Taking on the World | FM20 Story | #3
Welcome back to the Football Manager 2020 story ‘Taking on the World’. This FM20 story is a classic journeyman save as we attempt to travel around the world and ticking off as many countries as we can.
The aim of this FM20 story is not to stay at the same club for more than one full season. I am not allowed to accept a job offer from another club in the same country if I am already managing a club in that country. There are no limits on how many times I can manage in one country – but I cannot return until at least two seasons later.
From America to China to India, we’re trying to cover the globe!
Last time, my Chicago stint finished after just fifty-seven days, and I got back into the campervan and drove off into sunny LA waiting for the photo to ring for the next country. It took just over a month to jump back on a plane, back to England, as we became the boss of West Ham United….
Eric Gehrig also made the move from Chicago to become my new Assistant Manager at the London Stadium; whilst Peter Milacanvoic also departed the SeatGeek stadium to make the move to England’s capital as a Fitness Coach.
Where They Stand
The Hammers currently sit 18th in the Premier League after 16 games played with a record of 4-1-11. They have scored 15 goals, conceding 29, leaving them with a minus goal differential of 14. A relegation battle beckons, it won’t be easy, but I’m confident we can stay up.
End of Season One (19-20)
West Ham just secured survival from relegation from the Premier League, despite a final day defeat by Liverpool. They finished on a record of 9-6-23, scoring 41 goals and conceding 82 leaving them with a goal difference of minus 41. The Hammers finished 17th on 33 points.
Tactics
I played a 4231 wide for the majority of the season, however sometimes I opted for a 5-4-1. I played with a positive mentality and basic instructions.
Results
The results were inconsistent to say the least, unable to put a solid run of form together, I ony won six games as manager, drawing another six, losing the rest.
The biggest and worst defeat is the final day defeat to title winners, Liverpool, with a score of 9-0. We were five nil down at half time, luckily due to Newcastle losing to Crystal Palace, we stayed up despite the heavy defeat.
Lack of finances and injuries meant the squad depth was lacking. I was unable to bring in targets I had in mind in January. One of my targets was Tyler Adams from Leipzig.
Squad Stats
Sebastien Haller finished the top goalscorer as he scored 13 goals in 40 appearances, also laying on three assists for his teammates. Felipe Anderson got silver as he scored six goals, and also recorded 8 assists. Nemanja Matic took bronze with five goals.
Sebastien Haller also took top spot for most apperances followed by Felipe Anderson and Matic. Anderson scored the highest average rating with 7.11.
Hammered!
Following just six months at the London Stadium, my time in the capital and England is over. Due to poor results, I was summoned to a board meeting and despite pleading for more time, I was sacked on the spot.
Where will I go next?!
Back in the van
Following yet another sacking, I got back in the van in East London, not quite the same as Chicago… and down into the sun-set. Well that was until my in car phone rung…
Wu Xiaohui offered me the head coach role at SH Shenhua on a one year contract.
Off to China I go!
Next Time…
In the next installment of Taking on the World, we will review my season and a half with SH Shenhua. Let’s hope its more successful than West Ham and Chicago… The next installment will be 30th March at 6pm GMT.
- One-Club Man: La Cantera
- One-Club Man: Defence-First Football & Club DNA In FM24
- One-Club Man: 1st Day on The Job, Meet The Team
- The Story of One-Club Man
- FM24 Release Date Announced!
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