Hello all, and welcome back to what I suspect you’ll find to be a rather unusual update. We’re going to go ahead and get this show on the road with an opening video!
Sounds pretty good right? The squad was a sloppy mess, and they would’ve struggled to succeed in the Blue Square Premier, much less League 2. Regardless, I was optimistic I would be able to reverse the clubs fortunes and generate a spirited relegation battle. Then a few game days after I filmed the above clip, this showed up in my inbox:
Um…what!? The only thing I did between the video and this news post was declaring interest (not even putting in an application!) in that MK Dons job that opened up. I’m not sure if it had anything to do with my only being at the club for two weeks, or what, but I was pretty floored! Here are our fixtures from my brief stint:
They were four straight losses, but we were starting to see some progress in our results (fewer goals allowed, closer fixtures). I was optimistic that we were on the verge of a turn around (or least a draw), but I guess it wasn’t to be. I was frustrated, but decided to forge ahead with the save and look for a new job. After several months of job searching, the only offer I received was from a club (Halifax) that had just been promoted to the Blue Square North.
So…what the heck happened!? Hindsight being 20-20, I should’ve stayed with Seattle for another year or two and built my reputation a bit more. It’s left me in a bit of a bind, and I’m not especially sure how to continue. I could just call this a wash and start a new save, or keep searching for a new job and hope something interesting turns up. I’ll need to stew on it for a bit, and I’ll post an update later today with my answer.
EDIT: I may have embellished a little bit on how long I had been job searching. When I wrote this, I was only up to June of 2011. :)
Excessive
1 июня, 2011 at 13:33
Bridge!! Haha only joking ;).
I think you made the right choice pulling out of Seattle when you did actually, but unfortunately you probably were too hasty in accepting the Hereford job.
Still, I think you should plough on in the save until you can find a job somewhere. Do the best you can, and if nothing pops up, there is always that loveable Salisbury save to continue.
Best of luck mate, hope you can find something!
Stromson
1 июня, 2011 at 15:36
Hahaha, thanks… :-p
I appreciate you validating my decision, even if it hasn’t panned out especially well. I probably should’ve passed on Hereford at first blow, and held out for a better job. Regardless, I’ll keep plugging away and trying to find something! Salisbury remains my «oh crap» option. :)
Sibo
1 июня, 2011 at 14:00
Wow, after that video (which was very funny by the way) I was preparing to tell you about some players I found with Grimsby and some other jazz about good League 2 stuff…but then you got sacked! :(
That’s a bit of a dilemma for you though, I would like to see someone try to create a team that will dominate the MLS despite all the stupid stuff about drafts and budget caps, especially after your success with Seattle, but then again some of the other leagues you looked at (Hungary, Croatia, Wales) would be quite interesting.
Up to you though and I look forward to seeing who you manage next! :D
Stromson
1 июня, 2011 at 15:49
Thanks Sibo, glad you like the video. :) I wish I could’ve made use of some of your suggestions though, I certainly wasn’t planning to be sacked! At this point, I’ll take a job wherever I can get it!
vaibhavc
1 июня, 2011 at 14:16
Hey Stromson
I have no idea what just happened. What a stupid board. I would like your new club soon!
Stromson
1 июня, 2011 at 15:54
I have to agree with you Vaibhav, I was pretty floored at their reaction (I’ve never seen anything quite like it before).
Sears
1 июня, 2011 at 14:36
Haha, what a joke… I don’t know what you should do, find a new club perhaps???? Loving this story even more :-D
Stromson
1 июня, 2011 at 15:59
Haha, yeah, it’s taken a bit of a turn. I’m looking for a job as we speak!
CsAtlantis
1 июня, 2011 at 16:31
Could be you declaring interest (and the 4 defeats in a row together perhaps), perhaps it’s time to go back to USA and beg for the Seattle job back? :P
Anyway good luck with finding a new job, do you have any other leagues loaded?
Stromson
1 июня, 2011 at 17:25
I’m starting to wonder if that wouldn’t be such a bad idea! I’ve loaded several other leagues:
England (Down to BS N/S)
Croatia (Div 2 and up)
Hungary (Div 2 and up)
Germany (Down to Div 3)
Switzerland (Challenge League and up)
Slovenia (Div 2 and up)
Laxeyman
1 июня, 2011 at 16:51
Wow, I thought the board would have been a bit more leinent. Despite that I reckon you were right to leave Seattle, and looking forward to seeing who you get a job with next, if you do carry on this interesting story :)
Stromson
1 июня, 2011 at 17:29
Oh I’ll be sticking with this save, it’s just a matter of finding a job!
Johnny Karp
1 июня, 2011 at 17:44
Whoops, now that’s an impatient board! I wasn’t expecting such a quick sacking in England but hey, that’s what managers have to put up with… :) I think you will be finding a job in no time, a better one too! Good luck!
Stromson
1 июня, 2011 at 18:50
No kidding, I still can’t get over how quickly they axed me! I did finally receive an offer (which I accepted) that I’ll be revealing in my next update. :)
Darren Smith
1 июня, 2011 at 19:40
Interesting video Jon, I liked how you tore through the side and pondered what the next step was just for the board to sack you…very frustrating indeed. Can’t wait to see who your with though…I’m predicting a lower league Croatian side. :)
David Wiggins
1 июня, 2011 at 21:33
I was just looking up league reputations and the MLS has 3 stars which should’ve got you a job with a Championship club in England particularly as you done so well with Seattle.
As you say, maybe you should have stayed one more year with the Sounders but it still doesn’t explain why not many other clubs are willing to take you on.
I checked out the league rep for Croatia and Hungary for you and they are both 2.5 stars so you should be able to get a job there with relative ease. Welsh league is 0.5 stars so I would avoid going there if you are doing the journeyman save!
Lye
2 июня, 2011 at 03:53
Hi Stromson,
That really hurts. Couldn’t believe your board can be so rash. Anyway greener pastures in other clubs and i believe you will get a job soon.
joe lance
2 июня, 2011 at 15:27
Crazy crazy board. But declaring interest in another job after just two weeks? You deserved a warning. Croatia is a place i’ll like to see you try though.