The Italian Job

The Beginning of My Journey

Hello everyone! I have been a fanatical Football Manager player since the game was first released in 2005. Today I have decided to give writing a go, having read some of the fantastic stories on the site, so why not begin by writing about this? For my first story I have decided to go Inter Milan.


Why Inter, I hear you ask? This once magnificent club has been on a steady decline since "the special one" left his treble winning side for Madrid back in the summer of 2010. Recent history hasn't been kind to I Nerazzurri - 7 managers, one major title (Coppa Italia 2010-11) since Mourinho's departure have meant the club are verging on becoming a very mediocre team in European footballing terms, only a mere shadow of the club they once were. Consecutive finishes outside the Champions League places for three years (6th, 9th and 5th respectively) has cast a dark cloud over this once great club.

My goal is to cease this slump in form, and revive this once great club, back among the football elite. My first goal has to be to get the club back into the Champions League, therefore my short-term target is a top 3 finish in the first season. Additionally I hope to put together healthy cup runs in the Coppa Italia and Europa League, with the potential opportunity to put an end to this trophyless period of Internazionale's history.

I hope to achieve these goals by signing young, hungry players, only spending big when the player shows real potential. Long-term I want to invest heavily in the youth system at Inter, with the ultimate goal of producing an influx of talented players.

I hope the outline of my story will appeal to some of you at least. I look forward to updating you on the highs and lows of my first FM story, and hope you'll follow it with great interest. I look forward to interacting with all of you, wish me luck!

I just started my first story as well with Real Betis, I wish you the best of luck and look forward to following your story.

Thank you for the support, I appreciate it! I have followed you too, and look forward to seeing how yours goes! More writers can only be a good thing.

Ronaldo Returns!

A turbulent week at Inter Milan has seen Roberto Mancini resign from the role as manager before he could even find a matching coloured scarf for his new role at the Giuseppe Meazza. Inter bosses had to act fast, in order to ensure a new manager was appointed before pre-season began. Former Inter Milan legend and World Cup winner, Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima, has benn selected to take on the role of managing Inter Milan indefinitely, and has today been unveiled to the Italian press.

In fluent Italian, the Brazilian stated: "It is a dream to come back here, now as manager of this great club. I spent 6 great years playing for Internazionale, winning the UEFA Cup, and on a personal level, winning the Ballon d'Or twice as an Inter Milan player". Ronaldo, who was famously nicknamed Il Fenomeno by the Italian press was quick to state his target for the season: "Champions League football. That is what these fans want, that is what they deserve. We will bring Inter back to the top of Italian and European football". When asked about his budget, Ronaldo said "I am excited. The board has shown a lot of faith in me as the new manager. We have money to spend, and we will invest it wisely, it takes a special kind of player to join Inter."

Some fans are sceptical about the appointment of an unexperienced manager at this time in Inter's history, where success has been muted. However, Ronaldo was swift to quash these opinions. Claiming "you've had the special one, now you have the exceptional one". Big words from a manager with no previous experience at managerial level, but his players are sure to be excited to work with one of Brazil's greatest exports.

Good luck! I'm doing an Inter Milan story as well so I look forward to reading yours!

Good luck and welcome to the site!

Goodluck

Kippax - Thank you! I'll have to give your story a read too then. Excellent choice of team by the way haha!

Jonte-23 - Thank you, I hope you enjoy reading my story!

Denzy - Thanks, appreciate the support! Please keep reading!

Good Luck! Hope you do well

My favorite player of all time, I wished someone would pick him as manager one day and I'm glad you did so. Good luck.

ManchesterRed - Thank you!

Oz96 - Mine too. And thank you!

Ronaldo Adds 2 New Faces To His Backroom Staff

First on the agenda for new manager Ronaldo was to appoint two new and experienced coaches to support his new ethos at the Giuseppe Meazza.

The first of these new faces to join was former Fulham boss, René Meulensteen. Ronaldo is said to be a big fan of the experienced coach, who likes to promote attacking football - similar to the philosophy Ronaldo wants to adopt. René will assist the technical and attacking side of training with Inter Milan, and Ronaldo will hope he can have a similar influence on the squad as he had during his time at Manchester United.

http://images.football365.com/13/05/800x600/Rene-Meulensteen-Man-United-2012_2951767.jpg

The second addition to Ronaldo's coaching staff is Italian and A.S. Roma's legendary goal-keeper, Franco Tancredi. With 12 caps for Italy and almost 300 games in Serie A for Rome's biggest club, he knows what it takes to be a success at the highest level. Tancredi has vast experience as a goalkeeping coach, with A.S. Roma (twice), Juventus, Real Madrid and England; working with some of the best goalkeepers in recent years. Ronaldo will hope his close work with Samir Handanovic will benefit Inter Milan's in defence this season.

4 New Faces Join Inter, 3 Sold

Ins

1. Jesus Vallejo will be one to watch in the future. Ronaldo immediately triggered the 17 year old Spanish defenders £675,000 release clause once he was appointed manager of Internazionale. The youngster turned down offers from Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund to accept a move to Milan. He's expected to remain with the under 20's side for the season, in order to acclimitise to life in Italy. Vallejo was quoted saying "To play for Inter is a dream, now the hard work begins for me, I hope to one day be a regular within Ronaldo's team, and play for Internazionale for many years". Ronaldo is said to be delighted to have acquired one of the most sort after young talents in European football at the moment.

2. Ronaldo delved back into the Spanish market for his second signing. Another bargain at £2.5m, Inter Milan have acquired the services of Spanish Under 21, Adama Traore, The youngster is expected to be thrown in to the deep end immediately, joining up with the first team, as Ronaldo hopes to fast-track his progression at the club. Adama is said to be excited about joining such an illustrious club, and the fact Ronaldo is willing to put so much trust in him from a young age was a big reason why he turned down Barca's offer for a move to Inter.

3. Dorian Rotariu has been added to Ronaldo's Inter squad for as little as £1.5 million, with an additional £1 million pounds going to his former club, Dinamo Bucharest, once he's player 40 league games. The youngster will be unknown to most supporters, but Ronaldo is adiment they have signed a future star for next to nothing. Due to a lack of wingers at the club, Rotariu is expected to be thrown in the deep end, and will join up with the first team for the current season.

4. The fourth signing was Argentinian midfielder Lucas Romero, who joins from Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield for £5 million. Romero is expected to have an immediate impact at the Giuseppe Meazza, and Ronaldo hopes his talents will cause selections with loanee M'Vila vying to becoming Inter's first team defensive midfielder. Ronaldo's first three signings have emphasised his transfer policy to sign young talented players at good value. More transfers are expected in the near future with several players going the other way.


Outs

Three players were quick to be shown the door, after Ronaldo assessed the entire squad in his first few days at the club. Marco Andreolli was sold to Genoa for £1.9 million, the Italian failed to press in his second stint at the club, having made only 4 league apps last season. Next out the door was Zdravko Kuzmanovic. The Serbian international was disposed of quickly, West Ham United signed the defensive midfielder for £3 million, who wasn't needed due to to the acquisition of Lucas Romero in the same week. Finally, Joel Obi was allowed to leave to Sassuolo after Ronaldo negotiated a £2.5 million move away from Milan for the want away midfielder. On another note, Nicolo Amoruso had his contract terminated once Ronaldo had assessed the team, with the player not showing enough ability to warrant a long stay at the Giuseppe Meazza.

Revolving Door Continues at Internazionale

3 More Join, 4 Leave!

Ronaldo signed his first domestic based player since taking the Inter Milan role today. Right-back Matteo Darmian joined from Torino for £6 million, allowing Jonathan to be offloaded by the Brazilian manager for £2.4 million to Premier League side, Hull City. The Italian international is expected to be the starting right back for Inter this season, and the chance to join an ambitious team setting their sights on Champions League football was the main attraction for Matteo in moving to the club.


Memphis Depay is the most expensive signing during Ronaldo's first transfer window. The club have shelled out £12.5 million, £7 million of that fee being paid in instalments over the next 2 years, with the fee likely to rise to £17.5 million with goal and appearance add-ons. Depay made his name during the World Cup finals for the Netherlands, Ronaldo claimed he was a consistent performer who possesses great pace and can score goals, which put him at the top of his summer wishlist. However, this addition has ended any hope Rodrigo Alborno held of breaking into the first team. As a result he's moved on for a small fee (£250,000) to Italian side Brescia.



South American wonder-kid Eder Alvarez Balanta was the final signing Ronaldo made prior to the beginning of his pre-season fixtures. The Colombian had a quick rise to fame playing in defence for Argentinian side River Plate, where he won the top division as part of their side. His form was rewarded with international call-ups to Colombia, and a place in their world cup squad. Not bad for a 21 year old. Ronaldo was attracted to the player as he's a similar mould to the ambitious squad he's building. After successful negotiations Balanta signed for £5.5 million, with and additional £1.5 million due after 50 league games.


The addition of an extra defender has meant a move away for Danilo D'Ambrosio, who's signed for Verona for £2.3 million. Argentinian international Hugo Campagnaro has also seen his Inter career cut short, the 34 year old defender has moved to Spain to play for Villarreal. His move cost his Spanish employers £350,000; however his huge wages will free up some extra cash for Inter Milan during a busy summer.

Really balanta nearly everyone signs him should have tried a bit of creativity like Doria or umtiti