Cymro - Comments

Thanks for all the comments lads. Really appreciate it.




The board has set some realistic challenges here. The league could easily see us challenge the top two sides but it all depends on how the team gel with the new signings.

Hopefully Sato will comeback and have some good experience to slot back in for us. The lad is class.

I signed him on my stint just gone. Some of the young English guys I posched look mint.

Pre-season tour / party to Tyneside for the boys then!

Few of the Saipa boys made the cut, good on them. Massively surprised the right back made it. He went under the radar with me.

Thanks Dan. The squad has potential but needs a few tweaks and some won't fit into the 'Barca' style of play I adopt.
Johno Cheers, ye quite sexy is it not?



Back in Iran I claimed my second successive Manager of the Year Award. Rack em up.

Good luck with RW Essen ... first team in West Germany to have floodlights by the way.

The move away from Iran was needed. I enjoyed my time with Saipa but really it was becoming stale. Al-Sadd are a club that once was home to Spanish legend Raul and I would love to find someone of that ilk to be my icon here. I haven't ever managed in Qatar and the rules here seem very relaxed, can sign and register quite a few foreign talent and qualification residency is just around 4 years. I will look to get some talent in to help aid the Qatar national team too. At the moment the reputation needs rebuilding and is a nice little project to complete.



History of the Club

Al-Sadd Sports Club is a Qatari multi-sports club based in the Al Sadd district of the city of Doha. It competes in the top level of Qatari football, the Qatar Stars League. Locally, it is known primarily by the nickname "Al Zaeem", which translates to "The Boss". The origin of Al Sadd's conception began with four Qatari students whom excelled in football, but did not wish to join any of the existing football clubs. After consulting with the minister of Youth and Sports, the group, led by Abdulla bin Ahmed bin Mubarak Al Ali and Ali bin Mohammad bin Ali bin Sultan Al Ali, founded the club on 21 October 1969 in Qatar's capital city. In the 1989 season, they became the first Arab club side to triumph in the Asian Club Championship by defeating Al Rasheed of Iraq on an aggregate of away goals. Twenty-three years later they were once again victorious in the top regional competition, now known as the Asian Champions League, earning a spot in the FIFA Club World Cup. They finished third, becoming the first West Asian side to claim third place in the competition.

Club Profile - Just over a years time Qatar will host the World Cup and I am looking forward to see if that has any impact on the game in terms of youngsters coming through. As for Al-Sadd, well it was a massive club at one stage but has been on the steady decline since the start of the save. They have been bouncing up and down the league in term of position and hopefully under my guidance they will feature regularly in top 3 places on a regular basis. Finances are secure but when you look later on at the finances you will think we have a bit of money to play with.

General Info - Predicted to finish 5th this season but managed to go two better and end in third, I have a sneaky feeling that might well take us into the Champions League which would be a real bonus for me and the club. I had to forfite this seasons effort with Sapia due to moving club. No legends or hero's here, only dreams and opportunities for new players and staff to emerge.

Manager Profile - Things are once again improving slowly. The bars are moving up and I hope to continue this here. I am a little concerned about my media handling stat. I always answer the questions and I believe I make the right decisions. So disappointed to see the bar so low still. Any suggestions on how to improve it? I do like to answer passionately.

Facilities - Our stadium is a good size, and in a good condition. The facilities are excellent and hopefully we shall see some great youngsters emerge from the academy. I might well request for an upgrade there.

Squad 1 The squad possesses some good talent but will need to be improved upon. Going to look to blood some youngsters through as well as sign some decent foreign talent.

Staff - Backroom needs addressing urgently. Simple and as plain as that. I hope we can get the necessary quality of staff that I am seeking.

Finances - Looks more like the Himalayas if you ask me. Lots of peaks and troughs there. That projected balance is a worry. Need to see why we are predicted to lose so much. I really hope that Chairman has deep pockets.

I thought that was the original plan. Be pretty cool if you can do one of those Hero challenges on this save. Plenty of nations to chose from. Depends where you are most happy to do it.

And then we were back to this ... time to pack by bags. I'm off to Qatar ... finally.

This was the major factor in me deciding to leave. The financial support was withdrawn and thus ending my interest in making Iranian football one of the best in Asia if not a major force in the world. He had supplied some fantastic money to the club but he only recently took over, well some 3 years ago but not to continue to supply the money is disappointing.

Despite the board knowing I am off they agreed for me to do my coaching badge. This will be I think my last badge so from here on out I hope it will help me with whatever job I apply for.

Incoming Job Offer ...



The once mighty Al-Sadd have come calling or rather I called them. I asked them to delay my appointment until end of the season and to be fair they obliged. So I played the season out with Saipa and earned the league and cup double.

Bruma is a solid player. Boys picked him up on our Succession game and he preformed well for us. Good stuff here fella.

My third season in Iranian football and hopefully one that will prove full of fruition for myself and the club. I have been thinking (dangerous at times) but I think this could be my last season with the club. My time in Iranian football is almost up, I want to try and win the League this season before moving on. The killer blow is the fact that the Champions League doesn't run well with the league season in Iran so I won't be entering it until the later stages of the season. The club relies heavily on the generosity of the Chairman and this season like no other he has ploughed money into the club. Long may it continue.





You couldn't script this if you could. Only two losses when it didn't really matter. We had started over like a freight train and this meant we able to secure the league very easily. Victory over Esteghal when we pumped them 4-0 showed our dominance in the league. Gostaresh Foulad also saw the darker side of us. When it clicks we play some beautiful football. But when we don't oh boy we struggle and looks average.



This time we made sure that we were going to win the league. 9 points clear and the biggest margin of victory in the league's history. We really put sides to the sword and it was pleasing to seal another league title.



Unstoppable in the cup and managed to secure and defend the cup. Semi final victory over Pas Hamedan was fantastic, we were really clinical and gave us the momentum required to win the cup. Next season we do the same again.



We made major strides in the Champions League. We took many sides by surprise and have progressed into the latter half of the Champions League. You will think why have I stopped after the second round? Well, more to be revealed later on.



The squad is playing outstandingly well and I feel I have built a competitive squad. Lots of good players and lot of them around the age of 23. There are some quality experienced players and some real young prospects who have the potential to step up to major clubs in Europe.



Some decent prospects have come through in recent years but this is the weakest in my time at the club. I am hoping to use over the coming seasons more and more of these players in hope to cash in on them or produce them for the national team.



More transfers out but little cash received. I was conscious that I need to sell players for money but teams in this league and surrounding countries won't fork out cash for deals half of the time. It makes selling at times impossible. The deals in saw some interesting movements. Brought back former FM superstar Kaebi back to the club. 35 years young but would easily put a shift in for us. Goalkeeper Santangelo arrives from fierce competitors Persepolis and comes with some experience from Manchester United and Reading. Azmoun is arguably the best young Iranian striker at the start of FM, check him out if you can. We managed to prize him away but for quite a hefty fee.



Finances are good. As long as the chairman is here I can't see it ever becoming a real issue. But the aim is to now spend wisely and focus on the great youngsters entering the academy. There are some good prospects at the club and I hope these will provide a backbone to the club and much needed cash.



Key Player Profiles:



Ashkan Dejagah will be known to fans of Hertha Berlin, Wolfsburg and Fulham. A long time target and one that I am happy to have signed during my time here. He maybe old but what he brings is a wealth of experience and class. He wasn't exactly fit for most of the season and I knew that would be the risk when I was signing him. When fit and available he was used and did the business for us. I see him having one more season at the club before retiring.



Rahmani is a class act. Been playing expectationally well for us in the hole and has provided few goals but plenty of assists which have allowed others to score. Easily been a welcome signing to the club and one that has had a positive influence on the style of play but also the youngsters who are coming through the club. Without him when I was away in the Olympics I have no doubt the club would have struggled.



The Nigerian master was lethal when fit. He really struggled with fitness and thus it meant his time was restricted in the squad. One of the first names on the team sheet when fit. On the continent he was outstanding and teams struggled to contain him. I am surprised he hasn't been called up for the full Nigerian side. He was outstanding in the Olympics.



Mehdi was once again the playmaker either filling in, in the hole or out wide right. He was a joy this season, again scoring and creating chances. I do question the Iranian manager and his national squad selections. I think I am to blame for his non-inclusion. I have fallen out with him after I said my players should be featuring more.



Need I say more about Reza? He was sublime once again and is seemingly getting better with age. He finally got international recognition and was un lucky to miss out with me for Olympic honours. See him having at least another season before retiring.



Azmoun was quality and played second fiddle to Eronna for most parts of the season. I expect him to feature more next season and really push Eronna. He is a great talent and someone I know I need to use more of.



Want to put a mention out there for my man Taye Taiwo. The Nigerian left back has been one of my shrewdest signings and he's been influential. Maybe 36 but his performances haven't dropped off yet. I hope he can continue because he still has it.



Career Overview

2014 - BEC Tero Sasana F.C. - League Winners and FA Cup Winners
2015 - BEC Tero Sasana F.C. - League, League Cup, Royal Cup and AFC Champions League Winners
2016 - Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao Football Club - League, CFA Cup and CSL All-Stars Winners
2017 - Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao Football Club - League, CFA Cup, Super Cup, AFC Champions League and CSL All-Stars Winners
2018 - Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao Football Club - League, CFA Cup and Super Cup Winners
2019 - Saipa Alborz Football Club - Azadegan League Winner (Promotion)
2020 - Saipa Alborz Football Club - Persian Gulf Pro League Runners Up and Hazfi Cup Winners
2020 - Iran Under 23s - Tokyo Olympic 2020 Winners
2021 - Saipa Alborz Football Club - Persian Gulf Pro League Winners and Hazfi Cup Winners



Next Season

Been a real outstanding season but my time here is done. Some news coming up in the next series of posts is going to reveal why. I have enjoyed me time in Iran despite the challenging rules for the league. Maybe not winning a Champions League trophy with Sapia may well haunt me but really I have had enough here. Time to move on and experience a new league.

Good work on getting that promotion

I am sure lot of people can say they have done other things ... e.g. taken a Welsh club to Champions League glory and made the Welsh Premier League into a super force. But cheers.



Reza has been an astute signing. Been immense for us. We got lucky in the Olympics, we took teams by surprise.



Cheers itchy, I would say lucky more than anything.



Cheers, can't win everything every time. Olympics will be hard to top.

I will be posting an end of season update soon. Lots of interesting things are happening and a future to be decided upon.

Not to panic ...

Will need to spend this money wisely lads!

Just rolling round to 1st of June and will be uploading now.

Dam right we are the overachievers!

Good bit of money that.

And there she is sports fans ...

Rui Rei the magician. Sadly my disappointing end to the season meant this guy's promise was broken and wants to be sold. Think we can keep him if we play our cards right.

Oh and here are the goals:

Favourites? Wow. Better live up to this tag then.



Here we go then. Stay tuned sport fans ...

The draws cost us. Could have been very different.

Sorry chaps, I couldn't take us to 4th and Champions League football. I tried my best but this time it wasn't good enough.

Broke Norwich and as a result they sacked their manager.

Things don't look great here, only sticking in 5th at the moment.

With the draw comes a big blow for our league and European hopes. 5 weeks. Bugger.

Forgot to screenshot the first leg. Parked the bus and we were into the final. Here we go.

We were the superior side but we will have to work on our defending for the future.