Hello guys! You can call me Nero, and this is my first thread here in the forums.
I've been reading a lot of stories here that it made me want to start one, I choose Arsenal because I support them in real life and I haven't really played Football Manager with any other team. (Weird right?)
Anyways, I'd like to thank whoever posted on the "Custom banners for your stories" thread, I will take some logos from there. Enjoy!
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On the first of July 2013, Arsenal Football Club announced the retirement of their longest serving manager Arsène Wenger.
It is understood that it was a very hard decision for Arsène Wenger to take, but he believes that Arsenal are set to reach glory very soon and that Arsenal has what it takes to achieve even bigger things.
"I think that this is the good time for me to step down, the squad is ready for silverware and I’m feeling too old right now." He said.
"With the squad and strong mentality that we currently have, we can achieve big things this season, I don’t feel that any additions is needed at the moment." He assured.
Arsène Wenger was asked about who would be named the new Arsenal Head Coach, he replied:
"I suggested some names to the president, it's up to him now."
Arsène Wenger on future roles within the club that he might take:
"Stan Kroenke tried to convince me to take a director role in the club. But I haven't made up my mind yet."
"I've been here in this club for 17 years, during that time I rejected offers from big clubs including Barcelona, Real Madrid, PSG, Juventus, Inter Milan and Benfica. Nobody can speculate my loyalty for this club." He said.
And lastly he added:
“I’d like to thank the fans and the board for their amazing support over the past 17 years, we shared good times winning silverware and doing things that nobody could ever do, this club will live in my heart for ever and I will be watching this club performing in the future.”
Good Luck and Welcome to FMScout Nero!
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7th of July 2013
Arsenal football club is delighted to announce the appointment of Arsène Wenger as a Football Director of Arsenal FC. Arsène Wenger is the longest serving manager for Arsenal FC and the most successful manager of this club. During his time with the Gunners, Wenger has revolutionised the Club not only through the brand of successful football the team plays but also through his detailed and insightful input into the design of the state-of-the-art training centre at London Colney and the layout of the players’ and technical staff areas at Emirates Stadium.
Wenger has steered Arsenal to seven major trophies over the last 17 years, including the 2003/2004 Premier League title without losing a single game. In each of his 16 full seasons at Arsenal, the club has qualified for the UEFA Champions League, an achievement matched only by Manchester United and Real Madrid.
A press conference took a place in the Emirates Stadium following the announcement, these are some of the headlines:
"I'm delighted to commit my future with the club. My heart belongs to Arsenal, my desire now is to help them with my new role as a Football Director." – Wenger responding to a journalist
The Managing Director, Ivan Gazidiz, was asked about the possible replacements, he replied:
"We are currently in touch with two head coaches, that’s all what I can say. We will announce everything once contract talks with one of them are done."
“Appointing a new head coach isn’t as easy as before, you’ve got a lot of talented options, the boards are studying the situation, and it might take time.”
“In the meantime, Arsenal are going to play some friendly matches in order to build up their fitness levels before the start of the Barclays Premier League, hopefully we can appoint someone before then”.
Arsenal’s preseason schedule:
10/July/2013: Toluca (Away)
14/July/2013: Schalke (Home)
21/July/2013: Velez (Away)
26/July/2013: Club Brugge (Home)
31/July/2013: AS Monaco FC (Home)
4/August/2013: River (Home)
9/August/2013: Liverpool (Home)
A message from Stan Kroenke
"Obtaining the UEFA Pro Coaching License at such a young age was never easy, there aren't a lot young people who managed to do it, maybe that's why Stan Kroenke wants me.. This is a chance that might not occur again, it's hard to prove your abilities as a manager these days and this is the only way to do it! Let's see, 10,000 pounds a week for being a temporary head coach for a month only? At Arsenal? Why not!"
That was my reaction when I read the message from Stan Kroenke. I reread the whole message just to make sure and one line caught my eyes:
"You will be managing Arsenal FC for this month only until we appoint a head coach in a permanent deal for Arsenal FC, however, your performances might play a role of signing you in a permanent deal for Arsenal FC. By then you might be a coach, or a scout, or anything. It's unknown for now."
I immediately called Stan, I told him how delighted I’m to be given that opportunity and thanked him. We agreed to meet at the Emirates Stadium at 9th of July. Time passed by quickly(luckily).
I signed a lot of official documents, my right hand was tired, or maybe it wasn't. Maybe it was excited to receive that mass of experience whilst being the head Coach of Arsenal, or maybe I couldn't wait anymore, but that was it. We shook hands and he wished me the good luck.
I went to meet the players, Arsenal Captain Thomas Vermaelen was the first to welcome me, Oliver Giroud, Kieran Gibbs, Aaron Ramsey and about Three other players said hi, the others weren't showing much of interest. I don't blame them to be honest, I'm no Arsène Wenger at the moment..
Journalists were waiting for me in the press conference, I was late which was awkward considering it was the first day in the job, but it went quite well actually, I've answered all of their questions in a good way.
"Do you think you can do the job for Arsenal?" A journalist asked
"Yes I do, the boards wouldn't sign me if they didn't believe in me so that's re-assuring. I might not have experience but I have got a very good level of knowledge of the game, hopefully it will be enough for the time being." I answered
"What are your goals or objectives that you are trying to achieve within these 30 days?" A journalist asked
"My job now is to manage Arsenal like any normal Head Coach, within these 30 days we will play a lot of friendly matches, We will gain match fitness and get our self more comfortable with some certain tactics." I answered
"Shall we expect a new style of football from Arsenal in this month?” A journalist asked
"We will find out on the pitch.” I answered
"Have the boards given you full control over the first team?" A journalist asked
"Yes, they gave me control over the whole club, from training to transfers to everything.” I answered.
"Any news about the contracts that will expire this year? You know.. The likes of Sagna and Rosicky?" A journalist asked.
"Arsenal is on their way to challenge for the title this season, it would be foolish to disturb the rhythm of the team. The club has suffered for years from departures, so I can assure you that the team won't be disturbed under my watch." I responded firmly
"Does that mean Arsenal won't have any more additions too?" She asked
"I can't rule out anything at the moment." I responded
"With only being 36 years old, do you think that managing Arsenal for one month will benefit you?" A journalist asked
"Yes of course, everyone has to start somewhere, and to start in a place like Arsenal is a very excellent chance for me. Hopefully within this month I will prove myself as a manager and earn some experience." I answered
It wasn't a bad conference to be honest, I didn't panic whilst answering in front of the cameras which was a positive from this day. My sights now are set to the preseason schedule, my aim now is to win every single match, it might be a hard thing to do but I need to prove my abilities, and winning every match will be a good thing. Hopefully I can do that without getting any injuries.
This is looking very good, especially the message from Kroenke.
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Awesome work, looking forward to more :).
1
The preseason has finished without a single loss, fitness levels are good and the team learned the tactics brilliantly. My mission is completed.
What I’ve realized during the preseason is that the squad can be easily disturbed, two injuries can damage the performance of the team, because you can’t rely all the time on young players to step up. What the team really lacks is a striker and a Fourth option Center Back in my opinion. I'm not going to act in the transfer market though, because my time with Arsenal has finished and my mission is completed. Buying new players is a risk that can disturb the rhythm of the team, and I’m not taking that.
The Toluca’s match was really unfortunate, what’s worse than conceding a goal in the final stages of a match? Maybe losing a final but that is not the case. And unfortunately, Mathieu Flamini picked up an injury.
Schalke’s match however was a very good match, we dominated the match quite well in the first 60 minutes. Then I had to rotate the squad in order to let the substitutes gain match fitness which resulted a scary last 30 minutes, but we managed to defend well and hit them on the counter, hitting the post 2 times.
Velez’s match was shocking, the players looked clueless in the first 40 minutes but they managed to turn things around slowly, ending up with a draw.
Club Brugge’s match was an easy one, Santi Cazorla enjoyed it a lot.
AS Monaco FC’s match was a very entertaining one, it was a 50:50 match. Oliver Giroud scored a beautiful placed shot from long range at the 58th minute, but AS Monaco FC managed to grab one goal, taking advantage of a stupid defensive mistake.
River’s match however was the worst one for some unknown reasons. They managed to score immediately after the kick off but then in the last minute Yaya Sanogo managed to score from a wonderful cross from deep by Mesut Ozil.
Liverpool’s match was the best without a doubt. We were 3-1 up until the 72th minute, where Suarez managed to score twice. Our backup goalkeeper (Emiliano Viviano) had a bad game. Steven Gerrard scored for Liverpool too, whilst Podolski scored once and Rosicky scored twice for Arsenal.
Stan Kroenke phoned me after the last match, he told me how delighted and amazed he was with my management. I felt proud with what I’ve done, playing against Schalke, Monaco and Liverpool without a single loss. That is a good achievement for me.
“I’m really pleased with your performances so far, I believe that you have the ability to manage a top club. But for now I want to inform you that we couldn’t find any good replacement.” He said
“Thanks a lot sir. But how come there are no replacements?” I asked
“We have contacted 4 head coaches and couldn’t agree on some certain points.” He said
“So what are you going to do?” I asked
“I don’t know, what I’m looking for is someone who is willing to spend the rest of his career with us or at least for the long term, I want a head coach who agrees with our philosophies and who has a good reputation.” He said
“These kind managers are rare, but I understand that lowering these requirements might damage the club’s performances, I can’t do anything but wishing you the good luck.” I responded with a disappointing tone
“Actually no, there is something that you can do, I discussed this topic with the boards and Arsène Wenger. We found out that we should extend your contract until the end of the transfer window.” He said
I couldn't believe what I’ve heard, didn’t he find a replacement at all?
“I have got no problem sir, I will do my best within this duration.” I replied
I signed some papers and went out of the office, I couldn’t believe what I’ve heard at all. But speaking of the ‘unbelievable’ things, I’m going to manage Arsenal in the Premier League & Champions League! Arsenal ended 4th last season which means we are in the playoffs. Oh man!
Nero accepts two bids
Chuba Akpom has joined Bournemouth on loan until the end of the season. SkySports’ Sources understand that Bournemouth’s manager promised Nero that the young English striker will be playing regularly in order to gain experience.
Chuba Akpom said: “I'm looking forward to my spell with Bournemouth, hopefully I can improve and gain experience. I'm still 17 and there are a lot of things to learn.”
Arsenal also accepted a 2,000,000 pounds bid from Girondins Bordeaux for their striker Park Chu-Young. It is also believed that contract talks are done according to his agent.
He said: “Personal terms are agreed, Park will be joining the French side within Three days.”
The Korean striker has failed to make it to first team since joining the Gunners at the January Transfer Window of the 2011-2012 season from AS Monaco FC, obtaining only less than five club appearances.
