[FM20] The Teplice Trophy Hunt - A Czech Adventure

Welcome to my brand new Football Manager 2020 career, The Teplice Trophy Hunt, where I head over to the Czech Republic to take charge of top division side, FK Teplice. This is a country that I have never managed in despite playing football management games for more than 20 years so it is completely new horizons for me.

We may have one of the biggest stadiums in the country but despite being top tier regulars, FK Teplice have never won the top division title in their 75 year history and in recent years have become a mid-table team with no European qualification for 10 years.

The aim of this FM20 career is to bring glory to FK Teplice and finally win them the Czech league title. Maybe we can add some European silverware along the way too but the primary aim is to dominate our home country. The trophy cabinet may be a little bare but surely we can change that!

As a usual lower league management FM player, this is something slightly different for me as we will actually have a bit of money to spend right from day 1! Can we overcome the likes of Sparta Prague, Viktoria Plzen and Slavia Prague? Let's find out!

Part 1 - New Horizons

In part 2 of this new Football Manager 2020 challenge, we play our first ever competitive fixture in charge of FK Teplice. Our opponents are UEFA Champions League participants, Viktoria Plzen. It promises to be a huge challenge for the opening day of season one.

We also take a look at the array of new signings that we have made to prepare us for the first season of this career. There are also some interesting backroom staff additions, including two Dutch coaches with a wealth of international experience and reputations far greater than mine!

Part 2 - S1 The First Game

In episode 3 we review how the early part of the season has gone so far and bring you a double header of matches! First up is a home league match against Jablonec and this is followed by our first match in the Czech FA Cup away to Neratovice.

Has it been a start to remember? Or one to forget?

Part 3 - S1 Double Header

In episode 4 of this FM20 career we take a look at which club appears to be running away with the league and look at an interview with our top scorer, Jakub Reznicek. We then have a tough league match away to Sparta Prague as we quickly approach the half way point of the first season.

Part 4 - S1 Tacking the Big Boys

It's episode 5 of this FM20 career with Teplice and we have a very winnable home game against Pribram in the last game before the winter break. We also discover why one of our most important players won't sign a new contract and will therefore be lost in the summer on a free transfer!

Part 5 - S1 Contract Issues

It's episode 6 of the Teplice Trophy Hunt and we take a look at a big news article that broke over the winter break. We also take a look at a new arrival that joined the club in the January transfer window and it's someone with international experience but a player who will likely be new to 99% of you.

We then turn out attention to the league where we play Banik Ostrava away from home before taking a look at the future fixtures and attempt to get our heads around the format of the Fortuna League.

Part 6 - Making Headlines

It's episode seven of the Teplice Trophy Hunt and it's all business today as we have numerous developments to cover since the last episode. There is a player due to leave in the summer and one set to join and news of a senior affiliate which should open up some interesting loan options going forward. We also take a look at our first ever youth intake! Let's see what kind of academy we have here at Teplice!

We also play the last game of the regular season against Slovan Liberec before we will split off into a seperate group for the last five games of the season.

Part 7 - S1 Youth Intake

It's episode 8 and we play our last game of season 1 against Mlada Boleslav and find out whether or not we will be qualifying for Europe for season 2. We also have a new signings to announce, a young Brazilian central midfielder that offers real quality to the squad.

We then take a look at the final league table, our goal of the season and the end of season awards etc.

Part 8 - S1 The Culmination

It's episode 9 and the start of the second season with FK Teplice. We kick off by reviewing our summer transfer activity and the players that we are still considering bringing in. Then, we have the big one, our first ever game in European football in this career. It's the 2nd qualifying round of the Europa League against Vardar of North Macedonia.

It's been 10 years since the club competed in European competition. Can we get them off to a positive start?

Part 9 - S2 Our European Debut

In part 10 of the Teplice Trophy Hunt we have a European and League double header! Before that we begin with an interview with young midfielder Patrik Zitny to see what he has to say about the upcoming season. We then take a look at a brand new signing, a former England international no less! There is also some injury news to touch on as an important player suffers a broken leg!

We then have two home games where we play Hadjuk Split in the Europa League and Dukla Prague in the League. It's a big update with a lot to cover!

Part 10 - S2 Double Header

It's episode 11 and we are back with the second leg of the 4th Qualifying Round of the Europa League against Rio Ave. We have some ground to make up following the first leg but we are in with a shout of the group stage. Can we make it and keep this run going?

Part 11 - S2 Aiming Big

It's episode 12 of the Teplice Trophy Hunt and I begin by discussing my new contact offer with my agent and the impact it may have on my lifestyle. We then take a look at how our form has been since the disappointing Europa League exit. Have we managed to bounce back? Or has our form taken a dive?

Following that we play a home game in the league against Mlada Boleslav. If my car will make it to the stadium that is...

Part 12 - S2 A New Contract

We are quickly approaching the winter break of what is proving to be a highly competitive season two. In episode 13 we play at home to Slovan Liberec as we look to continue our good form.

Before that though we take a look at some of our top performers and a new, exciting transfer that is arranged. An 18 year old midfielder that has the potential to take this club to the next level. We then finish up by taking a look at the top 5 leagues in Europe to see which of the elite clubs are performing well in this save.

Part 13 - S2 Unlucky 13?

To kick off episode 14 we touch base with FK Teplice coach, Edgar Davids as he looks for some advice. We then take a look at the January transfer activity at the club, including losing one of our best players to one of our biggest Czech rivals.

We report on the news that one of our star men has suffered a broken leg. The second leg break in the squad this season. We then play away from home to fellow high flyers, Viktoria Plzen.

Part 14 - S2 Losing Key Men

It's episode 15 and it's a big one, a huge game for FK Teplice as we play fellow title chasers Slavia Prague at home. It's very tight at the top so three points could make all the difference as we approach the end of season 2.

The squad is settled, they are enjoying their football and we also have another fixture to look forward to before the end of the season!

Part 15 - S2 Giants Collide