Dan - Comments

Don't think Beckham would write ' thru' instead of through!

But a decent start and a good storyline!

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Among the busy summer pre season I had one game late on in August which was a competitive game and saw me take charge for the first time here in Portugal. It wasn't an easy start either as life began for myself, a sunday league rookie manager. However we were drawn at home which would boost our chances of reaching the second round...well thats what I though anyway.


We are off on the right foot! We welcomed Amaranta, a team in the same league as us, in the Taca de Portugal first round where we relied on our new boy to dig us out of trouble in the second half. A poor first half from us saw us slip behind eleven minutes before the break which proved a big blow. However some tactical words of wisdom by the manager, yes me, saw us come back to claim the win. Bessa brought us level by nodding home a cross with twenty six minutes left on the clock before beating the last man and drilling home inside the box six minutes later to send us into round two with a two one victory.


Its early days yet for sure but it already seems I have my captain on my side this season! Danilo heaped praise on me after this two one cup victory following my 'inspirational' half time team talk which saw the team turn around the deposit to advance to the net round!

Thanks Loscules, I just didn't want to carry on without the competition of Shedender!

Thanks George! We do indeed...well at least one seeming we are on a tight budget!

Thanks Benniejewijs.

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My first pre season here in Portugal was set to be one I looked forward to and having taken the reigns of Mirandela, a club I knew nothing about, it was sure to be a tough season ahead. The squad needed improving, the budget was tight and we had a whole host of friendlies to play for the team to get use to my tactics and my way of playing. Here was the busy pre season we went through.


The transfer window wasn't that busy for us a we made a few 'needed' changes in the squad. We two players contracts terminated almost immediately under my reign as they were no hopers! We also loaned out promising striker Fontoura to non league side Lusitania Lourosa with them paying all of his wages. Coming into the squad we saw five new faces. We sealed four players on permanent deals. A new striker in Bessa who looks promising, Colaco will be our new number one whilst Carlos, the attacking winger doesn't look amazing right now but is one for the future as is striker and attacking winger Fernando. We also grabbed Valente on loan from Braga a young midfielder with bags of quality.


I think this shows we have improved the squad in the right areas without going stupid. I couldn't sign many due to our tight budget and the board wouldn't let me release anymore due to the money we'd spend in compensation! As I said, Colcao will be our number one and our defence is looking strong, we could still do with another strong centre back though. Midfield is much better however lacking instant quality on the left whilst upfront we have a variety of talent waiting to be released onto the field including new boy Bessa.


All the signings did come at a price though and it was a costy one for our financial situation. As I took over the club were in the black by thirty five thousand. Now we sit thirteen thousand in the red and looking in trouble as we are also over spending on the wage budget by ninety eight pounds meaning we are losing money instantly each week and with the board not letting anyone go its going to be tough to sort that out.


Finally the friendlies and it was a rather good summer for us, most of the teams we played were non league teams but it was good for them to fit into the formation and get use to playing football together as a team. Nine friendlies in total and it saw us claim six wins which is a good building block, one draw and two defeats. Unbeaten in our two away games however a small worrying note is our lack of clean sheets! We kept one and that was against the reserves in the first game of the summer!

Think the promotion could prove the worst for you, would of been nice to see you compete in this division again, lets hope its not a year too early!

Thanks Zan, noticed you had gone quiet, good to see you following once again.

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So I was in the managerial business and it was set to be a tough start at Mirandela. They aren't the best team but with them sitting in the lowest tier of Portugal, the 2a Divisao Norte it is important we don't get relegated as that would put me out of a job completely. Here is a brief rundown of who Mirandela are and what lies ahead not only this summer, but this whole year that my contract and managerial future relies on.


Mirandela are a semi professional football club in the basement tier of Portugal, the 2a Divisao Norte and are predicted to finish down in thirteenth out of a possible sixteen which could be a slight issue. They have next to no history after they won promotion to this tier just once last year. With no club icons, legends, favored personnel or fierce rivals the club don't have a lot.


Here is the current financial situation at the club and it isn't brilliant. They have a tiny budget of just thirty five thousand pounds left in the balance and absolutely no transfer budget to spend this summer. Along with that, the wage budget is nearly all gone. Allocated three thousand seven hundred and forty pounds they are already spending three thousand five hundred and seventy pounds, leaving myself just one hundred and seventy five pounds spare, meaning I must get rid before buying.


Here is the current squad at Mirandela the same day I took charge. It isn't the best but at the same time I have seen and been in charge of worst teams. Its one that will need strengthening over the net few weeks though should we wish to hit third place. Our two goalkeepers need replacing whilst we could do with another centre back. Midfield is a little weak and needs strengthening again however upfront we look alright with two three and a half star strikers and a potential five star striker in loanee Lucas.


I've already got my tactics set and these are ready to be used in the summer friendly list which is rather packed as always with me. Eleven matches to cram into the summer which will be played over seven weeks however more matches may be scheduled and some may be canceled. Only two away and the other nine being at home I hope the team can get use to tactics quickly.

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After I went into the job center and looked over the jobs it was just time for me to decide where to go and which ones I should apply for, without making a fool of myself. There were two, maybe three jobs that I could realistically get my name to but it still wouldn't be easy with two of them across the world over in Portugal. Would I be able to master the language that quickly?


Two jobs really stuck out to me and that was both of them being in Portugal. The Havant and Waterlooville job in the basement tier of English football really wasn't that appealing. However the second tier job of Santa Clara may be out my reach but I applied anyway. I also applied for the third tier side Mirandela who looked to be set for a tough season but one I'd take on.


One job rejection and one job offer! The Santa Clara job seemed to be a step too high to start off with as they rejected my interest almost immediately and went on to take another manager on. However it looked like I was set for a job in Portugal. Mirandela seemed more than happy with my interest and got in touch with my agent to offer me a contract. The contract is just a one year offer, I was originally offered £475 per week however I changed this to £500 per week which the board accepted. The clubs main objective is to stay clear from relegation in the 2a Divisao Norte.


And there it is! After just a few days of putting my name about in Portugal I have secured a job in management. Mirandela went on to take a young, rookie, sunday league, English born manager on and were prepared to be the first stepping stone of many hopefully. I will run down the squads financial status, player status and information on the next update so you can see what the job will include.

I completely ripped you last time mate, probably do the same again this time! Sure will be another great challenge for us!

Thanks JCash, wouldn't quite say we are that good, but its nice to see people appreciate our hard work!

Thanks George as always!

Its a shame indeed miimaa but it wasn't as much fun without Shedender! Glad to have you on board as always!

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And so here is where it all begins. The job center, again! Looking for a job in football management they say, and laugh but I will be back to prove them wrong! However first I had to get a job and with my sunday league reputation it wasn't going to be easy! Who wants to employ a young lad from Somerset to take the reigns of a football club! It doesn't sound a fairy tail thats for sure!


This is what the computer screen fed back to me as I looked on for a job. There were several vacancies but were they all out of my range. My home country of England bared the majority as Championship side Blackburn hunted for a boss along with League one side side Bournemouth, League two sides Wycombe and AFC Wimbledon as well as non league, Blue square Bet South side Havant and Waterlooville all seek a new manager. Away from England there are just two vacancies! In Portugal second tier (Out of three playable tiers) side Santa Clara seek a new manager as do Mirandela who play their trade in the 2a Divisao Norte, the third tier of Portuguese football.

I won't make a fool out of myself so won't be applying for the Blackburn, Bournemouth, Wycombe and AFC Wimbledon vacancies, however the other three I will be looking into!

Looks like the CL is really taking a huge hit on your teams league performances!

Good luck mate! Like the title 'trying'

Interesting choice of.leagues!

With Shedenders European adventure coming to an end because he wasn't good enough so made his game crash, and probably because he was miles behind me I also called time on mine. But over the last couple of days we've been considering many different challenges to take on and in the end it was a simple idea we have gone for. We are both attempting a 'journeyman' career with no real set goals, just to see who can become the most successful.

We've gone with very few rules. You must start unemployed. You must start with sunday league reputation and you can load any league you want at any time. Meaning there was very little you had to abide by. The rest was your choice and the direction you took the challenge on in. This time I shall be playing on the full game!

My Set Up:

Here is the set up I have decided to run with for that start of my journey. Six leagues fully loaded whilst another league is on view only. I have England, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal and Spain all down to their lowest playable division in hope I can get a job immediately whilst Brazil is loaded on view only just so I can follow the regens that come through and can try and snap some up early. So this will give me plenty of early adventures in the lower tiers of the footballing league and with the add remove button I can obviously change these as I go on.


And finally here is the manager. Once again its myself 'Dan' who will take this challenge on and who will easily romp past Shedender in this journeyman challenge! Sunday League reputation starting unemployed to make the job even harder for us and the fact I have English nationality will probably mean I will start in England but nothing is certain yet and there are some jobs available to start off with.



BLUE = In Progress
GREEN = Above Expectations
ORANGE = On Expectations
RED = Below Expectations

Bad season indeed it was, but the board HAVE to stick with you!

Me and Shedender just realised we took on this challenge last year when we first went head to head!

My old version of the game (fm12) can be found here: Dan's Hero Career

Didn't seem to get too far into it however!

I think writing careers does take the time and almost fun out of the game at times! glad to see you continuing behind the scenes as it were!

Its certainly not a bad idea!

I think this is a cracking idea on the challenge front mate. This joins in with the steam achievements correct? Think I've seen them listed!

Maybe along with this once you have won the Championship (top league in each tier) as you say move on...but then you have to go back and win the Champions League trophy with each team once you have won ALL champioonships.

So for example.

Conqour Brazil
Conqour England
Conqour Spain
Conqour Scotland
Conqour Italy
Conqour France

and then you have to go back (in any order) and win the CL with the same team you took from the lowest tier right the way to the top?

Unlucky mate, form turned very sour come the end1

In a great position now boys! looks set to secure a top half finish and set for a promotion bid next year round hopefully!

Its a little better mate! Seems like Aubameyang is in good form for you!

Your really not that far off the playoffs mate! A perfect run in could see you nip it!

Sorry guys, I think I am going to leave this career for now, with the possibility of coming back to it at a later date.

Me and Shedender set up the career to go head to head and despite so many other people competing against us now its just not as enjoyable!

So for now, this is the end of the line!

Horrid month but third place is still up for grabs!

Well done on another trophy buddy!

Starting to piece things together! keep it going mate!

Horrid start to the season mate! hopefully the form picks up a tough CL group too which won't help things!

I should be so happy, I've won our challenge!

But in truth I'm not! I wanted you to get to England and join me there and the challenge go on!

Brilliant start, so intriguing to see what happens next!

its one thing getting a job early but its a whole nothing story making sure its the right one!

Well done mate, looks like we've all completed Austria in the same time space

I can predict you will sail this league!

Not a bad pre season, should really be beating Liverpool 7-0 not losing mate