets or names to cash in on too early. They will be central to the rebuild.

This is not a strict homegrown-only save. Cork can still sign players from outside Munster, because realism and squad balance matter. However, there is one self-imposed rule: only four non-Munster players can be in the starting XI at any one time.

That restriction gives the save its edge without making it unrealistic. It allows room for smart recruitment, while keeping the focus where it belongs: on Cork-born, Cork-raised, Munster-born and Munster-developed players.

The Manager: Billy King

At the centre of the rebuild is Billy King, a lifelong Cork supporter with a grassroots coaching background and a deep belief in local football. King is not arriving as a glamorous name or a high-profile appointment. He represents something more grounded: a manager shaped by the community around the club.

His connection to Cork City is emotional as much as tactical. He understands what the club should mean, what Turner’s Cross, the club’s 7,500-capacity all-seater home, should feel like on matchday, and why supporters are desperate for a team they can properly connect with again.

Identified by new ‘advisor to the Board’ Simon Grayson as an ideal fit, King arrives at Cork City with something to prove. His appointment has not been universally welcomed, with sections of the fanbase questioning whether a coach with a largely youth-focused background is ready for the demands of the League of Ireland and the pressure of a club in need of direction.

For King, this is therefore not simply a job. It is an immediate test of credibility. He must restore pride, rebuild trust and show supporters that Cork City can still develop an identity worthy of the club’s history, even at a time when patience around the boardroom and the direction of the club appears to be wearing thin.

King’s approach is based on integration. Young players will be brought into the senior environment early, coached within a clear system and given meaningful opportunities. The idea is not to hoard players forever, because Cork City will inevitably lose talent to bigger leagues and bigger clubs. The idea is to make sure those players develop properly, contribute properly and strengthen the club before moving on.

The Backroom Team

The appointments around King reflect the wider direction of the project.

Shane Long, a Munster native and one of the region’s most recognisable modern footballers, begins his coaching journey as part of King’s staff. His experience at the highest levels of the game should be invaluable, particularly for the club’s young forwards and wide players. For a squad filled with developing attackers, having someone with Long’s knowledge of movement, pressing, physical intensity and elite-level professionalism feels like a natural fit.

Pat Devlin also joins as Director of Football, bringing extensive experience in the Irish game. His arrival gives the project a more senior footballing structure, particularly around recruitment, squad planning and long-term decision-making. In a save built around restrictions, local focus and careful squad building, that experience matters.

Just as important, though, are the staff members who remain at the club.

Promising young Assistant Manager David Meyler also remains in place, offering continuity within the first-team setup and another important voice alongside King.

Even more significant is the retention of Liam Kearney, the club’s elite Head of Youth Development and arguably one of the most important figures in the entire project. If Cork City are to become a club defined by their pathway, Kearney’s role will be essential.

His presence reinforces the idea that this is not simply a first-team reset. It is a club-wide commitment to identifying, developing and trusting young talent, ensuring the academy is not separate from the rebuild but central to it.

The first team, academy, recruitment and coaching staff all need to pull in the same direction. That is the only way this project works.

The Munster Rule

The self-imposed squad rule is what gives this save its real identity. Cork City will be allowed to sign non-Munster players, but only within a strict limit: a maximum of four non-Munster players in the starting XI at any one time.

That rule matters because this project is not just about Cork as a city. It is about Cork’s place within Munster, one of Ireland’s four provinces and a region with a strong sporting, cultural and local identity. Munster is made up of six counties: Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Clare, Tipperary and Waterford. Within that are proud footballing communities, historic towns, major cities and local identities that all feed into the idea of a wider regional pathway.

For Cork City, that means the recruitment focus does not stop at the city limits. Cork-born and Cork-developed players will always come first, but the wider Munster region gives the save a broader and more realistic talent pool. Players from Limerick, Waterford, Kerry, Clare and Tipperary can all fit the identity of the project, helping Cork become not just a club for the city, but a leading development hub for the province.

The rule keeps the save grounded without making it impossible. It allows the club to add key players from elsewhere when required, especially in positions where the local talent pool is thin, but it prevents the project from becoming just another standard rebuild.

A useful reference point is Real Sociedad, particularly their long-standing cantera culture: a club identity built around developing players from within, giving academy talent a genuine route to the first team, and using outside signings carefully rather than allowing them to define the squad. The Munster Rebels Project takes inspiration from that idea. Cork’s phenomenal youth system should be the foundation, with Cork and Munster players forming the core of the team, while selective outside additions are used only to raise the level and support the wider vision.

The recruitment priorities will be:

Cork-born or Cork-developed players

The core of the project and the first place Cork should look.

Munster-born or Munster-raised players

Players from across Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Clare, Tipperary and Waterford who strengthen the regional identity of the squad.

Irish players who fit the system and culture

Useful additions where the squad needs depth, balance or experience.

Limited non-Munster additions where there is a clear need

Carefully selected players who raise the level without taking over the identity of the team.

This is about building a squad that feels connected to the place it represents. It is a homegrown focus rather than a hard rule. Cork can still be practical, but the club cannot lose sight of the bigger picture.

The ideal Cork City squad should feel like a Munster side first, with carefully selected outside additions used to raise the level.

Tactical Vision

King’s Cork City will be built around a possession-control 4-2-3-1, but this is not meant to be slow, passive or overly cautious. The objective is to give Cork a clear structure with the ball, control the rhythm of matches and create a framework that helps young players develop within defined roles rather than relying on improvisation.

The shape is best understood as a controlled but aggressive system with deliberate asymmetry. Cork should build from the back, using technically secure defenders and a midfield base that offers protection, circulation and control. Behind the ball, the structure remains stable, but ahead of it there is enough movement to create variation and vertical threat.

The full-backs are a good example of that balance. Rather than both doing the same thing, one side can stretch the game while the other helps consolidate it.

On the left, the full-back is expected to drive forward and support attacks aggressively. On the right, the full-back looks more likely to invert, stepping inside to help connect play and strengthen the midfield structure. That gives Cork an extra layer of control in possession without sacrificing attacking support elsewhere.

The midfield pairing also reflects this balance. One midfielder sits deeper, protecting the structure and helping the team retain control, while the other has more licence to step forward and support attacks. Together, they provide the platform for the team: secure enough to control possession, but active enough to stop the system becoming flat or predictable.

Further forward, the attacking midfield line is clearly designed to combine movement with purpose. The right winger holds width more naturally, giving the team a proper outlet on that side, especially with the right-back moving inside underneath. On the opposite flank, the left winger is more aggressive in his movement, attacking inside spaces rather than simply hugging the touchline. Between them, the central attacking midfielder becomes a major vertical threat, driving into the channels and making forward runs beyond the striker when space opens up.

That is important because it shows this is not a sterile possession system. The striker is not there just to link play: he is expected to pin centre-backs, occupy the last line and create room for the three attacking midfielders around him. The aim is to control matches without draining the attack of energy, penetration or intent.

Out of possession, the same principles apply. Cork should press high, squeeze the pitch and force rushed decisions. The front four need to work aggressively, the wide players must contribute without the ball, and the overall style should feel young, intense and brave. Technical quality matters, but not on its own. This system needs players with the stamina, work rate, aggression and mobility to repeat actions, sustain the press and keep the team compact over 90 minutes.

Overall, the idea is a 4-2-3-1 built on control, but with enough asymmetry, movement and intensity to make it dynamic. One full-back drives on while the other inverts, one winger holds width while the other attacks inside, and the attacking midfielder adds forward thrust around a striker who pins the opposition back line. It is a system designed to give Cork structure, clarity and development value, while still feeling front-footed and dangerous.

Meet The Squad

The current squad gives King a strong base to work from, but it is also a squad that needs careful management.

There is genuine potential throughout the group, especially in defence, midfield and the attacking midfield positions. There are also some clear limitations. Several prospects are still raw, some senior players lack mobility, and a number of younger players have standout qualities but obvious gaps in their game.

Goalkeepers

Conor Brann (Non Munster)

Role: Starting goalkeeper

Conor Brann begins the project as the first-choice goalkeeper and one of the most important young players in the squad. He has high potential, good size and the tools to develop into a modern keeper with genuine sweeper potential.

His Aerial Reach of 14 immediately stands out, giving him a strong base when dealing with crosses and set-piece pressure. His Command of Area of 13 also suggests he has the personality and presence to grow into a more authoritative figure behind the defence. Add in Reflexes of 12 and Strength of 13, and there is a clear foundation to work with.

Brann is not the finished article, but he fits the direction of the save perfectly concerning non-Munster standouts. He is young, talented, physically promising and capable of developing alongside the team. If Cork are going to build from the back, he will be given every chance to grow into the role.

Key Fact: Developed in England with Swindon Town before moving into senior football in Ireland.

David Odumosu (Non Munster)

Role: Sweeper competition

David Odumosu offers something slightly different. He is more eccentric and appears more naturally suited to a sweeper-keeper style, which gives King an interesting alternative depending on the opponent and game state.

His Aerial Reach of 13 is solid, while One on Ones of 12 and Reflexes of 12 give him a useful shot-stopping base. His Acceleration of 11 is also relevant, especially if Cork are asking their goalkeeper to cover space behind a higher defensive line.

Odumosu may not begin as the starter, but he gives the squad stylistic variety. In cup games, rotation fixtures or matches where Cork expect to dominate territory, his profile could become useful.

Key Fact: Became a first-team regular at Cliftonville after building his reputation with St Patrick’s Athletic and Drogheda United.

AJ Nash

Role: Long-term goalkeeper prospect

AJ Nash is a high-potential goalkeeper, but he is still very young and has plenty to work on before he can seriously challenge for regular senior minutes.

His current profile shows promise rather than readiness. Handling of 11, Jumping Reach of 11 and Aerial Reach of 11 give him a workable foundation, while Agility of 13 is the standout attribute at this stage. That agility could help him develop into a sharper, more reactive goalkeeper over time.

The key with Nash will be patience. He is not someone to rush into the first team unless circumstances demand it. His development will need careful management through youth football, mentoring and eventually loans or cup minutes.

Key Fact: Featured for Cobh Ramblers U17s while still an U15 player and was named on the bench for a senior friendly at just 14.

Full-Backs and Wing-Backs

Finn Dalton

Role: Athletic young wing-back

Finn Dalton is one of the more exciting young wide defenders in the squad. He already has the athletic tools needed for King’s system and looks like a player who can grow into a proper modern wing-back.

His Acceleration of 14 and Pace of 14 are the headline attributes. In a 4-2-3-1 that asks full-backs to support attacks, recover quickly and maintain intensity, that athleticism is hugely valuable. 

His Crossing of 12 also gives him a useful attacking base, while Teamwork of 13 suggests he can function within a structured system.

Dalton’s development will likely centre around decision-making, defensive reliability and end product. But the raw ingredients are there.

Key Fact: Former captain of Cork City’s U17s, playing abroad against Porto and Benfica,

Matthew Kiernan

Role: High-potential attacking wing-back

Matthew Kiernan is another rapid wing-back with considerable potential to become a first-team regular. He may not start every week immediately, but he should feature regularly enough to continue progressing.

His physical profile is excellent for this level. Work Rate of 14, Acceleration of 14 and Pace of 14 make him a natural fit for an intense, pressing system. His Natural Fitness of 13 also suggests he can handle repeated high-energy actions.

Kiernan feels like a player who could become very valuable if developed correctly. He has the running power and attitude to suit the project, and if his defensive and technical qualities improve, he could become one of the most important young players in the squad.

Key Fact: Hit a recorded top speed of 34.4km/h in a 2025 friendly.

Liam Quinn

Role: Defensive left-back prospect

Liam Quinn is a well-rounded youth-team left-back whose current profile leans more towards defensive reliability than attacking output.

His Tackling of 14 is excellent for a young defender and immediately makes him interesting. He also has Teamwork of 14, which fits nicely with the structured nature of King’s system. Work Rate of 12 and Natural Fitness of 11 give him a reasonable physical and mental base, even if he may need time to develop the athleticism required for regular first-team football.

Quinn may not be the most explosive option, but he could become a dependable squad player if nurtured properly. In a save built around youth development, players like this are important. Not every academy player needs to be a superstar. Some need to become reliable, tactically intelligent members of the squad.

Key Fact: A true long-pathway Cork City academy player - first listed with the club at U13 level in 2020.

Conor Drinan

Role: Depth option at left-back or wide areas

Conor Drinan offers versatility as a left-back or winger, but his current ability means he will likely only play when necessary.

He does have some useful attributes. Work Rate of 13, Teamwork of 12, Aggression of 13 and Bravery of 12 suggest he has the attitude required to compete.

The question is whether the technical and overall quality can develop enough for him to become more than a depth option.

For now, Drinan is useful cover. Longer term, he will need clear improvement to remain part of the first-team picture.

Key Fact: Brother of Aaron Drinan and made over 70 appearances for Cobh Ramblers before joining Cork.

Centre-Backs

Charlie Lyons

Role: Starting left-sided centre-back

Charlie Lyons looks set to play a major role from the beginning. A natural left-footer and an aerially dominant central defender, he gives the back line balance and presence.

His Heading of 13 is strong, but it is the mental and physical edge that really stands out. Aggression of 16, Bravery of 15 and Strength of 13 make him a natural competitor. He should be a major threat from attacking set pieces, giving Cork an important route to goals in tight First Division matches.

As a left-sided centre-back, Lyons feels particularly valuable. Natural balance in the back line matters, especially in a possession system, and his physical dominance should make him a regular starter.

Key Fact: Scored five goals during Cork City’s most recent title-winning campaign, making him a real set-piece threat from centre-back.

Fiacre Kelleher

Role: Right-sided stopper

Fiacre Kelleher is the colossus at the back.

He may lack mobility, which will need to be protected by the system, but his aerial and physical profile is outstanding for this level. Heading of 14, Bravery of 15, Jumping Reach of 16 and Strength of 15 make him exactly the kind of defender who can dominate penalty boxes.

Kelleher will start on the right side of central defence as more of a stopper. His job will be to win duels, attack crosses, defend aggressively and provide leadership through physical authority. The tactical concern is space behind him, particularly if Cork play high, but with the right partner and midfield structure, his strengths should outweigh his limitations.

He is not the future of the project in the same way some of the younger defenders are, but he may be essential to getting Cork promoted.

Key Fact: Brother of Liverpool and Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher.

Luke Downey

Role: Tall defensive prospect

Luke Downey is another tall and aerially dominant central defender, on the younger side of the squad age profile.

His Tackling of 13, Positioning of 14, Bravery of 14 and Jumping Reach of 14 make him a very appealing defensive prospect. Positioning of 14 is particularly encouraging for a young centre-back, suggesting he already has a good understanding of where to be.

Downey may not need to be thrown in immediately every week, but he should be kept close to the first team. With the right minutes, he could develop into a long-term starter.

Key Fact: Son of former Cork City player Len Downey.

Harry Nevin

Role: Versatile regular defender

Harry Nevin is a versatile young defender with the potential to develop into a central defender in the future. For now, he will start regularly because of his mobility, flexibility and suitability to the system.

His Acceleration of 13 and Pace of 13 are important, especially when compared with some of the less mobile senior defenders. His Aggression of 13 gives him bite, while Heading of 10 suggests there is still work to do if he is going to become a natural centre-back long term.

Nevin’s versatility could be extremely useful across a long First Division season. He may not be the most polished defender in the squad yet, but he has the tools to become a key part of the rebuild.

Key Fact: Earned a move to Preston North End as a teenager after representing Ireland at underage level.

Rory Feeley

Role: Talented versatile defender

Rory Feeley is a well-rounded defensive player who gives Cork flexibility across the back line and midfield. His main value comes from being able to play as a central defender, a conservative right-back or, when required, a midfield destroyer in front of the defence.

That versatility makes him an important tactical option. Feeley’s Heading of 13, Aggression of 13, Natural Fitness of 12 and Strength of 12 give him the physical and defensive base to compete in duels, attack first contacts and provide security in deeper areas. At centre-back, he can offer a combative presence. At right-back, he can play a more disciplined role, tucking in rather than constantly pushing forward.

The midfield destroyer role may still be useful in certain games, particularly when Cork need extra protection, aggression or someone to simplify the game.

Feeley may not be a specialist in one single role, but his ability to screen, duel, cover and defend multiple zones makes him a valuable squad piece.

Key Fact: Has built a career of over 150 League of Ireland appearances and also has experience in the EFL.

Ike Manjor-Georgewill

Role: Cup minutes and defensive development

Ike Manjor-Georgewill is an outstanding defensive prospect who will be given opportunities, particularly in cup competitions.

His profile is promising because it already contains a number of well-balanced attributes. Passing of 12, Decisions of 13, Positioning of 12 and Natural Fitness of 12 suggest he is not just a raw physical defender. There is a base here for a composed, intelligent player who can grow into the tactical demands of the system.

He may not be ready for regular league starts, but he is exactly the kind of player this save is about. He needs development, minutes and a pathway.

Key Fact: Reportedly tracked by Manchester United after developing through Pike Rovers, Holycross and Treaty United.

Donal O’Connor

Role: Long-term central defensive prospect

Donal O’Connor is a tall and mentally resolute central defensive prospect with a very bright future at the club.

His mental attributes immediately stand out. Aggression of 15, Bravery of 15, Positioning of 13 and Natural Fitness of 15 give him an excellent platform.

Natural Fitness of 15 is especially useful for long-term development, suggesting he could handle training loads and maintain physical standards well.

O’Connor feels like a player who should be protected but trusted. He may not start immediately, but he should be carefully developed with the expectation that he becomes a serious first-team option.

Key Fact: Came through Avondale United, the same club that produced Damien Delaney.

Defensive Midfield and Central Midfield

Darragh Crowley

Role: First-choice midfield leader or right back

Darragh Crowley is one of the most important senior players in the squad and will start the majority of games during the First Division campaign.

He offers versatility, leadership and reliability. His Teamwork of 13, Work Rate of 13, Natural Fitness of 14 and Stamina of 12 make him well suited to a demanding midfield role or fullback position. He may not be the flashiest player in the squad, but he looks like one of the players who will hold the team together.

For a young side, players like Crowley are essential. He gives King a dependable platform while the prospects develop around him.

Key Fact: A Cork academy graduate with over 100 senior appearances and a reputation for scoring from long range.

Greg Bolger (Non Munster)

Role: Veteran mentality and midfield experience

Greg Bolger brings elite mentality and experience to the midfield.

His Leadership of 18 is enormous in the context of this squad. Add Aggression of 17, Bravery of 15 and Strength of 12, and he becomes one of the key cultural figures in the dressing room. Even if his physical peak is behind him, his influence could be vital.

Bolger will start many games in the First Division, but his role extends beyond the pitch. He can mentor younger midfielders, set standards in training and give Cork a more ruthless edge in difficult matches.

In a development save, senior professionals matter. Bolger should be one of the players who helps bridge the gap between youth potential and promotion pressure.

Key Fact: Club captain with multiple League of Ireland titles and over a decade of senior experience.

AJ Bridge (Non Munster)

Role: Defensive midfield rotation option

AJ Bridge is a technically proficient Norwich City loanee with a very high ceiling. He will rotate in the playmaking pivot midfield spot, although that is not his natural position, so he may need time to adapt.

His profile is attractive because of his intelligence and technical quality. Technique of 13, Vision of 13, Natural Fitness of 12 and Stamina of 13 suggest he can handle the ball and contribute to Cork’s possession game. The challenge will be whether he can learn the defensive discipline required in a deeper midfield role.

Bridge is not a natural destroyer, so he offers a different flavour from Feeley beside him in a two. In matches where Cork expect to dominate the ball, he could help progression from deep areas. In more physical games, he may need protection.

His development and adaptation will be one to watch.

Key Fact: Joined Norwich City from hometown club Middlesbrough for an undisclosed fee

Sean Richmond

Role: Technical midfield prospect

Sean Richmond is a technically impressive central midfield prospect with room to improve physically.

His First Touch of 13, Passing of 13, Technique of 13 and Vision of 13 make him one of the more naturally technical young midfielders in the squad. That makes him appealing in a possession-based system, particularly if he can develop the physical qualities needed to survive senior football.

Richmond may need careful game management. He has the ball-playing talent, but he must become quicker, stronger or more intense if he is to thrive in King’s system.

Key Fact: Former Cork academy U14 Player of the Season.

Dara McCormick

Role: Mentality-based midfield depth

Dara McCormick is a midfield player with strong mental qualities, although his ceiling appears limited.

His standout attributes are Decisions of 14, Teamwork of 14 and Work Rate of 14, supported by First Touch of 11. He may not have elite technical ability, but he looks like the kind of player who can follow instructions, press honestly and maintain structure.

McCormick may not become a long-term star, but he can still have value in a squad built around collective standards. He gives depth, discipline and reliability.

Key Fact: Named Cork U20 Players’ Player of the Year.

Tom McGrath

Role: First-team experience and future leadership

Tom McGrath is a natural leader in midfield with exceptional well-rounded attributes for his age. He will be kept around the first team to gain experience and accelerate his development.

His Composure of 15 is a major standout, especially for a young midfielder. That kind of calmness is difficult to teach. He also has Teamwork of 12, Work Rate of 12 and Balance of 13, giving him a strong base to build from.

McGrath feels like one of the prospects who should be exposed to senior football early. Not necessarily overloaded, but definitely involved.

Key Fact: Ireland U17 international developed entirely within Cork’s academy system.

Niall O’Keefe

Role: Midfield workhorse

Niall O’Keefe is a midfield grafter with limited technical ability, but he has exactly the kind of mentality and engine that can make him useful in King’s system.

His Work Rate of 13, Acceleration of 13, Natural Fitness of 14 and Stamina of 13 make him a strong fit for a press-reliant approach. He may not be the player to unlock a defence with a clever pass, but he can run, compete and make life uncomfortable for opponents.

There will be games where that matters more than elegance.

Key Fact: Built up more than 150 League of Ireland appearances before joining Cork.

Jamie Kelly

Role: Technical depth with physical concerns

Jamie Kelly is a physically weak midfield playmaker with a strong mentality, but his limited pace and strength may restrict his potential within this system.

His First Touch of 13, Technique of 11, Teamwork of 14 and Work Rate of 13 show that there is a useful player there. He has the attitude and touch to contribute, but the question is whether he can handle the athletic demands of King’s midfield.

Kelly may be more useful in controlled games than chaotic ones. His future may depend on whether the system can accommodate his limitations.

Key Fact: Won Cork City U20 Player of the Year.

Attacking Midfielders and Wide Players

Cillian Murphy

Role: Starting attacking midfielder

Cillian Murphy is one of the most exciting players in the entire country.

At just 16 years old, he already looks ready for men’s football and will operate as the starting attacking midfielder. Long term, there may be potential for him to develop into a deeper playmaker, but for now his role will be higher up the pitch, where he can influence the final third without being overloaded defensively.

His profile includes Balance of 12, Natural Fitness of 12, Technique of 11 and Work Rate of 11. He is still raw, but his readiness at such a young age makes him central to the save’s identity.

Murphy represents exactly what King wants Cork City to become: a club brave enough to trust its own best young players – and they certainly will this season.

Key Fact: Scored a hat-trick for Ireland U17s in a major international qualifying campaign.

Josh Fitzpatrick

Role: Starting right-sided player

Josh Fitzpatrick is a hard-working wide player with huge potential and will start on the right-hand side as a natural winger or inside player.

His profile suits the system well. Aggression of 13, Work Rate of 12, Acceleration of 13 and Natural Fitness of 13 make him a high-energy, high-upside option.

The main area for development is finishing. If he is going to operate as an inside forward or goal threat from the right, he needs to become more reliable in front of goal.

The raw ingredients are excellent. Fitzpatrick should get significant minutes, and his development could be one of the defining storylines of the first season.

Key Fact: Scored his first professional goal with a long-range winner against Galway United, ending Cork City’s 14-game league winless run.

Sean Maguire

Role: Left-sided goalscoring inside forward

Club legend Sean Maguire brings veteran quality, versatility and top-class technical and mental attributes. This season, he will operate from the left as a dangerous goalscoring inside forward.

His First Touch of 13, Passing of 13, Teamwork of 14 and Acceleration of 12 make him one of the more polished attackers in the squad. He can combine, move intelligently, create and score. In a young team, his presence in the front line should be extremely valuable.

Maguire may not be the long-term face of the rebuild, but he could be vital in the early years. His experience and quality should help Cork turn territorial control into goals.

Key Fact: Scored Cork City’s iconic extra-time winner in the 2016 FAI Cup final.

Brody Lee

Role: Technical impact option

Brody Lee is an extremely technically proficient wide player or attacking midfielder with high potential. He will be given regular minutes from the bench and could grow into a more important role as the season progresses.

His First Touch of 14, Passing of 13, Technique of 14 and Natural Fitness of 14 make him one of the most technically exciting young attackers in the squad. He looks like a player who could help Cork control the ball in advanced areas and unlock compact defences.

The challenge will be turning potential into consistent senior output. But Lee has the profile of a player worth trusting.

Key Fact: Came through Killavilla, Belvedere and Shamrock Rovers before joining Cork.

Matthew Murray

Role: High-potential attacking project

Matthew Murray is a huge potential project player with fantastic attributes and a top-class work ethic. In many ways, he looks like the perfect prospect for Billy King’s press-reliant system.

His First Touch of 13, Work Rate of 12, Natural Fitness of 12 and Stamina of 13 give him a strong base for a high-intensity attacking role. He will make appearances off the bench initially, but his profile suggests he could become far more important over time.

Murray is exactly the kind of player who should benefit from King’s coaching structure. The talent is there. The work ethic is there. Now the minutes need to follow.

Key Fact: Signed his first professional contract at just 16.

Karin Fonseca

Role: Academy winger with standout technical quality

Karin Fonseca is an academy winger with a number of eye-catching attributes.

The standout quality is technical. First Touch of 15 and Passing of 15 are exceptional attributes for a young wide player at this level. Add Work Rate of 12 and Natural Fitness of 12, and there is enough there to make him a genuinely intriguing development player.

Fonseca may need time, but his technical ceiling looks very interesting. He could become a creative wide option, especially if his physical and mental qualities develop around that technical base.

Key Fact: Developed through Lakewood Athletic and Cork’s academy, winning Munster youth honours.

Denzell Obenge

Role: Youth attacker needing fast improvement

Denzell Obenge is a versatile youth-team attacker, but his current profile suggests he has a limited ceiling and generally poor attributes outside a few useful areas.

His Dribbling of 13, Work Rate of 13, Agility of 12 and Stamina of 13 give him something to work with. He can move, carry and compete. However, he will need to improve quickly if he is going to become part of the long-term first-team plan.

This is where the save’s development structure will be tested. Not every prospect will make it. Obenge has some useful tools, but he needs progress.

Key Fact: Was part of an All-Ireland winning Cork U13 side.

Jayden O’Donovan

Role: Potential loan candidate

Jayden O’Donovan is a pacey youth-squad wide player with reasonable potential and a decent technical base.

His physical profile is encouraging, with Acceleration of 13, Agility of 13, Balance of 13 and Pace of 13. That gives him the athletic foundation to become a useful wide player, but he may benefit from a loan to experience men’s football.

If regular minutes are not available at Cork, a carefully selected loan could be the best option. As with every loan in this save, the move would need to guarantee minutes and make stylistic sense.

Key Fact: Was prolific at underage level within Cork’s academy setup.

Hans Mpongo (Non Munster)

Role: Versatile attacking impact option

Hans Mpongo is a pacey and physically accomplished wide player or centre forward with impressive versatility.

His Acceleration of 14 and Pace of 13 make him a dangerous option against tired legs, while Jumping Reach of 12 and Strength of 11 give him some physical presence. He will rotate across the front line and operate predominantly as an impact option from the bench.

Mpongo’s ability to cover multiple attacking roles could be extremely useful during a long season. He may not start every week, but he should have a clear part to play.

Key Fact: Previously played with Brentford B and NAC Breda before making an impact in Ireland.

Charlie Hanover

Role: Channel forward or wide development option

Charlie Hanover is a talented youth prospect with a future either as a channel forward or wide player. His exact role may depend on how the system evolves and where Cork have depth issues.

His Finishing of 13, Acceleration of 13, Balance of 13 and Pace of 13 make him an appealing attacking prospect. He has the speed to threaten space and the finishing base to become a genuine goal threat if developed properly.

Hanover feels like one of the more flexible attacking projects. Whether he becomes a striker, wide forward or rotation option may depend on opportunity.

Key Fact: Developed through multiple Cork schoolboy clubs before stepping into senior football.

Strikers

Ruari Keating (Non Munster)

Role: Starting central striker

Ruari Keating will lead the line. He is a natural finisher, a physical focal point and a player with excellent experience in the league. In a squad full of young attackers, having a reliable senior striker is crucial.

His Finishing of 13, Heading of 13, Work Rate of 13 and Natural Fitness of 14 make him an ideal central forward for this system. He can score, compete, press and offer a target for the attacking midfielders around him.

Keating’s role is not just about goals. He needs to pin centre-backs, create space for runners and give Cork a reliable presence at the top of the pitch. He will start the vast majority of matches and could be one of the most important players in the promotion push.

Key Fact: Scored 21 goals in 50 games during his first spell with Cork.

The First Season Objective

The first season objective is clear: promotion at all costs, while blooding youngsters wherever possible.

Cork City cannot afford to treat the First Division as a comfortable development year. The club should not be here, and getting back to the top flight has to be the immediate priority. But the way promotion is achieved matters.

This cannot become a short-term squad full of stop-gaps who block the pathway. Senior players such as Greg Bolger, Ruari Keating, Sean Maguire, Darragh Crowley and Fiacre Kelleher will be important, but the young core has to be involved from the start.

Players like Cillian Murphy, Josh Fitzpatrick, Conor Brann, Matthew Kiernan, Brody Lee, Matthew Murray and Tom McGrath should not be hidden away. They need proper minutes, proper coaching and proper responsibility.

The balance is delicate. Too much youth too soon could cost results. Too much caution could betray the whole point of the project.

King’s job is to find the middle ground.

The Long-Term Vision

The aim is to turn Cork City into the leading development club in Ireland, with a squad built around Munster talent and a clear route from academy football to the first team.

Long term, the club should become known for:

• Developing Cork and Munster players.
• Playing a clear, possession-based, high-intensity style.
• Giving young players meaningful first-team minutes.
• Using recruitment carefully rather than carelessly.
• Selling talent only when it benefits the player and the club.
• Reinvesting in the pathway.

The project is romantic, but it also has to be ruthless. Sentiment alone will not win matches. Local identity matters, but so does quality. The challenge is to combine both.

Cork City should be a club where young players see a future, supporters see a plan and opponents see a side with energy, structure and belief.

That is the standard Billy King has to set.

This is not just about getting Cork City promoted - this is about making Cork City feel like Cork City again.

Next up: First-Season Review, Summer Transfer Overview and Progress Report

1: Introducing The Series

This series follows a long-term Football Manager 2026 save with Riga FC, centred around the construction of a modern footballing powerhouse in Latvia. 

Latvia sits on the outer edge of European football. Overshadowed by larger leagues and operating with limited financial power, the Latvian Virslīga rarely receives significant attention outside the Baltic region. Yet beneath that relative obscurity lies a league with growing ambition, improving infrastructure, and clubs increasingly capable of competing beyond their reputation. 

Recent years have shown that progress is possible. Latvian sides have begun making genuine strides in European competition, most notably through the rise of RFS, whose appearances in UEFA competition demonstrated that clubs from the region can challenge far more established opponents with the right structure and identity in place. 

That context makes Riga FC a fascinating project. 

Founded only in 2014 following the merger of FC Caramba and Dinamo Rīga, the club is still relatively young by European standards. Despite that, Riga have already established themselves as one of the dominant forces in Latvian football, winning league titles, attracting foreign talent, and positioning themselves as a club with ambitions well beyond domestic success. Playing at the historic Skonto Stadium, the club exists within a city once represented by one of the Baltic region’s true footballing institutions: Skonto FC. 

Riga play at Skonto Stadium, a ground tied to the memory of Skonto FC, the club that once defined Latvian football. That history matters. Riga FC are not Skonto reborn, but they are operating in the space Skonto left behind: the capital city, the national football imagination, and the question of whether Latvia can again produce a club that feels bigger than its league. 

The long-term vision is not simply to win league titles, but to establish Riga as the defining football institution in Latvia - a club capable of becoming for Latvian football what Celtic are within Scotland and what Ferencváros are within Hungary: dominant domestically, respected in Europe, and trusted as a pathway for emerging talent. 

Recruitment will focus heavily on undervalued players with room to develop, technical profiles fit for the system, and individuals capable of fulfilling a clearly defined tactical structure. European progression is essential, but so too is the development of Latvian players capable of strengthening both the club and the national team over time. The objective is to create a dynasty and a sustainable football identity rather than relying purely on financial superiority or short-term success. 

Why Latvia? 

Latvia occupies a difficult position within European football. A nation of fewer than two million people, currently sitting far outside the established footballing centres of Europe, it often operates in the shadow of larger neighbouring nations. Financial limitations, low league visibility, and the regular loss of talent abroad have all contributed to the challenge of building sustained footballing progress - yet the foundations for growth are there. 

Football in Latvia has a long and often interrupted history, shaped heavily by political change and the country’s struggle for national identity throughout the 20th century. Since independence, the sport has become an increasingly important cultural symbol. While ice hockey and basketball traditionally dominate public attention, football now holds some of the highest participation rates in the country and continues to grow steadily in visibility and infrastructure. 

Latvian football has also produced moments and figures of genuine significance. The national team’s qualification for UEFA Euro 2004 remains one of the country’s greatest sporting achievements, driven by what is still viewed as Latvia’s golden generation. Players such as Māris Verpakovskis, Marians Pahars, and Vitālijs Astafjevs became national icons, proving that Latvian players could compete successfully at a far higher level than many expected. 

One of the biggest criticisms surrounding modern Latvian football is the sense of short-termism within the domestic game. Clubs competing for titles and European qualification often prioritise experienced foreign imports and immediate success over the long-term development of Latvian players. While league regulations require three Latvian players to start each match, genuine pathways into elite-level football can still feel fragile and inconsistent. 

Under the ownership of Russian billionaire Sergey Lomakin, Riga FC already possess many advantages uncommon within the region: financial backing, strong infrastructure, growing European experience, and the pull of the capital city itself. But the long-term ambition of this project is not simply to dominate the Virslīga through spending power. The aim is to build a sustainable football identity capable of elevating Latvian football as a whole. 

That means developing Latvian players rather than simply accommodating league rules. It means creating a recognisable tactical structure, modern recruitment model, and long-term pathway from youth football into European competition. It means transforming Riga into more than just a successful club within an unfancied league, it means establishing Riga as the definitive Baltic powerhouse. 

The Manager: Miguel Santos 

The save is built around a fictional manager: Miguel Santos. 

A Portuguese coach whose career has been spent almost entirely within elite youth environments - including roles with Portugal Under-16s, Académica de Coimbra’s academy setup, and Sporting CP youth football - Santos arrives at Riga FC for his first senior managerial role with a strong footballing education but little experience of the senior game. 

His appointment came largely without warning in early 2026 and has been viewed by many supporters as a gamble: an untested coach stepping into a club with domestic expectations, European ambitions, and growing pressure to establish a clearer long-term identity. 

Santos’ background has shaped how he sees the game. He values players who are comfortable taking responsibility on the ball, willing to take risks in possession rather than defaulting to safety. His work has always leaned towards teaching and development, with progress measured over time rather than through short bursts of results. 

In preparation for the move, he has begun learning Latvian, conscious that communication and trust will be central to his ability to work effectively within the squad and wider club structure. There are lingering questions over whether a coach shaped by youth football can manage senior egos, title pressure, and the emotional volatility of European knockout ties. 

His ideas are built around aggressive, modern pressing football, heavily influenced by the high-intensity approaches associated with the Red Bull football model. Santos wants his teams to play proactively: pressing aggressively, attacking transitions quickly, and dominating territory through energy, structure, and collective organisation. 

There are also clear influences from Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool sides, particularly in the emphasis on emotional intensity, coordinated pressing, vertical attacking football, and collective mentality. 

Just as important is the inspiration provided by Kjetil Knutsen’s FK Bodø/Glimt project. Santos strongly believes Riga can follow a similar path: using tactical clarity, intelligent recruitment, youth development, and continuity to consistently challenge stronger and wealthier European opponents despite operating from a smaller footballing nation. 

Riga offers a setting where that transition feels possible. The club already possesses many of the technical and structural foundations Santos looks for, allowing his principles to be introduced gradually rather than imposed recklessly. The objective is not simply immediate domestic success, but the creation of a sustainable footballing identity capable of elevating both club and country over time. 

Tactical Framework 

Tactically, Riga will be built around an aggressive, vertical style centred on high pressing, rapid transitions, territorial dominance, and relentless attacking intensity. The objective is to create a side capable of overwhelming opponents physically and structurally, while maintaining enough control in possession to sustain pressure consistently across matches. 

In possession, the team operates in a fluid but structurally balanced 4-2-3-1 built around quick combinations, central overloads, and constant forward movement. The inverted left-back steps into midfield during buildup to help control transitions and support circulation, while the box-to-box playmaker drives the intensity centrally through pressing, carries, and progressive passing. Ahead of them, the shadow striker is tasked with aggressively attacking spaces around the central forward, creating a constant goal threat through late runs and vertical movement. 

Several roles are particularly important to the structure. 

The inverted left-back acts as a key connective piece during buildup, helping create midfield superiority and stabilise transitions when possession is lost. Equally important is the right-sided centreback, whose recovery pace and positional discipline are crucial when defending large spaces during aggressive pressing phases and high defensive lines. 

The right winger operates as the team’s primary attacking outlet. While carrying less defensive responsibility than the rest of the front line, he is expected to remain dangerous in transition, attack space aggressively, and punish opponents quickly after turnovers. 

The centre forward plays a vital role within the system despite functioning as a more traditional number nine rather than a pressing forward. His job is to pin centrebacks, hold the ball up under pressure, and create space for runners around him, particularly during direct attacking phases and transitions. Much of the movement from the shadow striker and wide forwards depends on the striker’s ability to occupy defenders physically and disrupt defensive structures centrally. 

Out of possession, the structure remains an intense 4-2-3-1 press focused on compressing space, forcing opponents wide, and winning the ball back high up the pitch through coordinated pressing and aggressive counterpressing. 

Alongside the primary system, Riga will also utilise several situational tactical variations depending on opposition and match context. 

Against weaker domestic opponents or in matches where sustained territorial dominance is expected, the side can shift into a more conventional attacking 4-2-3-1 featuring an overlapping left wingback to provide greater width and crossing presence. 

A second variation mirrors the core tactical structure in possession but transitions into a more aggressive 4-4-2 shape out of possession, frontloading the press with two forwards and making it particularly effective against teams building with three central defenders. 

These adaptations are designed to preserve the team’s overall identity while providing greater flexibility across different competitive environments. 

Squad & Development Model 

Building a sustainable football identity at Riga FC requires far more than assembling the strongest squad in the division. The objective is to create a balanced, modern structure capable of competing consistently in Europe while simultaneously developing Latvian talent and maintaining long-term continuity across multiple seasons. 

The squad will therefore be constructed around a carefully managed age profile. The core of the team will largely consist of players between the ages of 21 and 26: footballers old enough to cope with the physical and tactical demands of high-intensity football, but still young enough to improve significantly in value and performance over time. 

Alongside that younger core, the squad will always contain experienced leaders in each area of the pitch. At least one older figure will be maintained within the defensive unit, midfield, and attacking group to provide structure, professionalism, and emotional stability during difficult moments. 

Academy development forms a central pillar of the project. 

One of the long-term aims of the save is to improve the overall standard of Latvian football by creating clearer pathways for domestic talent into elite-level environments. Rather than viewing academy graduates purely as squad fillers or financial assets, Riga will attempt to develop technically capable players genuinely suited to the club’s tactical identity. 

The second team, Riga-2, who operate within the Latvian second division, and the club’s wider loan system will play an important role in that process. Players considered close to first-team level will remain within the Riga structure wherever possible to maintain tactical continuity, coaching consistency, and training standards. Others may be loaned domestically or abroad depending on individual developmental needs, but loans will only be used where guaranteed playing time and stylistic compatibility exist. 

Riga’s affiliate relationship with FK Auda also provides an important developmental pathway. The partnership allows promising young players to gain top-flight experience within a familiar footballing environment, helping bridge the gap between academy football and the demands of senior first-team competition while remaining within Latvian football. 

Desired traits throughout the squad include: 

• Aggression and work rate out of possession
• Comfort receiving under pressure
• Tactical intelligence and positional discipline
• Progressive passing ability
• Mobility and recovery pace
• Mental resilience and professionalism
• Vertical attacking instincts in transition

Technical quality alone will not be enough to succeed within the system. Almost every player must contribute physically and tactically to the collective structure. 

Clear pathways into the first team are essential if the project is to remain credible. Young players performing consistently within the academy setup will receive meaningful opportunities in domestic cup matches, lower-pressure league fixtures, and rotational European games where possible. 

Ultimately, the development model is designed to create continuity. Riga should eventually become a club where tactical identity, recruitment, and player development all reinforce one another rather than functioning as separate ideas. 

Recruitment Strategy 

Recruitment will define the success or failure of the project. 

Operating within Latvian football means Riga cannot realistically compete financially with Europe’s larger leagues. Instead, the club must consistently identify undervalued talent earlier, develop players more effectively, and recruit individuals whose profiles specifically suit the tactical demands of the system. 

The primary focus will therefore be on players possessing strong athletic and tactical foundations rather than simply technical flair. Intensity without the ball is non-negotiable. The system demands players capable of pressing aggressively, covering large spaces repeatedly, and making quick decisions during transitions. 

Several positional profiles are particularly important: 

• Mobile centrebacks capable of defending high spaces
• Midfielders comfortable progressing possession under pressure
• Aggressive attacking midfielders capable of vertical movement
• Wide forwards with transitional speed and directness
• Full-backs technically secure enough to invert centrally
• Strikers capable of occupying defenders physically and linking play

Personality will also matter heavily. Players with strong professionalism, determination, and adaptability are prioritised due to the long-term developmental nature of the project. 

From a geographical perspective, recruitment will primarily focus on markets Riga can realistically exploit efficiently. Portugal remains an important area due to Miguel Santos’ existing familiarity and scouting connections, particularly within youth football. Undervalued South American markets will also become key recruitment territories over time. 

Language and cultural adaptability will be considered carefully. Portuguese, Spanish, and English-speaking players may transition more easily into the tactical and dressing-room structure Santos wants to create. However, maintaining a strong Latvian core remains essential for both identity and sustainability.

Financially, the club will operate with controlled aggression rather than reckless spending. Recruitment will focus heavily on: 

• Young players with resale potential
• Undervalued secondary markets
• Structured development signings

The long-term objective is to establish Riga as one of the strongest developmental clubs in Northern and Eastern Europe: a club capable of consistently identifying players before larger leagues fully recognise their value. 

Crucially, the project is not designed around replacing Latvian players with foreign imports. The aim is balance. Foreign players should elevate standards, tactical quality, and European competitiveness, while Latvian players remain central to the club’s long-term identity and connection to the national team. 

Rules of the Save 

To keep the save grounded, Riga FC will operate under a clear set of self-imposed rules: 

Identity first 

Riga must stay committed to aggressive pressing, vertical attacking football, and long-term development. Tactical tweaks are allowed, but the core identity stays. 

Latvian pathway 

 Latvian players must be developed properly, not just used to satisfy squad rules. Young domestic players should receive meaningful minutes where possible. 

Recruitment with purpose 

Every signing must fit the system. Players need the athleticism, mentality, mobility, and technical profile required for Riga’s style of play. 

Foreign players must raise standards 

Imports should improve the first team, add missing qualities, or offer resale value. They should support the Latvian core, not replace it. 

No reckless spending 

Riga’s financial strength must be used carefully. No panic buys, inflated wages, or short-term signings that damage the long-term plan. 

Riga-2 and loans matter 

Young players should either develop within Riga’s structure or be loaned only where regular minutes and stylistic fit are clear. 

Europe without compromise 

European progress is vital, but not at the cost of the project’s identity. Riga should adapt, not abandon its principles. 

Build beyond the manager 

The aim is to create a club structure, pathway, and footballing identity that can survive beyond Miguel Santos.

Project Goals 

Short-Term Goals 

The immediate objective is to establish a recognisable football identity. 

Results matter at Riga FC, but the early stages of the project are equally focused on implementing tactical principles, improving squad suitability, and building structural consistency across the club. 

Key priorities include: 

• Establishing tactical structure and pressing identity
• Improving squad athleticism and technical suitability
• Integrating promising young Latvian players
• Competing consistently for the Virslīga title
• Building cohesion and leadership within the squad

Medium-Term Goals 

Once the tactical foundations are established, attention shifts towards European progression and long-term sustainability. 

The objective is to transform Riga from a strong domestic side into a club capable of competing regularly in UEFA league and qualifying phases. 

Key priorities include: 

• Reaching UEFA league stages consistently
• Developing and selling players sustainably
• Increasing the number of Latvian contributors within the squad
• Creating tactical continuity across all levels of the club
• Improving coefficient rankings and European reputation

Long-Term Goals 

The ultimate ambition extends beyond trophies alone. 

The project aims to establish Riga FC as the defining football institution within Latvia: a club capable of sustaining domestic dominance while earning genuine credibility within European football. 

Long-term ambitions include: 

• Establishing a lasting domestic dynasty
• Becoming the primary developmental hub for Latvian talent
• Competing regularly against stronger European opposition
• Creating a recognisable footballing identity associated with Riga FC
• Raising the overall standard and perception of Latvian football
• Building a structure capable of sustaining success beyond Miguel Santos himself

What This Series Will Be  

Expect discussion around tactics, squad building, youth development, and long-term planning, with results and standout performances used as reference points rather than the main narrative. Match outcomes will matter, but primarily in how they test ideas, expose weaknesses, and shape decision-making over time. 

The aim is to document how a coherent footballing identity is built under constraint, how it holds up under pressure, and how it evolves as players, systems, and expectations change  

Next up: With the foundations of the project now established, the focus shifts towards the most important part of the rebuild: the players themselves. 

5: 2026 Mid-Season Review - Steady Progress and Portuguese Influence 

From the initial 2026 season transfer window and early results to tactical adaptations and dominant displays, there are a number of significant storylines that have cropped up through the first 20 to 25 matches of the campaign. 

Now at the midway point of the 2026 domestic season, it’s clear this campaign so far has been about much more than reshaping identity. Following a significant summer exodus, a new generation has been handed responsibility. The focus hasn’t just been on replacing departures either, but on adjusting the squad’s profile to fit Miguel Santos’ system. The new group have been given time to absorb the demands of the Portuguese coach’s tactics – and so far their adaptation has been close to seamless. 

The summer window was hectic but importantly so. Experienced figures moved on to accommodate individuals with specialist profiles. Glazer, Zaria, Sorokin, Arad, Gromyko and Martynovich all departed, taking leadership and familiarity with them. In their place, the squad has adopted a bold new identity constituting a strong Kazakh core, complemented by carefully selected profiles built specifically for Kairat’s possession-dominant 4-2-3-1. 

Incomings 

Nine first-team players arrived during the window, each brought in with a clear purpose. The objective was to raise the technical level, bring the average age down, protect the domestic core and gradually weave in a stronger Portuguese-speaking influence that reflects Santos’ identity and style.  

The result is a group that feels refreshed and more intentional - younger, sharper on the ball and far better suited to the controlled, possession-heavy football Kairat want to play, So far, there have certainly been more hits than misses: 

Pedro Naressi (Ludogorets, £850k)

Having established himself in European competition with Bulgarian champions Ludogorets, Naressi arrived with experience of high-tempo continental football and a reputation as a disciplined defensive midfielder. The Brazilian had also previously faced Kairat in Champions League qualifying, making him a familiar profile to the recruitment team. 

Naressi touched down in January as the headline signing of the window, recruited to provide the midfield control Santos’ system demands. Six months on, his impact has been steady rather than spectacular, but undeniably important. 

Rotating frequently with Damir Kasabulat, both have formed an effective ball-winning presence at the base of midfield alongside Sadybekov. Offering strong defensive instincts and positional discipline, Pedro provides the stability that allows Kairat to control matches through possession while remaining protected against counterattacks. 

Naressi may not grab headlines, but his tactical awareness and calm presence in possession have helped stabilise the midfield structure.

Gaston Lodico (Instituto, Loan with Obligation)

Lodico arrived from Instituto in Argentina, where he had built a reputation as one of the league’s most technically gifted creative midfielders. A product of Lanús’ academy before establishing himself in Córdoba, he was known for his vision, composure and ability to dictate play between the lines. Earlier in his career, the playmaker had a brief, unsuccessful spell in Europe with Hungarian side Ferencvárosi TC, though clearly it did little to halt his progress before moving to Kazakhstan.

Lodico’s first months at the club have been interrupted by a few short injury spells, but whenever the Argentine has been available he has looked every bit the elite technician the recruitment team believed they were signing. 

Comfortable receiving between the lines and capable of unlocking defences with subtle passes and intelligent movement, Lodico has already elevated the team’s creativity during his limited appearances. His influence on attacking phases is immediately noticeable, giving Kairat a player capable of dictating tempo and manipulating space in the final third. 

If he can maintain fitness through the second half of the season, Lodico looks destined to become one of the team’s most influential players. 

João Queirós (Ararat Armenia, £650k)

Once considered one of Portugal’s brightest defensive prospects, Queirós developed through Braga’s academy and represented Portugal extensively at youth international level. After spells across several European leagues, he rebuilt his consistency with Ararat Armenia prior to his move to Kazakhstan. 

Queirós has quietly settled into the defensive unit since arriving in January. Reliable in possession and comfortable progressing the ball from the back, the Portuguese defender fits the tactical requirements of Santos’ system well. 

However, his performances have been solid rather than spectacular. While rarely making costly errors, he has yet to fully convince as an undisputed starter, and rotation during the second half of the season appears likely. There has also been some suggestion that the fee paid may have been slightly inflated given his overall impact. 

Nevertheless, Queirós remains a dependable presence and a capable option within the defensive rotation. 

Alibek Qasym (Aktobe, Free)

A Kazakh international and product of Kairat’s own academy, Qasym returned to the club after establishing himself domestically with Aktobe. His performances in the Kazakhstan Premier League had already earned him a reputation as one of the country’s most physically dominant defenders. 

Excellent in the air and fiercely competitive, Qasym has brought leadership and authority to the defensive structure. His performances have been consistently impressive both domestically and in international competition, often setting the tone with his intensity and commitment. 

Leading by example on the pitch, he has quickly established himself as one of the first names on the teamsheet and a cornerstone of the team’s defensive identity. 

Pablo Baianinho (Guarani, £600k)

Baianinho joined from Brazilian side Guarani, where his performances in Série B had begun attracting attention for his technical quality and attacking output from midfield areas. Still early in his professional career, he was viewed as a player with significant developmental upside. 

What was initially viewed as a project has turned into one of the most exciting stories of the season. 

Baianinho has been nothing short of a revelation since arriving, rapidly establishing himself as one of the team’s most dangerous attacking players. Technically sharp, intelligent in his movement and surprisingly clinical in front of goal, he has consistently found ways to influence matches. 

Far from simply developing in the background, the young Brazilian has emerged as a genuine contender for Player of the Season honours, massively surpassing expectations and proving himself a decisive contributor in the final third. 

Valter (Mafra, £350k)

Valter arrived from Portuguese side Mafra after emerging as a promising attacking talent in the Portuguese lower leagues. Already capped at senior level for Angola, he had built a reputation as a fearless winger capable of beating defenders in one-on-one situations. 

Valter’s first months at Kairat have been a mixture of promise and adjustment. The Angolan winger has already delivered some important goals and flashes of the explosive attacking ability that made him an attractive signing. 

However, he has yet to fully secure a starting place and has struggled at times with consistency. A slight dip in confidence has become noticeable roughly five months into his time in Kazakhstan. 

Interest from other clubs could potentially lead to a temporary move to aid his development, though the coaching staff remain convinced of his long-term potential. 

Marco Antonio (Bahia, £550k) 

Marco Antonio was recruited from Brazilian club Bahia, where he had been highly regarded within the club’s youth structure as a physically imposing left-footed defender. Despite his lack of senior experience, scouts viewed him as a player with significant long-term potential. 

Marco Antonio was always considered a longer-term investment, but his early development has been encouraging. Immediately sent on loan within Kazakhstan, the young Brazilian defender has impressed during his first few months of senior football. 

Strong physically and comfortable in possession, he has adapted well to the demands of the league and shown clear signs of progression. 

The expectation now is that he may be recalled and loaned again to a stronger club or a more competitive environment for the second half of the season as the club continues to accelerate his development. 

Kauã Freire (Portuguesa, Free) 

Freire was signed from Portuguesa in Brazil, where he had developed a reputation as a prolific youth-level forward. His physical profile and mobility made him an intriguing long-term option suited to the centre-forward role within Santos’ tactical system. 

Freire has spent the first half of the season on loan at Shakhtar Karagandy, where he has enjoyed a productive introduction to Kazakh football. 

The rangy forward has adapted well to the physical demands of the league and continues to develop within a competitive environment. With regular minutes proving beneficial for his progression, the decision has been made for him to remain at Shakhtar for the remainder of the 2026 season. 

The club view this pathway as the most effective way for Freire to prepare for future involvement in the Kairat first team. 

Alimardon Shukurov (Torpedo Zhodino, Free) 

Shukurov arrived from Belarusian side Torpedo Zhodino with experience across several Central Asian and Eastern European leagues. Known primarily for his versatility and work rate, he was initially viewed as a practical squad-depth addition. 

Shukurov’s time at the club proved brief. After making a single league appearance, the decision was taken to release the midfielder and allow him to find opportunities elsewhere. 

Santos was keen to free up the squad space in order to promote a younger academy player into the first-team environment, preferring to invest minutes in developing talent rather than retaining a depth option unlikely to feature regularly. 

Outgoings 

There was significant turnover during the window, as the Kairat board fully backed Miguel Santos in reshaping the squad to fit his long-term vision. The headline-grabbing Champions League exploits of 2025 only strengthened that belief, convincing the hierarchy that Santos is the right man for both the present and the future. 

Dan Glazer’s departure removed experience and leadership from midfield, but it also created the space for Pedro Naressi to step in as the system’s new defensive reference point. Giorgi Zaria’s exit created a pathway for Pablo Baianinho, whose development now becomes a key project within the attacking unit. 

At the back, the exits of Yegor Sorokin and Aleksandr Martynovich marked the conclusion of the previous defensive core. Ofri Arad and Aleksandr Shirobokov followed, freeing up rotational minutes.

Further forward, Valeriy Gromyko’s release allowed a tactical evolution in the attacking midfield role through Lodico’s profile and technical ability. Jug Stanojev’s departure was addressed directly with the arrival of Valter, a like-for-like positional replacement but stylistically aligned to Santos’ Portuguese preference.

Meanwhile, Ian Trufinov’s £115k sale represented efficient business on a striker who had become surplus to requirements. 

The average age has dropped, the technical ceiling has risen, yet the domestic spine remains intact. Players such as Kasanbulat Myrinskii and others within the Kazakh core are expected to play central roles throughout 2026, ensuring that while the profile of the squad has evolved, the identity of Kairat remains firmly preserved. 

Staff Incomings 

With Miguel Santos’ impact proving transformative after such a strong campaign, the moment felt right to reshape the structure around him. Coaching, scouting and medical departments were rebuilt from the ground up, with more than 15 new staff arriving to align the club fully with Santos’ philosophy. 

César Diniz arrives as Assistant Manager, bringing extensive experience from across Asia and a long-standing connection to Miguel Santos. Once a mentor figure in Santos’ early coaching development, the dynamic has evolved - with Diniz now stepping in as a trusted lieutenant within his former protégé’s project. The Brazilian is highly regarded for his eye for talent and his ability to nurture young players 

Dmitrii Ogai joins as Chief Scout, arriving from Atyrau. One of Kazakhstan’s most experienced talent identifiers, he will coordinate the expanding scouting network across Europe and South America, strengthening both domestic recruitment and overseas profiling. From a structural perspective, the appointment of Iurii Logvinnenko as Director of Football is significant too. Joining from Aktobe, he is a respected figure within the Kazakh game and will oversee football operations at executive level. 

Igor Slesarchuk, a Russian set-piece specialist, fills a previously unoccupied role. His appointment shows an intent to maximise marginal gains - particularly given the squad’s aerial strength and physical profile. In an attacking sense, Brazilian Igor Guerra further strengthens the coaching unit, valued specifically for his developmental work with emerging talent - an attribute central to the club’s long-term vision. 

Completing the upper-tier reshuffle, Leonel Pontes takes on the role of Technical Director. The Portuguese operator arrives with extensive experience, most recently enjoying a successful spell at Shanghai Shenhua, and was one of the most sought-after staff members secured during the rebuild. Finally, Lucas Goes steps in as Head of Youth Development. Highly regarded within both Portuguese and Brazilian football circles, his mandate is clear: elevate the academy pathway and ensure Kairat’s future remains internally sustainable. 

The Season So Far 

The season began with a level of cohesion that arrived quicker than many expected, considering the busy window before it. Performances were controlled, structured and confident - not the erratic form of a side rebuilding, but one already comfortable in its new shape. 

The first real test came away in the Two-Capital Derby against Astana. It was cagey and frustrating with Kairat trailing 1–0 deep into the second half in a match that threatened to stall early momentum. Then Valter - one of the so-called “project” signings – came off the bench and struck late to rescue a point and send the away end into a frenzy. On paper it was only a draw, but it did wonders for collective belief. 

Santos followed with calculated rotation. Core players were rested and youth were given responsibility rather than cameo minutes for a stretch of easier matches. Tashpulatov delivered two assists from the left in one of his first starting appearances, strengthening his reputation as a devastating impact option from the bench. Returning loanee Omotai scored from range and dictated tempo with authority beyond his years. 

Early April brought the first major league marker - first versus second away at Tobol. The hosts struck early through a direct transition. Ricardinho responded quickly but Tobol regained the lead immediately after the break in a moment that could have bruised lesser sides. By full-time, the numbers reflected absolute control: 60% possession, the higher expected goals, and the better chances created. Pablo equalised late, assisted by Bekbolat, securing a 2–2 draw that kept the table tight. 

A subtle tactical refinement has played a key role in the evolution of the team since matchday 1. The attacking midfield role has been tweaked - less channel-running, more positional discipline. The emphasis has shifted towards a true advanced playmaker rather than a roaming connector, and that change has unlocked Ricardinho. His early goal return was modest, but his movement and assist output were consistent. As the structure sharpened, so did his finishing, making him a must-sign for the conclusion of his loan. 

Valter has quickly developed a reputation for decisive moments, including a long-range winner in a 3–2 victory over Orbassy and his late derby intervention.

Injuries have tested the squad’s resilience. Lodico’s two-month absence forced tactical creativity, compounded by young gem Orynbasar’s setback. Pablo responded emphatically, scoring a hat-trick away at Jenis - proof that raw talent, when trusted, can accelerate rapidly. Lodico’s return coincided with a 2–1 win over Atyrau, Bagdat scoring twice with trademark headers to underline the side’s aerial strength. 

Alongside the results, synergy between the first-team and youth squads continues to signal a bold long-term strategy. Azamat Tuiakbaev’s promotion and Shukurov’s swift contract termination reinforce a consistent theme under Santos - pathways remain open, but standards remain firm. 

Midway through the campaign, the statistical profile is impressive: 

• Top of the league
• 64% average possession (league-high; Astana at 57%)
• Unbeaten in the league
• 22 consecutive matches scored in
• 49 goals scored
• Just 11 conceded
• 111 chances created (Astana second with 69)
• 4 goals from indirect free-kicks

The Halfway Verdict 

There are still clear challenges ahead. Lodico’s influence within the new attacking structure will need to be measured, particularly as fixture congestion intensifies. Defensive cohesion must remain intact as rotation increases, and the next step in the title race will be turning control into decisive victories in tight matches. 

Beyond domestic competition, one of the biggest tests will come in Europe. Replicating last season’s Champions League run - and proving it was no anomaly - will define how this project is perceived externally. The element of surprise has gone. Kairat will now be analysed, prepared for and targeted. 

Discussion Points 

Tashpulatov’s Emergence 

One of the most encouraging developments this season has been the emergence of Daniyar Tashpulatov. Still only 19, the young wingback  has already started a number of matches and made an immediate impression with his relentless energy down the left flank and a delivery that consistently causes problems for opposition defences. 

What began as depth behind Luis Mata has quickly evolved into genuine competition for a starting place. Tashpulatov’s willingness to attack space and provide quality service into the box has added another dimension to Kairat’s wide play, and his performances suggest the club may already have another long-term contributor developing from within the squad. 

Satpaev’s Departure 

While new talents are emerging, the team is also preparing to say goodbye to one of its brightest stars. Dastan Satpaev is set to join Chelsea in August, bringing an end to a remarkable early chapter of his career at Kairat. 

At just 18 years of age, Satpaev leaves having already carved out an extraordinary legacy, playing a key role in the club’s recent success and becoming one of the most exciting young players to emerge from Kazakh football. Replacing a player of his profile will be one of the club’s biggest upcoming challenges. 

Whether that solution arrives through the free-agent market, a tactical adjustment such as moving Lodico into a left-sided role, or an entirely new signing remains to be seen. What is certain is that filling the void left by Satpaev’s creativity and influence will be a major task for the squad. 

Settling In

Despite impending changes, the overall picture within the squad is an encouraging one. A series of smart and creative recruitment decisions has brought balance to the group, leaving only a small number of positions requiring refinement before the focus can fully shift to developing the team’s long-term tactical identity. 

The core of the squad is now firmly established, blending emerging young talents with players already trusted within the system. With that foundation in place, attention can increasingly turn toward refining the ambitious tactical ideas that have begun to shape this Kairat side. 

Next up: 2026 overview

4: 2025 Review - European Success And Satpaev Supremacy 

Following a title-winning campaign in 2024, 2025 posed a far sterner challenge. It tested whether a possession-led, development-focused approach could truly dominate in Kazakhstan - a league where financial power has traditionally dictated success - and whether a bold identity, introduced by an unproven Portuguese coach, could translate into immediate, sustainable results. 

It proved to be a long, demanding campaign, but one that will stand as among the most important in Kairat’s history. A league and domestic cup run filled with emphatic victories, a breakthrough surge into European competition, and a record-setting season from the wonderboy himself, Dastan Satpaev, combined to make it unforgettable. 

Domestic Control And Stat Summary 

Kairat lost just two league matches all season under Miguel Santos and drew once, finishing seven points clear at the top of the table. The squad scored an astonishing 74 goals - the highest total in the division - while conceding just 19, the second-best defensive record in the league. Averaging 2.85 goals per game compared to second-placed Elimai’s 1.65, and keeping 14 clean sheets along the way, the title was secured comfortably and rarely looked in doubt. 

There were prolonged spells of complete control throughout the campaign. Emphatic scorelines became routine: a 5–1 win at home to Turan, a 5–1 demolition away at Turan, a 5–0 victory against a competitive Atyrau side, and a 6–2 dismantling away at Turan. The club also recorded the highest average home attendance in the league at 11,632. 

The underlying numbers made Kairat’s identity clear. The team averaged 59% possession - the highest in the league - and completed 89.7% of their passes. They lost possession just 89 times per game, significantly below the league average of 102, and completed 581 dribbles across the season, comfortably ahead of the next-best total of 419. 

Structurally, the team began 36 matches in a 4-2-3-1 in possession, shifting into an asymmetric variation without the ball. Jorginho maintained width high up the pitch while Satpaev remained central as the focal point. Build-up was patient and controlled. The goalkeeper and centre-backs were central to progression, circulating short, inviting pressure, and advancing only when space appeared. 

Temirlan Anarbekov’s 97% pass completion rate - the highest in the league among all players, including goalkeepers - perfectly captured the approach. Playing short, drawing opponents forward, and exposing gaps through gradual build-up became a defining feature of Kairat’s play. 

Key Stats: 

• 2 league defeats
• 1 draw
• 7-point gap to second place
• 74 goals scored (highest in the division)
• 19 goals conceded (second-best defensive record)
• 2.85 goals per game
• 14 clean sheets
• 11,632 average home attendance (highest in the league)
• 59% average possession (highest in the league)
• 89.7% pass completion rate
• 89 possession losses per game
• 581 total dribbles completed

European Breakthrough 

Reaching the Champions League group stage was an achievement in itself. Kairat navigated four demanding qualifying rounds, eliminating opponents with far greater European pedigree. Ludogorets were edged out across two disciplined legs. Slovan Bratislava were managed with composure. Celtic - the standout name in the draw - were beaten over two matches that showcased intelligent game management. 

The team defended when required, slowed matches when necessary, and showed an ability to manage moments rather than chase them. The group stage, however, presented a different challenge entirely. Kairat could no longer rely on territorial dominance. They were well beaten by global heavyweights such as Arsenal and Manchester City, and the margin for error proved far smaller than in domestic competition. 

Among this, the 2–0 victory over Red Star Belgrade delivered the first Champions League group-stage win ever recorded by a Kazakh club - a landmark result. Fittingly, Dastan Satpaev scored both goals. 

Proving The Doubters Wrong 

When Miguel Santos arrived in Almaty, there wasn’t belief across the board. An untested Portuguese coach stepping out of elite youth football and into a title-contending senior side was always going to invite scrutiny. His ideas were clear, but there were understandable doubts about whether a possession-heavy, development-led approach could withstand the physical edge and expectations of the Kazakh league. 

Buy-in came through clarity and consistency. Players weren’t asked to reinvent themselves but they were instead given defined roles within a coherent structure. Standards were set early and senior figures were respected and trusted.  

As performances improved, results followed and scepticism quickly faded. A key part of that stability was the leadership group Santos established. Adilet Sadybekov and Temirlan Anarbekov emerged as strong Kazakh voices within the squad. João Paulo and Jorginho played an equally important role, bridging the gap between Kazakh and Portuguese speakers and ensuring communication remained unified. The dressing room felt aligned, culturally and tactically. 

Santos has also been transparent about the future. He has acknowledged that players such as Ofri Arad, Aleksandr Martynovich and Egor Sorokin may not form part of the long-term vision. Nonetheless that honesty never translated into exclusion. Each remained involved and contributed meaningfully throughout the campaign. It’s fair to say that Santos’ strength lies in his approach, which is measured, direct, and supportive. He is as much a man-manager as a tactician. 

Perhaps most significantly, he was unafraid to trust youth. Dastan Satpaev’s groundbreaking season was the product of real responsibility placed on young shoulders. Bekbolat, Bagdat and Baibek were also afforded genuine opportunities rather than token appearances.  

Tactically, Santos refined his system as the season progressed. The asymmetric 4-2-3-1 became sharper, pressing triggers more defined, and European game management more measured. However, one minor criticism from sections of the fanbase centred on his reluctance to significantly alter the structure against elite European opposition. Against sides such as Arsenal and Manchester City, the team occasionally looked exposed, and some supporters felt a more pragmatic adjustment might have limited the damage. 

Talking Points 

The Kazakh Pivot 

One of the quieter developments across 2025 was the growing understanding between academy graduates Damir Kasabulat and Adilet Sadybekov. When paired together, the balance felt instinctive. Kasabulat anchored, screened and disrupted, while Sadybekov interpreted space intelligently, progressed possession and supported attacks without ever abandoning structure. 

What makes that partnership even more impressive is context. Kasabulat began the season as a natural centre-back, with little experience operating in a double pivot. Yet he adapted quickly, showing positional discipline and composure beyond his years. The conversation now stretches beyond club level. Both are 23, both technically secure, both tactically mature. Could this pairing become the long-term midfield reference point not just for Kairat, but for the Kazakhstan national team as well? 

Central Defensive Overhaul 

Success covered up what could become a significant issue. Aleksandr Martynovich’s leadership and organisational authority were central to the defensive stability in 2025, but succession planning can’t be postponed indefinitely. With external interest building around both Martynovich and Egor Sorokin, the possibility of departures feels realistic. Santos’ system adds another layer to the challenge. The left-sided centre-back role demands a naturally left-footed player comfortable progressing play under pressure. 

Complicating matters further, Damir Kasabulat’s long-term future is clearly in midfield. His development into a destructive presence in the double pivot removes what might otherwise have been a defensive solution. Taken together, the signs point toward the need for something close to a central defensive reset.  

Plan B for Europe 

The Champions League campaign exposed the limits of applying the same approach regardless of opponent. At times, tactical stubbornness left Kairat exposed against stronger, more ruthless sides. Against elite opposition, small structural imbalances were punished quickly, and control proved harder to sustain. 

Whether that means adopting a more compact defensive block in certain phases, introducing a secondary shape in transition, or using a more direct outlet when pressed aggressively, progression will depend. The identity should remain possession-led. But in Europe, pragmatism may be the difference maker. 

A Place for Returning Loanees? 

Several loan spells demand consideration ahead of 2026. Centre-back Sultan Askarov impressed with consistent minutes and visible development, gaining the kind of defensive exposure that cannot be replicated on the training ground or as part of the B team. His comfort in build-up and improving physical presence suggest he could realistically compete for rotational involvement. 

Up front, Yan Trufanov’s spell away delivered valuable senior experience and sharper end product. While the pathway remains competitive - especially with Satpaev leading the line until he departs for Chelsea - added depth will be essential. Beyond those two, several other academy prospects have also been gaining minutes out on loan.  

Standout Individuals 

Dastan Satpaev 

Satpaev’s numbers define the season as much as any collective metric. Twenty-one league goals made him the division’s top scorer, arriving at a rate of one every 74.43 minutes. His 7.56 average rating was the highest in the league, and five Man of the Match awards prove how often he was the decisive figure. 

It really was the season of Satpaev. What separates him is mentality. The confidence and determination he carries are far beyond his years. He looks like a player waiting for a bigger stage.It feels inevitable that he is destined for the very top, and equally inevitable that, in time, he becomes the greatest player ever to represent the Kazakh national team. 

Jorginho 

Jorginho’s contribution was incredible even if it was somehow overshadowed by his strike partner. Eleven goals and eleven assists placed him among the league’s most productive attackers, but his importance ran far deeper than numbers – his versatility meant that he was an ever-present. 

Operating high and wide in the asymmetric system, he stretched defences without disconnecting from the collective. By holding width out of possession and drifting intelligently in transition, he gave Kairat balance and became a constant outlet who preserved shape while still influencing the final third. 

Aleksandr Mrynskii 

Mrynskii was one of the season’s understated successes. Seven assists only tell part of the story. His relentless energy down the right provided contrast to the more technically intricate left flank, giving the team vertical drive and tempo when matches threatened to slow. It’s hard to believe that he started the season at just 20 years of age. 

An academy product with stamina to spare, he improved steadily as the campaign progressed. In a system built on technical ability, his directness and work rate added necessary edge, even when he was played in an unfamiliar right wing or central midfield role. 

Valeriy Gromyko 

If Satpaev finished moves, Gromyko often started them. He linked midfield to attack with intelligence and discipline, contributing goals and assists while covering ground defensively. Though the attacking midfielder looks to be off during the next transfer window, his time at the club will be remembered fondly. 

Across the 2025 campaign, his value lied in interpretation. He understood space, pressed with purpose, and rarely disrupted structure. Removing him from the side often made Kairat a less productive team, so whoever fills in for the Belarusian in 2026 will have a hard act to follow. 

Damir Kasabulat 

Kasabulat quietly established himself as the anchor. Initially a natural central defender, Santos identified his potential as a midfield destroyer and he became one of several options in the defensive midfield role. He grew into the position and made it his own through consistency and positional awareness. 

Combative without being reckless, disciplined without being passive, he shielded the defence while allowing the more creative profiles ahead of him to operate freely. In a possession-heavy system, his reading of danger was just as important as his work on the ball. 

The Importance Of Depth  

One of the most encouraging aspects of the 2025 season was how little the overall structure wavered, even when personnel changed. Kairat relied on a clear core group, but rotation was managed impressively. Injury spells for Zaria and Martynovich could have destabilised the side; instead, this was handled without a significant drop-off in performance or identity. 

The attacking unit, in particular, saw consistent rotation. The front four shifted regularly depending on form, fitness and opposition, yet the underlying principles remained intact. This flexibility made Kairat harder to prepare for, without sacrificing cohesion.  

Younger players were introduced carefully rather than hurriedly. Bagdat, Baibek and Bekbolat all received meaningful minutes, supported by a B team that finished second in its division. That alignment between first team and second team ensured development felt like a continuation of the same philosophy. 

Experience was managed just as thoughtfully. Tapalov, Zarutskii and João Paulo each contributed when called upon, providing stability and professionalism. 

Late-season arrivals Edmilson and Ricardinho had limited time to shape the campaign, but both expand the tactical palette heading into 2026. Ricardinho, in particular, showed flashes of technical quality that suggest his influence will grow considerably once fully integrated into the structure. 

Success On Every Front 

Kairat were crowned Kazakhstan Premier League champions, reclaiming domestic supremacy with authority. The campaign was reinforced early by a composed 2–0 victory over Aktobe in the Kazakhstan Super Cup, setting the tone for what followed. 

The season’s dominance was underlined again in the Kubogy Cup final, where a 4–0 win over Elimai removed any doubt about the gap between Kairat and the rest of the division. 

In Europe, qualification for the Champions League group stage marked a historic achievement. The campaign went further still, as Kairat became the first Kazakh club ever to win a Champions League group-stage match - a landmark result that shifted perceptions beyond domestic borders. 

What 2025 Taught Us 

The most important takeaway from 2025 is simple - the identity works. 

This group can control games. The technical foundation is strong enough to dominate domestically, and committing to youth development has not weakened competitiveness. The balance between structure and expression proved sustainable across a long campaign. 

Looking ahead, recruitment will reflect the system and filling in gaps. The focus is likely to fall on gradually lowering the squad’s age profile, introducing additional Portuguese-speaking technicians who align with the manager’s methodology, preparing for potential departures - particularly Sorokin, Gromyko and Martynovich - and, above all, preserving a strong domestic core. 

Then there is Dastan Satpaev. A campaign of that magnitude will draw attention. Managing interest, expectation and succession planning now becomes essential, as we already know his future lies in London. 

Finally, balancing domestic dominance with deeper European ambitions will stretch the squad physically and tactically.  

Next up: 2026 transfer summary and season beginning 

3: Meet The Squad 

Kairat’s first-team group ahead of the 2025 domestic campaign is dictated by youth, technical quality, and a clear tactical identity beginning to take shape. 

As the season gets underway, the squad already appears well aligned with Miguel Santos’ principles. One of the youngest groups in the league, Kairat are technically secure, tactically aware, and comfortable operating in a possession-dominant framework. Rather than requiring wholesale change, the focus in year one is refinement - improving decision-making, reinforcing shared principles, and allowing players to grow within a clearly defined structure. 

Squad Balance and Tactical Fit 

Depth is strongest in the areas that matter most to Santos’ model. Academy-developed players dominate the spine of the team, bringing composure on the ball and an understanding of space that immediately sets Kairat apart domestically. The balance between youth and experience is deliberate, with senior figures providing stability and leadership while emerging talents are trusted with responsibility. 

Versatility is a defining feature across the squad. Many players are capable of contributing in multiple phases and positions, a prerequisite for a system built on rotation and interpretation rather than rigid roles. This flexibility allows rotation without a significant drop in technical or tactical standards. 

The 4-2-3-1 used this season serves as a foundation rather than a finished product. It suits the current balance of the squad while introducing Total Football principles in a controlled way. Build-up responsibility is shared from the goalkeeper through the centre-backs, the double pivot operates as a partnership, and wide players are encouraged to interpret space rather than occupy fixed lanes. 

Out of possession, the team settles into a compact, disciplined shape that prioritises control over chaos, protecting central areas while maintaining a relatively high defensive line. The structure provides clarity without restricting evolution as the project develops. 

Key Individuals 

While the system remains the priority, several individuals naturally elevate the collective. Dastan Satpaev leads the line as the academy’s crown jewel, offering elite finishing and composure. Valeriy Gromyko functions as the creative and tactical reference point between midfield and attack, providing intelligence, work rate, and consistency. 

At the back, Aleksandr Martynovich supplies authority and leadership, setting standards within a developing defensive unit, while Luis Mata adds pace, width, and attacking thrust from wingback - a crucial outlet in possession and a key component of the overall structure. 

Around this core, the squad contains numerous profiles well suited to a possession-heavy, rotation-based system. Egor Sorokin’s mobility and two-footedness allow for flexible build-up play – a left-footed, ball-playing profile bringing natural balance and progression from deep. 

In midfield, Adilet Sadybekov and Damir Kasabulat offer intelligence, versatility, and control within the pivot, with Dan Glazer and Ofri Arad providing physicality and contrast when required. Further forward, players such as Jorginho and Giorgi Zaria are comfortable drifting inside to overload central areas. 

Depth in the forward line - including Ramazan Bagdat, Joao Paulo, and additions to join later in the season - ensure rotation is possible without diluting the principles or placing undue strain on developing players. 

Meet The Team 

This section breaks down Kairat’s first-team players individually, with an emphasis on roles, development potential, and how each profile contributes to the wider system:

Goalkeepers 

Kairat’s goalkeeping unit contains a balance of promising youth and international experience. Temirlan Anarbekov profiles as the future number one, offering elite 1v1 ability, sharp reflexes, and composure suited to a modern sweeper-keeper role, albeit with physical development still required. Sherkhan Kalmurza provides a high-upside understudy option, rotating with the second team as his strength and robustness are developed. Completing the group, Alexandr Zarutskii brings experience, leadership, and dependable cover, ensuring stability while the younger goalkeepers progress.

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Left Backs / Wingbacks 

Luis Mata offers pace, width, and an attack-minded profile well suited to an advanced wingback role, with the added potential to build strong synergy with Jorginho ahead of him once his move becomes permanent. Lev Kurgin provides dependable rotational cover, offering defensive reliability despite a limited long-term ceiling. The standout development prospect is Daniyar Tashpulatov, a rapid and technically gifted wingback whose all-round potential and positional versatility align closely with the demands of a possession-based, high-mobility system.

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Centre Backs 

Kairat’s centre-back options are structured around complementary profiles and clear roles. Aleksandr Martynovich remains the senior reference point, offering leadership and aerial dominance, with Egor Sorokin providing the mobility, two-footedness, and technical security required to balance the pairing. Amirbek Bazarbayev adds long-term upside as a left-footed, ball-playing defender whose development could enhance build-up and structural balance, while Aleksandr Shirobokov offers reliable rotational cover for cup matches and selective league use.

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Right Backs / Wingbacks 

The right flank requires reliability, endurance, and tactical flexibility. Erkin Tapalov provides invaluable experience, elite stamina, and positional versatility across both flanks and midfield, making him an important mentor and stabilising presence within the squad. Alongside him, Aleksandr Mrynskii offers relentless energy and work rate as a tireless academy graduate, with the potential to transition into midfield over time while remaining a significant contributor to the first team in the present.

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Defensive Midfielders 

The midfield unit is one of the squad’s strongest and most versatile areas, offering a wide range of profiles to support a flexible double-pivot system. Adilet Sadybekov stands out as a core figure, combining leadership, intelligence, and box-to-box quality, while Damir Kasabulat is being moulded into a defensive enforcer whose versatility and mentality mark him as a potential future captain. Dan Glazer provides a more aggressive, physical option for demanding fixtures, complemented by Ofri Arad’s two-footed box-to-box presence, experience, and short-term leadership value. Rounding out the group, Olzhas Baibek offers elite work rate and balanced all-round ability, making him a reliable rotational option with clear first-team potential.

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Wide Attackers 

Kairat’s wide attacking options offer flexibility, movement, and varied profiles suited to a system that values central overloads over fixed touchline roles. Jorginho provides the most consistent goal threat, cutting inside from the left with acceleration, intelligent movement, and proven end product, while Ismail Beklobat represents a high-upside development player whose pace, finishing, and crossing make him a long-term first-team certainty. On the right, Giorgi Zaria offers creativity and vision, capable of influencing games across multiple attacking roles, with Jug Stanojev supplying pace and functional depth as a rotational option. The standout academy prospect is Daulet Orynbasar, an exceptional talent being reshaped into an inside forward, whose elite acceleration, agility, and finishing give him genuine top-level potential if developed correctly.

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Attacking Midfielders 

Valeriy Gromyko is the clear reference point in attacking midfield, offering work rate, intelligence, and creative quality alongside exceptional versatility across midfield, wide areas, and attack, making him one of the first names on the team sheet. Behind him, Tuiakbaev provides a technically sound development option, progressing primarily with the second team while benefiting from structured mentoring. Completing the group, Abylai Toleukhan represents a high-ceiling but raw long-term project, with strong passing and defensive instincts that will be introduced gradually through carefully managed opportunities.

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Strikers 

The forward line combines elite talent, succession planning, and experience. Dastan Satpaev is the focal point, an exceptional academy product whose finishing, composure, and physical presence mark him out as a once-in-a-generation talent ahead of his planned move to Chelsea in 2026. Ramazan Bagdat operates as the long-term successor, offering versatility, aerial threat, and a two-footed base that make him a strong understudy with clear future starter potential. Completing the group, Joao Paulo provides invaluable experience and leadership as a club legend, contributing through mentoring and selective rotation while maintaining high technical and mental standards.

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Future Arrivals

Mid-season additions further enhance the attacking options and tactical flexibility. Edmilson arrives as a physically dominant, technically competent target man with European experience, offering a contrasting profile that is likely to be particularly valuable during continental competition. Alongside him, Ricardinho joins on loan as a highly talented and creative attacker, capable of operating across the frontline or from wide areas, adding depth, unpredictability, and technical quality as the season progresses.

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Next up: 2025 season summary - the beginning of a new era in Almaty.

2: Inside Kairat Almaty

To construct a footballing identity, it’s essential to understand what came before, not simply in terms of trophies or results, but in how a club has been shaped by its environment, its history, and its role within the wider domestic game.

Kairat’s role within Kazakh football predates independence, UEFA membership, and even the foundations of the modern domestic league, giving the club a depth of history and context that is unlike any other.

Origins and the Soviet Era

Kairat were founded in 1954 in Alma-Ata, then the capital of the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic. The club underwent several name changes in its early years before adopting the name Kairat in 1956, a term rooted in the Kazakh language that broadly conveys strength, vitality, and energy.

During the Soviet period, Kairat occupied a unique position. They were the only club from the Kazakh SSR to compete regularly in the Soviet Top League, spending much of the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s at the highest level of Soviet football. In that context, Kairat functioned less as a title contender and more as a representative institution, carrying the sporting identity of an entire republic within a competition dominated by clubs from Russia and Ukraine. It was during this era that the club became widely known as ‘The People’s Team’ or ‘The Nation’s Team’, a reflection of its role as Kazakhstan’s primary footballing standard-bearer.

Their most successful Soviet league finish came in 1986, when they ended the season seventh, a rare moment of prominence at the time. More often, survival and competitiveness were the primary objectives.

Independence and Uncertainty

The dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 marked a profound shift. Kazakhstan’s domestic football system had to be built almost entirely from scratch, and Kairat, despite their history, were not immune to the instability that followed.

The early years of the newly formed Kazakhstan Premier League were characterised by financial uncertainty, inconsistent governance, and limited infrastructure. Kairat experienced periods of success, including league titles, but these were rarely sustained.

Unlike clubs in parts of Eastern Europe that inherited strong academy traditions and export pipelines, Kazakh football entered independence without a deeply embedded development culture.

Culture In a Nutshell

Kairat’s location has always been central to their identity. Based in Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city and former capital, the club operates at the country’s cultural and economic heart. The city’s infrastructure, relative openness, and population density have long made it a focal point for sport, education, and youth participation, shaping both the scale of the club and its national visibility.

The city sits at the foothills of the Tian Shan mountains in south-eastern Kazakhstan, with altitude and terrain influencing both daily life and sporting conditions. Winters are long and severe, while summers are hot and dry, creating sharp seasonal contrasts across the season.

From the 2010s onwards, Kairat began to separate themselves more clearly through youth development. Targeted investment in academy structures, coaching, and methodology positioned the club as the most consistent producer of elite domestic talent in the country. By the start of the 2020s, this influence was clear across Kazakhstan’s senior and youth national teams, where Kairat-developed players regularly formed the core of squads.

The academy’s emphasis on technical security, positional understanding, and tactical education over short-term physical advantage has allowed players to transition more effectively into senior football. That concentration of talent has given Kairat an importance that extends beyond club competition.

Derbies and Important Matches

Kairat’s most significant domestic rivalry is with FC Astana, a fixture that has come to define the modern Kazakhstan Premier League. The rivalry is not geographic, but symbolic, reflecting competition between Kazakhstan’s former and current centres of political and sporting power. Since Astana’s rise in the mid-2010s, driven by sustained investment and regular European participation, meetings between the two have frequently shaped title races and cup outcomes. The fixture is often referred to in domestic media as the ‘Two Capitals Derby’.

In more recent seasons, FC Ordabasy have emerged as an increasingly important rival. Based in Shymkent, Ordabasy represent the south of the country and have developed into consistent challengers at the top end of the league, with their 2023 championship marking a shift in the domestic landscape. Matches between Kairat and Ordabasy carry a clearer regional edge.

Stadium and Facilities

Kairat play their home matches at Almaty Central Stadium, a venue that functions as a civic landmark as much as a football ground. Opened in 1958, the stadium reflects its Soviet-era origins and remains one of the most recognisable sporting sites in Kazakhstan.

Despite several renovations, it has not been fundamentally modernised, and by European standards it is ageing in both design and matchday infrastructure. Its seating capacity of 23,804 makes it one of the largest stadiums in the country, and it continues to host national team fixtures alongside Kairat’s home matches.

Away from matchdays, the club operates in a more contemporary setting. During the mid-2010s, Kairat invested in a dedicated training and development base at Besagash, on the outskirts of Almaty. The complex includes five full-size pitches, combining natural grass and artificial surfaces, and features an air-supported indoor dome, allowing year-round training in Kazakhstan’s severe winter conditions. Gym, recovery, and accommodation facilities are integrated on site, supporting both first-team and academy operations.

Compared to domestic standards, the infrastructure is significantly ahead of most rivals, enabling consistent training volume, structured coaching programmes, and closer integration between the academy, B team, and first team. While it may not match elite Western European academies in scale, within the context of Kazakh football the facilities are genuinely state of the art and form the structural backbone of Kairat’s reputation as the country’s leading development club.

Context at the Start of 2025

Kairat enter the 2025 season as reigning Kazakhstan Premier League champions, having won the 2024 title ahead of Astana after a tightly contested campaign. The two seasons prior provide important context: they finished fourth in both 2022 and 2023, remaining competitive at the top end of the league without fully controlling the title race.

In European competition, the modern reference point remains the 2021–22 season, when Kairat became the first Kazakh club to reach the UEFA Europa Conference League group stage, finishing fourth in their group.

As the 2025 season begins, Kairat are still working to translate the levels of 2024 into repeatable European momentum. It is within that gap - between national success and continental consistency - that this save begins. Rightly or wrongly, Miguel Santos is seen as the perfect man to take this unique club to the next level. 

Next up: Meet The Squad - an introduction to Kairat’s first-team players ahead of the 2025 domestic campaign!

1: Introducing The Kairat Dream

This series documents a long-term Football Manager 2026 save with FC Kairat, following the construction of a footballing identity - how it is introduced, tested, refined, and sustained over time at an unfancied club, in a somewhat obscure nation. 

Geographically and competitively, Kazakhstan sits on the outer edge of European football. The country is vast and landlocked, culturally closer to Central Asia than Western Europe, bordered by Russia, China, and several former Soviet states. Its identity is shaped by extreme geography: remote plains, and mountainous regions in the south-east around Almaty, where Kairat are based.  

Despite this, Kazakhstan competes within UEFA rather than the Asian confederation, placing its clubs in direct competition with far more established European leagues. That distance is reflected on the pitch. The Kazakh league consistently ranks low in UEFA’s country coefficient standings, which determine qualification routes and seeding in European competition. As a result, Kazakh sides enter continental tournaments in the earliest qualifying rounds, rarely benefiting from favourable draws or margin for error.  

Against that backdrop, the project is built around a simple premise: what happens when possession-led, development-focused football is treated as a long-term commitment rather than a tactical convenience, in a country where footballing identity is still taking shape? 

Before the save unfolds fully, this opening post sets out the core ideas that shape everything that follows. 

Why Kairat? Why Kazakhstan? 

Kazakhstan exists on the margins of European football. Infrastructure and participation have improved, but progress has been uneven, and pathways to the top level of the European game remain fragile. 

Since gaining independence following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Kazakhstan - like many former Soviet republics - has had to build a national football identity from scratch, competing against nations with far deeper histories and established pipelines.  

The national team has never qualified for a World Cup, nor has the country consistently produced a player who has broken through as a genuine star on the European stage. Domestic success has rarely translated into sustained continental relevance, and youth development has often lacked the continuity needed to bridge that gap. 

Based in Almaty, the club combine domestic pedigree with the strongest youth academy in the country, and its influence is visible well beyond club level. The senior national team and age-group sides regularly feature a significant number of Kairat-developed players, often forming the core of squads rather than peripheral depth.  

That concentration of talent makes Kairat less a rebuilding project and more a structural one. The task is not to tear down and start again, but to align senior football, youth development, and recruitment around a shared set of principles, giving both club and country a clearer sense of direction, improving standards along the way. 

The Manager: Miguel Santos 

The save is built around a fictional manager, Miguel Santos. 

A Portuguese coach whose career has been spent almost entirely in elite youth environments (Portugal Under-16s, Académica de Coimbra youth, Sporting CP youth), Santos arrives at Kairat for his first senior role with a strong footballing education but little experience of the senior game.  

His appointment came largely without warning and has been viewed by many supporters as a gamble: an untested coach stepping into a club with domestic expectations and a clear sense of direction. 

Santos’ background has shaped how he sees the game. He values players who are comfortable taking responsibility on the ball, who are willing to take risks in possession rather than defaulting to safety. His work has always leaned towards teaching and development, with progress measured over time rather than in short bursts of results.  

In preparation for the move, he has begun learning both Kazakh and Russian, conscious that communication and trust will be central to his ability to work effectively within the squad. 

His ideas are rooted in the Total Football traditions associated with Ajax and shaped by his time in youth development at Sporting CP. The task he faces is not to reinvent those ideas, but to adapt them to the realities of senior football, where compromise and pressure are unavoidable. 

Kairat offer a setting where that transition feels possible. The squad already contains many of the technical and tactical qualities Santos looks for, allowing his principles to be introduced gradually rather than imposed, and giving both coach and club the chance to develop together. 

Footballing Philosophy 

The guiding idea behind the save is a possession-led, development-first model. 

Possession is treated as a means of control rather than an aesthetic goal. Players are expected to understand space, take responsibility in multiple phases of play, and operate within a collective structure that prioritises the ball.  

Individual quality matters, but only insofar as it strengthens the collective - the aim is for the team to function at a higher level than the sum of its parts. Physical dominance is secondary to decision-making, positional awareness, and technical security. 

That thinking extends to selection and squad building. The starting XI will not be constructed around foreign signings, though overseas players that fit our philosophy will be bought in, and when genuine opportunities arise, the club’s best young players will be trusted ahead of short-term overseas solutions.  

Development is treated as part of competition rather than something that sits alongside it. Prospects are expected to earn minutes through performance and understanding, but the pathway is clear: regular exposure through the B team in the second division, cup competitions, and, when ready, league and European football. 

The early seasons focus on consistency rather than optimisation. Establishing shared habits and a common footballing language across squads takes precedence over short-term gains. Repetition and clarity are used to embed principles, allowing the style to mature naturally as recruitment and development increasingly align. 

A useful real-world parallel is Dinamo Zagreb - not in terms of results, but in their ability to produce technically accomplished players and compete beyond their economic weight through clarity of identity and continuity of approach. That model was reflected clearly at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, where 10 of the 24 players selected for the Croatia National Team were developed at Dinamo. It is that level of integration between club development and national progress that this project aims to move towards. 

Tactical Framework 

The tactical base in season one is an expansive, pass-first 4-2-3-1. It is deliberately aggressive in its use of the ball, but chosen primarily because it suits the existing squad rather than representing a finished or idealised system. 

In possession, build-up begins with the goalkeeper and centre-backs, with the back line stretching the pitch horizontally. One full-back advances high to provide width, while the other tucks inside to form a situational midfield platform.  

The double pivot operates as a relationship rather than two fixed roles: players rotate naturally, with one often stepping forward to support attacks while the other holds structure. Wide players are encouraged to drift inside and occupy central pockets, creating overloads between the lines, while width is frequently supplied from deeper positions rather than the front line. 

This approach borrows from several modern possession systems. There are clear parallels with Pep Guardiola’s use of asymmetrical full-backs and midfield rotations, particularly in his Bayern Munich and Manchester City sides. Elements of Roberto De Zerbi’s positional play are also present, especially the emphasis on drawing pressure through controlled build-up before exploiting space centrally.  

Out of possession, the shape contracts into a compact 4-4-2. Pressing is selective rather than relentless, focused on closing central spaces, guiding play wide, and engaging on clear triggers. The defensive line remains relatively high to keep distances short and allow the team to defend collectively rather than retreat into low blocks. 

This is an intentionally pragmatic starting point. The aim in the early stages is not tactical purity, but stability. As the squad develops and recruitment allows for greater positional flexibility, the system is expected to evolve gradually toward a more fluid interpretation of the same core ideas rather than a wholesale change of approach. 

Squad and Development Model 

Kairat’s squad is one of the youngest in the league and already well suited to a possession-based approach. Technical security and tactical awareness are common traits across the group, which limits the need for immediate disruption or short-term recruitment simply to force the philosophy into place. The emphasis, at least initially, is on working with what is already there. 

Youth development sits at the centre of the project. The B team functions as a direct extension of the first team, operating under the same tactical ideas and positional demands. It provides regular exposure to senior football while maintaining continuity in approach, ensuring that progression feels planned rather than reactive.  

Where appropriate, some players will also be sent on domestic loan to gain consistent first-team minutes in competitive environments, particularly when that pathway offers more development value than remaining within the squad. 

The first-team group itself will be kept relatively large. The club’s most promising young players will train regularly with the senior side, benefit from mentoring and shared standards, and then apply those lessons through match minutes with the B team. This structure is designed to bridge the gap between development and competition without rushing or isolating talent. 

The ideal Kairat player is comfortable on the ball, adaptable within the system, and capable of contributing in multiple phases of play. Individual quality is valued, but only insofar as it strengthens the collective structure rather than sitting apart from it. 

Recruitment Principles 

Recruitment is deliberately restrained in the early stages of the project. 

The first season is primarily evaluative. The focus is on identifying which profiles genuinely suit the system, where limitations appear as demands increase, and how the existing squad responds when principles are applied consistently. Rather than chasing immediate upgrades, recruitment decisions are shaped by observation and context. 

Over the longer term, priority is given to technical quality, positional intelligence, and flexibility over raw physical traits. The core of the squad is intended to be Kazakh-developed, supported by a small number of foreign players who integrate quickly and strengthen the collective structure rather than reshape it. 

When the club does look beyond the domestic market, there is a clear preference for Portuguese-speaking profiles. The dressing room already contains a strong Portuguese-speaking presence, and Miguel Santos’ background and contacts in Portugal and Brazil make those markets both familiar and accessible.  

Language, cultural understanding, and tactical alignment are treated as practical considerations rather than afterthoughts, helping new arrivals settle quickly and maintain continuity. 

Every addition is expected to serve the system. Continuity is valued over novelty, and recruitment is used to reinforce direction rather than alter it. 

Short-term goals (Seasons 1–2) 

• Establish a clear, repeatable possession-led identity across the first team and B team, with consistent principles visible regardless of personnel.
• Integrate the club’s best youth prospects into senior environments, using the B team, domestic cups, and controlled league minutes to accelerate development and maintain a low average squad age.
• Prioritise Kazakh-developed talent in the starting XI, avoiding over-reliance on foreign players while selectively adding overseas profiles that complement and elevate the domestic core.
• Achieve sustained domestic consistency, remaining competitive at the top of the league while embedding tactical ideas - with the aim of annual title challenges and domestic dominance.
• Develop first-team players into regular contributors for Kazakhstan’s senior and age-group national sides, positioning Kairat as the backbone of the national team pathway.
• Use European qualification as a platform for growth, targeting steady continental progression and, over time, consistent group-stage appearances in the Champions League.

Medium-term goals (Seasons 3–5) 

• Establish Kairat as a truly dominant domestic force, with sustained control of league title races and regular success in domestic cup competitions.
• Create a reliable production line of first-team-ready academy graduates, with multiple players making seamless transitions from youth football to senior roles and excelling at the top level.
• Develop and sell players to stronger European leagues at the right moment, ensuring each move represents clear progression while cementing Kairat’s reputation as an elite development club trusted by Europe’s top sides.
• Achieve consistent advancement beyond the early qualifying rounds of European competition, steadily closing the gap to established mid-tier European leagues.
• See Kairat-developed players form the tactical and cultural backbone of the Kazakhstan national team, creating a new generation of domestic icons in the process.
• Strengthen long-term recruitment pathways, selectively targeting Portuguese-speaking markets to add experience and quality while preserving identity, continuity, and a core group capable of forming a lasting dynasty.

Long-term goals (Seasons 6+) 

• Establish Kairat as the unquestioned centre of Kazakh football, both competitively and developmentally, recognised as the nation’s primary talent producer in the mould of Dinamo Zagreb, Red Star Belgrade, Partizan Belgrade, and Ajax.
• Compete regularly in the group stages - and increasingly the knockout rounds - of European competition, with Kazakh-developed players performing confidently on the continental and global stage.
• Build a clear, respected pathway from academy football to elite European leagues, with former Kairat players succeeding abroad while continuing to return sporting and financial value to the club.
• Play a meaningful role in the evolution of the Kazakhstan national team through both player production and tactical influence, helping to shape a new generation of Kazakh footballing legends forged in Almaty.
• Leave behind a sustainable system that outlives the manager: a clearly defined club identity strong enough to withstand personnel changes without losing its direction or purpose.

What This Series Will Be 

Expect discussion around tactics, squad building, youth development, and long-term planning, with results and standout performances used as reference points rather than the main narrative. Match outcomes will matter, but primarily in how they test ideas, expose weaknesses, and shape decision-making over time.  

The aim is to document how a coherent footballing identity is built under constraint, how it holds up under pressure, and how it evolves as players, systems, and expectations change 

Next up: Inside Kairat Almaty - understanding the club’s background, values, and history 

Gutted, thanks for confirming

Hi Guys,

Looking to complete cuts for every Porto player in-game (B-Team, 19s etc), but not too sure how to increase the size of their thumbnail images on-site. Any idea how I could increase the size/quality of these tiny thumbnail pics? 

https://www.fcporto.pt/en/football/u-19 

Thanks,

Hi Guys,

Looking to complete cuts for every Porto player in-game (B-Team, 19s etc), but not too sure how to increase the size of their thumbnail images on-site. Any idea how I could increase the size/quality of these tiny thumbnail pics? 

https://www.fcporto.pt/en/football/u-19 

Thanks,

Any idea how to expand the size of these images from the Stjarnan website? Original quality is not the best https://stjarnan.is/cdn/shop/files/2_c41e38bd-be1b-4abd-9f3e-d7bcbc69922a.png?v=1668611370

Fantastic, thanks mate!

Could someone give me a hand with this image URL please? these are the only updated player images available on the Tromso website, however they're lacking in quality as they are. Would there be any way to edit the URL/change anything to attain a higher quality image? 

(https://www.til.no/lag/jakob-let-haugaard/_/image/432cd9c0-be2f-48df-a4e2-521bf77dd673:6b077e52511a9a75652d18207d1fe1c2501282d9/width-800/1-Jakob.jpg)

Sizing amended

This image is of Nathan Itangishaka, Trey Ryan's brother.

Another option

Ignore ‘Game Ready’

https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/api/image/cropandgreyscale/4a1bdace-713f-460e-928a-7ce1cd2c2847/?preset=player&greyscale=false

Hey guys, I'm looking to do some cuts for the Bristol Rovers squad, but I;m having some trouble with editing the URLs to retain the image quality and remove the crop. Could someone help with this URL for example please? https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/teams/academy-squad/midfielder/max-edwards-stryjewski/

Class mate, thank you

Hey guys,

any idea how to edit this link for a higher quality version of the image? https://www.derrycityfc.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/evan-mclaughlin-square-profile-300x300.jpg

Thanks,

Sorry if this is the wrong thread, but would anybody know if this URL is editable to make the source image larger? https://fpfimagehandler.fpf.pt/FPFImageHandler.ashx?type=Person&id=2000745&op=t&w=325&h=378

Needing a front-facing image/source of Croatia U21 Playmaker Lukas Kačavenda, help would be appreciated!

Thanks! Very helpful 

Is this not an improvement for the pack? I heard the current cut described in a video earlier as ‘Looking like a vicar’ 

My bad…Callum O'Hare from Coventry!

Any idea how to alter this URL to improve the source image? (https://www.ccfc.co.uk/api/image/cropandgreyscale/640f1d26-f351-4d9e-9659-1b74aeeec577/?preset=square&greyscale=false) otherwise a more recent image of the player would be great.

Thanks mons - will keep this in mind

Two options, both recent pictures 

It would be much appreciated if someone could help me find a source image for Leeds United/England U-16 centre back James Debayo