So hi everyone!
Been really busy over the past few days so havent had much time to play so this season took a lot longer to play than usual. However I did manage to finally get it done so here is how my fourth season at Seoul went.
Last season was another of mixed frustration as we managed to regain our K-League title but fell at the first knockout stage in the Asian champions league.
I was hoping for a better run this season but with Ulsan providing a stern test it would be another competitive season in South Korea.
Managerial C.V
— Black Aces (June 2011 – June 2018)
African Premier League : 2016
Super 8′s Winner : 2015, 2016
First Division : 2012
South African Knockout Cup : 2016
The African Champions League : 2017
— New York Red Bulls (January 2019 –December 2021)
U.S. Cup : 2019
MLS : 2020, 2021
North American Champions League : 2020
— FC Seoul ( January 2022 – Present)
K-League : 2023, 2024
Korean FA Cup : 2022
Korean League Cup : 2024
International Career
— U.S.A (May 2017 – July 2021)
Nothing.
— Spain (July 2024 — Present)
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So our club’s value raised by a few million over last year from £11.25 million to £13.75 million, Kim-Jae Hyung joined the clubs icons and Amadou Toure joined the favoured personnel.
So financially we only went up by £800k as we continue to struggle with our finances. This meant that my transfers were reduced to only a few new faces and we had to sell a few players also.
Transfers In and Out — First Window
So three new players spent on two Korean players and one who has Korean citizenship so I didnt mind paying a bit extra to get him. I sold Bang-Min Soo as I had loads of better midfield players available and Cabelo was just a poor signing that I wouldnt play much this season.
Lets have a look at the new faces.
Lee-Yong Jae
Lee-Jung Ho
Samba Keita
So I decided to sign Lee-Yong Jae even though he is quite old but I felt he had a few good seasons left in him and he was free so I have nothing to lose really, Lee-Jung Ho was yet another midfield player that I probably didnt need but he was cheap.
Keita was pretty good signing which I will need as you will see later on in the post. :)
K-League Results 15 Games Gone
So in all honesty this was a really weird run of results things began really well and then we had two back to back seven zero wins before a defeat against Ulsan despite dominating the game.
Then we somehow lost five four against Seongnam with them only having three shots as we scored two own goals that followed another defeat against Incheon.
We did improve to win our next two matches but then lost again away at Chunnam meaning already this is our worst ever season since I have been here!!
Transfers In and Out — Second Transfer Window
So as I said earlier on I bought Keita knowing that I would lose my star defender Edison West. In all honesty I had no choice as he was unhappy and wanted to leave and we did get a very good price, considering we signed him on a free transfer.
Having sold West I freed up a foreign slot for my squad so signed another Nigerian defender and here he is.
Tosin Williams
Spain — World Cup Qualification Results
So as you would have expected we qualified for the upcoming world cup finishing top with a few poor results especially away at Greece, Slovakia and of course Scotland as we lost our only group game.
I did pick almost a whole squad of uncapped players, but no excuse really as we were very poor.
Lets look at the draw for that upcoming world cup finals.
So we were drawn in group H alongside Norway, Columbia and Burkina Faso and on the face of it looks like a pretty easy group. Am not sure what I would say is the hardest group maybe D or F but I hope to draw the USA and try to get a bit of revenge after them sacking me!
K-League Final Results and Table of the Season
So despite a pretty good second half of the season we failed to finish top after Ulsan claimed a huge twelve point advantage over us.
They out-scored us and had a far better defense so we had to settle for second place, which means we must play an extra playoff game which I forgot to take a picture of!
Apologies for that but we did beat Suwon 3-0 to set up yet another playoff final against Ulsan, from last season were have really dipped am not sure why but we still have a chance to retain our K-League title.
K-League Playoff Final vs Ulsan — First Leg
Hate this game at times!
This was one of those games where we just dominated had loads of clear cut chances and for one reason of either terrible finishing from pretty good forwards or an inspired keeper we just couldnt score. Then with their only shot on target they score and we have to settle for a defeat.
We did score but yes you guessed it, it was offside so didnt count and now we face a huge uphill battle to retain our K-Leage title!
K-League Playoff Final vs Ulsan — Second Leg
Yes I really do hate this game at times!
I cant really say what happened we were fantastic again we dominated the match only to lose harshly on penalties. I guess my two big curses came back to haunt me of losing in the playoff’s and losing on penalties and even if that wasnt bad enough we played most of extra time with 9 men after injuries to Malam Mane, Kim-Dong-Hyuk and Tosin Williams meant we had no substitutes left.
Then to add more insult to injury! At three successful penalties each they went on to miss their next only for my team to miss twice in a row! They then scored both and that was that a very tough defeat to take as we were far and away the better side
Cup Competitions
Korean FA Cup
So we were knocked out very early after losing a two goal lead against Pohang then falling to win on penalties. I wasnt that dissapointed but I always hate losing on pens!
Korean League Cup
So we also failed to retain our league cup after a humbling defeat at the hands of our biggest rivals Ulsan, in all honesty it should have been a lot more we were just so poor.
The Asian Champions League
So we finally had a good run in the champions league having had our worst ever season since I have been here.
We managed to sail through the group stages with only one defeat but it didnt affect us that much then we knocked Australian side Perth Glory out it the first knockout stage.
Al-Sadd in the quarter finals were no real match as we managed a five zero victory away to almost seal a semi-final place after the first leg, where our big rivals Ulsan were next.
We were fantastic at home winning by three goals to one however away the game did its best to try and make me lose!!
Kidding of course I dont think the game would do that but they did beat us by four goals to two having only had four shots on target to our twelve. Thankfully that didnt cost us and we progressed to the final.
The Final
Yay!! :)
Finally I have completed this champions league stage and in all honesty I couldnt have had an easier final. Within 30 minutes we had a three goal lead and we never looked liked we would ever lose it Han-Sung Hwan opened the scoring after only two minutes and when Mane doubled that on 19 minutes we looked home and dry by then.
Kim-Jae Hyung added a superb third then just before half time new signing Tosin Williams rose unmarked from a free kick to add a fourth, the second half was simply all one way, we dominated the possession created so many chances but through a mixture of shocking finishing and an inspired goal keeper we had to settle for four.
Obviously I didnt mind! I would have settled for a terrible one zero win provided that we won it, my third champions league with only two left to go.
Club World Championship
The Final
We beat Man Utd!!
I was amazed after we played so well then held our nerve to knock them out on penalties, they are my parent club but one of my better victories I think. :)
Final was bad as you can as we never got to the level that we did in our semi-final win but to get to the final was pleasing enough for me.
Final Player Ratings of the Season
So after the departure of Edison West and a sort of sub par season for our star striker Kim-Jae Hyung it was Amadou Toure who led the way and far and away our best performer of the season.
Williams our West replacement had a really brilliant start and is defiantly a promising understudy to my former defender Lee-Yong Jae did really well in an injury hit season but for free I cant complain really. Kim-Yae Young is defiantly a star in the making at the heart of our midfield but was pleased with most of our players this season.
Star Man — Amadou Toure
End of Season Finances and Save Game Status
So we are in a very healthy situation now mostly down to winning the champions league but also the money in from Edison West’s departure. Having been struggling with our finances for a while its nice to see us with a large amount in the bank.
And Finally the End -Plus End of Season Round-Up!!
So I resigned after four season at Seoul with some mixed feelings, I enjoyed my time at Seoul last year however I didnt really enjoy it as much this time around.
I was glad that Ulsan provided such a great rivalry for me and the fact that my playoff curse still lurks after me! Maybe as I played the same team as last year I kind of knew what to expect and as such didnt enjoy it as much am not sure.
I am glad that I finally got this champions league and I can move on to a new journey!
I added a few extra leagues like Italy, Portugal, France along with England, Spain, Croatia, and Russia for a chance at an European side with Brazil, Argentina, Mexico and Chile added for my copa libertadores (South American champions league) attempts.
I resigned from Seoul with only 7 months until the world cup so my plan is to take no club jobs until after that and then re-evaluate my options. Ideally I want to try and conquer South America before ending up in Europe but I have been offered so very big jobs including Liverpool, Arsenal, Sevilla, Valencia and Villarreal so am still weighing up my options!
I really want to manage in Argentina which is dominating South American football at the moment having claimed six out of the last five copa lib’s, with River, Velez or Boca high on my list. Boca are really struggling at the moment so that job could be available really soon so will just wait and see what happens.
As always thanks for reading! This post took a lot longer than I would have hoped but that the price of being super busy!
I will do my very best to get the next season done as soon as I can, bring you my brand new club and of course all the world cup results! :)
David Wiggins
27 февраля, 2012 at 19:37
Congratulations Ana! Always a joy to read about your career and I look forward to your next destination! Will your next update be a World Cup special?
Also, I like to think I am a proper geek when it comes to football but even I have never heard of Esteghlal! Where on earth are they from?!?!
Rob
27 февраля, 2012 at 20:01
there from Iran mate
David Wiggins
29 февраля, 2012 at 00:32
ah ok cheers Rob!
Ana Garcia
29 февраля, 2012 at 18:34
Thanks David! :)
Hmm, I will probably just combine my world cup results with my main post it makes it easier to follow I think.
My next destination is way out of my comfort zone! In a league I dont really enjoy that much but its always nice to try! I would give people a clue but am rubbish at them and they will be so easy to guess!
So I will just keep it to myself for now! :)
Yeah they are from Iran, which is good achievement from them I think.
Rob
27 февраля, 2012 at 19:59
aewsome to the max!!!!!!!!!!
Ana Garcia
29 февраля, 2012 at 18:34
LoL, thanks Rob. :)
saltwater
27 февраля, 2012 at 20:33
Your head must be in a spin over deciding who you hate more, the Orlando Pirates, Ulsan or the USA national team!
But a very good season, even in the domestic league in my opinion, as on such a small budget it was still a achievement to guide your team to second. But the champions league was the highlight of course, hopefully you can win it in Europe next (I hope that’s where you’re going!)
Ana Garcia
29 февраля, 2012 at 18:40
Ha! :)
Yeah all three have annoyed me on this game but I think Ulsan is at the top. Orlando Pirates were far richer than us and the USA well were also quite annoying to me!
The budget was pretty tight and I am not someone who enjoys spending more than I receive, I also like to leave clubs in a better state than when I joined them so financially and thanks to the Edison West sale I just about did that.
Well I have just completed my world cup adventure so I do have my next club job so after I play that season I will unveil it! :)
Darren Smith
27 февраля, 2012 at 21:33
Wow what a weird season Ana but fantastic all the same. You lost a very important player, struggled against the domination of Ulsan and suffered your usual Cup and play-off heartache…then when all seemed lost you walked the CL and even beat United. Amazing!
Ana Garcia
29 февраля, 2012 at 18:44
Thanks Darren!
Weird is right infact most of this pentagon challenge has been been quite weird. But South Korea has trumped them all! In my first season we could have won everything and only won a cup and in our worst season we won the champions league?!
Strange but I guess that sums my games up! I never ever seem to do things the easy way!
Alex
27 февраля, 2012 at 21:35
Although the domestic season wasn’t particularly good you more than made up for it in the Champions League. Once again you leave the club in a fantastic position. I look forward to seeing who you take on next.
Ana Garcia
29 февраля, 2012 at 18:47
Thanks Alex! :)
Domestic season was a disaster yet we we should have won the K-League! To lose on penalties after suffering some injuries probably cost us the chance to win in extra time then we couldnt keep our nerve in the penalty shoot-out.
But getting that champions league was the goal to am really happy to be leaving South Korea behind!
TheZiggy
27 февраля, 2012 at 21:43
Congratulations on winning the Champions League, but definitely a very frustrating domestic season you had. It was good that you managed to get past your nemesis team on the way to the Champions League. You’ve left the club in a good financial position.
Will be interesting to see which team you end up with. Looking forward to seeing how you do with Spain in the World Cup. Your group doesn’t appear to be much of a challenge for the team. Good luck with.
Ana Garcia
29 февраля, 2012 at 18:51
Thanks!! :)
I was pretty frustrated, my team just wasnt the same as previous seasons even though I didnt really change anything. We could easily have lost that game against Ulsan in the CL but we didnt really play badly, my forwards just couldnt score despite scoring freely in earlier seasons.
My next team is someone I have never managed so should be interesting at least! :)
Martin - F.M.J.S
27 февраля, 2012 at 22:23
Congrats Ana you have won the CL. Not the best domestic season but the CL is the most important result of the post. Also you are looking good for the World Cup. I look forward to see who your next club will be next season.
Ana Garcia
29 февраля, 2012 at 18:54
Thanks Martin! :)
I agree with you, just a bad season on the domestic front but I got what I wanted with that CL.
Interesting that when I left the Ulsan manager then left for Seoul! Then I was offered the Ulsan job which I should have took for fun! :)
DK1247
27 февраля, 2012 at 23:55
Congrats Ana! Must have been a frustrating season with the playoffs and cups, but I’m sure the champions league more than makes up for it.
Ana Garcia
29 февраля, 2012 at 18:55
Thanks! :)
It was but I am used to them! Frustration, losing in cups and playoffs is just normal for me!
It did and am glad to be leaving South Korea! :)
bigbaz
28 февраля, 2012 at 01:15
well done! looking forward to your next challenge
Ana Garcia
29 февраля, 2012 at 18:56
Thanks! :)
Tegar Triemanudigdo
28 февраля, 2012 at 02:47
Well done! Even though the league is kind of roller coaster there, you managed to gain success at ACL and even beat Man United! Looking forward for your next chapter.
Ana Garcia
29 февраля, 2012 at 18:59
Thanks! :)
It was a roller coaster! Shame that we just collapsed at every hurdle except the ACL!
Beating Man United was a real highlight for me in this story considering how much bigger they are than Seoul, some of the wages they pay their players were worth more than my players! :)
Johnny Karp
28 февраля, 2012 at 07:19
Well done Ana, you finally nailed that Champions League even though the play-off curse lives on :) Best of luck for the World Cup, I hope you’ll win it!
Ana Garcia
29 февраля, 2012 at 19:01
Thanks Johnny. :)
I knew that curse would stick with me! Am just glad to be leaving South Korea in all honesty I didnt really enjoy it that much.
World cup I have just played so thanks for the luck and will show you how I did in my next post! ;)
CsAtlantis
28 февраля, 2012 at 07:40
Congratulations Ana on finally winning the Asian Champions League and reaching the finals of the Club World Championship
Losing out to Ulsan in a lot of things (playoff final, the cup and the league) was probably not the best results to end your stint but the next Champions League beckons! Hope you land a great job
Ana Garcia
29 февраля, 2012 at 19:05
Thank you! :)
You summed it up perfectly! I didnt end on a real high due to Ulsan but I did get what I wanted in the ACL so was delighted to finally win it!
I did get a new job but am not sure how great it is though! :)
Neil Birkitt
28 февраля, 2012 at 10:11
awesome Ana three down two to go
Ana Garcia
29 февраля, 2012 at 19:06
Thanks Neil. :)
vaibhavc
28 февраля, 2012 at 12:38
Great job Ana, you have managed to conquer Asia. It must have felt great. It was a great season, even if you didnt win the league. Playoff curse again…
Ana Garcia
29 февраля, 2012 at 19:07
Thanks!
It did! I am really happy to be leaving South Korea I didn’t really enjoy it in truth, shame I will be taking my playoff curse with me! :)
Kevin
28 февраля, 2012 at 12:56
Hi Ana (no spanish greetings this time) :)
Well after a domestic season full of setbacks I was delighted to read that you had won the Champions League thus completing another stage in your challenge. Your time in Korea has been enjoyable to follow and I wish you well for the upcoming World Cup and of course for the next stop on this journey.
Ana Garcia
29 февраля, 2012 at 19:10
Thanks Kevin!
Shame, I like your Spanish greetings! :)
I was very happy to finally claim that champions league Asia isnt one of my favourite place to manage in truth. Too many playoff games!!
Thanks for the luck have finished my world cup so will post it when I have completed my season at my new club!
Ivo
28 февраля, 2012 at 13:42
Great champions league season Ana :) i warned you about Ulsan they became great … I reccomend you to go with a croatia team for the europe journey it would be interesting :) good luck in the wc :) i hope you can get a job in velez or boca
Ivo
Ana Garcia
29 февраля, 2012 at 19:13
Thanks Ivo! :)
You did! Ulsan will get better I feel but with the money I left at least Seoul can compete in the transfer market with them.
Croatia was somewhere I wanted to mange! I do have a new club so who knows your recommendation may just be correct! ;)
Laxeyman
28 февраля, 2012 at 16:35
Unlucky in the league, but congrats on the CL win Ana! You did an incredible job with Seoul, so it’s great to see you win that CL finally :) Looking forward to seeing who you manage next!
Ana Garcia
29 февраля, 2012 at 19:15
Thanks Laxeyman! :)
I am delighted to have won the CL!
I can now start working on the next one with my brand new club!
Woody
28 февраля, 2012 at 17:37
Great season and really unlucky against Ulsan in the league
Anyway great to see the champions league win and good luck
Ana Garcia
29 февраля, 2012 at 19:15
Thanks Woody! :)
David Faithfull
28 февраля, 2012 at 20:12
Well done Ana on you CL wim 3 down and 2 to go. If you can get Boca to make you their manager that would be great for your next CL Trophy!!!!
Ana Garcia
29 февраля, 2012 at 19:18
Thanks David! :)
In truth Boca are doing really badly, River and Velez have dominated Argentina for the last few years with sides like Argentinos also doing really well.
Boca would be a project to get them back to being able to compete again, but I still wouldnt mind that job! ;)
David Faithfull
3 марта, 2012 at 23:13
Ooooh yeah it sounds like Boca are the underdogs of the league now so it would be a very good project to get them back to their winning ways!!
Ana Garcia
5 марта, 2012 at 20:25
It would be! The manager was sacked and I did apply so who knows I may have just got it! ;)
David Faithfull
28 февраля, 2012 at 20:13
Well done Ana on you CL win 3 down and 2 to go. If you can get Boca to make you their manager that would be great for your next CL Trophy!!!!
Bhargav
29 февраля, 2012 at 02:37
Not too surprising to see Velez doing so well. They produce some great youngsters in my game. Great job on your CL victory! I think it was about time that you moved on from Asia ;)
Ana Garcia
29 февраля, 2012 at 19:21
Thanks Bhargav! :)
Velez have done really well over the past few season but are still are way behind River who are really dominating South America at the moment.
I agree! Am really glad to be leaving Asia as its not one of my favourite places to manage!
siavosh
29 февраля, 2012 at 11:38
hi anna,
Congrats,fc.esteghlal is from iran(my country) esteghlal and perspolise are big rivals.i’m so happy that you win them because i’m a fan of perspolise.
Wish you luck
Ana Garcia
29 февраля, 2012 at 19:25
Thanks Siavosh! :)
Am glad I could make you happy! I must admit my knowledge of Iranian football isnt the best but its always nice when people pass on their knowledge.
Thanks for the luck I will need it!
Aguila
29 февраля, 2012 at 20:19
Job well done!
Interesting to see that my team Breiðablik wich I support in real life here in Iceland, splashed out 400k for your player. Surely a record transfer fee! Hopefully one day my team will have that amount of money bewteen their hands.
Another fact is that Gylfi Sigurðsson, Swansea City, trained with Breiðablik before he went to Reading. But Gyfi consider himself more of an FH supporter though.
Good luck, it will be interesting to see what team you will manage next.
Ana Garcia
1 марта, 2012 at 20:31
Thanks Aguila! :)
I really have no idea! I just offered him out and accepted the offers that were the highest, am pretty sure that it was over 48 month installments though.
My English football knowledge isnt that great! So am not sure who that player is but I will be sure to look him up.
Thanks for the luck, I feel I may need it! :)
Aguila
3 марта, 2012 at 19:53
Well, talking about Gylfi Sigurðsson… He scored two goals for Swansea!
http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/wigan-0-swansea-2-gylfi-sigurdsson-with-2-golazos/
Ana Garcia
5 марта, 2012 at 20:27
Maybe us talking about him has inspired him some how! :)
Sears
29 февраля, 2012 at 23:34
You must be glad to be leaving Asia :D Well done on the CL win , good luck in the WC !
Ana Garcia
1 марта, 2012 at 20:31
Thanks Sears!! :)