Incredible story Ninja, just spent the last couple of hours reading through it all. Loved the children at training incident, and were those hamsters on Last Week Tonight recently? Great season, good luck with a title challenge next year!
The retirement of Alex Taylor
- POSTS514
- VIEWS106643
- FOLLOWERS6
Yikes that is not a pleasant way to finish the season! At least you can take encouragement from a second place finish, we'll be expecting a title charge next season!
Oh wow that result must be tough to take mate, hopefull you can stay positive and the squad can bounce back!
You should bounce back from it though!
Lippo Yeah not a great end to a first season in management, pleased we managed to sneak second in the end.
Would love to hear the chants if they move to England
Patrick Cheers, yeah the burrito one was on Last Week Tonight at some point. Thanksm that is the goal.
Justice No not how I hoped to end the season, happy with second but, want to improve for next year
mgriffin Not happy with it, we do have some time to bounce back though
MJK46 No, unless we are the team with seven then I'm fine with it
Jack Not a good one, got enough time to
Would love to hear the chants if they move to England
Patrick Cheers, yeah the burrito one was on Last Week Tonight at some point. Thanksm that is the goal.
Justice No not how I hoped to end the season, happy with second but, want to improve for next year
mgriffin Not happy with it, we do have some time to bounce back though
MJK46 No, unless we are the team with seven then I'm fine with it
Jack Not a good one, got enough time to
Three days later and after the team got over the defeat it was the second last training session of the season. It was a tradition to be a staff versus players game, to make it more even all the players had 30 minutes with the fitness coach and had to play in a different position. It didn’t seem to matter much as the players lead 2-0 at half time with Engels playing up top netting both. Alex fired a low shot past Felipe Gedoz in goal to pull a goal back. With seconds left Philippe came up from the back and smashed in a thundering header from a free kick to secure a draw in the game.
A few hours later and Alex was heading into Brugge with Rachael to go to the end of season awards. It was apparently a very drunken affair as the player of the season putting a weeks wages behind the bar, although if Gedoz or Izequierdo won it the bar wouldn’t be open for long.
![]()
After a good dinner Alex got up to present the awards. “First up is the team of the season.” Alex read it out and only disagreed with the choice of Claudemir over Vormer in central midfield.
“Now for the young player of the season, any player who started the season at 23 is eligible. In third place is… Felipe Gedoz.” Alex applauded with everyone else and gave him a small trophy. “In second place… Bjorn Engels.” Bjorn got the cheers up waving for more noise as he came to accept the trophy, Alex continued, “and the winner of the Club Brugge young player of the year 2015-2016 is…… Thomas Meunier!!” He was only just eligible for the award but a deserved winner. Alex gave him the trophy and the microphone for him to make a small speech.
Alex looked at the next award. “The Brugge signing of the season, just a winner for this one and it is… Joao Paulo!!” Alex felt the left back was the right choice, he had made the position his own when he was fit. Joao gave a quick speech and handed the microphone back to Alex.
“Now then, onto the goal of the season. It was scored in the Europa League” Alex could see some players working out if they scored in it. He put most out of their misery. “Against Basel. It is Felipe Gedoz for his goal in the home game against Basel.” Felipe again took to the stage to collect an award. He made a quick speech of thanks as his goal was shown on all of the tv’s. It was a nice quick passing counter attack by his side finished off by Gedoz who smashed the ball into the top corner, a worthy winner. Gedoz had also managed to have the top three goals showing his ability to produce the spectacular.
After Gedoz returned to his seat Alex continued. “Now the final award, it’s the big one. Player of the season. It was a tight vote and in third place, it is Thomas Meunier!’ A big cheer went up as Thomas collected his award and thanked everyone. “In second place” Alex continued after the noise had died down. “Another defender, it is with 36% of the vote…. Joao Paulo!” Joao got a big cheer as well and claimed his second award of the season like Meunier.
“Now the big one. The winner of the fans player of the year also won the player’s player award. Would have won the staff award as well if we could give one. Ladies and Gentlemen the winner of the fan’s player of the year award and the players player of the season is….” Alex waited to let the tension build. “The captain, Timmy Simmons!!!” A big roar went up as Timmy rose to go up and collect his awards. Alex held onto one so Timmy could hold the microphone for his speech.
“Thanks to all the players and fans who voted for me, I’m honoured to win both of the awards. I’m still going strong for next year.” He had to pause for the cheer. “Hopefully I can preform to the same level and lift some trophies.” On that cheer he swapped the microphone for his award and lifted them both to a big cheer. “One last thing.” He beckoned over a waiter and gave him a credit card “As a thank you the next twenty five thousand euros of drinks are on me.” This got the biggest cheer of the night.
![]()
Alex got the microphone back again “Congratulations to Timmy and one final thing before you all dash off to the bar.” Alex saw some impatient looks “Four glasses of champagne, four beers and four vodka’s please.” With that everyone got up to place similar orders.
After a couple of hours where everyone including Alex got more and more drunk Alex wound up near Timmy Simons who was about to have to settle a rather large bill for the drinks. “So is next year going to be your last?”
He thought over it. “I don’t know, the deal does have a extension but, at the end of the season I’ll have to take stock.”
“If it takes you that long then you still want to play. You figure out at a random time that you have to end soon. It will come”
Timmy laughed. “I’ll remember that if I want an extension at 50.”
“I would offer you it if I’m still here, a good leader and a hard worker you’re a great example to younger players. I also have to thank you for not making the age thing awkward when I took over.”
Timmy seemed a bit touched by the first comment. “Thanks. I just want what is best for the club and you seemed like you would be a good manager.”
Now Alex was pleased “Thanks.” He beckoned over a bar man “How much is left on the account?”
“5 Euros so order quickly.”
“However many shots of vodka that will get.” Four shots were given to them and Alex and Timmy downed them. “Now the advantage of being a manager, I don’t have to work everything from tonight off.”
Timmy laughed “I retire then. Anyway I think I have quite the tab to settle.”
“For all the help you have given me I will split it with you.” Alex cut off Timmy’s protests. “It’s Qatar money so I can burn a bit on this and owe you one.”
“If you can lose that I should have gone there.” Timmy said splitting the bill.
“They don’t take defensive mids there. You guys aren’t sexy like us forwards.” Alex paid his part of the bill. “Anyway I will see you for pre season sooner than you will want.” With that they just about managed a handshake before stumbling off to find Rachael and a taxi pretty sure that his head was going to regret his earlier actions tomorrow.
![]()
The next day in a very late practice Alex whispered to his team that he expected them to win the league and they whispered back they agreed before they all went to the physio for paracetamol to clear their heads.
A few hours later and Alex was heading into Brugge with Rachael to go to the end of season awards. It was apparently a very drunken affair as the player of the season putting a weeks wages behind the bar, although if Gedoz or Izequierdo won it the bar wouldn’t be open for long.
After a good dinner Alex got up to present the awards. “First up is the team of the season.” Alex read it out and only disagreed with the choice of Claudemir over Vormer in central midfield.
“Now for the young player of the season, any player who started the season at 23 is eligible. In third place is… Felipe Gedoz.” Alex applauded with everyone else and gave him a small trophy. “In second place… Bjorn Engels.” Bjorn got the cheers up waving for more noise as he came to accept the trophy, Alex continued, “and the winner of the Club Brugge young player of the year 2015-2016 is…… Thomas Meunier!!” He was only just eligible for the award but a deserved winner. Alex gave him the trophy and the microphone for him to make a small speech.
Alex looked at the next award. “The Brugge signing of the season, just a winner for this one and it is… Joao Paulo!!” Alex felt the left back was the right choice, he had made the position his own when he was fit. Joao gave a quick speech and handed the microphone back to Alex.
“Now then, onto the goal of the season. It was scored in the Europa League” Alex could see some players working out if they scored in it. He put most out of their misery. “Against Basel. It is Felipe Gedoz for his goal in the home game against Basel.” Felipe again took to the stage to collect an award. He made a quick speech of thanks as his goal was shown on all of the tv’s. It was a nice quick passing counter attack by his side finished off by Gedoz who smashed the ball into the top corner, a worthy winner. Gedoz had also managed to have the top three goals showing his ability to produce the spectacular.
After Gedoz returned to his seat Alex continued. “Now the final award, it’s the big one. Player of the season. It was a tight vote and in third place, it is Thomas Meunier!’ A big cheer went up as Thomas collected his award and thanked everyone. “In second place” Alex continued after the noise had died down. “Another defender, it is with 36% of the vote…. Joao Paulo!” Joao got a big cheer as well and claimed his second award of the season like Meunier.
“Now the big one. The winner of the fans player of the year also won the player’s player award. Would have won the staff award as well if we could give one. Ladies and Gentlemen the winner of the fan’s player of the year award and the players player of the season is….” Alex waited to let the tension build. “The captain, Timmy Simmons!!!” A big roar went up as Timmy rose to go up and collect his awards. Alex held onto one so Timmy could hold the microphone for his speech.
“Thanks to all the players and fans who voted for me, I’m honoured to win both of the awards. I’m still going strong for next year.” He had to pause for the cheer. “Hopefully I can preform to the same level and lift some trophies.” On that cheer he swapped the microphone for his award and lifted them both to a big cheer. “One last thing.” He beckoned over a waiter and gave him a credit card “As a thank you the next twenty five thousand euros of drinks are on me.” This got the biggest cheer of the night.
Alex got the microphone back again “Congratulations to Timmy and one final thing before you all dash off to the bar.” Alex saw some impatient looks “Four glasses of champagne, four beers and four vodka’s please.” With that everyone got up to place similar orders.
After a couple of hours where everyone including Alex got more and more drunk Alex wound up near Timmy Simons who was about to have to settle a rather large bill for the drinks. “So is next year going to be your last?”
He thought over it. “I don’t know, the deal does have a extension but, at the end of the season I’ll have to take stock.”
“If it takes you that long then you still want to play. You figure out at a random time that you have to end soon. It will come”
Timmy laughed. “I’ll remember that if I want an extension at 50.”
“I would offer you it if I’m still here, a good leader and a hard worker you’re a great example to younger players. I also have to thank you for not making the age thing awkward when I took over.”
Timmy seemed a bit touched by the first comment. “Thanks. I just want what is best for the club and you seemed like you would be a good manager.”
Now Alex was pleased “Thanks.” He beckoned over a bar man “How much is left on the account?”
“5 Euros so order quickly.”
“However many shots of vodka that will get.” Four shots were given to them and Alex and Timmy downed them. “Now the advantage of being a manager, I don’t have to work everything from tonight off.”
Timmy laughed “I retire then. Anyway I think I have quite the tab to settle.”
“For all the help you have given me I will split it with you.” Alex cut off Timmy’s protests. “It’s Qatar money so I can burn a bit on this and owe you one.”
“If you can lose that I should have gone there.” Timmy said splitting the bill.
“They don’t take defensive mids there. You guys aren’t sexy like us forwards.” Alex paid his part of the bill. “Anyway I will see you for pre season sooner than you will want.” With that they just about managed a handshake before stumbling off to find Rachael and a taxi pretty sure that his head was going to regret his earlier actions tomorrow.
The next day in a very late practice Alex whispered to his team that he expected them to win the league and they whispered back they agreed before they all went to the physio for paracetamol to clear their heads.
There's a few fans' favourites in your team which is always positive! Hopefully next season you can go one step further 
Jack Yeah Simons seems to be a crowd pleaser, yeah hope he can lift some team trophies next season
Alex went back to work the next day when all the players had left, although as his kids were still in school he would at least be relaxing at home. A good chunk of the staff had also taken some holiday time off so it was deserted as Alex made his way to the conference room to get debriefed on how he had done so far in the job. It was a very long time to here that they he was doing a good job and they hoped he could keep it up for next year.
![]()
When he got back to his office he had a look through the Belgian football news and saw that Joao Paulo had come second in the Belgian Pro of the Year Award. Ludovic Butelle had deservedly won the Belgian Goalkeeper of the year award. Alex was in no doubt that he was the best goalie in the league making a number of incredible saves.
![]()
![]()
![]()
He then got a call from legal to go and sign the contract extension for Gedoz, Alex was pleased he signed a new deal and it wasn’t a very big wage rise for such a good player. A few signatures later the deal was signed and Gedoz started on a new three year deal with a bigger wage for him.
![]()
He then read some rumours the Jose Izequierdo was a target for Montpellier and Nice in France. As he was only on 1,000 euros a week Alex thought that a wage rise in France could tempt him to leave Belgium. He then got a call from a reporter. “What do you make of the news that Izquierdo could be heading to Montpellier?”
![]()
Alex thought over his response as he knew it would be printed. “I have no intention of selling him, he is a Brugge player and will remain so. Montpellier should look for someone else.”
“Okay and what about the rumours that De Bock is on the way to Nantes in France.”
![]()
Alex almost laughed at the rhyme Nantes in France, he held himself together and although he hadn’t seen the rumour but, responded in the same manner. “De Bock is here and happy to be here, and we are happy to have him here so he will not leaving anytime soon. Especially to a team that only just avoided relegation in France.” With that Alex hung up on the reporter to try and get back to looking over some strikers which he felt the team needed.
![]()
After looking over it for a while Alex went back to the rumour sights and saw that Marseille were interested in Denswil. Having finished runners up in France they would be harder to convince that Brugge was a bigger team than them.
He then had to sprint out to his assistants desk to grab the phone before it rang out. “Hi, this is Jose Izquierdo. I wanted to talk to Alex.”
![]()
“Speaking, what do you want to talk about?”
“Oh, hey boss. Did you see the rumours on the websites.”
Alex wearily answered “Yes..?”
“In light of that and my improvement on the pitch I want to sign a new deal with a wage rise, would that be possible?”
Alex sighed with relief “Yeah get your agent to call me and we will talk about it.”
![]()
Alex had only just settled into his desk when he had to run back out to get the phone. Izquierdo’s agent obviously wanted a cut of a bigger deal as soon as he could. Alex was able to negotiate a quick deal that gave Izquierdo a big wage rise but, didn’t have him out earning many other first team players.
Just as he hung up he had to dash back into his office to receive a call from legal. He went over and signed some documents to make official the transfer of Diaby from Club Brugge to Trabzonspor for €750,000 which Alex though was a decent fee for a player he didn’t rate and hadn’t done much to change his opinion. Alex signed away Diaby and headed back to his office trying to finally get enough time to have a good look at his options to replace Diaby as a striker.
![]()
He then received a call from Vincent Mannaert, “We had a bid sent in for De Bock I’m just sending the details to you and you can respond to it however you want.”
![]()
Alex looked at the bid and sent an email to Nantes that said “NOT FOR SALE.” With that he saw the time and having achieved none of his plans for the day headed home exhausted and unable to wait for his two week break.
When he got back to his office he had a look through the Belgian football news and saw that Joao Paulo had come second in the Belgian Pro of the Year Award. Ludovic Butelle had deservedly won the Belgian Goalkeeper of the year award. Alex was in no doubt that he was the best goalie in the league making a number of incredible saves.
He then got a call from legal to go and sign the contract extension for Gedoz, Alex was pleased he signed a new deal and it wasn’t a very big wage rise for such a good player. A few signatures later the deal was signed and Gedoz started on a new three year deal with a bigger wage for him.
He then read some rumours the Jose Izequierdo was a target for Montpellier and Nice in France. As he was only on 1,000 euros a week Alex thought that a wage rise in France could tempt him to leave Belgium. He then got a call from a reporter. “What do you make of the news that Izquierdo could be heading to Montpellier?”
Alex thought over his response as he knew it would be printed. “I have no intention of selling him, he is a Brugge player and will remain so. Montpellier should look for someone else.”
“Okay and what about the rumours that De Bock is on the way to Nantes in France.”
Alex almost laughed at the rhyme Nantes in France, he held himself together and although he hadn’t seen the rumour but, responded in the same manner. “De Bock is here and happy to be here, and we are happy to have him here so he will not leaving anytime soon. Especially to a team that only just avoided relegation in France.” With that Alex hung up on the reporter to try and get back to looking over some strikers which he felt the team needed.
After looking over it for a while Alex went back to the rumour sights and saw that Marseille were interested in Denswil. Having finished runners up in France they would be harder to convince that Brugge was a bigger team than them.
He then had to sprint out to his assistants desk to grab the phone before it rang out. “Hi, this is Jose Izquierdo. I wanted to talk to Alex.”
“Speaking, what do you want to talk about?”
“Oh, hey boss. Did you see the rumours on the websites.”
Alex wearily answered “Yes..?”
“In light of that and my improvement on the pitch I want to sign a new deal with a wage rise, would that be possible?”
Alex sighed with relief “Yeah get your agent to call me and we will talk about it.”
Alex had only just settled into his desk when he had to run back out to get the phone. Izquierdo’s agent obviously wanted a cut of a bigger deal as soon as he could. Alex was able to negotiate a quick deal that gave Izquierdo a big wage rise but, didn’t have him out earning many other first team players.
Just as he hung up he had to dash back into his office to receive a call from legal. He went over and signed some documents to make official the transfer of Diaby from Club Brugge to Trabzonspor for €750,000 which Alex though was a decent fee for a player he didn’t rate and hadn’t done much to change his opinion. Alex signed away Diaby and headed back to his office trying to finally get enough time to have a good look at his options to replace Diaby as a striker.
He then received a call from Vincent Mannaert, “We had a bid sent in for De Bock I’m just sending the details to you and you can respond to it however you want.”
Alex looked at the bid and sent an email to Nantes that said “NOT FOR SALE.” With that he saw the time and having achieved none of his plans for the day headed home exhausted and unable to wait for his two week break.
I wish I could have been at that party hahaha! Time for a well earned break
Good call even if it was the obvious one over the sale!
Lippo Working everday, still the pay is good
BeanyUnited Yeah, Jamie Vardy was there. A relaxing holiday would be perfect
Mgriffin2012 Yeah, keeping all the players. Don't want to be a selling club
BeanyUnited Yeah, Jamie Vardy was there. A relaxing holiday would be perfect
Mgriffin2012 Yeah, keeping all the players. Don't want to be a selling club
When Roel and Philippe returned from there time off Alex took his two weeks off and went to Qatar for a week. In between finding new things to wear on the sideline, suits were too formal smart casual was more the dress code, Alex got up early to call back to Brugge everyday as he made the final call on every deal.
Unfortunately for Alex today he would be talking to the club accountant about how the team had done last season and would be willing to commit next year. A small profit had been made by the club last season, €3.75 million although 1.3 million of it had to go on tax. Prize money and TV money had been doubled last year compared to the year before with almost €10 million earned from it. The club had also signed a one year €7.25 million euro deal with a communications company, alone the deal was worth more than everything that the club had made from sponsorship last year which as good, with the club being involved in some of the adverts as well it was hoped that they could raise the profile of the club and bring in some more money that way.
The club also sold 6,813 shirts earning €590k. Alex looked at the most sold jerseys and was surprised a bit by it although guessed that new signings were names people wanted on the back of there shirts, even if they rarely played. Simons had also proved popular as ever.
The conversation finally got round to where Alex was most interested. “With all of this in mind we have come to an agreement with the board and Roel for your budget.” Alex waited nervously. “As you made the CL playoffs you will get €6.63 million and €425,000 a week so you have €150,000 a week spare. As a result of this money being offered to you we expect you to win the league, get to the cup final and win the first CL tie so that the minimum is the Europa League.”
Alex was pleased with the money on offer although the media thought that his side would finish third so the title win was possibly going to be a struggle although it was what Alex wanted he had hoped he might get some more leeway from the board and winning the league would be overachieving. “Great, I’ll get to work with Roel spending the money.”
Alex hung up as the accountant mentioned he didn’t have to spend it all and called Roel, who obviously already knew the budgets. “We’ve had the offers accepted for Sobiech from Hannover and Ferreyra from Shaktar, so how did the negotiations go, you get me one of them?”
“No” Roel sounded dejected “Ferreyra wanted way to much in wages and when I got that down to an acceptable level his bonuses had gone to high for me to make the deal. Sobiech just wanted to much guaranteed money for a player of his ability so that was a no go.”
“Damn” Alex had hoped to get a striker signed early on so that they would have preseason to settle in, Nicolas Castillo was returning from a loan in Chile where he had done alright although Alex wanted another player. “Well keep looking, I want to revamp the strike force ahead of next season, goals win games.”
On that Alex left the call and had a look through his inbox. The UEFA club co-efficents had been released and Alex was pleased to see that his side where the highest ranked Belgian side. He also saw they were above Liverpool and was annoyed they had such a small lead over such a poor club. His U-19’s could easily
You are reading "The retirement of Alex Taylor".
