Hello friends and welcome to a happy episode of my Football Manager 2012 story! Why is it so happy? Well, I guess the title might have already given you a hint: I finally had money to spend, lots of money! After doing the domestic double last season the board finally decided to give me a share of the Champions League wealth to spend on new players and that is exactly what I did! :)
When the initial budgets were announced on June 14th I was in disbelief, almost 6 million pounds for transfers! Needless to say that I immediately spent some of that money…
… but not enough, so when the season expectations were set I got something extra in exchange for a title challenge promise.
The whole budgets thing can be misleading though so I guess I’d better show you the transfers so that you can see for yourselves how much I have really spent this summer. Well, it wasn’t all about spending as I managed to get some money into the club through player sales. The total is 3.8 million but another 1.9 million will be added in December when Alvaro Casanova will be leaving the club in exchange for that sum. There were some important sales so let me give you a bit more details on those:
— Joabe was sold because he didn’t want to extend his contract, Mexican club Atlante paid 1.8 million for him.
— Tshepo Tshabalala was sold because I found a Romanian replacement, 1.3 million pounds were received for him from fellow Liga 1 club Otelul Galati.
— Denis Alibec wanted to leave the club and I accepted his request, he left on a loan to buy deal to Rapid Bucharest. You might think that I regret losing him but I really don’t because I have much better strikers now ;)
You can also see that there were lots of outgoing loans and that is because my Under 19 team has no less than 39 players at the moment, I just had to let some of them go in order to get some first team football.
And now the huge list of incoming transfers: 23 new players for a total of 8 million pounds! You already know that most of these lads went straight into the under 19 team and some of them have already left on loan deals but there were some big money signings that I will describe a bit later.
A bit later is now, let’s see the squad, role by role:
Goalkeepers
Octavian Ormenisan, Xaropinho — no changes here although I am looking for a new goalkeeper.
Right Backs
Ionut Peteleu, Lubomir Cerny — with Alvaro Casanova complaining about wanting to move to a bigger club I had to find a replacement and I think I have: 17-year old Lubomir Cerny was bought for 250K and I think he can become even better than Casanova.
Left Backs
Florin Krajcar, Danut Gongolea — Gongolea is one of the most expensive signings, I paid no less than 2 million pounds! I guess that’s a bit too much but it was a matter of pride because he is the best player in the national under 19 team so I just had to get him ;)
Centre Backs
Juan Belencoso, Edward Motha, Ionut Putanu, Michael Vesely — just one new name here but a pretty exciting one: 17-year old Vesely who was bought for as low as 50K. This lad might have a huge future ahead of him.
Central Midfielders
Mihai Onicas, Silviu Pana, Milton Mella, Nenad Grumic, Dejan Danicic, Paul Anton, Drazen Tokic, Martin Lukac — Do I really need 8 central midfielders? Normally the answer is no. But since I have two rather long term injuries to deal with (Danicic out for two months and new signing Anton out for 3 months) I had to expand my numbers in this department. There are three new names: Anton is a reliable and versatile Romanian while Tokic and Lukac might become first team regulars.
Strikers
Liviu Ganea, Raul Rusescu, Manoel, Rastislav Benko, Rodolfo Oliver, Daniel Mazzoni — here is where I went crazy with the money! There are three new names but two of them were quite costly: Oliver was bought for 2.4 million and Mazzoni for 1.9 million while young Benko was quite a bargain at 350K. I won’t be commenting on their attributes, you can view their profiles by clicking their names and see for yourselves. Just a quick note on Daniel Mazzoni: he has an Italian passport so he is not a non-EU player but unfortunately the deal went through one day too late so I was unable to register him for the Champions League.
I think I have a much stronger squad overall, especially upfront. That wasn’t very obvious in the friendlies but we didn’t have time to play too many of those because of the Champions League qualifying rounds.
But before the Champions League preliminary battles we had another important game to play, one with silverware on the table: the Romanian Super Cup against Rapid Bucharest. You all remember how we won the title against them last season so I was expecting a fierce rivalry on the pitch.
Rapid vs Viitorul (Romanian Super Cup)
Starting Line Up: Octavian Ormenisan — Ionut Peteleu, Edward Motha, Juan Belencoso, Danut Gongolea — Mihai Onicas, Silviu Pana, Nenad Grumic — Rodolfo Oliver, Rastislav Benko, Raul Rusescu
I was expecting my lads to show some determination right away but that wasn’t really the case and it was Rapid that broke the deadlock after 14 minutes on a nice team move. Fortunately we pegged them back immediately as young striker Rastislav Benko bagged a goal on his debut to make it all square after just three minutes. We were not playing well though and Rapid came close to scoring again on the stroke of half time but my goalkeeper pulled off a huge save to keep the score level at the break.
Benko, the young Slovakian striker, had quite a few things to show that evening though and he banged in his second goal of the game 10 minutes after the restart. Then the game cooled off, it was reasonably quiet and I had nothing against that. But we got punished for our attitude eight minutes before full time when Rapid scored the equaliser after some rather clumsy defending from new boy Danut Gongolea.
The game went into extra time and that’s when young sensation Rastislav Benko turned on the style again: first he earned a hat-trick on 96 minutes and then he bagged his fourth of the game by tapping in a good low cross from Gongolea. It was an exciting match overall but I have to admit that we won it thanks to just one player.
Match highlights: click here to watch
And now the important part of the summer: the Champions League qualifying rounds! Well, there isn’t much to say really because the three rounds were quite easy. We started with a quiet 2-0 aggregate win against Buducnost Podgorica from Montenegro, then killed the tie against BATE Borisov in the first leg and finally did the same against Dinamo Zagreb in the last round.
The easy qualifying run didn’t earn us a better place in the group stage draw though, we were seeded fourth again so we were handed another impossible group: Inter Milan, PSG and Sevilla… I hope we’ll get at least one point this time, I can’t really hope for more.
The odds are firmly against us in the Champions League but I guess we were fortunate to avoid the top favourites in the group draw.
Since we’re talking about odds, here is the bookmakers’ view on the Romanian Liga 1: Rapid are the favourites and we come fourth! Usually I don’t express very optimistic thoughts but this time I can say it out loud: the bookmakers are wrong this time because I think we have by far the best squad in the league.
I can prove it too as I have already played the first seven league games of the season. We should have won all seven of them but we were a bit unlucky against Dinamo, we dominated all our opponents quite clearly and I think we’ll be able to have a much better goal scoring ratio once the squad gels. There is one goal I want you to see, the third one that we scored against Gaz Metan in the opening match of the season: click here to watch
Rastislav Benko is by far our best player so far with his staggering scoring ratio but I’m pleased to see «veterans» Raul Rusescu and Liviu Ganea competing well against their younger rivals. Expensive left back Danut Gongolea seems to have settled in right away while centre back Edward Motha is finally showing good form after a not very convincing first season with us.
So, I have stopped the game just before our first Champions League group game, against Sevilla. I have some good club news before wrapping up the post though:
1. We sold all the season tickets for the very first time!
2. Our already excellent youth facilities will be further improved!
3. Even though I have spent loads of money the club still has over 4 million in the bank! I love the Champions League! :)
That’s all for now my friends, thanks a lot for reading this happy update! But don’t go away before sharing your thoughts about our new signings ;)
ri916
7 января, 2012 at 14:52
that really is a happy update. with all the transfer and champions league money coming in i’m surprised about your wage budget. 45k/w is a bit stingey for a champions league group stage team surely? i guess is you transfered even a million pounds in transfer money over it would probably go up to 80k . how do you sign these players for such low wages jonnhy?
Johnny Karp
7 января, 2012 at 15:32
Well, the 45K per week budget is quite enough at this point as my highest earners get 5,500 pounds per week and the average wage for most of my first team players is around 1,000 to 2,000 pounds per week. The trick is to get these players while they’re very young and relatively unknown, once they make a name for themselves they require a lot more money.
vaibhavc
7 января, 2012 at 15:39
Wow, money is coming in fast now. Thats great to see. Oliver is pretty good, he seems like he might play a big part for you. And you are doing really well in the league, a draw is the worst result.
Johnny Karp
7 января, 2012 at 16:28
Thanks Vaibhav, I hope that we’ll do the double with a lot more ease this time.
Devilfish
7 января, 2012 at 15:46
Great pre-season Johnny. Your new strikers look brilliant! You have made a brilliant start to the season and I think you can win the league again. Good luck in the Champions League, it will be tough but hopefully you can get some points!
Johnny Karp
7 января, 2012 at 16:29
Thanks mate, my goal is to get one damn point in the CL group and I hope I will get it somehow :)
siavosh
7 января, 2012 at 15:52
hi,
Your signings are look pretty cool, Im sure you can repeat your double.
Good CL,I know you can gain some points there and also a recommendation for you: why are not try europa leage for next season?
Good luck
Johnny Karp
7 января, 2012 at 16:30
Thanks mate. I would like to reach the Europa League this season, if we finish 3rd in the group we advance to the Europa League knock-out stage. But going directly into the Europa League is not good because there’s a lot less money in the group stage.
siavosh
7 января, 2012 at 16:45
yes you are right! I don’t pay much attention to money at all but it will be a good chance for advancing to the knockout stage.
Laxeyman
7 января, 2012 at 16:48
Excellent signings Johnny, once again you’ve managed to find some excellent young prospects pretty cheaply, well done mate :) You’ve started very well, and I can’t see you losing your league crown, I hope I’m right ;) The CL group is quite tough, but I’m sure you’ll do better than last time. Good luck!
Johnny Karp
7 января, 2012 at 18:30
Thanks mate, I hope we’ll avoid the zero points campaign this time.
Matt Clark
7 января, 2012 at 17:11
very busy transfer window johnny, bit of a shame about the champions league draw but showing early dominance in the league
could you show the profile of the argentine wonderkid you had but had to let go — his name escapes me
Johnny Karp
7 января, 2012 at 18:29
I think you mean Santiago Vazquez. He was just bought by River Plate for 4 million pounds, here’s the current profile: https://www.footballmanagerstory.com/wp-content/uploads/img/2012/01/vazquez.png
Callum
7 января, 2012 at 17:48
Wow great signings Jonny! Your young strikers look incredible, Oliver looks he could be a real powerhouse!
Johnny Karp
7 января, 2012 at 18:30
Thanks mate, Oliver is strong as an ox indeed ;)
TheZiggy
7 января, 2012 at 19:31
Some very nice signings, and a superb start to the season. Hopefully you can manage to grab at least one point in the Champions League group. Having to come through the qualifying rounds, will always mean any of the groups you end up in, will be tough. I guess it’s going to take a lot of patience before your team has enough quality to qualify from the group stage, but I’m sure you’ll get their in the end.
Johnny Karp
7 января, 2012 at 19:35
Thanks Ziggy, I know that climbing through the European ranks will take quite a bit of time and effort but I hope I’ll get there in a few years.
Sears
7 января, 2012 at 20:51
I must take my hat off to you Johnny; you made some brilliant purchases despite managing a club with a poor reputation. I presume you’ve an excellent scouting team scoping the world for these new players? I’m particularly impressed by your new strikers, as long as they play to their full ability no defense will be able to contain them ….
Best of luck in the CL, another tough group but every group is going to be tough for a few more years as you establish yourself in the CL.
Good luck ;)
Johnny Karp
7 января, 2012 at 22:50
Thanks Sears, I do have a very good scouting team especially in South America. I know that it will take a few more years to become a respectable European force but I still hope that I can speed that up somehow :)
Sears
7 января, 2012 at 22:56
Maybe there’s another ‘how to do’ report;
How to replicate Johnny’s scouting system? Or something similar :P Just an idea!
Johnny Karp
8 января, 2012 at 09:37
I will do a post on how to create a good scouting network, that’s already planned ;)
Kevin
7 января, 2012 at 21:35
Hi Johnny
I’m suspecting this will be the turning point season as with all your other stories you are beginning to find those young players with astonishing attributes. Vesely, Oliver and Mazzoni look fantastic. Behind the scenes you really built the club up with improvements all around and now a very healthy bank balance too. I wouldn’t be surprised to see you pull ahead of the Bucuresti teams this season and go further in the Champions League. Good luck!
Johnny Karp
7 января, 2012 at 22:52
Thanks Kevin, those look like very talented players indeed and I hope they will shine at our club. I’m not too worried about the title at the moment to be honest, my main goal is to get at least one point in that CL group…
Alexandru
7 января, 2012 at 23:14
Hey Johnny
Very good results in Champions League until now. Your group is not impossible and with some confidence from you and your players the 3rd place for Europa League can be reached.
Nice transfers you did there, but what are the active leagues in your career? I don’t seem to find that many good players like you and it seems your league choices are better than mine :)
Looking forward for the next episode where you will get some draws/wins in Champions League.
P.S: I ended my unbeaten run after a poor game with Astra Ploiesti(2-0) even if their goalkeeper(Silviu Lung Jr.) was defending my goalpost. I won the title after my 31st game and I really enjoyed because it was after the match I played against Steaua Buc. :D
Johnny Karp
8 января, 2012 at 09:51
Thanks mate but I’m not really sure that we can get that third place, those three teams seem far better than us. About the leagues, I only loaded the Romanian leagues as active so I guess there’s no difference there. Congrats on the title!
Darren Smith
7 января, 2012 at 23:52
Now we are moving! Fantastic signings mate and those new forwards are sensational for a Romanian club and have exceptional talent. I can’t wait to see if you go one step further in Europe this season.
Johnny Karp
8 января, 2012 at 09:51
Thanks Darren, this summer has probably been a big step forward for the club.
Bhargav
8 января, 2012 at 00:42
Ah this looks like it will be quite a fun season. And I noticed that you got Mazzoni from Velez, which I’ve noticed is one of those clubs that just produces great youth (the clear king being Barcelona Juniors Lujan of course).
Johnny Karp
8 января, 2012 at 09:52
You are right, Velez is producing very good youngsters.
CsAtlantis
8 января, 2012 at 01:56
Finally some transfer money for you Johnny, I like Gongolea, it can be quite hard to find good left backs in the game, the group stage draw is again a super tough one, good luck on improving on last season (just need to nick a point somewhere) but I think it will be quite hard for your team to improve their seedings if you cannot get a result at all in the group stages :P
The bank balance is good and there is enough to get your facilities improved, so things are definitely looking rosy, good luck
Johnny Karp
8 января, 2012 at 09:53
Thanks mate, Gongolea is one of my favourites too. We do get some points towards our European coefficient from the qualifying matches but group points count a lot more so you are right about that.
Woody
8 января, 2012 at 07:55
good to see you’ve finally got some money to spend
i think your going to runaway with the title this year judging on the form in those first few games
in your champions league group i think you might be able to get into the europa league because i think you will be able to win some of your home games and hopefully pick up some draws away from home
anyway you’ve got a great squad this season and i’m looking forward to seeing what you can do this season
Johnny Karp
8 января, 2012 at 09:54
Thanks for your optimism mate, I guess I agree about the title but not so much about our Europa League chances.
Lye
8 января, 2012 at 08:22
Hi Johnny,
Without money surely the enjoyment of playing FM gets a bit lesser. Again you have brought in some really good youths especially Benko who have already prove he could be the bargain of the season. Unlucky on the draw in the CL but i guess you can’t do much except strengthen the squad and increase the continental reputation in order to be seeded higher. Great start so far and it should be another title in the bag.
Johnny Karp
8 января, 2012 at 09:55
Thanks Lye, we’ve definitely made a step forward but we’ll need more of those to make a name in Europe.
Alex
8 января, 2012 at 14:09
I’m glad you’ve been able to replace Joabe and Alibec with quality players as I didn’t think they were really good enough to take you on to the next level. Good start to the season, I’m sure you team will start to win by more than one goal as they become more familiar with one another. Good luck in the Champions League (could you do an Apoel?).
Johnny Karp
8 января, 2012 at 15:49
Thanks mate, I think that something like APOEL did will be very hard to repeat but we can always hope :)
Ana Garcia
8 января, 2012 at 20:35
Busy transfer window!!
I like the fact that you sent almost a full squad of players to Farul! Am guessing they are one of your feeder clubs.
Glad to see you finally get some of that champions league money to spend! You definitely have earnt it and have spent it very well it seems.
Some of your signings look very good especially Rodolfo Oliver who looks very good for only 19.
Your group looks like another tough one with Inter Milan and Sevilla so hopefully you can take a few points of PSG!
Good luck as always. :)
Johnny Karp
8 января, 2012 at 21:22
Farus is my feeder club, nothing escapes you! :P About the group, I think that PSG is as tough as it gets with the likes of Javier Pastore and Mario Balotelli in their ranks! So thanks for the good luck wish, we’ll surely going to need lots of luck there ;)
Frank
9 января, 2012 at 00:04
Hi Johnny,
I haven’t commented in a while but have kept up to date with your story. Now could be the turning point in your game, where you really crack on and dominate Romania each season, and keep pushing in the champions league. Good luck :)
Johnny Karp
9 января, 2012 at 06:19
Thanks Frank, I agree that this can be the season that establishes our domination in Romania.
Malhar Bhadbhade
9 января, 2012 at 07:10
hey johnny,
there was real excitement from you in this particular post, and not without good reason! those are some really awesome signings you have made, and your strikers would do well even in the premier league! congratulations on your start to the season, its clearly going to be a convincing title win this time around. really looking forward to your next post because im keen to see how you go in the champions league….best of luck for that! keep up the good work!
cheers!
Johnny Karp
9 января, 2012 at 16:50
Thanks mate, I don’t know if the strikers are good enough for the Premier League but I think they have the potential to get there.
Calin
9 января, 2012 at 10:29
Congrats, Johnny, that was a great pre-season for Viitorul Constanta and from now on I am sure that things can go from better to perfect. You have spent the money wisely and the two new strikers that you managed to bring in are absolutely amazing — too bad you couldn’t register Mazzoni for the Champions League, but this means you’ll have a great striker for the league.
This year, the Champions League draw looks pretty nice and I am sure that you’ll manage to finish third (maybe even second with some luck) so I guess that you’ll get even more money to spend next season.
Johnny Karp
9 января, 2012 at 16:51
Thanks Calin but I don’t see that CL draw as nice, it’s at least as difficult as last season’s draw or maybe even more.
Martin - F.M.J.S
9 января, 2012 at 13:47
Some good new signings, I’m glad your board have given you some extra cash and you have spent it wisely. Good luck in the CL, it’s a tough group but hopefully you can pull off a shock or two.
Sorry for the delayed response had the flu. :(
Johnny Karp
9 января, 2012 at 16:51
Thanks mate, I hope we will pull off at least one upset. I hope you feel better now.
Chris Wood
10 января, 2012 at 04:30
Johnny, when you sold the boys like Joabe, Tshabalala and Alibec, how did you do it? I mean, did you transfer list them first for say 2m and then scale it back or did you do the classic ‘Offer to Clubs’ for them all and just see what you could get? Some very nice returns on those players! Great job Johnny
Johnny Karp
10 января, 2012 at 09:17
I offered them to clubs for around 2.5 million and it worked well with Joabe and Tshabalala as I got something close to that sum but Alibec was a more difficult sale and in the end I had to settle for a loan to buy deal.
Martin Pickard
10 января, 2012 at 09:53
YES JOHNNY SPENDING MILLIONS!!! Haha nice post and an awesome start to the league campaign…thats what we want to see…ALL GREEN! well apart from the draw, but Dinamo are a decent team. Can’t wait to see how you do in the Champions League…I feel a point coming from either PSG or Sevilla. Hurry with the next post :)
Johnny Karp
10 января, 2012 at 10:00
Thanks Martin, I’ve already played half a season so the new post will be coming as soon as I get a bit of time to write it :)