Hi all -- around this time every year, I like to load up the sortitoutsi custom start date and take the clubs I'm most intrigued by down the upcoming transfer window and season's path. Seeing as there were some whispers of Juventus' Massimiliano Allegri looking for other opportunities, I decided I'd launch a counterfactual save where the Italian resigned to explore his options.
I've always loved reading FM stories on here and on other sites, so I thought I'd give it a go and share my progress by indulging my own desire for narrative, which I think is what draws most of us to sports games like this. I hope you enjoy!
Allegri Out, Cusin In At Juventus
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It is May 21st, and for many juventini, their worst fears came to fruition early this morning: Massimiliano Allegri has resigned.
The Italian tactician masterminded 4 consecutive domestic doubles for the Old Lady, not to mention two finals appearances in the UEFA Champions League. Undoubtedly, Allegri helped shepherd Antonio Conte’s domineering Juventus of the early 2010’s to an even higher level. It is understood that the former Milan gaffer will be exploring opportunities abroad.
Tumult abounds at the club, with the legendary Gianluigi Buffon also taking his leave after 17 seasons. The notion of an immediate replacement for Allegri would seem a reassuring one, but the club’s new appointment only adds to the uncertainty.
Joshua Cusin, a 33 year old American international with no touchline experience to speak of, has been handed the reins. Fans of the English game will remember Cusin’s devastating knee injury away at the (then) Britannia Stadium, which brought an abrupt end to his fairly successful career as an energetic midfielder with a penchant for long-distance beamers that belied his clumsy stateside-esque touch. After second and third and fourth and fifth opinions ad infinitum, Joshua saw the writing on the wall and remorsefully hung up his boots in late 2015 at the age of 31. It was regarded as a shame, with Cusin having blossomed into a useful regular later in his playing career.
According to multiple reports, the American swept President Agnelli and Director Marotta off their feet with an ambitious, impassioned (and impromptu) presentation detailing his tactical vision for the club (no word, at this time on just how in the world he got a meeting in the first place!). Cusin is known to be a spirited Juventus fan.
Nobody will deny that the board is in a very tough position, losing in Massimiliano Allegri a manager who set the highest standard.
But one has to wonder—what was so impressive about Cusin’s pitch that the decision-makers opted against even sounding out more tried and tested options? Shouldn’t continuity be a priority for the Turin giants? As they say across the pond: ‘don’t fix it if it ain’t broke.’
Juve supporters are not known to be patient with or forgiving in their judgment. Allegri himself entered the fray with a lot to answer for as a former Milanista. Cusin, similarly, will start out with his back against the wall, his every move, in the transfer market as well as on the pitch, scrutinized.
At publishing time, the only domino effects reported are in the club scouting department, where an eye-opening fourteen mutual terminations have been agreed.
I've always loved reading FM stories on here and on other sites, so I thought I'd give it a go and share my progress by indulging my own desire for narrative, which I think is what draws most of us to sports games like this. I hope you enjoy!
Allegri Out, Cusin In At Juventus
It is May 21st, and for many juventini, their worst fears came to fruition early this morning: Massimiliano Allegri has resigned.
The Italian tactician masterminded 4 consecutive domestic doubles for the Old Lady, not to mention two finals appearances in the UEFA Champions League. Undoubtedly, Allegri helped shepherd Antonio Conte’s domineering Juventus of the early 2010’s to an even higher level. It is understood that the former Milan gaffer will be exploring opportunities abroad.
Tumult abounds at the club, with the legendary Gianluigi Buffon also taking his leave after 17 seasons. The notion of an immediate replacement for Allegri would seem a reassuring one, but the club’s new appointment only adds to the uncertainty.
Joshua Cusin, a 33 year old American international with no touchline experience to speak of, has been handed the reins. Fans of the English game will remember Cusin’s devastating knee injury away at the (then) Britannia Stadium, which brought an abrupt end to his fairly successful career as an energetic midfielder with a penchant for long-distance beamers that belied his clumsy stateside-esque touch. After second and third and fourth and fifth opinions ad infinitum, Joshua saw the writing on the wall and remorsefully hung up his boots in late 2015 at the age of 31. It was regarded as a shame, with Cusin having blossomed into a useful regular later in his playing career.
According to multiple reports, the American swept President Agnelli and Director Marotta off their feet with an ambitious, impassioned (and impromptu) presentation detailing his tactical vision for the club (no word, at this time on just how in the world he got a meeting in the first place!). Cusin is known to be a spirited Juventus fan.
Nobody will deny that the board is in a very tough position, losing in Massimiliano Allegri a manager who set the highest standard.
But one has to wonder—what was so impressive about Cusin’s pitch that the decision-makers opted against even sounding out more tried and tested options? Shouldn’t continuity be a priority for the Turin giants? As they say across the pond: ‘don’t fix it if it ain’t broke.’
Juve supporters are not known to be patient with or forgiving in their judgment. Allegri himself entered the fray with a lot to answer for as a former Milanista. Cusin, similarly, will start out with his back against the wall, his every move, in the transfer market as well as on the pitch, scrutinized.
At publishing time, the only domino effects reported are in the club scouting department, where an eye-opening fourteen mutual terminations have been agreed.
