Pentagon Challenage - Completed by 2030 (FM16)

[Roy McDonut]

I've played every version of FM since the early days of Championship Manager but only as a one club boss trying to build a dynasty so when, a few months ago, I saw a post about the Pentagon challenge on Facebook I decided to have a go for my main FM16 save. And it was refreshing to adopt for a change a ruthlessly ambitious short term management style, and to manage new teams in new leagues. And since I only this morning completed the Pentagon challenge, and wanted to tell someone about it (the wife and kids are strangely uninterested!), I've gone from lurker to poster on here :-)

Africa - I started in South Africa (in line with the convention with a Sunday League reputation and out of work) and it was several months before I got a job with Amazulu who were bottom of the First Division. A great run won that league in 2017 and some astute transfers on a tight budget meant we won the Prem Division for the next 3 years (2018-20). We won the African Euro (2019) and Champs League (2020) both at the first time of asking. Couldn't have wished for a better start to the Pentagon - one point of the star sorted.

Asia - Moved to Suwon in South Korea. Won the Prem Division both years and the Asian Champs League in the second season (2022). Second point of the star - done.

Europe - At this point I was expecting to have to head over the Pacific for my next job but had a stroke of luck when Man City who'd just finished seventh in the English Prem Division approached. It's a long time since I've managed a club with silly money (I prefer to start non-league or at Colchester United, my team IRL) and at Man City the money sure is silly! The squad was strong and I waved the chequebook to plug the gaps (including £75m on Romagnoli to anchor the defence, my highest ever FM outlay in any save) and in 2024 won the Prem League. More big spending in the close season meant the squad was super-strong and a massive cash top up from the Chairman before the winter transfer window allowed me to buy Pogba in his prime for a push towards a clean sweep of all five available trophies - Charity Shield, League Cup, FA Cup, Prem League and the European Champs League in 2025. Third point of the star - bingo.

North America - I joined Tigres in Mexico and this was my first mis-step. They had a good reputation but the finances soon became 'Insecure' and not only could I not plug the gaps in the squad but the chairman starting selling the best players over my head. Blowing the cash on his jet-set lifestyle no doubt :-) I managed to win the second stage of the Mexican League but not the season ending play-offs and when a South American club with 'Secure' finances came calling I quit without finishing the job. I suspect my name is still mud with the Tigres fans. But if the main prize is the Pentagon loyalty cannot be your watchword... 

South America - I joined Independiente in Argentina and didn't win the Prem Division in my first season but did win the South American Champs League (Copa Libertadores) half way through the following 2028 season. That was the fourth point of the star so I didn't stick around to finish the league season even though we were top of the league at the time. More disgruntled fans...

(Back to) North America - A long wait with no job vacancies meant a tricky decision when the Montreal Impact job came up as their reputation wasn't great. I decided to take it rather than wait for a better offer which might not come. The chairman kept selling my best players but thankfully I as able to plug the gaps with bargains from around the world (a 'Shortlist' stuffed with decent players from 5 continents helped - a thorough search usually finds someone keen to move or going cheap). We won the MLS Cup in 2029 but I thought the Champs League could be a tough nut to crack as America (MEX) had won it 5 years in a row and had a much stronger squad and much more money than Montreal. Therefore, I am eternally grateful to the New York Red Bulls for knocking America (MEX) out in their Champs League semi-final.  And when Montreal beat New York 3-2 on aggregate in a tense North American Champs League final the Pentagon challenge had been completed by 2030 - yay! 

Housekeeping - I played FM Touch with Instant Result as the size of the undertaking meant I wanted to rattle through the seasons. And tactically (to give credit where it's due) my starting point was 'Darren's Devastating 4-1-2-3' although with my own tweaks (such as the DMC being a DLP and the CMs being APs). Finally, I played the game straight with no saving/reloading after bad results - FM is almost like real life that way :-)