Welcome back friends. Its time for an update from my Ultimate European Challenge. During the last post I had to wait until February for my first job. HSV of Germany came calling and I guided them from 10th to 6th within 10 games. With the first season over, I am now ready to put my stamp on the club and make my first steps to becoming the ultimate European manager.
First things first, the boards expectations and media prediction. While the board expect a minimum of European qualification, they are only prepared to part with £2.5 million in transfers. This is rubbish to be frank as the squad needs a real tune up for my tactics to be at there best. Either wayI have to work withwhat I’m given so a lot of players will be released and sold to raise cash. Although I only get 30% of the transfer funds for players sold…how can a manager work with next to no budget and then not even get half of the money from sales to reinvest. This is absolute crap and just like Mike Ashley’sdeluded vision at Newcastle. Anyway, the media seem to think we have an outside chance of the title and I am good with an underdog so that prediction made me happy.
Like I said, a lot of players were offloaded during the summer. We had to reduce the wage bill and raise a little more cash to strengthen the squad. Van Nistelrooy was on £60K a week and always injured so I was glad to see the back of him. The likes of Trochowski, Rost, Castelen and Bodor were on £30K plus a week. They were only on the bench so I decided to see out their contracts. Now the players sold for cash were all in the reserves so no real loss there. Between adjusting the wage budget and my rubbish 30% allowance from sold players I managed a measly£1.3 million extra for transfers. The problem with HSV is I need to be at least £30K under my wage budget to offer someone more than £30K a week. Therefore I could have spent £6 million but would have been restricted to just £15K a week contract offers. Its not like my Newcastle game, where I can reach my wage threshold but still offer someone a good wage.
I missed out on a few good players like Gaitan because of my board. No matter what the request was, even a perfectly simple one would be turned down. I’ve never known such an unflexible board at a good club. Despite these restrictions I still managed to sign six players. The last of which was a loan deal, but very important as my midfield are short staffed.
Rakitic joined HSV on a free transfer and is one of my best signings. You could almost hear the board crying when I offered him £44K a week.
Reo-Coker was on the transfer list for £1.5 million, I desperately needed backup for Kacar and I think he’ll get a fair few games this year.
Luis Moran was signed from Sporting of Spain for £2.1 million. He was the best right winger I could afford, but I think he’ll suit the Bundesliga fairly well.
Humberto Suazo was signed on a free transfer and could prove to be my most valuable asset. The lack of a real poacher meant we struggled last season. Suazo will fit into that role and despite his age can do a good job for the next two seasons. He is also someone from my ‘Cheap players under £3 million list’.
Kranjcar was listed for sale as Tottenham don’t need him anymore. Unfortionately my funds had already run out, so I opted to bring him in on loan. The Croatian will be vital for his flexibility, hopefully he can make an immediate impact.
Well you’ve seen the expectations, signings and listened to me moan for a bit. :) Now lets take a look at my probable starting XI. This side will change a lot during the season, I am sure. For now though, I will start with them.
Well that is all of my pre-season news. Like Sears I will be posting in season updates, so until then I hope you enjoyed the read and look forward to your comments. If you want to join us all in the Ultimate European Challenge, please follow the link and read the rules. Its very simple and should get us all into different cultures and styles of Football.
Atlant
6 января, 2011 at 20:53
Yo Darren Sunderland Approached me On May and i Singed for them do i need to send any screen shot’s to enter Ultimate Football Manager ?
Atlant
6 января, 2011 at 20:55
They just Regelated :@ I didnt saw it but i still want to countinue my job
Darren Smith
6 января, 2011 at 20:59
OK Atlant, I have added you into the rankings. Beauty of this challenge is you can move if a better job comes along anyway. Besides you’ll get them promoted I’m sure. :)
Atlant
6 января, 2011 at 21:07
Sure i wont sell Sunderland Stars even if they want to leave ^^ Darren Bent and Gyan will Rock in Championship
MRDNRA
6 января, 2011 at 21:40
I like all the signings you’ve made. I expect that Kranjcar will do a very good job on the left, on my 2010 game with Celtic he was getting 20+ assists a season in that position.
Darren Smith
6 января, 2011 at 21:51
Thanks MRDNRA, I really like Kranjcar and am hoping for a big season from him. Alongside Suazo those two could carry us all the way. Would be great to finish the season and maybe even move on but I’m only expecting a top three finish at the moment. The next update will reveil all though.
Birdy
6 января, 2011 at 21:51
Hey Darren
Nice Signing Good luck in the challenge mate
Darren Smith
7 января, 2011 at 11:40
Thanks Birdy.
Sears
6 января, 2011 at 22:20
Hey,
these lot seem worse than Newcastle :-D You did well despite the transfer restrictions. I think you can achieve your aim of a top 3 finish, good luck!
Darren Smith
7 января, 2011 at 11:41
Hey Sears, the board are definitely worse than Newcastle…hopefully we’ll rise above it anyway. Then I can show them the finger when Real Madrid and Barca come calling :)
Laxeyman
6 января, 2011 at 22:27
Good signings Darren, Kranjcar is a classy player, and you have a strong midfield three backed up by a decent defence and lightning pace from Elia. Hopefully Suazo can bang the goals in, if he does you could be on for a top two finish and maybe a shot at the title. Good luck!
Darren Smith
7 января, 2011 at 11:43
Thanks Laxeyman, Kranjcar is a good player and will hopefully provide a lot of assists. Looking at the whole squad its not brilliant, but if you see each players individual stats we actually have a shot at the title this year. That is if Bayern screw up. :)
Wazz
7 января, 2011 at 00:22
Hey Darren, you made some good signings there and you had to mention Mike Ashley, yes? :D
Looking at your tactic, it seems like you’re gonna challenge for the title. Since Suazo is a great striker, I’m sure he’ll do well for you. Good luck Darren!
Darren Smith
7 января, 2011 at 11:49
Hey Wazz, Mike Ashley always deserves a mention if its negative!! :) Hopefully we can challenge for the title but Suazo’s goals will make a huge difference.
CsAtlantis
7 января, 2011 at 02:54
Hi Darren
Wow that’s really pretty poor for a club trying to qualify for the european competitions, did the board respond to any of the extra budget requests? Like more transfer revenue made available, transfer budget, or even wage budget?
Anyway getting rid of those high earners who are not contributing should help the club finances, do you any more wage budget left? There could be some good players available on a free transfer like Michael Owen, Jose Bosingwa(Got conned a bit by Chelsea for him, paid 875k for him then his contract with Chelsea ran out the day he signed a new contract with me :S, but at least there was no competition for his signature), Juraj Kucka(paid 65k as compensation in my save), Mikkel Thygesen or Frederik Stenman
And one last thing, do you mind posting your assistant team report? I want to see the stars :D
Darren Smith
7 января, 2011 at 11:54
Hey CsAtlantis, the board are piss poor. I requested they take over on negoatiations for a player that we could get for about £3 million when the budget was £2.5m. There response was that he is way out of our range and the matter is closed. Not even a chance for me to respond. Same when I asked for an increased wage budget. :(
Thankfully all the big earners left me room to work with but only just!! I was looking at Owen and Bosingwa but their wages are too big considering they wouldn’t last more than a few years. Ill keep my eyes peeles during January though and hope for more money…fat chance. Ill post the assistant team report in the sites forum tonight mate and leave you the link as a reply to this comment.
Darren Smith
7 января, 2011 at 19:15
Hi CsAtlantis, I have posted my assistants team report as requested in the UEC forum. Heres the link mate http://allthatisfootballmanager.com/forum1/?mingleforumaction=viewtopic&t=46#postid-345
Arjuna
7 января, 2011 at 05:05
Hey Darren,
You made some nice signings. However, I am surprised at the release of Castelen and Trochowsiki. I don’t know in FM11, but in 10 they were very good. Anyway, you should do well this season.
Arjuna
7 января, 2011 at 06:20
In the challenge I got hired by AC Milan!
Darren Smith
7 января, 2011 at 11:56
Hey Arjuna, Castelan and Trochowski are a waste of space and money on FM11 in my opinion. I needed rid of their wages as they weren’t going to do a good enough job. Glad to hear you got the AC milan job. Will you be posting about it on Lyes site?
Arjuna
8 января, 2011 at 00:16
Don’t think so Darren, focusing on writing just the one story right now
Kevin
7 января, 2011 at 09:52
Hi Darren
This is a pretty tough season ahead mainly due to a very stringent and unambitious board. You’ve done very well in your transfer activity considering the barriers and I think Racitic might make the difference for you. Looks like he canstay on the field all day. Good passing and long shots as well. good luck!
Darren Smith
7 января, 2011 at 11:57
Hey Kevin, you just summed the board up perfectly. Rakitic is a great player and just need to work out what gets his best performances. Lets hope for a good season. :)
junior
7 января, 2011 at 14:55
im anticipating ur next post like crazy!!all the best!!
Darren Smith
7 января, 2011 at 18:58
Thanks Junior, unfortionately you may need to wait a bit for the next post. I want to get some more of my Newcastle game done first. Plus I’m doing season updates for this story. I’ll get it done ASAP though mate. :)
Ana Garcia
7 января, 2011 at 17:37
The HSV badge is the most boring I have ever seen!
Just a boring old penatagon on a blue background! But enough of that! Your signings look very good nice to see a Spaniard!
Good luck on your season and on your challenge! I am holding of starting it for now due to not having alot of time especially with writing/playing two games.
But I will follow yours! :)
Darren Smith
7 января, 2011 at 19:01
lol, those Germans really are boring Ana…actually it shows in the Football they play too. I’m getting some great results but finding the games a little boring to watch ;) You take on a lot of stuff Ana so I think its wise to miss this challenge…at least until you are done with one of your other games.
Johnny Karp
7 января, 2011 at 18:01
That eleven looks strong enough for the Bundesliga, you will surely be in the top three.
@Ana
They are Germans, don’t expect flamboyant designs like the Italians have :)
Darren Smith
7 января, 2011 at 19:02
Thanks Johnny, the top three is a minimum…but I honestly think we have a shot at the title. Touch wood of course. :)