FM 2010 - "I am not a man, I am a manager"

Introduction

As I embraced a new campaign of FM I decided to set myself some targets to acheive. I wanted to win all competetions in England, Spain, Italy, Germany and France. I wanted to win the Champions League. I even wanted the African Cup of Nations and the European Championship. I wanted to become a manager of legendary status and bask in the glory of that No.1 spot. I wanted to become the new "Special One". But most all my dream was to lead a team to a prize money cannot buy... The World Cup.


Season 1 Hull City

To kick off my attempt at World Domination I started with a side lucky to keep its neck above the waters of relegation. I chose a side which nothing was expected of. I chose Hull City.

Team: Hull City
Media Prediction: 20th
Transfer Budget: £6.6m

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First Team Squad: 4-5-1
And so, I started my first season, perhaps with hindsight making some bad transfer choices, but I was pleased with my team as they were bogged down with injuries, notably from Riquelme, Geovanni, Ghilas & Beckham. After grinding out some important away fixtures against Tottenham, Chelsea & West Ham, a somewhat disappointing season led to a poor finish of 17th, surviving by the skin of my teeth. With an early knockout in the FA Cup and a Quarter Final carling Cup defeat to Man United, the board seemed pleased with my survival but deep down I knew it just wasn't my season. Top performer of the season was Riquelme who was the heart & soul of the team and dictated the attacking play. In February of 2010 Ghana offered me the role as manager and with my FM targets in mind I accepted the role. Ghana had a strong side with key midfielders such as Muntari, Essien and Asamoah. With qualification for the World Cup secure, I had my hopes despite being outsiders.

Season 1 The World Cup

Epic. After progressing to the knockout stages by finishing 2nd in my Group, Ghana looked like serious candidates. Dare I dream I thought as I sailed past Croatia in the Quarter Finals. However due to the injury of that man Michael Essien the heart and soul of the team was torn apart and our to our Africa brothers as we suffered a 2-0 defeat to Nigeria in the Semi Final. I decided to make a formal resignation in the hope of progressing further with a different international team

Season 2 Hull City

Putting the previous season behind me I cleared my head and refocused on the transfer market. I must have caught the chairman on a good day as I promised a mid-league finish in exchange for a healthy sum of £20m. I decided experience was key for a side struggling at the bottom and concentrated on players who have proven that they could put in a performance.

Transfers In:
Transfers Out:
First Team Squad: 4-5-1
With a much improved side a was able to attempt my mid-league table target. The signing of Jo and Paul Scharner added real quality to the side and allowed more flexibility of the squad, knowing that I have quality players on the pitch. Jo snapped up 12 goals at my time at Hull at the start of the season, until February of 2011 when Zaragoza called for me and I reluctantly left a Hull side who were sitting in 7th position. Hull went on to obtain 12th position that season under the management of David Platt, a former Sampdoria and Nottingham Forest manager.


Season 2 Zaragoza

When I first arrived at Zaragoza I immeadiately saw the quality players straight away. Javier Arizmendi, Ander & Ikechukwu Uche I saw the potential that the club held and with a healthy resource of £15m at my disposal, the transfer season was waiting for me. I arrived at the club during a crisis period. Sitting 19th in the league I knew as a manager this was my time to shine. I'd done it at Hull and I knew I could do it again here.

Transfers: N/A No transfer period

First Team Squad: 4-4-2
It was an uphill battle all the way but I showed my true managerial prowess leading the club to 12th position with Uche and Ewerthon smacking in 35 goals together. It was a good season for Zaragoza overall considering their position but things were about to get much, much better.

This Is The Season

Season 3 Zaragoza

In the year 2011 Zaragoza were subject to a revolutionary change as no less than 12 fresh faces entered the squad. With my first bite into the transfer season with Zaragoza, £15m was needed.

Transfers In:
Transfers Out:
First Team Squad: 4-5-1

My star signing being Samir Nasri I now had real quality I the middle of the field with Beckham and Camoranesi supplying quality passing. A much changed defence as well with new wingbacks, two new centrehalve and a defensive midfielder. I had made my Zaragoza side more of a team unit now rather than a few individuals. Goals came from all over the park. Arizmendi [18] Uche [15] Nasri [13] Beckham [10]. I found that my side was less weakened by injuries as I had a decent enough cover for every position. I can happily say that this season is the most exciting I've ever played in. With a transfer embargo placed on the club for the whole January transfer window I was stuck with what I had. Although the embargo did have its benefits with a tycoon taking over All the time it was a three horse race between R.Madrid, Barcelona and Zaragoza. In the end we all finished on 86 points and as the Liga BBVA rules state that result between the teams throughout the season is what separate teams primarily over goal difference. It was R.Madrid who took top spot, Zaragoza second and Barcelona third. It was really close as I could have won the title if Barcelona had drawn against Madrid instead of losing:
Although I missed out on my first title, I took my first trophy home, winning the Spanish Cup Final 1-0 against Barcelona.

Season 3 - Arican Cup of Nations

After resigning from Ghana in 2010 the 2012 African Cup of Nations arrived at the start of the year. A few days before the tournament the position as Ghana was vacant so I decided to make a return to what could be a successful competetion, why not have another bite at the apple! After a very exicting quarter final against Morocco with a 3-1 win I faced a tough tie to Tunisia. This promised to be an amazing match and lived up to expectation. Going 3-1 down in the first half I knew something had to be done. Attempting an 4-2-4 formation Ghana made a memorable comeback scoring in the 83rd minute and an equalised in the 91st minute. The match went to penalties where I could barely watch, but eventually running out at 15-14 winners. Then the big one, the final. Against a very tough Ivory Coast side which dominated most of the game and snatched it at the death with a Didier Drogba freekick. I was disappointed with the loss and decided to make a formal resignation for the final time!

At the end of a very satisfying season I expected an excellent following season. The next definitely lived up to its expectation (so far)


Season 4 - Zaragoza

With a business tycoon on my side this season I was confident that my first title was on the way and I could complete my first route of Europe by conquering Spain. A massive £105m was invested to the transfer budget alone and on top of that my stadium La Romareda was expanded to a 40000 all-seater.

NB: (R) = regen

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I doubled my trophy collection to two as I beat Madrid on penalties in the Spanish Winners' Cup. And yes I know too many transfers and too much money. I need quality players if I wanted to become a dominant force in La Liga. I've just started this season. 10 games in and its looking very tasty at the moment. At the moment I'm playing a 4-5-1 but I'm swaying to a 4-4-2 or 4-1-2-1-2 or 4-2-2-2. I'll keep you up to date but here's my 4-5-1 anyway.

First Team Squad: 4-5-1

I have attempted to get my international management back on track and have taken up the post as Ivory Coast manager, the African Cup of Nations Champions and hope to lead to African Glory.

At the start of the new season things looked promising as I attempted my aim to complete Spain. A strong side in all areas made its stamp on the title in the second gameweek when i thrashed Barca 4-1 although some disappointed results did fall on me, 2-2 against R.Sociedad. With the experience of Becks, Cameronesi & David Villa and the youth of Ander, Laguardia & Capriotti my side looked well prepared for the season ahead. My two best signings Alex and David Villa made a huge impact on the team. Alex's impact was immeadiate, despite being unable to play in the Champions League (ineligble). Scoring a October 40-yard Goal of the Month was very promising and the fans warmed to him. David Villa has a shaky start with 2 goals in 7 but I had faith and he went red hot near the end of tehe year with a record of 14 in 16. My strong defence could easily cope with injuries although none came. My Champions League debut went smooth with a 2-0 win over Napoli, although I suffered my first defeat of the season in late October to FC Bayern. My last game before the transfer window was away to Real Madrid. I went there with a fight and came home with a slightly undeserved 0-0 draw. With January round the corner, I'm going to make a board request for more funds fingers crossed. I'm looking to expand the squad and we may even see Akinfeev take over the place of my No.1 Fabian Assmann, a heroic keeper. However I will make the best decisions for the club and will see what January has to hold.

Really sorry I couldn't finish this story with a nice ending, but another one is on the way for FM11!