After a couple of months spent "exploring" the game and trying to get my head around the changes that have happened in the last 11 years, I finally came to my first game in charge. A friendly against Papua New Guinea, and what a start:
I decided to go with a 4-3-3 formation, playing route one/direct. With 2 wingers and a central Target Man, and it paid off.
For the rest of the season, though, despite many requests to set up friendlies, I was only able to play 2 more:
So finished the season unbeaten in my 3 games. Not much of a feat really, but I'll take it.
May 2023 saw the draw for the Pacific Games, something New Caledonia has a very good history in:
I am the highest ranked side in my group (recently increased to 157th, from 158th when I started). Unfortunately Germain Haewegene who scored 5 goals in my debut got injured on eve of squad annoucement, but I'm fairly confident with the squad I am taking that we can do well.
On the day of the opening fixture however, a spanner in the works. I am approached by 2 teams in Northern Ireland who want to interview me for their vacant managerial positions. Clearly news of my unbeaten season in the South Pacific have reached their ears!