M★RZEC - Man[ager] with a Mission

@JustinCase0110  Careful what you wish for...

@LABoog4  I think it's important to do a little on character building and plot twists now and then, because the thread is called Career Mode - Stories so it needs a bit of both. Otherwise, it's just a complicated way of posting results.

So, I'd suggest everybody letting loose in their fantasy world once every while 🙂 I mean: read the Wiki about Gigi Becali (the real-life owner of FCSB) and dare telling me that doesn't trigger one or two crazy story lines in your unconscious?... The setting of the story (the footballing world) needs to come across as realistic, but in anything else you can go pretty crazy.

For example: in real life, I'm as diplomatic and nuanced as the most well-versed politician - a bit of a bore, really. So to have a bit of an outspoken, controversial persona as an alter-ego here is (sort of) an outlet - I'm essentially saying I wish I could be that or do that at least one time. He does look like me though: long hair, beard, baseball-cap, jeans, hoodie and sneakers: typically me.

SEASON 2: 2024-2025.

New club, new chances, new story 🙂 Wikipedia page has been UPDATED!

I'm not a stranger to switching clubs during a CM, but I've never done it so early before. Two or three seasons in must be the earliest I've done it, as I would probably have felt it more convenient to just start over with the other club in your case.

That said, this only makes it more interesting to follow this story, bringing something completely new to the table. Kudos for this change, hope it will be enjoyable for you.

I literally got offered the job at FCSB and when I saw them only several points down in second place, I thought: why am I struggling in 3. Liga when I could be fighting for Champions League?'

So, right before signing, I saved the game and I split scenarios: 1) go to FCSB, 2) stay at Bielefeld and wait for something better, or 3) pick up either in Bielefeld after simulating through March 2024.

I didn't like scenario 1), I felt 3) was unrealistic, but every day more opportunities came by that had my interest: AZ Alkmaar (but I would be going back to Netherlands, been there done that), Lech Poznan (same story) and then came Bordeaux, which I've had on my mind for a veeery long time. And the fact that they had to remain another year in Ligue 2 convinced me. So here I am 🙂

I like a story that bounces around. It keeps things fresh and adds more storylines going to new leagues. Smart choice with the new club, I had no idea so many teams in France have won the league that often.

Some way to start the pre-season with a 6-0 defeat vs QPR, if I read that right. Awful. Good job getting clean sheets in the following two games, I suppose.

Interesting signings, I've enjoyed having them both in previous careers. And fun little wordplay to introduce them.

Luca I've signed primarily due to his last name, I have to admit. Hopefully he'll add more than a bit of PR value for the club. And I do like the family link to his father's old club. Hadn't given that a thought myself until now.

Loca used to be a go-to striker for me actually. I remember signing him more than a few times in past careers. Sometimes I signed him in a backup role, and sometimes he arrived to be the main option up front. I know he also plays as a winger from time to time, but he's too big for me to play him out wide. Having travelled a lot in his career, hopefully he'll now settle at Bordeaux.

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@JustinCase0110 wrote:

Some way to start the pre-season with a 6-0 defeat vs QPR, if I read that right. Awful. Good job getting clean sheets in the following two games, I suppose.

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Yes, you read that right. And contrast to belief: it was actually a very even game up until 2/3 into the second half. But my goalkeepers were just bloody awful - your two main options are a slow, veteran Swede, or a Pole without talent. The alternative are three French youngsters on goal, but two of them are in their final year of contract (not using them, but selling them) while the third is really young: he has a long term deal and will be out on loan.

Up front, much of the same. Some wingers are fit as striker, but they have finishing skills inferior to my 9 year old daughter. The actual strikers in the squad miss either skills, strength or speed. The ones that aren't home grown can leave, while original club players can go out on loan mostly.

So, the signing of at least a goalkeeper and a striker were indeed priority. Apart from that, a fairly evenly balanced team (all between 69 and 73 OVR). The pre-season games gave me a good impression what needs to be added to this squad and I'm confident I'll make another handful of decent signings.

Looks like an away win though, doesn't it? Ooh I see you have Elis in your squad. I remember scouting him many years ago, when he played in MLS, and I've scouted him numerous times since. I'm not sure I ever actually signed him, so he could hold my personal record for being scouted most times without ending up being signed. Contrary to Locadia, whom I've signed plenty of times. Interesting partnership for me personally.

@JustinCase0110  He was already there. He has come on my radar many times with Ajax: I think I signed him once as a rotational player, but he would've been a star player for Wisla Kraków.

Some clever moves. I like that he's using his previous experience with players to choose who to go after. Signing a fan favorite in Zidane doesn't hurt a new manager either. Nouhou is a good player, I remember using him a few years back when I had to buy a player from outside Europe. 

I literally have an excel sheet of all Ajax youth players in FC24 that did not make the first team at Ajax. Alongside tons of Dutch players, you end up with Bandé at HJK, Johnsen at Cremonese, or Ogüz Aydin at Alanyaspor: only 5% are worthy of Ajax now and only 1% goes over 78 OVR. But it's a great list of choice for a Ligue 2 team and realistic from my point of view as fictional ex-youth coach of Ajax.

Nouhou - this save just keeps giving with players, I've frequently scouted through many different saves over the years. Funny to witness... I'm pretty sure I signed him once, must have been 3-4 years ago...

Don't worry: first overviews post-Deadline Day are coming soon 😉

Good early signs but the manager to see where the team struggles and not be too stubborn to not adapt. It's a nice feeling when your tactical changes work out. 

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@LABoog4 wrote:

Good early signs but the manager to see where the team struggles and not be too stubborn to not adapt. It's a nice feeling when your tactical changes work out. 

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To the point that all my systems are integrated into one team sheet

ultra def. is 5-4-1 (wingers are now halves)

defensive is 5-2-3 (wingers move up)

normal is 4-3-3 def (one CB becomes DM)

attacking is 4-3-3 flat (backs become wing backs, DM becomes CM, or AM)

ultra att. is 2-4-1-3 (CB-CB, RM-CM-CM-LM, AM, RW-ST-LW)

Great-looking graphics. With the latest transfers, you have good depth in most areas. I am not familiar with the league but this looks like a team that can compete in lower leagues for sure. 

I second the praise on the graphics. Looks really great and easy on the eye. A lot of details too, in the squad overview. Something I've also done previously, but haven't paid too much mind lately. Perhaps I should make such an overview soon, at the end of the season maybe...

You've assembled a really homogeneous side there, haven't you? Every position coverede by a player with 71 to 73 OVR. Some even by two players on a similar level. It's really a TEAM and not just 3-4 individuals standing out above the rest. Seems like a proper build, and I think you're on the right path to get that much coveted promotion to Ligue 1.