Botafogo FR - Eternal Flames

Seedorf's Diary: A Manager

25th of December

Just over a year ago, I arrived at this wonderful club a player. I knew there was something different, something special about this club that really makes me want to stay forever. In truth, I never wanted that Milan job, all I wanted was this one.

Life in Rio has been great and I have settled in well. The transition has been easier than I expected. My wife Luviana is from here and I spent the first years of my life in Suriname, which is very close to Brazil. As a kid in Suriname I grew up supporting the Brazilian team, like most people from the country.

As a player, I have loved playing for Botafogo. I have more freedom to move, I am a leader here and I can mentor the younger players. The system here is quite something and I think we have a lot of potential here and we can become something special. Oswaldo was doing good things here, and it is a real shame that he has had to leave.

But that opened up doors for me. I have been working with the youngsters at small Rio clubs like Nova Iguacu and Boavista, whilst attaining my UEFA Pro License. Now that I have it, I have the chance to continue what Oswaldo started, maybe make it even better.

This is the start of something new for me. I am ready for it, I have always wanted to be a manager and now here I am.. getting ready for the rollercoaster they call football management.

That stadium is lush <3

Dat stadium is just... :-X.. Great update, and I didn't know you went to small clubs like Boavista to get experience

2013-11-01 16:38#141001 Louis O. : The youngsters are quite good!
Tbh, they're all crap but I haven't actually looked at the screenies, so I have a very good judgement, clearly.

They are all better than any German youngster

2013-11-01 16:46#141009 Kane : That stadium is lush <3

It is amazing

2013-11-01 16:48#141013 Pauker : Dat stadium is just... :-X.. Great update, and I didn't know you went to small clubs like Boavista to get experience

Yeah as part of his coaching course he worked with youngsters at smaller clubs in Rio

Seedorf's Diary: Tactics

1st of January

After a few days of getting into gear and preparing for the new season, I sat down and worked out the best tactic to use for the team. I know I possessed great defensive and attacking midfielders but not too many strikers. I needed a formation to play to our strengths.

That formation is a 4-2-3-1, with a twist. After a long think about what tactic to use, I settled with this one. I thought about using a 4-2-3-1 with two defensive mids, but I realised that it wouldn't be the best for controlling the play, something I want to do.

With one defensive mid and a central mid, with three rotating attackers ahead, I think I may have found a winner. We also have passing defenders at the back and attacking wing backs who will overlap in attack when it is fairly risk-free.

But there is two interesting things I have thought about. Firstly, I will play in the whole behind the striker as an Enganche. This is South American for 'Hook'. The Enganche is the center of all attacks, his is the focal point of play and will try and carve out every opportunity for the team's attacks.

Secondly, I wanted a formation focused on passing along the ground. In Marcelo Mattos, we have a great defensive midfielder and it would be a waste to not use him for a more advanced playmaker. So I have instructed Marcelo to play as a Regista. A regista is a playmaker who sits back behind the attack. With this we have an extra passing option deeper down the field.

With a few instructions set to mould the team into the style of play Oswaldo (de Oliveira) was starting to play, I think we have a chance at Copa Libertadores qualification this season.

I've seen that the manager has put himself above other attacking midfielders :P.. Haha. Do you think you have a shot at the title?

Hmm. Greedy Clarence.


#ThatIsAll

2013-11-01 21:32#141049 Pauker : I've seen that the manager has put himself above other attacking midfielders :P.. Haha. Do you think you have a shot at the title?

Well he is by far the best player in the squad.. plus, he is used to playing 50 games a season. He is a workhorse, he needs to play!

Judging by real life performances, I think we do. We certainly don't have a squad like Corinthian's or Sao Paulo's, but we have really hard working youngsters who can do their job. If FM realises this, then we will, but it might be a year or two until we can really become strong contenders.

Midfielder Gabriel Unsettled By Interest

Defensive midfielder Gabriel has told the press he is ready to move on from Botafogo amid interest from several European clubs, including the likes of Sporting and Anderlecht. But manager Clarence Seedorf disapproves.

Reports have come from inside the Rio club that Gabriel and his agent approached player-manager Seedorf about an improved contract which was rejected. This has led Gabriel to take his concerns to the press, something which could potentially unsettle the rest of the squad.

Gabriel told the Rio Football Express that he wanted to leave to further his development, and that Dutchman Seedorf denied his request, something which didn't please him, or his agent.

The 21-year old is reportedly falling down the order, and Seedorf may deny him the chance to move, just because of his antics. "If he complains, why should I let him leave?" he said.

It remains to be seen whether he will leave, with Botafogo reportedly ready to get rid of the unhappy player, and rumours are that they are negotiating a deal with Spanish outfit Real Sociedad.

Hopefully you can keep him, but Sporting and Anderlecht are big names!

Sell the bastard if he wants to leave!

2013-11-01 22:45#141057 ebEliminator : Hopefully you can keep him, but Sporting and Anderlecht are big names!

Mmm, not sure if I want to. I want a team that play like friends. No one is more important than the team. Thanks for reading.

2013-11-01 22:46#141058 Shanked : Sell the bastard if he wants to leave!

My plan exactly

He doesn't deserve Botafogo, if he doesn't appreciate them!

Sell him for a nice fee! Get some contracts tied up as well!

Unsettled Gabriel Set For Spain

Rio de Janeiro - Botafogo manager Clarence Seedorf has had enough of Gabriel's attitude and looks set to sell him to Spanish side Real Sociedad in the coming days, according to goal.com.

After a bid from Sporting was rejected earlier in the week, the defensive midfielder reportedly approached Seedorf with his agent asking for a new and improved contract, something which was subtly turned down by Seedorf, 37.

But Gabriel's reaction took the Dutchman by surprise, as he firmly believed he deserved a new contract. Seedorf apparently wanted none of it, further unsettling Gabriel, who went and leaked the story to the media.

"I want to go," Gabriel said. "I know there is interest and me and my agent believe this is a better chance for me."

Seedorf has played down rumours of a bust up, but Gabriel has not featured in either of the preseason wins, yet.

This might all be settled soon, though, as Real Sociedad's £2.7 million offer was accepted by the Brazilian club. Speculation is mounting as to whether the other interested parties, teams such as Sporting CP and Anderlecht, will follow and make a new bid.