forameus - Comments

Serie C1/A



We started out the month by getting things back on track with a good 2-0 win at home to Carranese. We followed that with a fantastic 5-0 away in wwhere Damian Rivas finally got off the mark. Not only did he get two goals, he also assisted the other three. Hopefully from now he'll kick on and really start to settle into the team. Unfortunately we threw away all the momentum we had gained by letting Padova get the better of us. The media described us as impotent after the game, and they weren't far wrong. A 1-1 draw at Portogruero rounded off the month in the league - apparently that was a good result, but I'm not so sure.



The table looks a lot better now, but we need to keep rising. Promotion is absolutely essential.

Serie C Cup



We breezed into the second round of the cup with a 4-0 win against Benevento. Both our main strikers scored, which is very good news for us.

A fairly quiet month if you exclude the cup exploits.

I wasn't really familiar with how the cups worked, so I wasn't prepared for my first match of the season being competitive. Luckily it was against lower division Latina. We triumphed 2-0 with our new look side. New signing Jaume Torres got the first with old favourite Nicola Ferrrari adding a second. We managed to fit in a glamour friendly against Villareal before we faced Serie B side Taranto in the cup. We put up quite a fight, forcing them to extra time with a magnificent comeback. At one point we made it 3-2 after being 2-2 down, but unfortunately we just couldn't finish them off. We eventually lost 4-3, but to be honest I could do without this competition and its distractions.

We played a few more friendlies before the league season started, and I was fairly happy with things. I was not happy, however, with that solitary league game. We were absolutely dismantled by Modena and were lucky not to lose by more. Each team had a goal disallowed, but they wouldn't have made much difference to the final result.



Not really much point in showing the table at this stage, but we're 16th. Hopefully we improve that by the end of the season. Hopefully by about 15 places...

Like I said, a big pre-season ahead. We're going to lose some players, either because they want to move to a bigger club or we've let them go at the end of their contract. Who we replace them with is going to be absolutely key.

Transfers

In

Manuel Puigvert - A central defender we most definitely need. At this level, none of the players are going to look amazing, but my scouts rated him far higher than any player we have currently.

Marcos Macias - Another singing, another Spaniard, and another central defender. Pretty much the same deal as Puigvert. My scouts rated this guy highly. His stats are a bit better than Puigvert's too.

Renato Franchina - I stayed a bit closer to home to pick up Renato. He's yet another central defender with good physical and mentals. Should form a good partnership with Macias.

Gregorio Fattori - Fattori should give us a bit of depth on the wings. After playing narrow at Flamengo, I'm making sure that Como will play in my style - quick and wide.

Tommaso di Nola - We may have concentrated on signing central defenders, but we needed a solid goalkeeper behind them. I'm hoping di Nola can be that.

Massimo Metta - Another backup for the wide positions. Metta has some pace which will come in handy

Alejandro Olaizola - Alejandro will provide more depth for the squad, this time in the center.

Orazio de Berardinis - Set piece master Berardinis joins us on loan from Torino. Hopefully he can chip in a few goals from them.

Jaume Torres - This is where things started to get silly. I've let my Director of Football go out and find me players, and as I was on holiday for a few days, he confirmed a few signings for me. This was one. A good player, but quite a big wage.

Damian Rivas - Another BIG wage. Another one picked up by my Director of Football too. He will need to perform well, otherwise I'll be getting rid of him as soon as possible with that wage.

Javi - The final signing, and another from the DoF, spending more of my wage budget on someone I didn't really need.

Damiano de Angeli - A big player arrives from Fiorentina on loan. Almost had an aneurism when I saw the wage, but luckily we're not paying anything. Hopefully he enjoys his time here.

Out

Two big players left. Chiesa wanted to leave after I promised him promotion and then subsequently didn't achieve it. To get 425k for him was also pretty good. That will go a long way. That or pay a useless player's wages for a little while. Colombo also left - he was earning quite a wedge, but had been replaced with new signings. Happy to let him go.

Despite having what can only be described as a terrible budget, I couldn't say no to this. Who knows when the post would come up again? I'm ready for Europe, and ready to settle in for the long haul in Italy.



I added the clause to bring through our own young players, and it remains to be seen whether that will be something that comes back to haunt us. I can't imagine the youth system is the greatest here, which will definitely affect whether i can do this.







That's the background, but how does our team look?



My first impression was wow. We have some very good players for this league. But then I looked closer, and I realised that although we had quality, we were distinctly short on quantity. We have only one center back, and one right back meaning I'll have to either play people out of position or completely change the way I like my teams to play. Luckily going forward we are looking a lot better. We have some decent depth there, and I'm fairly happy with them.

Unluckily, we have neither the time nor the money to strengthen the squad. We'll have to sit with what we have for the remainder of the season.



I have to say, those finances do not look good. We're overbudget on wages, so I'll need to look to lose some players at the end of the season to get back into the black. In the not-so-long term, we need to get promoted, otherwise those finances are never going to get better.



These were the fixtures that ended up fatal for the previous manager. Como were predicted 5th (bottom play-off place) at the start of the season, but they were far closer to the relegation spots when I arrived.

So no cup games left - just thirteen games to try and prove the media right and get that final play-off spot.



All I can say is, thank God for Nicola Ferrari...

We were a team with a distinct lack of defenders, and it absolutely showed. To concede three times on 5 occasions and not actually lose must be some kind of record for me. It always seemed like we would always concede, but crucially we always looked like we would score at least one more. With four games to go, the higher play-off spots looked far out of reach, and it seemed like it would be a straight battle between us and Padova for the final spot. After the game against Cuneo, the team directly below us, ended in a win, we went a crucial point ahead of Padova and into the play-off spots for the first time that season. On looking at our run-ins, we were odds on to hold on. Three of our four games were against relegation threatened teams.

Now ladies and gentlemen, can you guess which of the three teams in those last four games were the relegation ones? Yep, the three I lost points to. I could have forgiven the first draw with Portogruaro, especially after they held Padova to a draw in their next game. However, the 5-2 loss to Allesandria just made us look like a team who had finally had enough. After that, we didn't really have a chance, and that was confounded by another draw in our penultimate game. A win at home to Champions-Elect Treviso did little to raise the spirits - Padova were already too far ahead.



It's annoying, but I would have taken 6th when I arrived here. We have some very good players we can build a team around, and all we really need to do is sort the defence out and add some depth to the team.

A big pre-season is coming up.

We moved into 2028 in a very good position. I had the opportunity to add up to four trophies to my personal collection if we kept up our good form, but I wasn't really happy. There was a reason for that, something more than my usual "I'm bored" reaction.

You see, I said back when I took this job that I had my eye on another.




I know, I know. You're probably thinking this is completely out of the blue, but there is method in my madness.

In real life, I'm getting married in the summer, and we plan to go to Italy for our honeymoon. On booking it, I have fallen absolutely in love with Lake Como. I mean, look at it...



It's just beautiful. They also happen to have a football team (gasp!) based in the town, in one of the most picturesque surroundings I've ever seen on a stadium.



I always wanted a challenge for my European triumph, and initially I thought that would once again be Stockport. But my time with Man United has confirmed something to me - I'm bored with England. It's all so predictable, and the money in the league is insane now. To win the Champions League with Stockport would definitely have been an achievement, but to bring it to Como...that would be magical.

But would I get the chance to do that?

English Premier League





A pretty good month if you forget about our defeat to Derby. We managed to show Manchester City that we were still the biggest team in the city despite their recent glory. We also beat Middlesborough. If we'd managed to beat Derby, it would have been a fantastic month.

All that sent us up to 2nd in the table, but we remain seven points adrift of Arsenal at the top. It'll take something big to overhaul that kind of lead, but I think the team is capable of it. But can we keep fighting on four fronts?

Europa League



I've misplaced the screenshot of the table, but do you really need to see it? We absolutely walked it, confirming our group winners status by winning in Graz and then wrapping it up at Old Trafford against Kharkiv. Job done. We face a trip to Brugge in the Spring.

Capital One Cup



No games this month, but we've been drawn against Leicester in the Semi-final, giving us a chance to visit Wembley if we can get through that.

English Premier League





It was a month of 4-1's in November. We visited the Emirates on a high after beating pretty much everything that was put in front of us in October, but we were sent packing with an emphatic loss. By the time Khusnetdinov scored it was already long over. We redressed the balance in the next match back at Old Trafford by beating QPR 4-1. Unfortunately, we couldn't capitalise in the final Premier League match of the month as Everton got revenge for our Capital One Cup win by snatching a point in a thrilling 2-2 draw.

All that has seen us slip down the table going into the busy December period. We're still in a three-way with the letter M, but Arsenal and shockingly, Derby, are now ahead of us. We can still chase them down though.

Europa League





Another win, this time against Basel in the return game. We've now qualified for the next round, and another point will clinch the group. It's all been oh so easy.


Capital One Cup



Another win, and we line up a semi-final in January. Should be an early chance for some silverware come February if we can safely negotiate that one.

English Premier League





An unbeaten month in the league puts us back on track after a poor start. It's a big M at the top of the table with both Manchester clubs acting as the bread in a Middlesbrough sandwich. Again, long way to go though.

Europa League





Another win in the Europa League - qualification is looking pretty assured now.


Capital One Cup



We eased past Everton in the 4th round with a fantastic 4-0 win, and booked a tie away in Cardiff.

All in all, a fantastic unbeaten month. If we can keep this up, I may well add some silverware to my personal haul.

Well how could I turn it down? A job at Old Trafford doesn't come along too often. I know what you're thinking though - I'm taking the easy route to Champions League glory. On that count, you'd be wrong though. United have fallen on tough times last season, finishing 7th in the league. That means no Champions League football. I intend to stay here for no more than one season, more to keep myself busy and boost my CV than anything else. I have my eye on another club anyway...

So what do you do when you're in charge of one of the richest clubs in the World? Demand a large contract, and then spend!

With £72 million at my disposal, having already spent 30 before I arrived, I looked forward to strengthening.



And we do need strengthening. Going forward, I imagine we'll be OK, but at the back and in goals we're not great. So given we're good in attack, where do you think I went first? I bought a striker!









Boyer was a necessary signing to shore up the full-back position, but the other two were probably not the smartest moves. We have two very good DMs, so Stone was probably not necessary. However, I could still see the benefit. Buying Dusan Novak was just unnecessary really, especially since I will probably only play one striker. A fool and his money are easily parted...

We moved into the season hoping that I could bring some glory back to Old Trafford.

English Premier League



Not a great start to our Premier League campaign. We've slipped down the table early, but there's a long way to go yet.

Europa League





So far, so good. We did enough in the qualifiers, and continued to do enough in the groups getting six points from our first two games.

Capital One Cup



Into the next round where we face Everton.

So after doing the double in South America, I got the hell out of there on both counts. I intended to leave Chile, but I thought I would stay at Flamengo for a while. Unfortunately, our league form had struggled while we were off on Libertadores duty, so I can't see us getting back into it enough to win the title, which is all I'd be waiting around for. I resigned, leaving myself on a one-way trip to Europe. We'll have to return to North or Central America at some point to pick up the Gold Cup, but the big business is in Europe, with minor international trophies in Africa, Asia and Oceana still on the agenda, then the small matter of the World Cup.

We have seven more trophies to win - we've reached the half-way point.







I put in a handful of applications for national teams, particularly focusing on Africa. I should really aim to pick up the African Cup of Nations and Asian Nations Cup soon, and then leave us with only the Gold Cup to play for outside of Europe. National jobs seem very difficult to come by in this game though.

As for a club job, well I didn't have to wait long before I was offered something very interesting.

Here we were, in what would prove to be my swansong as Chile boss. I could stick around for World Cup 2030, but I've got to say that doesn't appeal to me. I can't see us having a chance of winning it, so there's no point sticking around. Hopefully we can leave on a high.

The Copa America involves all ten South American nations, plus two guests, who this time happen to me Japan and Mexico's Under 23 teams. I'm not sure if it's a bug or intended, as it always used to be senior teams.

We face Argentina (gulp), Japan Under 23s and Peru, with the top two going through definitely, and the possibility of a best placed runner up.



We started off against Argentina, and they battered us pillar to post. Luckily we picked up maximum points in the remaining two games to go through in 2nd place.

If we were to go all the way, we're likely to have to face Argentina again, or Brazil who I have never beaten.



Luckily, this team just does not know when it is beaten.

It took penalties against Venezuela and extra-time against Paraguay in the final (who somehow beat Brazil) but our 3-2 victory against Argentina in the semi was the standout result.

We've completed the South American double in the same year, and now we don't need to go back there ever again. Hurrah!

Quick financial news before we start the next season.




Sponsorship is down, perhaps as a result of the season before I arrived. Not really sure, but it means that if we don't net the Libertadores this season, we'll have to do it the next one with what I assume will be a decreased budget.

The Rio State Championship

Another year, another state championship for me to attempt. This one has yet another different structure - two stages and two groups in each. There's a play-off at the end of each stage, and then, not content with such hilarity, they have an overall table which determines an overall final. Got that?



We got it, wrapped it, and sent it right back. We absolutely destroyed the competition, right up until we played Botafogo in the semi-final of the Rio State Close. We didn't quite have the defensive record of my Nautico campaign, but a sea of green results can't be argued with. With that record, we strolled into the overall final, with a chance to get my first trophy in Brazil.



And we did it. 3-1 over two legs, and it was never really in doubt.

With that, we moved into the time of the Libertadores. The packed calendar means that by mid-summer, we'll know whether we've pulled off an unlikely title or not.



With that start, I wouldn't bet against us! When we drew Fortaleza, I wasn't too happy. They were a team who had always got the better of us, so to draw them in a continental competition made me expect nothing better than 2nd. We proved me wrong though by going through as group winners with a fantastic 100% record. When Penarol stood in our way in the second round, we dispatched them with relative ease in the first leg. I got a bit carried away in the second leg, and when they raced into a two goal lead, I started to worry. But we got two back to ease into the quarters, and just six away from the title.

In the quarters we would face giants of Argentina Independiente. In the first leg, we suffered our first defeat of the continental season, going down 3-1. We didn't deserve anything from the away leg, and now knew that we would have to score at least three at home and hope to keep them out. Could we do that?



We could, and then some. We scored seven without reply and sent Independiente home with their tails between their legs. A fantastic performance, and one that set up an interesting rematch against Fortaleza in an all-Brazilian tie.



And once again we triumphed, not really giving the opponents a sniff. After never really expecting anything from the tournament, we were now in the final, where we would face...Santos.




Yep. That Santos.

In the end, it was a no brainer. Flamengo might have been below Nautico in the table, but they had far more potential. They also had a bigger bank balance, which led to a bigger budget. Booya.



The squad is strong in places, but needs improvement. I certainly won't be able to play my usual winger style formations, and we'll have to settle for something narrower.

I joined the club with us sitting in 14th, so how did we do in the remainder of the fixtures?



Not bad at all. It didn't start too well though. In only our third game, we faced an interesting clash with Nautico who had just appointed their new manager. We fell 1-0, and once again I was questioning my choices. Luckily the team decided to pick themselves up, losing only six times in the remaining twenty-seven games. Santos proved to be Flamengo's bogey team by beating us narrowly both times we played them. Somehow we managed to take six points off runaway leaders Sao Paulo. We were catching up with the teams at the top, but unfortunately we had a terrible last couple of months, losing and drawing three times each.



We just about managed to finish 5th, which meant a place in the qualifying round for the Copa Libertadores. That's what counts in the end.



In the Brazilian Cup we were going well until Sao Paulo decided to stamp their authority in brutal fashion. a 7-0 defeat after we went all out in the second leg emphatically put us out.

A good season overall - we'll be in the Libertadores next year

Pop quiz - how do you take a decent qualifying campaign and absolutely destroy it?




Like this. In the first game, Turkey bettered us and we were lucky to escape with a 2-2 draw. We faced the United States needing a victory to bring everything back on track. Unfortunately, our defence had designs on a longer holiday. In fact, I think they were already on holiday when they conceded four, throwing away leads three times. Ivory Coast were up next, and if a win was crucial before, it's now absolutely imperative. I went all out for the win, but that just played into the Africans' hands. They beat us 6-2, and sent us crashing out of the tournament at the group stage. That was not what I had hoped for.



Holland ended up as Champions, beating Russia in the final after extra time. But who cares? I had another fight on for my job. I would be lucky to see the Copa America next year.



I'll just need to make sure they don't regret their decision.

Before I reveal the decision, it's time to udpate on what's happening in the land of Chile and my quest to conquer the International side of South America.

We faced the marathon (is everything a marathon in South America?) qualifying competition where we would face off against the other eight South American sides (Argentina already qualified as holders). Sixteen games spread over two years, and it'll shape our attack of the biggest International Tournament in the World.

When I arrived in the job, we faced a handful of friendlies before being thrown in right at the deep end with a match against Brazil in the qualifiers. Let's just say things didn't go well...



To be honest, I feel lucky to still be in a job. Uruguay sacked me for far less. The Serbia draw was puzzling, but nothing compared to being battered 4-1 by Mexico. That was not the preparation I wanted before I faced Brazil, and it showed as we were completely outclassed. Bear in mind that Chile at this stage were 5th in the World Rankings. Seems that I've once again picked a side that really, really hates me. And success. They really hate success. We didn't fare altogether better against Ecaudor, scrapping to a 3-3 draw which left us with only one point. We salvaged things slightly by beating my old side Uruguay 3-1 to round off the year. It was something to build on, but I had quite a fight on to save my job.

In 2024, things needed to get better. That was for sure. We only had two friendlies scheduled, along with six massive qualification games. Crucially, we started off with two home games against Venezuela and Bolivia. Six points was really the minimum. Luckily - for me in particular - we managed those six points, scoring seven in the process and conceding none. Very happy with the performances. We then had a bit of a yardstick in a friendly - facing European giants Holland. We managed a 2-2 draw, and one I was pretty happy with. This isn't the same Holland side that we terrorised as Scotland - they were far better than that. To get a 2-2 draw was a great result.

We then had three absolutely crucial matches - away to Peru and Colombia and then back home against Paraguay. Straight after that last one, we would head to Brazil to try and avenge that early 4-0 mauling. If we could get nine points from these four, we would end 2024 in a good position, and give us a lot of momentum heading into the final straight.



Well, we managed that nine points, but it didn't quite tell the story. Three very good wins, but Brazil got the better of us in a bitterly disappointing 3-2 loss. We really should have levelled it. That was then followed with a defeat to World Champions Argentina. If we can't beat those kinds of teams, then I'm not looking forward to the latter stages of the World Cup.

2025 was going to be an extremely busy year for us. As well as facing our final seven qualifying matches, we also faced the Confederations Cup.

The year started well enough with three crucial wins in the qualifying. With four to go, we had caught Brazil and were now seriously looking at topping the group. That would be a big psychological boost for us, despite losing six points to Brazil.




The Confederations Cup could not bring the same joy that it had when Scotland won it as Argentina beat us 2-1 in the final. Should we have done better? Probably. But to lose to the World Champions is nothing to be ashamed of. It would also start one hell of a grudge match for the future...

After the Confederations Cup, we knew that nine points out of the remaining twelve would probably do enough to let us top the group. Qualification was all but secured.



We stumbled over the line. The match against France was quite a shock, and I think it affected the squad. Less than a month later we faced a double header we really should have got full points from, and we got nothing. Two 2-1 defeats. We had to buck up our ideas quickly, otherwise we could slip down the table. I don't think we'd miss qualification at this stage, in fact a point would secure it, but it's always a worry. Luckily, we managed six points to stumble into the World Cup.

With our nearly-men of the Pernambuco State, I was fairly confident that we could achieve a safe mid-table position in the league, and perhaps push for continental places. Brazil is similar to England in the way that there are a lot of places up for grabs. Top four get a group place in the Libertadores, and the 5th place team get a place in the preliminary round. Another handful get places in the Sudamericana, the equivalent of the Europa League. I don't think that's beyond us.



Well, it wouldn't be beyond us if we hadn't started like this. We started off well with a good 3-0 win against Athletico Paranaeanse but then struggled to put any kind of form together. We beat Avai and Fortaleza, but were beaten by Santos, Gremio and Sao Paulo. Suddenly all confidence was gone - I didn't really think this team had what it took to mount a serious challenge, not without considerable investment, which was unlikely to materialise the way I hoped it would.



12th, and already ten points off the top spot.

Then something I had been waiting for happened. Before the Nautico offer came in, I had waited (im)patiently for a couple of jobs to open up. The managers jobs had been at "Very Insecure" for a long time, and I regularly tried to undermine them in an attempt to steal their jobs. Nautico then came up, and I forgot all about them.

But then, Flamengo boss Claudio decided to leave his post...Flamengo are a BIG deal in Brazil and they boast quite a trophy cabinet. They also boast a considerable bank balance, which is something I do love to have. But take a look at that table above. Who lies several places below Nautico? Flamengo.

Big decision time.

Another journey began in the extreme East of Brazil in Pernambuco. If Criciuma didn't work out, then I hoped that Nautico and their merry men would yield something better.




No sooner had I taken the hotseat, I was informed that this was the 125th anniversary of this fine club. All the more incentive to bring some joy and success to the natives.

First up, as is always the case in Brazil's absolutely marathon league system, is the State Championship, this time, of course, the Pernambuco State Championship. 12 teams join the race for the title in a hectic schedule, with play-offs for the top four.



Got to say, I was pleased with the team for the most part, but it's not as good as it looks. The State Championship is full of absolutely awful teams, as I've said in previous updates. Really, we could have got the same effect by playing the top 4 only. This was shown by us dropping points against Santa Cruz, Salguero and Sport Recife. Funnily enough, they made up the top four along with us. What I really enjoyed however was the fact that we only conceded four goals in the entire run. A fantastic achievement, even if the opponents weren't the strongest.



We went into the play-offs hoping for a little glory before we headed off to start our march for Division 1.



Not good enough really. I was happy to make the final, but Sport Recife were too good for us. The 1-0 defeat in the first leg outdid us, and Recife were happy to sit back and do absolutely nothing but frustrate us in the return. Disappointing, but we go into the Division 1 race with hope in our hearts.

After resigning from Criciuma, I decided to holiday and apply for absolutely anything. After going a bit stir crazy in Brazil, I wanted to see if any European projects caught my eye instead.

Verona - Serie B - Not exactly what I'm looking for at this stage. Financials already look ominous
Barnsley - League 1 - Again, not what I had in mind. There aren't many English sides that would tempt me out of South America at this stage.
Melfi - Serie C2/A - I...I'm not even sure who they are. Still, not interested.
Carlisle - League 1 - No thanks.
Catania - Serie A - How much longer will they be in Serie A with finances like that? Again, not interested. I fancy finishing things in Italy at certain clubs, but Catania aren't one of them.
Swindon Town - League 1 - Another from England, and another no.
Everton - Premier League - No more Moyes for Everton, and with those finances, someone will struggle to bring big success to Goodison again.
Cheltenham Town - Conference Premier - Snooore.
Stockport County - Conference Premier - Now this one gave me a dilemma. Stockport County are down as my favourite team as manager, and I always intended to use them as my final team and make them European Champions, as I did in my two previous saves. I was torn though. I didn't want to do Europe as anything other than the last leg, but Stockport really tempted me. In the end though, I reluctantly rejected, but only because there was another plan in mind for my stay in Europe.
Nautico - Brazilian First Division - Now this is more like it. The first team in Brazil to offer me anything since I resigned, and it's quite a good offer. An established top tier team with a decent amount of financial clout. Have I found the club I want to be at?

Results

Santa Catarina State Championships - Stage 1





We competed, but that was about it. Let me put it in perspective - these State Championships are like there being a regional competition in Britain where Man Utd and Man City end up facing other teams from the region like Stockport or FC United. Maybe even teams weaker than that. As a 2nd division team, we were in the second tier of the Championship, so would expect to be up there. In this phase though, we weren't really. We had some disappointing results in amongst the expected ones, but we really should have done better. We managed sixth, which wasn't enough to get the play-off for this phase. Something to build on though.

Santa Catarina State Championships - Stage 2







Now this was much better. We didn't quite keep pace with Avai at the top, but we did stay ahead of everyone else to qualify for the play-offs. A good achievement for the side. However, despite getting through the semi-final, Avai still had the last say and destroyed us in the final. I'm fairly happy though, we did alright.

Division 2



We had some good runs in the division, and with only a few exceptions we didn't really go through any rough patches. Very proud of my makeshift team.



It just wasn't good enough. We were predicted sixth at the start of the season, and that's what we managed. I wanted a shot at promotion though, and I'm frustrated that we didn't manage that. Our money situation hasn't improved, and in fact has rapidly un-improved. Another stay in the second division does not appeal at all.

You know what time it is? Resignation time.

My first order of business as Criciuma manager, on seeing the poor quality of the squad, I tried to get myself a parent club so we could grab as many decent players on loan as possible.



All in all, a very good trawl of teams. Three top division clubs, and three very big names.



I ended up siding with Sao Paulo with their increased reputation, so here's hoping they do us some good.





Finances are looking pretty good considering - we have some decent financial muscle for transfers, and some wiggle room for wages. However, if I go big this season, it's just as likely that that healthy balance could disappear.

As is Brazil's way of doing things, we now face a marathon season - first up is the State Championships, which is two stages of 9 games each, then we have the second division campaign, which is the usual 38 games. We can add whatever cup games we manage into that. Brazil really is a long hard slog.

I didn't spend a long time out of club football, and found myself catapulted into small-town Brazil. Well, I say small-town, but the stadium doesn't exactly look like it.



They offered me a decent enough contract, but it was too long for my liking, as I didn't really see myself bringing this club to the top. I would have liked a shorter term one, but in the end I had to settle for this. A bit more money, but a longer contract than I wanted. Oh well.

So I leave Los Angeles Galaxy having burdened their trophy cabinet with five major trophies and five minor ones. Easily my most successful reign in the save so far.





Somehow I'm still only Favoured Personnel, along with my signing Andrew Igwe. Deji Ramirez has made it onto the Icons list, and I like to think I helped him get there.



Finance-wise, it's not as if I can say I turned things around. They were rich when I arrived, and they're still rich. What they are now though, is more rich. I got rid of all the high earners in terms of designated players, and turned the team into one that was easily sustainable, making a decent profit every season. No small feat for a manager who usually runs clubs into the ground. There was also this nice little leaving present to the board to push that bit more money into the coffers.

But now the time has come to say goodbye. I've loved being at this club, but I have an appointment in South America to keep...

So we travelled to China, and the magnificent Birds Nest Stadium in Beijing, hoping to somehow leave with the World Club Championship trophy. I don't care what anyone says about this competition in Europe - it matters. This is going to be quite a task - bear in mind that on the past 23 occasions, so since 2000, the title has never gone anywhere other than to the European or South American Champions. It's gone to Europe on 18 of those tournaments. No-one has ever won it from outside these two continents. If we're lucky, we can hope that Europe and South America knock each other out, but that's just wishful thinking I imagine.

Anyway, we entered at the Quarter Final stage, receiving one bye after Auckland and Gaungzhou fought it out for the joy of either getting the wooden spoon or being put out in the next round (probably). Auckland lost that particular battle.



Well, well, well. Ismaili put up quite a fight, I have to say. It took extra-time to finally dispatch them, and equal the position I would have been happy with. We then went up against South Americans Corinthians, and knew that this would probably be our lot. Fortunately, we were very wrong. We took the lead through a Franco Ribas penalty, and I saw it as a chance for the fans to get some undeserved celebration out of the way. When Corinthians equalised, it seemed like it would only go one way. But then in the 82nd minute, Dario Rolon slid in to make it 2-1. It ended up being the winner, and somehow we had made the final of the World Club Championship.

Back in 2013, Los Angeles Galaxy made the final of this competition, where they played European Champions Man City. They were beaten that day. Can anyone guess who won the UEFA Champions League this season?

Yup, Man City. But strangely, Suwon of Asia had other ideas, and they sent Man City home with a fantastic performance. I was initially thrilled, but then realised that if a team is good enough to do that to the European Champions, they would make us their bitches.

It was now time to stand up, be counted, and try and win one final trophy in my final match in charge.

So as I moved into my last few months of service to LA Galaxy, there was the small matter of the conclusion of the MLS season, as well as our maiden voyage into the World Club Championship.

First up, the MLS...



Well I'm sure you're all overwhelmed by the sea of green in the later part, but have a look at my results from July. If you don't count our opening win in the Champions League, we were without a win through the whole month. I continued to think that I had made a mistake in remaining at the club, as we drew game after game, seemingly unable to keep teams out, even if we weren't having trouble scoring. Perhaps that win in the Champions League rose our spirits, because from that moment we remained unbeaten until the penultimate game of the season against San Jose. By that time, it was already too late for everyone else. We were once again Supporter's Shield winners.




One more trophy for the collection, and gives me the chance to go for one more. Could we add the MLS Cup title to the list?





No. We couldn't. It wasn't through want of trying, but unfortunately my final game in the continental United States ended in a bitterly disappointing defeat. Montreal absolutely ragged us in the end, and I can't really argue with them taking home the trophy. When a team is that much better than you, it's hard to grudge them it. We will pick ourselves up and go into the World Club Championship for one last hail-mary attempt at a trophy.

Dreadful.

I go and virtually announce my resignation at the end of the season, and this is how the team repays me. Following our Champions League glory at the top of the month, it looked as though the confidence and swagger was back in our game. Then we went to Seattle and from then on things started going awry. We only have one shining light - the win at home to San Jose - in this month, and it makes me wonder whether my choice to stay on was a good one.




But then it seems that anything we can do, our rivals can do just as badly. We still sit in 2nd in the overall standings, despite our poor form. I'm under no illusions though - we need to pick our ideas up, otherwise the Champions League will be my final trophy at this club. There is no way this is MLS winning form...

One nice note was around the MLS All-Stars team, which sees the best players in the league facing off against a completely random team (I'm sure there's a decision process, but I don't know it).



7 of my team make the squad, which is a touch under a third of the entire squad. Very nice of them.

Finally this month, it was a case of what might have been. Italy, the team I turned down just after I left the Scotland post, won the European Championships. It could've been me...

"Following LA Galaxy's amazing comeback win in the North American Champions League, a press conference has been called at the Home Depot Center. There has been speculation that manager Stephen Smith will announce his resignation as manager following the triumph, as he has done in the past with both Central Coast Mariners and Kaizer Chiefs. Unhappy fans have flocked tot he Home Depot Center hoping that they can persaude the Scotsman to stay on in charge..."

LA Galaxy Chairman Tim Leiweke - "It is with great pleasure I sit here with the head coach of LA Galaxy, Stephen Smith, and this fine example of a trophy that he has brought to us just last week. I understand there has been some speculation as to the purpose of this press conference, but I will leave that to Stephen to fill you in on."

LA Galaxy Head Coach Stephen Smith - "Thanks Tim. I understand that there are a lot of fans worried about the future of this club and whether I plan to resign from my position. I can reassure them now that nothing is further from my mind at this point than leaving this club. I have worked tirelessly over the past few years to bring the Champions League to this great club once again, and have enjoyed building and managing this team immensely. However, I am announcing my intention to leave the club at the end of the next MLS season, after taking this side to the World Club Championship. I will most definitely leave this club with a heavy heart, as I've come to love the lifestyle and the fans, and I want to thank them for their support throughout my tenure. I hope that I can bring you more trophies this season, and leave the squad for someone else to defend the Champions League. I will leave the fans with one simple promise. If the chance ever arises, and the club will have me, I will return to this fantastic stadium to manage once again, as there is now a special place in my heart for the Galaxy. Thank you."

"So that was manager Stephen Smith revealing that he will quit as manager at the end of the season after leading LA Galaxy to the World Club Championships. There will no doubt be some disappointed LA fans out there tonight, but they will be happy that their all-conquering manager is staying on, if only for a short time."

So here we are, the most important match of my reign so far. I had it fairly easy with the Mariners and Kaizer Chiefs, but it has taken hard work to get LA Galaxy to this position. I don't intend to leave without a fight.

But of course, a fight is what we're going to get - we're up against Chivas. The real Chivas. Of Mexico.

C.D. Guadalajara have swept pretty much everyone aside they've faced so far, and they start as overwhelming favourites. They still have the talismanic Carlos Fierro, who has been in scintillating form so far, and honestly I don't fancy our chances very much. We'll go out there and give it our best shot though.





This was not the first leg I wanted.

They absolutely battered us. I'd like to say that the match stats didn't tell the whole story, but they did. They really should have beaten us by more, and we didn't turn up. Bitterly disappointing, and it leaves us with an almost insurmountable mountain to climb in the second leg. We do have home advantage though. We need three goals, and I'll be going all out to get them. Can we stop them from scoring? I'm not so sure about that. One away goal will pretty much end things.

I'll spoiler tag the second leg to keep things tense...

MLS



We picked up where we left off last season by rattling off an average of almost four goals a game in the first five. We did slip up in Colorado though, and then had a disappointing 1-1 draw back at home against FC Dallas. Going 5-1-1 at the start of the season is still pretty good though, so not too bothered. After all, there was a far more important competition coming up...



Table isn't really relevant at the moment. As long as I'm up there in the play-off spots, I'm happy.

North American Champions League

So did we make that final we craved?



Yes. Yes we did. Not in too much style though. The first leg against Philadelphia was very nervy, but as you can imagine I was very happy to leave on level terms and with an away goal. We then proceeded to play out an absolutely awful match in the 2nd leg, but one that guaranteed me a semi-final place. Not the way I wanted to do it, but I'm not going to complain.

The strength of the MLS is shown by the fact that we faced another American team in the semis. DC United didn't ratchet up the excitement any more than Philadelphia had, but we managed to go one better in the first leg away from home by grabbing a 1-0 win. Another away goal, meaning we had some kind of leeway in the 2nd leg. My team managed to make it hard for themselves though by playing out another dour 0-0 draw. But it was enough, and we went into the final.

Wrap Up

What can I really say about that season? There wasn't really a foot put wrong, with only the semi-final defeat in the Cup as any kind of negative. We scored for fun and defended like a team, which are two things we've never really managed to marry together. We've also strolled into the knockout rounds of the Champions League and it's there that the hard work really begins, as we've been drawn against fellow MLS side Philadelphia. Tough game, but could've been tougher.

Finances - Looking very good in terms of profit. We now have no designated players at the club, which is an obvious positive if you can get away with it. I'll certainly be leaving this club in a much better state than I found it.

Key Players from Last Season Preview

This was the year my key players actually turned out to be key players, and not just hopefuls.

Andrew Igwe - The Nigerian ended up my top scorer, and that was while fighting a running battle with Ken Martinez over who should take the lone striker position. If I'm being honest, both players should be up on this list, but Igwe edges it as he did score more goals, and he'll probably be dining out on his Supporter's Shield winning goal in 2022 for some time...still, look at his stats - apart from his physicals, he's poor. All the more reason to love him. His record this year speaks for itself - 30 games, 23 goals, and a rating of 7.35. Lethal.
Deji Ramirez - Deji has pretty much become the center of the team, and not just because he plays there. When he's not there, we miss him terribly. His season summary may not look the best (although it is very good) but it doesn't tell the whole story. There's barely a day goes by that someone doesn't put in a pathetic offer for him, but this guy won't be going anywhere. If the next manager wants to get rid of them, that's their stupid decision, but he is a key part of my team.
Bashar Al-Rayahneh - I couldn't quite manage three in a row, unfortunately. Bashar started the season off brilliantly, and was one of the reasons for our good opening run. But then tragedy struck and he broke his leg, putting him out for pretty much the entirety of the rest of the season. I put him on the season-ending injury list, meaning he would play no further part. Unfortunately, he returned a few games before the end, and we could've done with him, but in the end we got by without him. Big shame for the guy to only manage 10 games, but after starring in our final Champions League group game, I'm looking forward to getting him back in the MLS team this time around.

2024 Season Preview

Competitions

MLS
Board: Reach play-off semis
Me: Win it. Again.

Supporters Shield
Board: N/A
Me: We win it by getting the best record, so obviously I'll aim to win it. Play-offs are important though

US Open Cup
Board: Not Important
Me: Win it. I don't care if we face Chivas, I want that trophy.

North American Champions League
Board: Reach quarter-finals
Me: Quarter finals? **** off. We're going to win it.

Drafts

Re-entry Draft



Superdraft

Michael Rodriguez - It was slim pickings at the Superdraft this year, or, more accurately, I hadn't had the foresight to deal my way to having a decent draft pick. As MLS winners, we were last to go in the first round, and it certainly showed. I picked up Michael as the best of the rest, but fairly happy with how he looks. He'll do.

Even with such an anti-climactic draft, I still ended up with the 3rd best "grade" of the draft. How it works I have no idea. Witchcraft probably.

Transfers



Matthew Siasia - All my hard work in not spending any allocation funds I couldn't recoup was thrown out of the window with this signing, joining our club for my entire allocation fund (and then some) of 325k. I do believe he's worth it though, and hopefully he gives Andrew Igwe someone to talk to. I'm nice like that.
Rory Abravanel - Not exactly a transfer, but this guy was picked up from our academy. When the usual youth allocation was released, my coaches picked out this guy as particularly exciting. I agreed, and decided to let him bypass the whole pesky academy process and simply go straight into our first team. As a 16 year old with no previous experience, I just need to hope it doesn't back-fire.

In terms of the outbox, you get confirmation of the last designated player leaving the club. The board were not happy at all, but I just reminded them how many trophies I'd brought to the club and they soon shut up. You may also notice that the superdraft player I never really wanted has also left the club. I had a bit of a crisis in terms of the wage structure after offering players so many £4,200 contracts, so some players had to go to meet the shortfall. He was one of them. Shame for him, but I'm sure his heart was never really in it.

Key Players for this Season

Andres Ibarra - This is a boy who's been at the club for a couple of years but hadn't made an appearance. He was still a bit rough around the edges for my liking, and we had more experienced center backs available. Towards the end of last season, he complained about wanting first team football, which I suppose was understandable. This season then, will be his. Hopefully he isn't full of hot air, and he can actually perform on this stage.
Andrew Igwe - Of course it is. I wouldn't have this section without mentioning the Nigerian. More of the same please.
Deji Ramirez - And if I can't mention key players without Igwe, it would be blasphemy not to add Deji in. He'll once again be a key player for us.

We started off with a disappointing 2-1 defeat against Vancouver, but showed our spirit by clinching our play-off status by thumping Colorado 3-1.



Five games to spare...fantastic. We then celebrated the fact by rattling six past Toronto. From then, with the exception of the annoying defeat by Colorado, we scored an average of four goals a game, and scored six on three occasions. We most definitely won in style, and with form like that it was no wonder we retained the Supporter's Shield.

In the Champions League we well and truly destroyed Saprissa away, and then got our revenge on Tauro by strolling to a 3-0 win at the Home Depot Center.



Easy.




And confirmation of our league win. Not that it really means much, but Philadelphia overhauled the deficit to take 2nd place in the overall table. On the whole though, the Western Conference qualifiers performed far better.

We now have a very important off-season coming up - afterwards we have to face our quarter final opponents, and now we're just 6 matches away from the trophy.