Southampton FC: The Fall To Grace

Southampton FC: The Fall To Grace

Well, here I am. Back with another story with a save I'm very much enjoying, more than I have done with any other save on recent FMs. I know I've said to some people that I won't do an FM14 story again, but this save has been so enjoyable that I'm going to give another story a go. I didn't plan for it to be a story beforehand, which may be the reason I'm enjoying it so much, and maybe it's some way for me to get a good(ish) story out of a save.

I know I've done a lot of stories, just look at my profile if you're not sure about that, and I can't promise you that this'll go very far, because I am prioritising the save. If I think the story is jeopardising the enjoyment of the save, I will have a break from the story for a while, or stop it completely. I do hope you give this a go anyway, because I won't get anywhere without your comments and support.

As you can see, this story is going to be with Southampton, a club who have become something similar to a laughing stock in the summer after they've sold quite a few of their key players, including Lovren, Lallana and Lambert. This, in my view, is the perfect idea for an enjoyable save for those looking for a bit of a challenge, and it also includes a perfect story idea.

I have one request from you. If you think there's something I can improve in my story, or you just want to say something about it, please do. I will keep going with this story longer if I feel like people are reading it. I know it's not a unique idea, and I'm not one of those people who does stories for the comments or the SOTM nominations, but it would really just help me feel motivated to produce updates if you commented if you had something to say.

So, with that all said and done, I hope you enjoy this story as much as I hope I will!

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Information about Southampton

The Manager

I won't be revealing the manager just yet, but let me just give you a little bit of a hint as to who it may be. They won just one trophy in the short time they were at their biggest role, but hasn't done anything since. He has fallen out of the public eye since this job, despite his success. So, in that aspect, the title for the story works for Southampton as they recover from their many, many losses and for the manager as he tries to recover his career.

So, that's all I need to say in my introduction post. Here's to a story that may actually last!

Love the banner, very stylish

I think I know who the manager is, but I cannot be sure

And, Good Luck Alexis, this may be one story that I read from the beginning!

Good Luck Alex my first long term save was this team i did really well hope you do too

Good Luck!!

Good luck mate Just a comment on the title - Fall to Grace doesn't make much sense but if that was your intention I apologise haha

Tallery: Thanks, I spent 10 minutes on it Take a guess if you wish Thanks, why the might? Isn't it a definite?

Bashy345: Thanks!!

k1rups: Thanks, yeah that was supposed to be like that haha

good luck mate!

Diazepamll: Thanks!

POCHETTINO JOINS SPURS AFTER SAINTS EXODUS

After the sales of many first team members such as Dejan Lovren and Luke Shaw, Southampton also lose their manager now as Mauricio Pochettino is unveiled as the new manager of Tottenham Hotspur. This has put Southampton in a crisis, because it is unlikely that anybody will want to take the challenge of a job at St Mary's.

As many as five first team players have permanently moved to fellow Premier League clubs, while one particular strong player has been loaned out to a foreign team. Veteran striker Rickie Lambert, centre back Dejan Lovren and former loyal midfielder Adam Lallana have all moved to Liverpool for large fees, while young prospects Luke Shaw and Calum Chambers have moved for big fees to Manchester United and Arsenal respectively. Finally, Pablo Osvaldo has been loaned out to Inter Milan after chairman Katharina Liebherr was unhappy with the striker's attitude.

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Pictured above is Luke Shaw, one of the many first team players to leave St Mary's this summer, ultimately leading to manager Pochettino's departure.

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However, Southampton have made some sort of effort to replace these players, with Dusan Tadic coming in as a believed replacement for Lallana, while Lambert's replacement has come in Graziano Pelle from Feyenoord and Shane Long replaces Osvaldo. Steaua Bucuresti's Florin Gardos is brought in to replace Dejan Lovren, and the decision to bring in goalkeeper Fraser Forster may prove to be a good one in the long run due to the loaning out of Paulo Gazzaniga to San Lorezo. The Saints could only find a loan deal for Ryan Bertrand as a replacement for Shaw at left back, which is disappointing, as well as Saphir Taider joining from Inter Milan until the end of the season.

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Graziano Pelle, signed for an undisclosed fee from Feyenoord, is believed to be Southampton's replacement for the outgoing Rickie Lambert.

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The main problem with Southampton's squad is the fact that there is just one right back, young Nathaniel Clyne. If the Saints don't find a back-up right back this season, they will most definitely struggle if Clyne gets injured throughout the season, or goes through some bad form. It may not be possible to find a replacement left back if Southampton don't even find a replacement for Pochettino, but if they eventually do, this should be first on the new gaffer's agenda.

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Nathaniel Clyne has recently said he hopes to be the latest star to get England recognition, and has confirmed that he will be staying at St Mary's this season.

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Candidates for the new managerial position include currently unemployed David Moyes, who had a good career as Everton manager before a disaster campaign with Manchester United happened, tarnishing his reputation, Tim Sherwood, who was sacked by Tottenham at the end of the season, Malky Mackay, former Cardiff City manager who left after a spat with chairman Vincent Tan, and Tony Pulis, who left Crystal Palace a matter of days ago after an argument with Steve Parish.

cant wait to see who will take charge at Southampton, will Koeman be keeping the Job?

will be interesting to see you will bring in aswell. ill be following

They better not bring in Moyes he has already ruined one team......

Nicely written update Alex, this one can go far!

toonman8589: Koeman doesn't have the job at the moment, whether he'll be appointed as manager though, you do not know Thanks for the comment!

xander_dunlop1: Thanks haha

Tallery: Thanks!

#AVB4Gaffer

Nice start there. I love the banner! Will be following.

Justice: #TooZenit4You

macario_fierro: Thank you!