shaunvamos Posted November 25, 2022 Share Posted November 25, 2022 (edited) Arsène Wenger. The longest serving and most successful manager Arsenal has ever had, and arguably one of the best managers of all time. I've been an Arsenal fan since I was 7, so when I found his autobiography in a bookstore I knew I just had to buy it. Everyone knows about his investment in youth development, and how his shrewd spending kept the club afloat during the clubs move to the Emirates from Highbury. He's actually one of the few Premier League managers in the modern era to actually turn a profit on transfers, which only adds to his reputation as a talent spotter and bargain hunter. These are both philosophies I pride myself on when playing this game. But there was one thing that stood out to me while reading this book (I haven't finished it yet) about a method he used while at Monaco. I'll let his words do the talking (p92): Quote "We also made a lot of use - and were the first to do so - of a clever method of evaluation developed by my friend Jean-Marc Guillou. Top Score is a tool for evaluating players based on observing and quantifying their performances. You assign points for each action the player carries out - for example, ten points for a forward pass, five for a sideways pass, two for a back pass - and you establish a defensive score and an offensive score which you add up." This sounds an awful lot like the methodologies I've used to great success in my FM22 save documented on these forums, using players in game attributes to calculate scores and evaluate their ability and role suitability. But Wenger doesn't stop there... Quote "President Campora, Jeannot Petit and I also realised what an opportunity Top Score represented on the transfer market. We knew Monaco had less money than PSG and Marseille or some of the big European clubs. We managed our finances sensibly, unlike those clubs who had taken on on whole new financial dimension. We needed to buy players but at a price we could afford, and we needed to find cheaper solutions. With the Top Score indicators we could buy players who had not yet been spotted and courted by other clubs. This also allowed us to give our own young players from the training academy their chance." Sounds a lot like Moneyball..... Again, I combined these two elements in my FM22 save where I won the Champions League in 9 countries using a team from the lowest playable division. But this time I want to do something even more ambitious and probably impossible. The goal is simple. Win the Champions League. With every nation possible. That's right, leagues from all 210 nations have been loaded. How many are eligible for a Champions League? I guess I'll find out! Rules 1. Start with the highest ranked nation in the world rankings. This will not include England, Spain, Germany, Italy, France, Netherlands, Portugal, Scotland and Austria as I've already achieved the feat with them. 2. With the lowest possible qualifications, take over the team predicted to finish the worst in the lowest playable division on the condition that the team's colours include RED & WHITE. This is a nod to Wenger, who only managed teams with those colours in them. 3. Only sign players that can better the first XI, and only in the event that they are under 23. If that can't be done, we rely on our youth academy, which means upgrades will be a priority. The recruitment and selection of these players will be determined using my attribute formula created and stored in a spreadsheet. 4. Where I sign players from is based on my boards discretion. I can only scout in my country? We'll only sign players based there. They're letting us scout players based in our region? So be it. Worldwide scouting you say? Beautiful. 5. The number of leagues that will be loaded at any one time will include nations that border the nation I am currently managing in. In the event of a nation that is landlocked, an island, or with less than 5 border countries the closest 5 will be made playable. For example, the 5 closest nations to Iceland will be made playable when I get to Iceland. 6. Winning the top division league title unlocks international management for that nation. What this means is that I will manually sack the national team manager by adding a new manager, then resigning allowing my actual manager to apply for the role. 7. Win the country's respective Champions League! 8. Once the CL is won I move on to the team ranked highest in the world rankings that I haven't managed in yet. The leagues used for the previous nation will be deactivated and made View Only, unless that completed nation is in Europe. In that case the top league will be kept as playable and the rest will be View Only. This is done for two reasons: I love the UEFA coefficient system so it would be interesting to follow the clubs I've managed there, but doing this for every other continent would slow the game down to no end. 9. Tactics: There will be no set formation. I will use whatever formation my analyst thinks is best against our next opposition. In terms of instructions I will simply be using the default Gegenpress instructions. The roles will be as simple as they come: Goalkeeper, Central Defender, Full Back, Wing Back, Defensive Midfielder, Winger, Central Midfielder, Winger, Attacking Midfielder, and Advanced Forward. I've rambled on for long enough. Let's get this started! Acknowledgements This wouldn't be possible without the incredible work of people who made all these leagues playable. All the standard leagues are loaded as well as the following: @Timo61, who made every unplayable league in this playable except 23 at this point! Tenshi on the Steam Workshop, who provided Paraguay, Costa Rica, Tajikistan, Thailand, Somalia and Moldova. Riddler on the Steam Workshop, who provided British Virgin Islands, Sudan, Jamaica, Solomon Islands, Azerbaijan, Palestine, Benin, Togo and the Dominican Republic. @Scorrie1893 who provided San Marino. Bartolomeus on the Steam Workshop, who provided Jordan, the UAE, Syria and Turks & Caicos. SI who provided Gibraltar. Reinalda on the Steam Workshop who provided Vanuatu. AGE Interactive on the Steam Workshop, who provided Albania. Edited December 22, 2022 by shaunvamos 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaunvamos Posted November 25, 2022 Author Share Posted November 25, 2022 (edited) Nation One: Brazil Brazil, a country I have never managed in (I suspect there will be a lot of this). Clearly one of the best ever talent producing nations, so let's see what we can do here! There doesn't seem to be too much pressure on us here in terms of expectations, and the board just want me to avoid bottom. An average wage on 1464 a month means we can probably make some additions to the squad, but not many. As expected, we'll only be signing players based in Brail for now. Leagues loaded: Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana and Suriname. Edited November 25, 2022 by shaunvamos Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaunvamos Posted November 26, 2022 Author Share Posted November 26, 2022 January 2022 We bring in a goalkeeper as we didn't have one. No other transfers will be sought after as everyone's demands are too high for what we can afford right now. A mixed start to my tenure here, but it looks like we'll be able to qualify from this first stage. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaunvamos Posted November 26, 2022 Author Share Posted November 26, 2022 February/March 2022 We qualified for the Second Stage of our State champs, and need a result against Barbalha to qualify for the next stage. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaunvamos Posted November 26, 2022 Author Share Posted November 26, 2022 April 2022 We play really well against top flight side Fortaleza but go out due to finishing lower in the table, and in the league we get off to a great start. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaunvamos Posted November 26, 2022 Author Share Posted November 26, 2022 May 2022 A mostly positive month and we remain third. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaunvamos Posted November 26, 2022 Author Share Posted November 26, 2022 June 2022 Injuries and suspension hampered our progress in June, but we're still in touch of the top 3. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoguPL Posted November 26, 2022 Share Posted November 26, 2022 Oh I have been waiting for this Good Luck. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaunvamos Posted November 27, 2022 Author Share Posted November 27, 2022 July 2022 We found a lot of good bargains in this transfer window, 3 free loans as well as free transfers with all but two earning less than 1k/m. Central Defender Fullback Defensive Midfielder Central Midfielders Wingers Attacking Midfielder Striker We seem to have forgotten how to score, but hopefully that changes once the new additions settle in. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaunvamos Posted November 27, 2022 Author Share Posted November 27, 2022 5 hours ago, RoguPL said: Oh I have been waiting for this Good Luck. Thanks Rogu! Glad to have you along Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punch Posted November 27, 2022 Share Posted November 27, 2022 This looks...completely insane...I like it Good luck! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaunvamos Posted November 27, 2022 Author Share Posted November 27, 2022 August 2022 The goals aren't exactly coming but the wins are. We have 2 games left before the Second stage and we have a win to spare. Our remaining games are against 7th at home and 10th away. It'll be tight. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaunvamos Posted November 27, 2022 Author Share Posted November 27, 2022 3 minutes ago, Punch said: This looks...completely insane...I like it Good luck! Somehow not as insane as what you've been able to do in the IoM 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaunvamos Posted November 27, 2022 Author Share Posted November 27, 2022 September 2022 A 3-0 win sours our time in the Third Division, but we scrape into the Second Stage on goal difference where the top two in each group get promotion. We've gone 1-1 in our first two, but I'm not expecting we'll get top 2. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaunvamos Posted November 27, 2022 Author Share Posted November 27, 2022 2022 Youth Intake Thiago Rabelo 1A* - Rafael 1B* - Guido 1C Not a bad intake to start things off, we even get a Pele! I know Brazil is huge, but this really does put into perspective how large it really is! 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaunvamos Posted November 27, 2022 Author Share Posted November 27, 2022 Sao Jose completely destroy us, so surely we didn't get promoted. But we did From the board hoping we didn't finish bottom to actually getting promoted on the final day, this save has gotten off to a banger of a start. Best XI Lucas Concatto - Lucão - Lionn Record Breakers Award Winners Supporter Profile Looks like we're becoming a more family oriented club at the expense of the ultras There's also this, a wage budget more than 4 times our budget at the beginning of the season. Some of that will be moved to the transfer budget of course, but it should be a lot easier to sign some players to bolster our squad for next season. Dynamic Manager Timeline screen-recorder-sun-nov-27-2022-17-04-55.webm Progress 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaunvamos Posted November 27, 2022 Author Share Posted November 27, 2022 January 2023 Having been blessed with a huge increase in wage budget, we used that to recruit an upgrade in all but 2 positions. Of those brought in 3 came from our division or higher. Let's hope they don't find the step up too intimidating. Keeper Fullbacks Defensive Midfielder Central Midfielders Winger Attacking Midfielder Striker I'm not sure what to make of things yet, but now the full team is in place I'll be able to have a better gauge of things. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaunvamos Posted November 27, 2022 Author Share Posted November 27, 2022 February 2023 A mixed month, but we're through to the nest stage of the State cup. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaunvamos Posted November 27, 2022 Author Share Posted November 27, 2022 March 2023 Had to play Morale Manager for a bit after the beginning of the month, but we've turned our form away and now face Fortaleza in the NE Cup quarters. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaunvamos Posted November 27, 2022 Author Share Posted November 27, 2022 April 2023 Thankfully, we now only have the league to worry about, and we get off to a winning start. The odds: Not great for us. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaunvamos Posted November 28, 2022 Author Share Posted November 28, 2022 May 2023 This is to be expected I think, but we need to get some results soon before morale completely plummets. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaunvamos Posted November 28, 2022 Author Share Posted November 28, 2022 June 2023 A board meeting discussing my future coincided with my team returning to full fitness and we returned to winning form. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaunvamos Posted November 28, 2022 Author Share Posted November 28, 2022 July 2023 Two more additions, but only Wagninho can play as Thassio has made too many appearances in the Second Division for another team. Defensive Midfielder Another mixed month, but survival is the only priority here. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaunvamos Posted November 28, 2022 Author Share Posted November 28, 2022 August 2023 A good month where we beat teams below us, and suddenly we're in the top half! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaunvamos Posted November 28, 2022 Author Share Posted November 28, 2022 September 2023 Buzatto adds more goals to his tally to go 4 clear at the top of the league charts, as we remain in the top half. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaunvamos Posted November 28, 2022 Author Share Posted November 28, 2022 2023 Youth Intake Amauri Santos 2A - Vágner 2B - Rogério 2C Three 5* prospects, but given our facilities they're unlikely to reach that potential. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaunvamos Posted November 28, 2022 Author Share Posted November 28, 2022 October 2023 We lose to last place and that seems to have triggered a collapse. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaunvamos Posted November 28, 2022 Author Share Posted November 28, 2022 I have no idea how we stayed up, but we did! Best XI José Hugo - Buzatto - Breno Record Breakers Award Winners Progress 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punch Posted November 28, 2022 Share Posted November 28, 2022 You went up a division but less people showed up to watch? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaunvamos Posted November 28, 2022 Author Share Posted November 28, 2022 43 minutes ago, Punch said: You went up a division but less people showed up to watch? I think because we went on a losing streak the fans stopped coming to see us. That's the only conclusion I can draw! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punch Posted November 28, 2022 Share Posted November 28, 2022 15 minutes ago, shaunvamos said: I think because we went on a losing streak the fans stopped coming to see us. That's the only conclusion I can draw! Makes sense. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaunvamos Posted November 28, 2022 Author Share Posted November 28, 2022 January 2024 Only three additions this season, but they're good ones. Central Defender Defensive Midfielder Winger We're dropping results to teams two divisions below us, so I'm treating all of this as a preseason friendly series. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaunvamos Posted November 28, 2022 Author Share Posted November 28, 2022 February 2024 A ridiculous 11 games in 28 days, but we're starting to hit our straps as we go through to the next stage of the State Cup and look good to progress in the NE Cup. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaunvamos Posted November 29, 2022 Author Share Posted November 29, 2022 March 2024 Another busy month, but we've been thankfully knocked out of the NE Regional and probably will be in the State champs too. In other news we've finally won our first Brazilian Cup match, and then we won our second! Bring on the matches that actually mean something! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaunvamos Posted November 29, 2022 Author Share Posted November 29, 2022 April 2024 We ended up making the semi of the State Cup before losing to 5 time defending champions Fortaleza, but we get off to a good start in the league after losing to one of the few teams I actually know in Bahia. I also know two other teams that were relegated to the 2nd division for this season in Cruzeiro and Vasco da Gama. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaunvamos Posted November 29, 2022 Author Share Posted November 29, 2022 May 2024 We only lose to the relegated teams this month, and we sit 5th. But it's a slippery slope, as a loss could see us drop as low as 14th. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaunvamos Posted November 29, 2022 Author Share Posted November 29, 2022 June 2024 Fatigue is hitting us hard so we've dropped some results. But we still have our sights set on the top half, and we can do it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaunvamos Posted November 29, 2022 Author Share Posted November 29, 2022 July 2024 It looks like we're set for another season of mid table obscurity. Which is fine, we're expected last. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaunvamos Posted November 29, 2022 Author Share Posted November 29, 2022 August 2025 Suddenly, we've gone on a 5 game winning streak that puts us within 4 points of the top 3! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaunvamos Posted November 29, 2022 Author Share Posted November 29, 2022 September 2024 That loss to America makes us lose ground, but if we win our game in hand we can be in with a real shout here. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaunvamos Posted November 29, 2022 Author Share Posted November 29, 2022 2024 Youth Intake Rodrigo 3A* - Gabriel Volpe 3B* - Edney 3C This is pretty disappointing, but it's mainly due to the board refusing to upgrade our coaching because "we have enough youth players, make use of them". Quality over quantity mate, seriously At least we have our first interstate player. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaunvamos Posted November 29, 2022 Author Share Posted November 29, 2022 October 2024 With 5 games to go, we can go within a point of promotion if we win our game in hand against Chapecoense. Then we have 20th, 10th, 12th and 9th. It's a relatively good run home. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaunvamos Posted November 29, 2022 Author Share Posted November 29, 2022 We did our absolute best to bottle it, but we steadied the ship in our final game to get promoted. We're going to the Brasileirão! Best XI Jobert - José Hugo - Fernandinho Record Breakers Award Winners Progress 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emozil Posted November 29, 2022 Share Posted November 29, 2022 Great write up so far. What tactic are you using? I'm having a lot of success with 2 defensive mid tactics this year too. Hoping yours is easy on the eye with you being in Brazil. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaunvamos Posted December 1, 2022 Author Share Posted December 1, 2022 (edited) January 2025 I really wish FM had an option to show future fees in brackets, because we only spent about half that up front. We've bought our first newgens as well, and they're excellent. Cerqueira is a U20 international playing the Third Division, Sarahyba in the Fourth Division, and Elton is a huge steal from perennial league contenders Corinthians. Central Defender Fullback Central Midfielder Winger Striker A slow start that's already been ridden with injuries, but as soon as the new signings joined we've had a change in fortunes. But we really should be beating teams 2 divisions below us. On 29/11/2022 at 23:31, Emozil said: Great write up so far. What tactic are you using? I'm having a lot of success with 2 defensive mid tactics this year too. Hoping yours is easy on the eye with you being in Brazil. Just the generic Gegenpress. Edited December 1, 2022 by shaunvamos 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaunvamos Posted December 1, 2022 Author Share Posted December 1, 2022 February 2025 It's hard to tell if Elton is legit yet, but he's scored 8 in 3 against lower league opposition. Once we come up against First Division opposition however, we falter like we did against Ceara. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaunvamos Posted December 1, 2022 Author Share Posted December 1, 2022 March 2025 Elton once again bullies the lower league teams, but against Gremio we get flogged, which is absolutely not his fault. But it is thanks to him that we're having this superb run of form. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaunvamos Posted December 1, 2022 Author Share Posted December 1, 2022 April 2025 Through to our first ever State Cup final, and we pick up a point against Palmeiras to get our points total going. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swaban Posted December 1, 2022 Share Posted December 1, 2022 Glad to see this again having followed last year, good luck mate! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaunvamos Posted December 1, 2022 Author Share Posted December 1, 2022 May 2025 As expected, we're struggling in the league, but we won the State title for the first time since 1995! Elton is scoring plenty too, and I just read that he's supposed to be the next Jairzinho, a World Cup winner for Brazil in 1970 as part of his 81 caps and 33 goals for them. He even managed Gabon from 2003-2005! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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