Category: FM17 – One Man’s Journey Through…

It’s update time once again, we’re up to the tenth update of Julien Girard’s managerial career (also, Julien’s 30 now). This makes this the equal longest save I’ve ever done on this blog, along with Bayer Leverkusen on FM15. So I just want to say thank you to everyone that has supported this save so far, it means a lot to me and long may this save continue. In the last update, I covered the first half of the 4th season of the save, and the first with Football Club Lorient in Ligue 1. I covered the signings I’d made towards the end of the transfer window, the tactics I was using (a 4-1-3-2,) and covered the results of the first half of the season. As we went into January 1st, the club was surprisingly sat 3rd in Ligue 1, only one point behind Lyon in 1st place, and two points ahead of Leonardo Jardim’s Monaco in 4th. I ended the last update by saying:

Julien is now settled in well at Lorient, and most importantly is well on course to achieve more than the top half finish he promised the board when he took over in early August. The challenge now is simply to see how high Lorient can finish.

So, how did the season finish?

Read More “One Man’s Journey Through France: X”

So, we’re back again with the 9th update of Julien Girard’s managerial career, as we have reached the midway point (January 1st) of the 4th season of this save. In the last update, we finally decided to leave Schiltigheim, and made the big move up to Ligue 1, becoming manager of Football Club Lorient. We had previously prepared Schiltigheim for their Ligue 2 season – more on that later – and then had to adjust to our new surroundings, making a couple of signings in Joshua Onomah and Marcelo Hermes to improve the quality of the squad, before putting a tactical plan in place, a 4-4-2 diamond. We won the first game of the season 2-1 against Nantes, and we ended the update cautiously optimistic ahead of the full season – especially considering I’d told the board that I would get achieve a top half finish with Lorient. However, I had to make further dealings before the end of the transfer window, when Torino came in for our first choice right back Steven Moreira. I negotiated up to a fee of £7M (rising to £7.75M) before accepting the offer. This necessitated the buying of a right back, so I signed Lorenzo Dickmann, languishing at Palermo for a pathetic £3.8M. He’s been fantastic so far, massively improving as a player.

Note: I also sold Rayane Jacquier to Roma (along with a whopping future fee %) for £1.5M, and Zoran Djulic was bought by my DoF.

There’s no need for jokes, FM’s covered that for me already.

In terms of Julien’s career, he completed the new coaching course, improving his attributes slightly – they’re still fairly poor. I then asked Lorient to allow me to get my Continental A License. At first, they rejected my request, saying that there’s a good chance Julien could leave with increased skills. With a bit of persuasion however, the board accepted it. This course will take a much longer time at 12 months, but it only leaves Julien with one more badge to achieve (the Continental Pro, I think?). Julien also reached his first milestone, managing 100 games.

So, how has the first half of the season gone? Have I been able to produce the top half finish that I said I would?

Read More “One Man’s Journey Through France: IX”

This is going to be a big one. So, we’re back with the 8th update of One Man’s Journey Through France, moving into the fourth season of Julien Girard’s managerial career. Also, for those of you who don’t follow me on Twitter (@JLAspey), Julien’s face is perfectly modelled by the suavest of suave men, David Ginola – in case you were wondering. In the last update, we covered the whole of the 3rd – and least enjoyable – season of this save in the Championnat National. The update covered how Sporting Club de Schiltigheim managed to race away into the lead of the National, before almost blowing the entire thing, stumbling over the line and winning the league to win promotion to Ligue 2, despite losing 2-1 on the final day. Nevertheless, it was time to get Schiltigheim ready for Ligue 2, and turn the club from an amateur outfit into one that could realistically retain its place in Ligue 2 for many seasons to come. So, how did things go?

Read More “One Man’s Journey Through France: VIII”

Disclaimer: You’re all going to be confused why I’m so annoyed about this season. I apologise for that in advance. This update will cover the whole season, because I simply just wanted to get this season finished. Again, you’ll see why through the update.

So, we’ve come to the end of the third season of Julien Girard’s career, still managing Sporting Club de Schiltigheim in the Championnat National. In the last update, we prepared Schiltigheim for the league season, having received no real interest – apart from Sedan Ardennes – in Julien’s services. We had begun the season using a 4-3-3 system, which relied on the ability of Marco Rosenfelder ❤ to control the game from the AP-S role, and allow the wide players Ambrose and Doumbia to threaten opposition defences. It caused us to comfortably defeat Valenciennes 3-2 on the first day of the season. However, that didn’t last long, as Julien Tripard decided to stop scoring upfront, and the goals dried up. We sat third, but I felt we wouldn’t be there for long. As a result, I switched tactics – not for the last time this season – moving back to the 4-1-2-3-0 strikerless tactic, but with an AP-S rather than an AM-S at AMC. This was done simply to get the best out of Rosenfelder ❤ and have him be the main playmaker for the side, forcing the ball into him so he can create. So, how did this help us? How have we done this season?

Read More “One Man’s Journey Through France: VII”

So, we’ve reached the beginning of the third season of Julien Girard’s career, so it’s update time once again to go through the changes that have occurred in the off-season between season 2 and 3 of this save. In the last update, we covered the end of season 2 in the Championnat de France Amateur – the fourth level of French football – with Sporting Club de Schiltigheim. We were trailing Bordeaux’s ‘reserves’ – the cheaters – in the league, but ended up finishing in second place, and were automatically promoted to the Championnat National as a result. We actually went into the final day with the opportunity to win the league outright, but a downright appalling performance left us to be content with second. However, Bordeaux ended up not being promoted with us, so I gather there is some kind of rule in French football capping the level that reserve teams can get to in comparison to their first teams. Considering they played several Ligue 1 standard players throughout the season, I wouldn’t say they deserved it either. Yes, I’m still annoyed.

Last update I also discussed – again – the possibility of Julien leaving Schiltigheim and moving to a different club, citing how he had done what he aimed to in getting them to the Championnat National, and was repeatedly being turned down the chance to complete further coaching badges which would increase his ability and attributes. This was as a result of the financial issues the club faces – despite my good control over wages – issues that won’t be helped by pumping money into compulsory improvements to the ground. There was interest – as you can see on the right – but it was from Sedan Ardennes in Ligue 2, and after being turned down in his first attempt, I don’t believe Julien would have gone for it again. Conscious of not wanting to ignore Schiltigheim in my desire to progress Julien’s career, I continued to make decisions for the coming season for Schiltigheim. So, who are we managing this season?

Read More “One Man’s Journey Through France: VI”

So, we’ve reached the end of the second season of Julien Girard’s managerial career, so it is update time once again. Update number 5, check me out.  This update will cover the end of the second season with SC Schiltigheim, and outline my plans for the next season, and assess the actual state of Julien’s career as it stands. As I did last season, I’ll also cover a little bit of French football in general so that you have an idea of the world we’re playing in. In the last update, Schiltigheim were sitting 3rd in the Championnat de France Amateur, but via – presumably – a rule that prevents two reserve teams being promoted to the Championnat National, we were set to be promoted if we could maintain our form. Julien had also adapted his tactics following the signing of Thierry Ambrose, and had begun to use a 4-2-3-1, again showing his tactical pragmatism and flexibility. Julien’s main objective as things stand is to get Schiltigheim promoted into the Championnat National, the league that SC Sedan Ardennes rejected Julien from, the 3rd level of French football. Schiltigheim continue to show appreciation for Julien’s loyalty.

After the last update, Julien lost his trusted scout Mbo Mpenza, as he was stolen by Beerschot-Wilrijk. As a result, Bertrand Tunica was signed to replace him, along with a few other staff upgrades for the club. Perhaps most importantly, Marco Rosenfelder signed a one year extension to his contract to remain at the Stade de l’Ar until 2019.

We only had 12 more games of the Championnat de France Amateur to play after the last update, so how did we finish? Did we manage to continue the good form we had going?

Read More “One Man’s Journey Through France: V”

So, we’re back again with the fourth instalment of Julien Girard‘s managerial career as he makes his way through French football. I’ve reached the midway point of the second season of this save, so its time to update you on how things are going. Last update, I covered the pre-season and the first seven games of the Championnat de France Amateur. Julien is still managing Sporting Club de Schiltigheim in Strasbourg after being turned down by the hateful SC Sedan Ardennes in the Championnat National over the summer break between Season 1 and Season 2. As a result, I said that I believe Julien will have become increasingly loyal to Schiltigheim – for taking him back without question – to go along with his growing tactical pragmatism. What’s more, just after I posted the previous update, Schiltigheim approached Julien to sign a new contract, one which Julien negotiated down to the smallest possible amount – in order to assist the club’s growing financial issues – before signing a 1 year extension to remain at the Stade de l’Ar until 2019. What’s more, I also managed to sign a better Assistant Manager in Quentin Boyard – what a name – who has retired from playing in order to join Julien’s staff at Schiltigheim.

As far as I can see – the rules in game are not clear – the rules of the Championnat de France Amateur are similar to the Championnat de France Amateur 2, in that one member of the league is automatically promoted, whilst members of the other Amateur leagues go into a playoff system to determine who is promoted to the Championnat National – the league that Sedan Ardennes are in, and the league Julien wants to take Schiltigheim into. But anyway, back to the Championnat de France Amateur. How have we been doing?

Read More “One Man’s Journey Through France: IV”

So, we’re back again with the career save of Julien Girard. I have started to play the second season proper of this save, so this update will cover the Summer of season 1, and the beginning of season 2.  For those keeping count, Julien is now 27 years old. Last season, we were managing Sporting Club de Schiltigheim in the CFA2-D, the fifth level of French football. Those of you who have read the last update will know that we began the season poorly, but after switching to a 4-1-2-3-0 strikerless system, stormed back into the promotion picture. However, we still only sat 3rd going into the final day, one point from second and three points from top. Of course, we went on to experience a ridiculous string of events – I’m sure this could only have happened in Football Manager – that led to Schiltigheim finishing top of the league, and achieving automatic promotion to the Championnat de France Amateur. I also discussed the effects I think this first season would have had on Julien, feeling it would have made him more pragmatic as a manager, focused on finding what works for his players at any given time, rather than a set system of play à la Guardiola.

In the last update I also hinted at the possibility of Julien leaving to join a new club in the Championnat National. As you can see to the right, Julien was in high demand over the Summer, with two clubs in the Championnat de France Amateur after him, and the other from the Championnat National – the 7-1 odds. This team was SC Sedan Ardennes, and I wanted this job as Julien’s next step. Sedan are a former Ligue 1 team – as recently as 2006-7 – and are sortof of a fallen giant. They certainly do not belong in the Championnat National, and I felt this would be a perfect project for Julien, and would only move him slightly to the east from Schiltigheim in Strasbourg.

Read More “One Man’s Journey Through France: III”

I told you I’d be back didn’t I? Well, I’ve completed the first season of our good friend Julien Girard’s career, managing Sporting Club de Schiltigheim in the Alsace region of France, neighbouring the German border – hence the Germanic club name. We’re in the Championnat de France Amateur 2 – D, and we’ve played one roller coaster of a league season. Those of you who have read the first update will know that things started off really badly for Julien, with tactical confusion, and only one win in his first seven games as a manager. However, Julien eventually managed to turn things round, discovering a counter attacking 4-1-2-3-0 strikerless formation that garnered an upturn in form, leaving Schiltigheim 3rd in the league table after 13 league games played, level on points with FC Metz Reserves, but 5 points off US Sarre-Union at the top of the table.

The rules of the CFA2-D are that the champions progress directly to the Championnat de France Amateur, but 2nd placed finishers go into a playoff to determine who will be promoted from the various regional leagues. So things had clearly improved, but we weren’t home and dry yet, and I was still only expected to finish in the top half, even when I was offered a new contract by the club, keeping me contracted in Schiltigheim for an extra year. Of course, this is all despite me being given good odds to be sacked by the press. Thanks. Oh, and the club helped me out by paying for Julien to attend a training course, so Julien now has a Continental C License. This left Julien’s attributes looking like this at the end of the season, but more on that later.

So, things had been steadily improving until the mid-season break, how did Julien fair in the second half of the season? Did Schiltigheim manage to make that push for promotion to the Championnat de France Amateur?

Read More “One Man’s Journey Through France: II”

So, we’re back…. again. My training year to become a fully fledged History teacher has finished, and so I’ve finally got more time available to play Football Manager again. See, my priorities are totally in order. I’m back with a new save, and one that I think is going to be a very interesting project of saves moving forward through several editions of Football Manager. I also think it’s going to solve my inconsistency with saves and my inability to truly immerse myself with the club I’m playing. I’m going to be doing something called ‘One Man’s Journey Through….‘. The idea of this is that it’s the story of a manager and his career in a single country. In that sense, it’s a journeyman save, but focused on one country (at least for now). As a result, the immersion is focused on the manager himself, rather than the club. The theory is that we start at the bottom of club football in a given country, and work our way up, changing clubs when the correct opportunities present themselves. As the title quite strongly suggests, this version of the story is going to be set in France. To do this, I’ve downloaded a database that gives me 5 levels of French football, going down to the Championnat de France Amateur 2. This can be found here.

So, meet Julien Girard, our manager for this save.

I’ve gone fairly in depth with Julien and created more of a ‘profile’ for a manager than I usually would have for my own. Julien is a 26 year old (DOB: 16/09/89) Frenchman, who was born in Grenoble, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, a city that has a strong winter sports tradition – being situated just need the mountains – and has been called the ‘Capital of the Alps’. Julien is also a childhood fan of Saint-Etienne, formerly the most dominant club in French club football, and therefore counts them in his favourite clubs. His preferred formations are a diamond and a 3-5-2 with wing backs and a sitting midfielder. I’ve tried to remain realistic with his profile and therefore I have attributes that are suitable for the level of football I’ve chosen to start at. Here are Julien’s attributes. Also, 10 points to anyone that can spot which well known former French footballer was used for Julien’s face model.

Read More “One Man’s Journey Through France: I”