Rome, Italy. I step off the plane at the Leonardo Da Vinci International Airport and close my eyes, taking in the slight breeze on a warm Summer's day in the capital city. My good friend Roberto Mancini put his hand on my shoulder and smiled at me; "Let's get your journey started..."

Welcome everyone to my first ever Football Manager story! I'm looking forward to meeting you all and hearing your feedback for this blog. I plan to run this story up until FM15 is released so please enjoy my journey!

I am from England and have played a high level of football at various professional youth academies; including Manchester City and Hereford United. I have worked for the FA for the past 2 years whilst studying Sports Business in University and have now moved to Canada where I coach elite youth players.

I have a great knowledge of world football and have always had a soft spot for Italian football culture as it is so unique compared to any other country. I have chosen Lazio as the team I will begin my journey with but I will not be restricted to just one team. Should I receive other offers during the game I may take them!

Very nice layout and detail for your first story. For future reference, take a look at this guide if you haven't already done so FMScout bbcodes & reusable tags. Good luck!

Englishman Cox Takes Helm At Lazio

S.S Lazio president Claudio Lotito has today announced that Englishman Matt Cox will replace Stefano Pioli as manager of the Rome-based team on a one year deal.
It is believed that many MLS clubs were interested in securing Cox's signature, but he becomes only the third English manager in the history of the Biancocelesti, with the last being installed in 1961.

Cox, 30, has no previous experience as a professional football manager, but is widely regarded as one of the world's top coaches after stints with various youth academies in the UK, Canada & USA. He does however have experience as a player, representing Hereford United, Bristol City, Forest Green and Manchester City at youth level. Cox interned at his boyhood team Arsenal under Arsene Wenger in 2012, and under former Lazio head coach Roberto Mancini at Manchester City in 2013. Lotito said it was Mancini's glowing review that led to him offering Cox the role as manager; "Roberto told me that I had to bring this guy in. He said if I didn't take the chance someone else would and he'd be managing at the San Siro in 5 years time."

Mancini, who recently left Turkish giants Galatasary by mutual consent spoke exclusively to Sky Sports News about the appointment; "I think it will be a perfect fit. Matt was very committed and very tactically aware during his time at Manchester City. He plays the Italian way and Lazio fans will be happy, for sure."

Lazio start their Serie A campaign at Chievo and will play Juventus in the Italian Super Cup Final on 18th August. The club will also be competing in this season's Europa League.

Cox Begins Reign With Staff Shuffle

(Translated from Italian)

Lazio's Matt Cox has made his first moves in charge of the club by letting go of 4 members of staff.

Fitness coaches, Adriano Bianchini, Alessandro Fonte and Manuel De Maria have been relieved of their duties and will be replaced by American William Tillson, formerly of AC Milan and Claudio Gaudino, the head of fitness for the 2006 World Cup winning squad. Assistant manager Alberto Bollini has had his contract terminated by mutual consent and will be replaced by Lazio stalwart and three time Serie A goalkeeper of the year, Angelo Peruzzi.

Former Internazionale goalkeeper coach Alessandro Nista, Algeria coach Gian Nicola Bisciotti and Fiorentina legend Gabriel Batistuta all join the Biancocelesti on long term deals, while coach Valter Vio returns to the club for a second spell.

Official transcript - Italian media press conference, Matt Cox unveiling.
Stadio Olimpico, Rome - 9:00am Wednesday 19th June, 2013

Reporter: Ciao and welcome to Rome and the Serie A. Do you feel that the expected 7th place finish is reasonable for your first season in charge?

Cox: Grazie! It's an honour to be here and I can't wait to get started. Lazio is a huge club and I'm looking to progress the team forward and have already spoken about this with the players. We are in agreement that Europa League qualification is the minimum excepted of them, I plan on making Lazio a great club again as recent years have not been good enough.

Reporter: You have made staff changes very early into the job, do you feel these changes were necessary?

Cox: I have brought in some experienced staff who have a substantial knowledge of the league and Italian football. Whilst Gabriel(Batistuta) and Angelo (Peruzzi) have a great reputation in this league and deserve their chance on my coaching staff.

Reporter: You have taken charge when it is rumoured that Antonio Candreva will leave the club. Can you comment on that speculation?

Cox: I have been made aware of that interest and have spoken to Antonio. He has 5 years to run on his contract and the fans love him. I don't see why he would want to leave. Our ambition is shared.

Reporter: There is talk you are being touted to be Arsene Wenger's replacement at Arsenal when he retires due to being an Arsenal fan. Was that spoke about during your internship in London?

Cox: I haven't even managed a game for Lazio yet and you're asking this? No let's concentrate on my career in Serie A first. I intend to win the fans and board over and earn a new contract this season.

Reporter: There are rumours that you are trying to bring in free agent, Tom Ince from under Inter Milan's noses, is there any truth in that statement?

Cox: I won't be discussing any transfer stories today, it is too early to tell you of anything concrete. But Tom is a player with huge potential who could thrive in Italy. More English players should not be afraid to take a chance and move to another team in Europe.

Reporter: Roberto Mancini has said that you like to play the 'Italian Way'. Can you enlighten us of how this is?

Cox: I play a 5-2-2-1 system where the wing backs and wingers are the main threats. The three centre backs shield with one assigned as a 'ball player'. Two centre midfields will link up with the wingers and wing backs for support and the one striker will act as a more creative force, meaning they will need to adopt a 'false nine' style of play and look to poach any rebounds or loose balls from the wingers attacks. I like my players to keep possession and be at the peak of physical fitness.

Lazio Press Officer: There will be no further questions to Signor Cox.

nice start mate, and welcome to the site!

Brilliant start. Can tell you're really putting a lot of thought and effort into it with the attention to detail, keep it up!

Ince Signs For Lazio

2nd July 2013


England U21 winger Tom Ince has become Matt Cox's first signing since taking charge of Lazio last month. The former Blackpool man was expected to sign for Inter Milan, the former club of his father, Paul Ince but turned down the move and declared that he wanted to stay in the Premier League after spending the second half of last season on loan at Crystal Palace. Palace manager Tony Pulis did not take up the option to buy Ince from Blackpool and the former Liverpool man was available on a bosman, meaning that he only cost Lazio £144,000 in compensation.

Despite previously stating that he did not want to move to Serie A, Ince has declared that he is extremely happy with his move to Italy. "It's a big move for me and it's great to be part of the project at Lazio. The manager sold me on the idea and has big plans for the club and was keen for me to be involved. Having an English manager abroad was definitely a big factor for me as I know it will help me settle in a lot easier. I can't wait to get started and hopefully it will help my chances of getting into the England squad a year before the World Cup."

Ince is Cox's first signing of the Summer. It is also believed that Lazio have agreed a £3.3m fee with Torino for Italian national team defender, Matteo Darmian.

Pre-Season Summary

I have completed pre-season in my first year at Lazio. We kicked off our travelling with a small trip around France, then back to Italy and finished up with a game in Valladolid, Spain in preparation for the upcoming season and the Italian Super Cup vs Juventus in a weeks time.

The team had a solid pre-season and were undefeated throughout the period. This form was probably expected due to the strength of the chosen opposition. However my aim was not results, it was for the team to become familiar with my formation and tactics and for them to become accustomed to their roles in the team.


As you can see, Tom Ince settled in well during pre-season and picked up 2 goals and 4 assists. I also gave 16 year old Simone Montecchiari a chance to impress me and he duly delivered. Despite Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto'o being available on free transfers, I have decided to keep faith with experienced German, Miroslav Klose. He fits in well with my system and pitched in with 2 goals and 5 assists.

First Team Summary

I have made what I feel are some big signings on a £14m budget. After losing creative spark Hernanes to Internazionale, I have used the money to bring Thiago Motta back to Italy for a relatively small fee. His hard work and industry will be used to allow Cristian Ledesma to be a more creative force to bring the wingers and wing backs into play.


I was very happy to pick up twice capped Italian full back Matteo Darmian for such a small fee, I feel he could be a great player for the team this year and could potentially displace Abate from the RB slot in the National side for the World Cup. Centre back Giuseppe Bellusci was available for such a small fee due to Catania's relegation to Serie B (I have updated all leagues, players, managers .etc), but I still feel CB is my weakest area of the team. Simone Padoin is a versatile player who is under-appreciated at Juventus so he will be solid cover for a variety of positions.

I haven't been able to ship out any of the players I do not feel will benefit Lazio this season. Winger Ederson and RB, Konko have been reluctant to agree a contract with any team I have agreed a deal with and this is frustrating as I need more funds in order to bring in one more solid defender. I did receive a £10m offer for Senad Lulic, (who I will be employing at LWB) from Benfica, but as potential replacement Ashley Cole's wage demands were to high I did not accept the offer.

Lazio Squad 2013/2014

1 - Etrit Berisha
2 - Michael Ciani
3 - Giuseppe Bellusci
4 - Matteo Darmian
5 - Lucas Biglia
6 - Stefano Mauri (c)
7 - Felipe Anderson
8 - Thiago Motta
10 - Ederson
11 - Miroslav Klose
14 - Balde Keita
15 - Alvaro Gonzalez
16 - Simone Padoin
17 - Tom Ince
19 - Senad Lulic
20 - Giuseppe Biava
22 - Federico Marchetti
23 - Ogenyi Onazi
24 - Cristian Ledesma (vc)
26 - Stefan Radu
27 - Lorik Cana
29 - Abdoulay Konko
39 - Luis Pedro Cavanda
85 - Diego Novaretti
87 - Antonio Candreva

The Cup Final against Juventus is in 8 days. If anyone can name me a good quality, reliable defender for maximum £5m, potentially a little more should I manage to sell the 'deadwood' of the squad, please let me know. All comments are greatly appreciated!

Juventus Win Super Coppa Italiana

Juventus 2 Lazio 0
Arturo Vidal (8, pen)
Giorgio Chiellini (70)

Juventus won the Italian Super Cup for the 2nd year in a year by beating a determined Lazio team 2-0 at the Olimpico with goals from Arturo Vidal and Giorgio Chiellini. Lazio looked dangerous from the off and the pace of wingers Tom Ince and Antonio Candreva was to much to handle for the Bianconeri defence. Lazio had more shots on target and the Opta heat-map shows that they spent 11% more time in the Juventus final third than their opponents, but key chances were missed by German striker Miroslav Klose. Klose was guilty of missing two one-on-ones with stand in goalkeeper Marco Storari, putting both wide of the post.

With 8 minutes on the clock Giuseppe Bellusci, a new signing from Catania, felled Fernando Llorente in the box with a clumsy challenge. Vidal dispatched the penalty sending Federico Marchetti the wrong way. Lazio pressed for an equalizer and Tom Ince slipped in Klose who, usually so lethal in the 18 yard box put his effort harmlessly wide of an advancing Storari.

Thiago Motta then found Candreva on the far right of the 18 yard box and the Azzuri international weaved past three players before being stopped by a last ditch tackle by Bonucci just as he was about to pull the trigger. Lazio heavily probed for an equalizer and in a bid to tighten up the team, Juve manager Antonio Conte threw on Andrea Barzagli and Federico Peluso to create a 5 man shield in defence.

Juventus struggled to contain wing-back Matteo Darmian who looked promising and adventurous throughout, but it was his saving header in the Lazio 6 yard box that in the 70th minute gave Juve the corner that would lead to the killing goal. Chiellini lost his man Bellusci, who was guilty of both goals and tapped in from 4 yards at the near post to capitalize on confusion in the Lazio area. The Biancocelesti tried to rally with 20 minutes to go but all efforts were smothered by the Juventus back line.

Manager Cox, has defended his players and has said his team, including Bellusci will bounce back in their upcoming opening Serie A fixture at Chievo this Sunday. Juventus open at Empoli at 20:45 on Saturday.

Unlucky, Juve are a very strong squad at the end of the day so don't be worried.

Thanks Walter, they will dominate for now like in real life, but we have plenty more chances this season for revenge!

As Walt said, Juventus are a very strong team! But anyway, very nice start to your story :-)

Cheers Josh, appreciate the praise from you guys. I'll keep aiming to please!

UEFA Confirmed Major Transfers - Summer 2013

£25m Koke - Atletico Madrid to PSG
£23m Hatem Ben Arfa - Newcastle to Arsenal
£22.5m Antoine Griezmann - Real Sociedad to Manchester City
£19.5m Lars Bender - Bayer Leverkusen to Chelsea
£16.5m Chris Smalling - Manchester United to Chelsea
£13.5m Sami Khedira - Real Madrid to PSG
£11m Morgan Schneiderlin - Southampton to AS Monaco
£9.5m Claudio Yacob - West Brom to Inter Milan
£7.5m Mateo Musacchio - Villarreal to Borussia Dortmund
£7.5m Borja Ekiza - Athletic Bilbao to Benfica
£7m Dante - Bayern Munich to Manchester City
£6m Sebastian Rudy - Hoffenhiem to Zenit
£5.5m Fabio Coentrao - Real Madrid to Napoli
£5m Nicola Murru - Cagliari - Manchester United
£3.3m Matteo Darmian - Torino to Lazio
£2.5m Thiago Motta - PSG to Lazio
£0 Victor Valdes - Free Transfer to Spartak Moscow
£0 Didier Drogba - Free Transfer to Villarreal
£0 Samuel Eto'o - Free Transfer to Tottenham Hotspur
£0 Frank Lampard - Free Transfer to Sevilla
£0 Esteban Cambiasso - Free Transfer to Cruzeiro
£0 Ashley Cole - Free Transfer to Lazio