The A-Z of football management: Part 28

The A-Z of football management: Part 28

Photo by Andriyko Podilnyk on Unsplash

We are certainly in a purple patch, and hopefully we aren’t peaking too soon. A routine win over Westerlo is followed by a commanding lead in our European Cup group — a 3‑0 win over Zenit — followed by a 1‑0 victory in France either side of beating Beveren puts us in pole position to qualify for the knock out stages.

We end the month with a 0‑0 draw with Sint‑Truiden, leaving us unbeaten in all competitions in September and only one goal conceded.

We dish out a little Champ-Man justice by scoring with our only shot on target away to AA Gent and taking all three points. Then we lose our first game of the season, missing the chance to qualify for the next stage of the European Cup as we fall 2‑0 at home to Guingamp.

Going into our next league match with a depleted squad as both new centre‑backs, left‑back John, and Perrin are suspended — but we still come out on top against Anderlecht, with Phil Wilson scoring a hat‑trick and Pappalardo saving a penalty to win 3‑1.

A 0‑0 draw at home to Wolfsburg is enough to secure qualification to the next phase of the European Cup, along with a nice £3 million cash boost.

Unfortunately, injuries up front and a few suspensions see us draw with RC Mechelen in the derby, disappointing the board. We then beat Division 2 side Lommel in the Cup and earn a plumb draw against the only Division 3 side in round 7 before beating Zenit 1‑0 away to finish four points clear of Wolfsburg in the group phase.

Shortly after the draw is made, we get some of Europe’s big boys drawing Barcelona, Spurs and Roma. Looks like the group of death!

We then beat third‑place Antwerp at home before using our revenue from the European Cup to complete a record signing — World Cup winning goal-scorer Gradoboev joins to help with rotation up front and, hopefully, bring goals.

He delivers, scoring a brace away at Mouscron. That game allows Phil Wilson a rest, and he helps us secure a 1‑1 draw at home to Barcelona in the European Cup.

Gradoboev continues his form, scoring in the next two games as we beat Eendracht Aalst and Seraing RUL, setting up a quarter‑final tie against Club Brugge.

A few days later, we suffer our first league defeat of the season away to last year’s champions Club Brugge and hopefully that isn’t a marker of what is to come in our upcoming cup tie. This gives transfer‑listed Anderson Faria da Silva a chance to speak out, stating we need better players.

I mean, we are in the latter stages of both the Belgian and European cups. We have only lost twice all season, but you do you, mate — you’ve pissed off most of the squad on the eve of our game with Roma. Top work.

He is subsequently disciplined and then offers to change his behaviour.

We get a good result away at Roma — a 0‑0 draw. A few wins in the league give us a healthy lead over the other teams. Everything feels more consistent this season, and things are going well on all fronts.

That is, until one of my best players becomes unhappy and wants to return home to France. As usual, I won’t stand in his way if that’s what he wants, but ideally it won’t happen until the summer.

Our final game before the winter break is another win, this time against ten‑man Standard Liège, leaving us six points clear on Boxing Day with only nine goals conceded.

Saveliy Gradoboev picks up a broken toe but will be back fit in time for our first game of the new year. He has been brilliant since arriving — five goals and four assists in his first seven games. Lovely jubbly.

During the winter period there are a few managerial sackings, which leads to several clubs offering me jobs, I reject them all, of course.

Transfer activity continues: Rennes submit a bid for Anderson Faria da Silva, and he departs. This allows me to swoop in for Dutch under‑21 international Roy Smulders for half the price — net spend for the win!

As with last season, we are lackluster after the winter break. A 0‑0 draw with RWDM is followed by an insane 3‑3 draw with Club Brugge in the cup, forcing a replay. A home win over Overpelt is welcomed, considering we didn’t manage that last season.

We then nick a late win over Club Brugge in the quarter-final replay to progress to the semis. Wins over GBA and Lierse in the league, combined with poor form from the chasing pack, give us a 14‑point lead. We then head to White Hart Lane and take the win, topping the group in the process.