Vauxhall Motors Story 2017-2018: Make Or Break Time!

Hello folks and welcome to the decisive part of our season as the Motormen are chasing eternal glory in Football Manager 2011! As you might remember our situation at the end of February was very good: we were going to play the Carling Cup final, the FA Cup 5th round and also the Champions League first knockout round while in the league we were still proud to be top of the table. However, Manchester City and Tottenham were chasing us fiercely with the Citizens just two points behind us and the Spurs six points adrift but both of the two rivals had a game in hand. Some of you might have been expecting this post yesterday but unfortunately I just couldn’t find the energy to finish it. I hope that you will forgive me but I have to warn you: this post is quite long so grab a cup of coffee, some tea or at least some still water and make sure that you sit comfortably. :) Alright, let’s get it started!

The first match of March was a huge one, the Carling Cup final! We were going to meet Manchester United, a very strong team by any standards but you might remember that we had beaten them 4-1 in the Premier League last February. I wasn’t hoping for a similar scoreline but I was quietly confident…

Manchester United vs Vauxhall (Carling Cup Final)

Venue: Wembley

Attendance: 79,791

Starting line up: Luis Guilherme — Javier Godoy, Louis Laing, Mervin Simon, Pierre Touya — Abdallah Yaisien, Graham Howson, Tinga, Tiago — Zé Carlos, Ibrahima MBow

Team Talk: For the fans!

We had a few squad problems before this important game: as you well know Parana was out for the season with a broken leg but I also had Julian Marino and Radek Vecera injured and Leandro Velasco unable to play due to fatigue after traveling to join his national team. Manchester United fielded a strong eleven although they chose to leave out Rooney and Chicharito and send in another great duo in attack: Marilungo and Suarez.

1st minute — Left winger Tiago makes a good run, cuts inside and unleashes a shot from 25 yards… Easily held.

8th minute — Still pushing down the left flank, fullback Pierre Touya tries his luck from the edge of the area but the keeper saves.

12th minute — First chance for United, Luis Suarez nutmegs Louis Laing at the edge of the area, he skips past him, enters the penalty area and shoots… It’s a goal, perfect finish…

22nd minute — Mervin Simon dallies on the ball and is robbed by Suarez, the forward gets into the box again but his shot is diverted wide by Luis Guilherme!

25th minute — Marilungo tries his luck from just inside the area, over the crossbar!

45th minute — We finally find our way forward again, Abdallah Yaisien makes a good run and shoots from the corner of the area… Into the side netting…

Half time score: 1-0

Half time team talk: Pleased.

Half time substitutions: Hans Larsson for Godoy, Wellington Paulista for Tiago

51st minute — Manchester United try a shot from way out, it goes sailing over the bar.

56th minute — Tinga plays a fine through pass for Zé Carlos, he’s behind the defense, he enters the penalty area, shoots… wide…

59th minute — Tinga tries his luck from the edge of the area, just over…

65th minute — Manchester United free kick from 35 yards, the shot is deflected by the wall but Luis Guilherme reacts well and holds the ball. Denís enters the game replacing Tinga.

67th minute — Graham Howson gives the ball away in midfield, the Red Devils launch a quick counter attack but Luis Guilherme denies Suarez with a splendid save.

72nd minute — Wellington Paulista works his way into the penalty area, he has all the time in the world to pick the shot… but he sends it way wide…

77th minute — Good move from my lads, the ball gets to Denís who plays it through for MBow inside the area… Ibrahima MBow is unmarked, shoots… it’s in! But no, the linesman is flagging! Offside! The replay proved that the linesman was right, MBow (first player from the bottom of the screen) did look offside.

85th minute — Denís is playing well, he bends a good looking shot from the edge of the area but it goes just wide.

87th minute — Great run from Zé Carlos, he skips past a defender, enters the penalty area, shoots… Brilliant save…

91st minute — Wellington Paulista exchanges passes with Yaisien, Abdallah Yaisien is unmarked inside the penalty area, shoots with power… Stunning save…

All over, it’s always frustrating to lose a final but I guess we didn’t do enough to deserve winning this one.

Full time team talk: Sympathise.

Man of the match: Luis Guilherme

Flop of the match: Zé Carlos

Match Stats

Video Highlights

Click here to watch the highlights.

We had to regroup after the Carling Cup disappointment and thankfully the lads pulled that off in the next game, the FA Cup 5th round replay against Birmingham. The visitors took the lead totally against the run of play as their first shot on target went in but we fought back and clinched a deserved victory. The sixth round draw was not very kind to us though, we were going to meet Arsenal.

Our next game was another very important cup clash, the second league of the Champions League tie against German side Hamburg. As you know we had a disappointing result in the first leg, a 1-1 draw at home in February, so we had to win away if we wanted to advance to the quarter finals.

HSV vs Vauxhall (Champions League 1st Rnd Leg 2)

Venue: Imtech Arena

Attendance: 44,437

Starting line up: Luis Guilherme — Hans Larsson, Javier Godoy, Mervin Simon, Sylvester Ogbonna — Leandro Velasco, Graham Howson, Tinga, Tiago — Wellington Paulista, Zé Carlos

Team Talk: You can win today!

My lads started the game with the exact type of attitude that I wanted to see from them, we started pressing forward right away but unfortunately Wellington Paulista squandered a great chance early on. That good start was just a flame though, we were unable to continue in the same way and it was Hamburg who had the next chance on 25 minutes but Luis Guilherme did wonders again to save a certain goal. That chance was a wake up call for my lads, we resumed the attacks and our efforts were rewarded in the 34th minute when a cross from Tiago found Zé Carlos inside the penalty area and the striker banged it in with a fine first time finish. The same move could have produced another goal three minutes later but this time Tiago‘s cross met Leandro Velasco‘s head and the keeper saved it. That second goal did come before the break and we totally deserved it: an excellent move saw the ball traveling from Zé Carlos to Tinga and then to Velasco who found the back of the net.

Half time score: 0-2

Half time team talk: Pleased.

Half time substitutions: Abdallah Yaisien for Velasco, Denís for Tinga, Javier Garcia for Tiago

Hamburg had their backs against the wall so they started pushing forward after the break but my defense was looking solid, the home side was unable to create any clear chances before the hour mark. It was time to inflict them the fatal blow and it was substitute Javier Garcia who did it on 62 minutes, he skipped past a defender and then placed the ball into the bottom corner of the net with a good shot from the middle of the area. Confidence was really high at that point and the lads pressed on to score another two goals, first Abdallah Yaisien fired into the roof of the net after receiving a good pass from Denís and then Zé Carlos bagged his 50th goal for the club on a counter attack. Sergio Araujo scored a late consolation goal for the hosts but I didn’t care, we thrashed a great team away from home and we were through to the quarter finals!

Full time team talk: Well done!

Man of the match: Zé Carlos

Flop of the match: Wellington Paulista

Match Stats

Video Highlights

Click here to watch the highlights.

There was no room for a lucky draw at this stage, all the teams were very good, but I would have preferred to meet a foreign club. Anyway, we were drawn against league rivals Manchester City, I was looking forward to meet my «friend» José Mourinho again ;)

But we had a lot more battles to fight before that one, the first in line was the FA Cup quarter final clash with Arsenal at Emirates Stadium. I guess it’s quite obvious that after losing in the Carling Cup final I was keen on getting to Wembley again and maybe doing better in the other domestic cup.

Arsenal vs Vauxhall (FA Cup 6th Rnd)

Venue: Emirates Stadium

Attendance: 57,681

Starting line up: Luis Guilherme — Javier Godoy, Louis Laing, Mervin Simon, Hans Larsson — Leandro Velasco, Radek Vecera, Tinga, Tiago — Zé Carlos, Ibrahima MBow

Team Talk: You can win today!

Arsenal had a very good start to the game and they came close twice before the half hour mark: first they hit the crossbar in the 10th minute and then they were denied by a fantastic Luis Guilherme on a close range shot. The did score a well-deserved goal eventually, it came on a free kick and one of their players headed home by taking advantage of some particularly poor marking from Mervin Simon. Fortunately we bounced back right away and made it all square two minutes before the break when Tinga played a brilliant through ball for Leandro Velasco and the Argentine ace slotted home. Arsenal were relentless though and they restored the lead on the stroke of half time, we showed some poor defending again and they punished us.

Half time score: 2-1

Half time team talk: You can win today!

Half time substitutions: Mark Brown for Vecera, Javier Garcia for Tiago

The second half started much better for us and we were able to level the score again after just six minutes, Ibrahima MBow crossed into the box and Tinga made a great movement off the ball to receive the pass and smash home. But it just wasn’t Mervin Simon‘s good day, he made another mistake 10 minutes later as he got robbed inside the box by Bendtner and Arsenal took the lead yet again. I was proud of the team’s reaction though, the boys were showing great determination out there and they were rewarded 20 minutes from time when Hans Larsson was tripped inside the box and Zé Carlos coolly converted the resulting spot kick. We still had time to win the game but unfortunately MBow wasted our best chance on a quick counter attack so the game was going to be replayed at Rivacre Park.

Full time team talk: Good result!

Man of the match: Tinga

Flop of the match: Mark Brown

Match Stats

Video Highlights

Click here to watch the highlights.

Our first two league games of the month went well in terms of results, we beat both Birmingham and Fulham, but the two games were quite different if we look at my team’s performance. The Birmingham game was a pleasure to watch, especially since Leandro Velasco kicked it off with a spectacular goal. (click here to open the video) The away game at Fulham was different, I had to rest a few key players and the team struggled to create chances. However, we did win the game thanks to an Abdallah Yaisien goal on the hour mark.

Brazilian striker Zé Carlos had two reasons to celebrate: first he broke a club record after scoring against Birmingham but the most important thing was that he was given his first cap for the mighty Brazil national team, now that’s a huge achievement for any player at the age of 22!

We had no time to celebrate though, Arsenal were coming to Rivacre Park and I was hoping to beat them this time and advance to the FA Cup semi finals.

Vauxhall vs Arsenal (FA Cup 6th Rnd Replay)

Venue: Rivacre Park

Attendance: 10,266 (sold out)

Starting line up: Luis Guilherme — Hans Larsson, Javier Godoy, Louis Laing, Pierre Touya — Leandro Velasco, Radek Vecera, Tinga, Tiago — Wellington Paulista, Zé Carlos

Team Talk: You can win today!

The first half was an one-sided affair: we dominated the game from the first minute to the last. Unfortunately the Arsenal defense was rock-solid, there was no way through there, and they also managed to create a good chance on a counter attack while we had no clear cut chances at all.

Half time score: 0-0

Half time team talk: You can do it!

Half time substitutions: Abdallah Yaisien form Tiago, Ibrahima MBow for W. Paulista

The second half appeared to be going into a similar direction, we continued to press forward but the Gunners were holding firm. We needed something special to break the deadlock but that special moment came at the wrong end of the pitch, Arsenal took the lead on 68 minutes courtesy of a fabulous shot from 30 yards out. Our attacks remained fruitless until the final whistle so we crashed out of the FA Cup before having the chance to see Wembley again…

Full time team talk: Disappointing!

Man of the match: Luis Guilherme

Flop of the match: Zé Carlos

Match Stats

Video Highlights

Click here to watch the highlights.

The last league game of the month was equally frustrating: Sunderland took the lead early on and then we missed a penalty kick and countless other chances before Abdallah Yaisien came to the rescue again to give us a share of the spoils.

So we got only 7 points out of three league games in March but our rivals didn’t seem to do better either. As you can see from the screen shot below Tottenham grabbed seven points as well but from four games!

Manchester City didn’t do much better either, they won just one game and got six points out of four games!

Their slip-ups made our position a lot more comfortable, we were three points clear of Man City and six points ahead of the Spurs while they didn’t have any games in hand anymore!

The title battle was far from over though, there were four league matches to play in April and we had a pretty tricky one with Arsenal.

We were also looking forward to the Champions League clash with Manchester City, we had a huge opportunity to make Vauxhall Motors FC a big name in European football. Did we beat the Citizens? Go to the next page to find out!

Go to the next page to read the rest of the story.

You might remember that we had beaten Mourinho‘s Man City 2-1 in the Premier League last December so I was hoping to pull off a similar result or at least a draw that could have given us a good chance for the second leg.

Manchester City vs Vauxhall (Champions League Qtr. Final Leg 1)

Venue: The City Of Manchester Stadium

Attendance: 46,496

Starting line up: Luis Guilherme — Hans Larsson, Javier Godoy, Mervin Simon, Pierre Touya — Leandro Velasco, Radek Vecera, Tinga, Tiago — Wellington Paulista, Zé Carlos

Team Talk: You can win today!

Unfortunately we got off to the worst possible start, the home side took the lead after just 30 seconds! That initial shock was too much to handle for some of my lads and the Citizens had another good chance on 10 minutes but Luis Guilherme did well to palm away a great shot from Tevez. We replied moments later through Zé Carlos, he was one on one with Joe Hart but the English goalie stopped him with a superb save. Manchester City were playing very well though and they managed to create another good chance on 22 minutes. Fortunately they squandered that great opportunity and we punished them in the 33rd minute when Wellington Paulista finished a fine move with a perfect through pass for Zé Carlos and my star striker made no mistake from inside the penalty area. Our joy lasted for less than 60 seconds though, Man City forged an instant reply with a big helping hand from my defense. They deserved to be in the lead at the break though, they were the better team throughout the opening 45 minutes.

Half time score: 2-1

Half time team talk: I want to see more from you!

Half time substitutions: Graham Howson for Vecera, Javier Garcia for Tiago

We enjoyed better possession after the break but we were not nearly inspired enough in attack to create some decent chances. I made my final substitution on then hour mark, Yaisien for Tinga, but the gamble backfired as we were reduced to 10 men on 72 minutes when Zé Carlos came limping off the pitch. We could still have clinched a draw 12 minutes from time when Graham Howson unleashed one of his trademark free kick shots but the ball cannoned off the post before being cleared into row Z by the Man City defense. 2-1 was not such a bad result after all, we only needed to win 1-0 at home to qualify, but the best news was that Zé Carlos‘ injury wasn’t serious, he was going to be out for just a few days.

Full time team talk: Good effort!

Man of the match: Luis Guilherme

Flop of the match: Javier Godoy

Match Stats

Video Highlights

Click here to watch the highlights.

The first league game of the month didn’t really go as planned, we had a terrible first half at 14th placed Blackburn and they were deservedly leading 1-0 at the break. The second half was much better and luckily we managed to get two goals on the score board with Ibrahima MBow smashing home the winning one six minutes from time.

Time to meet Mourinho again…

Vauxhall vs Manchester City (Champions League Qtr. Final Leg 2)

Venue: Rivacre Park

Attendance: 10,266 (sold out)

Starting line up: Luis Guilherme — Julian Marino, Javier Godoy, Mervin Simon, Hans Larsson — Leandro Velasco, Radek Vecera, Tinga, Tiago — Wellington Paulista, Zé Carlos

Team Talk: You can win today!

This time we started brilliantly, my lads were playing with real fire in their bellies but Joe Hart managed to pull off a couple of amazing saves to deny Tinga early on and then Zé Carlos. We dominated the first half from start to finish but the Citizens held out thanks to a Mourinho-style organized defense.

Half time score: 0-0

Half time team talk: I want to see more from you!

Half time substitutions: Graham Howson for Tinga, Abdallah Yaisien for Tiago

Our efforts were finally rewarded 11 minutes after the interval, Zé Carlos had his shirt pulled inside the penalty area and then he stepped up to convert from the spot. We took the lead on away goals and Manchester City had to react. We continued to dominate the game though but we could have been punished on a defensive blunder, fortunately Luis Guilherme saved us on that occasion. I took off Zé Carlos on 70 minutes as he was quite tired and sent in Ibrahima MBow to exploit the space that we had on counter attacks but we had two other players coming very close on 77 minutes: a free kick header from Mervin Simon was parried by Hart, the loose ball fell to Leandro Velasco at six yards but the goalie pulled off an absolutely amazing save to divert the rebound shot over the bar. MBow did have his chance two minutes later, he was clean through on a counter attack but he missed the opportunity by blazing it over the bar. We managed to keep possession very well until injury time, we appeared to be in control. However, Man City created a chance in the 92nd minute, Luis Guilherme did well again to push it behind but the resulting corner kick was converted… I guess you can only imagine the frustration that I felt, we lost it due to an injury time goal and at the end of a game that we should have won easily given the amount of chances that we had created… Alright José, we’ll meet again in the Premier League…

Full time team talk: Disappointing!

Man of the match: Radek Vecera

Flop of the match: Wellington Paulista

Match Stats

Video Highlights

Click here to watch the highlights.

Vauxhall vs Arsenal (Premier League)

Venue: Rivacre Park

Attendance: 10,266 (sold out)

Starting line up: Luis Guilherme — Hans Larsson, Louis Laing, Mervin Simon, Sylvester Ogbonna — Leandro Velasco, Denís, Tinga, Tiago — Zé Carlos, Ibrahima MBow

Team Talk: You can win today!

After such a heartbreak we had to dig deep to find some confidence as we had a crucial league game ahead of us: at home with Arsenal. The table situation before that game was slightly better that it was at the beginning of the month: Man City were four points behind us and Tottenham were still six points behind. We had to win but the first half was rather disappointing as we were unable to create chances despite having better possession and Arsenal were denied by Luis Guilherme on a counter attack.

Half time score: 0-0

Half time team talk: You can win today!

Half time substitutions: Javier Garcia for Tiago, Wellington Paulista for Ze Carlos

The second half started better and we managed to create our first big chance in the 50th minute but Javier Garcia‘s good effort was saved by the keeper. Arsenal were defending well though while our attacking moves were lacking creativity. We could still have taken the lead on a dead ball situation, a corner kick cross was headed on by Louis Laing but the ball bounced off the crossbar. Arsenal had a similar opportunity nine minutes from time but Hans Larsson did well to clear off the line. Our last great chance was six minutes from time when Tinga unleashed a fierce long range drive but it thundered off the crossbar… The game was dragging on towards the final whistle, I was making some calculations already with one point in the bag, I even took my eyes from the screen for a moment… When I looked back Arsenal were preparing to convert a penalty kick! What? Where did that come from? Well, it didn’t matter, they converted it and took all three points. I watched the replay after the match and I can tell you that the penalty was given for some pushing and pulling on a corner kick, not a clear penalty kick by any means. The even worse thing was that both Manchester City and Tottenham had won their games on the day so we were left with an one-point cushion on the Citizens and three points on the Spurs… We crashed out of all the cups, now the Premier League title seemed to be slipping through our fingers!

Full time team talk: Disappointing!

Man of the match: Sylvester Ogbonna

Flop of the match: Wellington Paulista

Match Stats

Video Highlights

Click here to watch the highlights.

The bad news kept pouring in: Leandro Velasco had picked up an injury and was going to be out for a whole month, season over for him too! Fortunately the lads regrouped and managed to get six points out of the last two games of the month after a convincing 5-0 thrashing of Blackpool and a nice 3-1 away win at West Brom. The bad news didn’t stop though: now Zé Carlos picked up a knock against Blackpool and was going to be out for between two and three weeks! I was thinking that I was running out of luck at the worst possible moment… But I had reasons to be happy too, like Tinga‘s great goal from distance against West Brom. (click here to open the video)

Now let’s see how our rivals did… When we played Blackpool Tottenham had a fierce game at Manchester United and they lost it 2-0! So we had 6 points on them again! But Manchester City didn’t play, their away game at Arsenal was postponed due to the Champions League fixtures…

So then we beat West Brom and Tottenham beat Everton, but they were pretty much out of the title race as they were 6 points behind us with two games left in the season.

One rival down, what did the other do? Rubbing my eyes… Rubbing my eyes again… Is that true? Man City were beaten at home by Blackpool!!! Way to go José! :P

The title battle was not over though, Manchester City were six points behind us at the end of April but they had a game in hand…

We had two more games to play in the month of May and the first one was against, obviously, Manchester City! That’s the Premier League final right there, we needed a draw to get the title. We even had a chance in case of a defeat but our last game was a tricky one at Liverpool…

Manchester City had a much busier schedule, they had a tough Champions League match against holders Atletico Madrid before meeting us at Rivacre Park. But they had a game in hand, that was my main concern.

So I guess I can stop the post right here and come back with the grand finale tomorrow. Just kidding my friends but can you take another page? I guess I already owe you a beer if you read the whole thing up to this point :) You wouldn’t want to miss the grand finale now, would you? Next page!

Go to the next page to read the rest of the story.

Manchester City were full of confidence, they knocked out Atletico Madrid in the Champions League and they were going to play the final against Barcelona. They had another final to play before that though, in the lovely town of Ellesmere Port! As you can see Mr. Mourinho started his usual mind games before the big match, I refused to comment.

On to the big game now, the whole town was watching us, all the grocery stores were closed and all the pubs were filled with Motormen fans dreaming of celebrating a historic achievement…

Vauxhall vs Manchester City (Premier League)

Venue: Rivacre Park

Attendance: 10,266 (sold out)

Starting line up: Luis Guilherme — Julian Marino, Javier Godoy, Mervin Simon, Pierre Touya — Abdallah Yaisien, Radek Vecera, Tinga, Tiago — Wellington Paulista, Ibrahima MBow

Team Talk: For the fans!

Needless to say that we were missing three of our best players: Parana (we had already gotten used to that), Leandro Velasco and Zé Carlos. The Citizens had just one important absence, Joe Hart was injured but their replacement goalie is a pretty good young regen (he’s on my shortlist).

Switching to final mode now, I will try give you an idea of what I felt during the game, minute by minute.

3rd minute — Good move from the Citizens, shot from the edge of the area but Luis Guilherme holds the ball easily.

9th minute — Abdallah Yaisien bursts into the penalty area, he tries to shoot but his effort is blocked by a defender’s body… The ball falls to Wellington Paulista… And he thumps home, that’s the spirit! (click here to open the video)

19th minute — The game was quite nervy, tension was very high so chances were slim. Tiago tries a right-footed drive from inside the penalty area, his right foot is not too good so the ball is easily held by the keeper.

20th minute — Thunderous shot from Witsel, great volley from the edge of the area… Off the crossbar! Phew…

21st minute — Fine move from my lads, MBow passes to Tiago who passes on to Tinga, he’s unmarked in the middle of the area and shoots… way over the crossbar! Oh, we might not get any more such chances…

37th minute — Manchester City counter attack, the finishing was forgettable.

43rd minute — Yaisien passes the ball straight to an opponent, Man City‘s left winger has the ball at the edge of the area and shoots on target… Huge save by Luis Guilherme, immense!

Half time score: 1-0

Half time team talk: For the fans!

Half time stats

Half time substitutions: Graham Howson for Vecera

46th minute — Manchester City try their luck from distance again, easily held. It takes a lot more to beat Luis Guilherme, he’s like an octopus!

47th minute — Good move from the Citizens, the ball is crossed into the box and Witsel heads on from seven yards… Held! The header lacked power.

48th minute — Ibrahima MBow plays a brilliant through pass for Tinga, the Brazilian enters the penalty area and shoots… into the side netting!

51st minute — We’re on a counter attack, Tiago runs with the ball down the left flank, squares it for Ibrahima MBow… He’s inside the penalty area and unleashes one of his trademark powerful finishes… Get in! It’s in the back of the net, Ibrahima MBow makes me proud once again! (click here to open the video

54th minute — Graham Howson plays a through pass for MBow, he receives it and enters the penalty area, powerful shot… and in! His 10th goal of the season! Maradonaaaaaaaaaaaa! (click here to open the video

55th minute — Instant reply from the Citizens, Belfodil is just too quick for Mervin Simon and scores a fine goal. (click here to open the video)

61st minute — Fine move from Mourinho‘s men, Witsel is at the end of it again but his shot is diverted wide by Luis Guilherme. Time to make some changes, Denís in for Tinga, Javier Garcia for Tiago.

62nd minute — Huge chance for the Citizens, a cross into the penalty area finds Belfodil at six yards but his header goes over. Phew…

70th minute — Substitute Denís tries his luck from 25 yards, just wide!

80th minute — Dazzling run from Wellington Paulista on the right flank, he gets into the box, squares it but the cross is deflected… But Denís pops up a slides it home! It’s over José, it’s over! (click here to open the video)

Full time team talk: Sensational!

Man of the match: Ibrahima MBow

Flop of the match: Tinga

Match Stats

Video Highlights

Click here to watch the highlights.

Time to celebrate! The Motormen have won the Premier League title, the capital of English football moves to Ellesmere Port!

The last game of the season had no importance for us, Liverpool beat us 2-1 but Zé Carlos still managed to get a goal in, he was competing for the Premier League Golden Boot ;)

Here’s the final Premier League table, Tottenham finished second as Manchester City probably decided to focus on the Champions League final after that fine sunny day in Ellesmere Port :) Former champions Chelsea had a forgettable season as they finished outside the European places while Bolton, Newcastle and Birmingham are going to play Championship football next season.

After such a big success I headed to the boardroom with big thoughts in my mind, I was quite sure that they won’t be able to refuse me! And, as you can see from the discussion below, they accepted after being reminded of who took them this far ;) They agreed to improve the training facilities, the youth facilities, the youth recruitment network and they also gave me a higher wage budget on the spot!

I won’t comment on the player stats for the season, I will leave that to you. In my view all the 25 first team players are true heroes and they deserve praise. Of course, some of them disappointed me at times and some will be leaving the club come July but I don’t want to ruin the moment so I won’t name them now.

Time for some well-deserved awards! Unfortunately just two of my players were given such recognition at the end of the season: Leandro Velasco and Zé Carlos.

I was given an award too, I’m Premier League Manager of the Season for the second time in a row!

Before wrapping up, here are the results from the finals that were played after the conclusion of the Premier League season.

FA Cup Final

Europa League Final

Champions League Final

Yes, José Mourinho did have a successful season after all, I guess he will be on my case next season :)

The finances are looking great at the moment and we didn’t receive the TV rights for the coming season yet! I hope I’ll have a good transfer budget, I want to defend the title and maybe get my hands on some other trophies as well.

Last but not least, we’ll be moving into our brand new stadium soon, I’m looking forward to that! Alright folks, it’s 2 am in Bucharest so I will finally put an end to this post. Thanks a lot to all of you who read the whole thing, you deserve this title as much as I did! (I hope your eyes are still OK though :) )