From Unemployed to Premier League Glory: My FM26 Journeyman Challenge

I’ve always loved the idea of starting from nothing. No reputation, no coaching badges, not even a clue where I’d end up — just a burning ambition to make my mark on the footballing world. That’s why I’m starting this FM26 journey unemployed, unknown, and with a single goal in mind: one day, I will win the Premier League with my boyhood club Liverpool.

There’s no shortcut, no lifeline. I’ll be taking the long road — managing anywhere I can get a job, whether it’s a struggling semi-professional side in Ireland, a mid-table team in Norway, or even a club on the brink of relegation in Belgium. Every season, I’ll chase promotions, fight to keep clubs afloat, and build my reputation step by step. Along the way, I’ll earn badges, develop players, navigate transfer windows, and hopefully leave a mark wherever I go.

This isn’t just about trophies — it’s about the grind, the drama, and the stories that only a true journeyman career can create. Every choice matters: which club to join, which player to sign, which leagues to challenge myself in. And through it all, I’ll document my progress here — sharing the highs, the lows, the triumphs, and the disasters — until I finally reach the pinnacle of English football: lifting the Premier League trophy.

So, buckle up. This is my journey from zero to hero, and every step of the way will be earned.

#1 THE FIRST STOP ON THE DOCKET

After 6 months of no phone calls and bottled interviews, the email we were hoping for finally landed in the inbox. "Arendal Approach Greenwood." And with that, the passport was renewed and we were on a flight to the Norwegian second division. Season over and 4 months before the new one — there was no excuse. A full transfer period and preseason to work with; the expectation was big.

Less than a season into my first save on the new game and those pesky work permits were already rearing their ugly heads. A chance to bring former Premier League marksman Sam Vokes to the Norac Stadion was there, but “a league too low” for the permit to be granted saw to that. The revolving door of Scandi natives opened and the team was taking shape.

Fast forward eleven games into the season, and the early signs are more than promising. Sitting 3 points clear at the top, Arendal have found their rhythm — a mix of disciplined pressing and quick, direct transitions paying off handsomely. The squad, built on graft and good character, has started to believe.

Rasmus Løvseth has been the heartbeat of it all. Whether dictating the tempo from deep or popping up in dangerous pockets, he’s been everywhere — driving the team forward with a maturity beyond his years. Seven assists and a couple of screamers later, he’s already become a fan favourite at the Norac.

It’s early days, but the buzz around the club is real. Promotion talk might be premature, but if this form continues, Norway’s top flight might just need to start learning how to pronounce “Greenwood’s Arendal.”

#2 Doing The Unthinkable

What a season this has been. When I first took over, I would’ve been happy just to keep us competitive — Consolidation was the aim, nothing more. But football has a funny way of surprising you. Somewhere along the way, the lads started to believe, results began to build, and suddenly we found ourselves in a title race.

And we didn’t just compete — we went and won the league. The defining moment came in a massive game against Frigg, where everything was on the line. It was tense, scrappy, and sadly a little emotional, but when the final whistle blew, we knew we’d done it. Champions. Against all expectations.

Lovseth a godsend all season. He ran the show, Put the team on his back in the tough moments, and absolutely deserved his Player of the Season award. But just as important was Bamba, who hit form right when we needed it most. His goals and energy in the final stretch were vital — it felt like every time we needed someone to step up, he was there.

Lifting that trophy was something special. This group wasn’t supposed to do it — but they fought for each other, trusted the process, and proved everyone wrong.

Next season, though, things will be different. A few key players are already attracting attention, and the squad will look very different come kickoff. We’re stepping up a level now, and we’ll need to dig deep if we’re going to stay competitive. It won’t be easy — but after what this team has achieved, I know we’ve got the heart to fight for every single point.

For now, though, I’m going to enjoy this. We set out to survive — and somehow, we ended up as champions.