Xabi's Dream

Aaron

Xabi's Dream | Tuesday 10th August 2021

I hung up my boots just a year ago after the 2020 season. Moving from Real Madrid six years before that to play a season in the Serie A with Inter before moving on to Cagliari playing five years with the Serie A based side. I helped them gain a foothold near the top four, and now Walter Mazzarri is finishing right near the top year after year. We never actually won the title...Or in fact anything. But even still, I was able to leave Cagliari and football behind proudly, with a history I could only have ever dreamed of.

I'll never forget my time with Liverpool. We didn't win much, just one Champions League, an FA cup, the Community Sheild and the European Super cup. Might sound like quite a lot but to me, with the team we had we could have gone on to do great things such as winning the Premier League, but it wasn't to be, and I moved to Madrid as the reds fell apart. My time was brilliant there.

I'm now a coach in the Belgium Pro league for Aalst. I've only just joined actually. So far, I am not enjoying myself. I don't mean to sound arrogant but personally I believe I could be put to better use as head coach. But for another team. A bigger team. I am with a club that has no ambition. I am only here because I needed the money. I want to be at a club where we can win, where we can aspire to be the best and actually become the best. I want to be THE best!

If I don't become a manager soon, I fear I never will, and my love for football will die if I stay here longer. Perhaps staying and giving it time could help. But I'm not down for that, and neither is my family. I have my coaching badges, and years of experience behind me. Again, I don't want to be arrogant...I am not an arrogant person. But believe me when I say, I was one of the best holding midfielders of my generation. I was.

I know I want to be a manager, but I face a dilemma. The season is drawing ever so close now. Just a few days away. Do I wait a year and become a manager after the season ends so I have time to get used to my team? Or do I brave it out now, and head straight in at the deep end?

Who is available now? Liverpool are on the decline. Massively. Luis Enrique's job is on the edge right now. Stuttgart are looking for a manager. No, I don't think I could bring Bayern and Dortmund down, not yet anyway. Ah...Juventus. Reigning Serie A Champions, and a good young foundation to build upon. Icons Pogba, Marchisio, and Vidal all still there! Even Jese, my good friend from Madrid is there!

I think I shall apply for all three. I am going to go for it. Which ever team may come asking for my appointment (If any). I will take up on their offer and look to make them the best they can be.

- Xabi

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AS4

11 years

Woo. Go get 'em Xabi

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Aaron

11 years

Xabi's Choice | Thursday 12th August 2021

I sent my application to all three teams mentioned in my last entry. Surprisingly, all teams very quickly responded to it. Surely one of them would be looking to take me on as their manager? I certainly hope so. All three teams have potential, all three teams have young, but experienced squads to work with.

Stuttgart were the first to reply. They sent me an e-mail back stating that having me as their head coach would be a delight, but it could spring a big surprise, and bringing me in could cause unrest for the fans. At least until (if) we got off to a good start. Even still, they offered me the chance to be interviewed, a few days later. Will I take the interview? Well, I think it's best I look at the other two teams.

Liverpool responded next with complete excitement. However, they did mention that Luis Enrique was still their manager and whilst he was in charge, they wouldn't be making any sort of interest in any other manager purely out of respect for their current head coach. Personally, I do agree, and actually I applaud that attitude. I wouldn't want my board going behind my back. I think the excitement was down to the fact that I am considered a fan favorite, I think that was all.

Juventus then replied last. They're without a manager after Conte left behind 7 great years at his club. Like Stuttgart, the Juventus board asked me to come to Italy for an interview. They said they would be ever so grateful if I could become their manager, and for that I feel flattered.

I have decided I will fly to Italy, on the coming Saturday. I will reply to Stuttgart's e-mail saying I have found a greater offer elsewhere, thanking them for giving me the opportunity, then I shall back my bags and hope this interview goes as planned. I feel nervous, but I can handle it. I am certain I shall be Juve head coach by Sunday. Please, Lord!

- Xabi

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Aaron

11 years

Xabi's Dream | Saturday 14th August 2021

It was a long flight from Belgium to Italy, but to be fair the company of the air hostess' and the food on the plane made up for that. We soon touched down in Torino a few hours before my interview. Just enough time to make my way to my hotel room and freshen up.

It was quite a nice hotel actually. Of course, apart from the countless amounts of people! There was a nice view from my balcony, by luck I seemed to have gotten the perfect view as two topless women messed around on the balcony opposite in the next section of the hotel. Still, it's rude to stare, so quickly glancing I turned back into my room, grabbed my suit jacket and headed for the stadium I shall soon hopefully have many great days at.

Andrea Agnelli, chairman of Juventus was quick to call me upon my arrival in Torino. He was really excited by the prospect of having me as the clubs new manager, as was I.

"Xabi, you're in Torino now I hope?"

"Yes, I landed a about 2 hours ago!"

"Great! You're meeting will be held at the Juventus Stadium in half an hour...Don't be late! We are itching to meet you!

"Oh, no worries. I am already setting off now. I'll be there soon."

It's sunk in a little more. Just a quick chat with Agnelli and the excitement overwhelmed me. I was about to become the manager of Juventus, surely? Judging by Agnelli's tone, it was almost set in stone.

I arrived at the stadium, and was met by a lovely receptionist at the front desk, who took me to Agnelli's office.

"Ah! Xabi! Finally you're here, it's so nice to finally get to meet you!" He said, shaking my hand vigorously.

"Come, come! Sit down! Now, how are you?"

"Good, thank you. In fact, very good! Excited."

"Aha! So you should be. This is great club. you will do wonderful things here, believe me.

It was as if he had made up his mind already, before he'd even met me.

"Now, Xabi. Firstly I want to start of with my goals for the coming season. Now, as you may know, we are reigning Serie A champions and of course we want to remain Serie A champions. BUT, the season is literally days away, and what I am going to ask from you is to achieve a top three finish. The players may find it hard to get to know you, so maybe the title could be just out of reach. Let's hope not though, eh?"

"Of course, I think that's fair. However I will do everything in my power to take this club to great heights right from the start. We want to stay Serie A champions."

"Fantastic attitude! Now, budgets. Of course there is not long left of the transfer window, and Conte has already signed many players, so I will give you a budget of 66M. You may buy ONE player before the transfer window ends if you so wish. The rest is to be spent in january, agreed?"

"Yes, that seems fair. A hefty budget too. Say, what is the staff like?"

"The staff? Well, it's just an ordinary group of staff what, do they matter?"

"Of course they matter! Look, I need to review the staff and I also need your permission to hire my own staff members and sack the rest if needs be."

"Why? Well, of course you can but why would you need to?"

"The staff is very important. Everyone is very important. From the chairman to the kit man. You just have to trust me."

"Ok. Well, sure. Do what you wish. You have complete freedom. But, everything you do must be for the good of the club. I am very passionate about this club and I want to take it to the very top. Just promise me you can do this, and you're hired."

"I promise."

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Radders2109

11 years

I'm loving this story so far mate! Great choice picking Juve, can't wait to see who you bring in and how you do in the league. Good luck

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Griffo

11 years

Good update! Hope to see Tevez do well!

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Aaron

11 years

Radders & Griffo: Cheers lads! I just want to point out incase i didn't make it clear enough, this story is based in the year 2021! So, Griffo you won't see the likes of Tevez at Juventus

Well, not as a player anyway.

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Tallery

11 years

Great Updates, hope you do well

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Mohamed

11 years

My good friend Aaron is making a story! Sounds very exciting to me, I really love stories about ex-players, and since I'm a Madrid fan, I'll be following for the sake of Alonso, good luck

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Aaron

11 years

Xabi's Dream | Sunday 15th August 2021

I walked out onto the field to where my new team awaited me. The squad were itching to meet me, as I was them. All laughing and chatting with one another. The perfect mood for a perfect start. They all looked to be in good shape, and the togetherness between them excited me and made the job seem a little less hard.

"Right lads, how are we all? As you know or should know I am going to lead you into the 2021/22 season as the manager of this club. Now, before we get on with training, I want to make a few things clear. Every player, that plays for this club must be 100% committed. Everyone must have the passion and determination to fight for this club. Everyone must be willing to risk everything for this club and their teammates. Are we clear?"

Pogba: "Gaffer, you're telling us that everyone in this team must be willing to risk everything? In other words, be willing to concede for your team, be willing to risk conceding goals and losing games?"

"Yes.That, and you also must be willing to risk injury for your team. You must be willing to risk ANYTHING there is to risk, for this club. Now, I'll say it again. Are we all clear?"

Marchisio: "Understood boss. I think that attitude is a brilliant one to have. And with it we can go on to do great things. Or rather...Others will as my time as a player is almost up. You can be a great manager here."

"Thank you, Claudio. Now, our first game is in two days against Parma in the Super Coppa. I know it's not exactly great timing, but you can't let that be a burden to you. We are going to train as normal today, get your fitness up and ready for the game, Marchisio, Pogba and Vidal. As the most experienced players in the squad I want you to lead the squad in a quick warm up now and the coaches will takeover from there. I'll be watching from a far boys, picking my team. Impress me. Anyone can get into the squad at this stage."

I seemed to win most of the boys over in that quick meeting, they worked so hard in training and put all their effort in. Even the younger players. It'll be hard to pick the team for the game, but I think I have a good idea of who will be in my team. I also think I know who to bring into the club. Luke Austin from Manchester United. 21 years young, reliable, consistent and a leader. We don't have many midfielders so he will be the perfect addition. 15M I will offer...

Two days until the big game anyway. I really want to win this one. First game, first win, first trophy in management. What a way to start. I can't wait, I don't feel any pressure strangely. I am just purely and simply excited.

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Walter

11 years

Pirlo's playing for Juve in 2021 O_o

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Aaron

11 years

Walter: Yeah, he's a fighter this boy. At 70 years old he's...

Nah, I knew someone would say that

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Mohamed

11 years

ITCHING FOR UPDATES HERE!

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