FM 2007 MY FIRST STORY - FMFormation.net - Football Manager

hotshot_V · 07-12-06, 01:44 PM

BBC Radio Five Live - Sport On Five – Saturday 1st July 2006

Mark Pougatch

'Speculation tonight that Scottish Premier League side Celtic are set to appoint Tom Varney as manager in succession to Gordon Strachan.

Varney, 31, and passed his FIFA Pro Coaching License in 2005 and he has minimal coaching experience.

Glasgow Chronicle - Football – Sunday 2nd July 2006

'Bhoys Appoint Varney'

'Celtic will this morning officially announce Tom Varney as manager to replace Gordon Strachan. Varney, 31, was born in England but has recently been involved in the management of MK Dons, gaining experience from Martin Allen.

Celtic Chairman Brian Quinn told The Glasgow Chronicle; "We believe that we have found the ideal man to replace Gordon, and talks are in progress with him and his agent. They are progressing smoothly, and hopefully we should be in a position to unveil our new manager at an Parkhead Press Conference on Monday morning"

Celtic Park

Future Planning

Celtic are set to plan for the future with the appointment of Varney - a rumoured 1-Year contract is on the table for the young manager, and it is thought that he will take home around £17,500 a week, slightly less than former manager Gordon Strachan.

A Press Conference has been scheduled for 12.00 Noon Today (Monday), with Brain Quinn heavily expected to announce Varney as the new manager at Celtic Park. The Chronicle wishes him and Celtic Football Club all the best for the remainder of the season and the future.

Celtic Supporters

Press Conference – Live on Celtic TV

It would later emerge that Varney had turned down the chance to manage Scottish First Division side Hibernian only 24 hours before taking the Celtic job - something which instantly endeared him to the Bhoys faithful. The Press Conference was a routine one - full of the usual questions about ambitions, transfer targets and, for some, the chance to attempt to build a positive relationship with the new man, anticipating future 'leaks' from 'sources' at the club.

By the time the press pack had been cleared from the Celtic Park Press Room, and the formalities had been dealt with, it was early afternoon. Varney met his players for the first time at the attached training ground - having already been introduced to the staff in the morning. After being impressed by the 1st team training sessions which were ran by Tommy Burns, 1st team coach, who is helped out by Stevie Woods, Danny McGrain and Kenny McDowell. Varney decided against terminating there contracts also with goalkeeper coach Jim Blyth and Fitness Coach Stephen Ross staying. After being impressed by the 1st team Varney insisted on meeting his future, the youth team. Firstly he met the youth team coaches John Stephenson and Willie McStay, he stayed and watched for half an hour and to say the least he was impressed with the likes of Simon Ferry and Craig Beattie who Varney thought would be breaking through to the first team next season.

Craig Beattie

I then joined in the rest of training with the first team, they were playing little five-a-side matches, I was in his element, prevented from playing football professionally because of an injury I used to play semi-pro for Buckingham Athletic Football Club. After 5 or 10 mins I started to warm-up pulling off a few tricks and nut-megging a certain Thomas Gravesen which he will never live down. After training, I stayed in his office all afternoon calling various playing and coaching staff to his office. I wanted to assessed my squad and I came to the conclusion that he had a squad that will win the Scottish Premier League in the coming season.

Thomas Gravesen

My ambition is to do well in the Champions League, at least progressing from the group stages. I also wanted to bring in a mixture of experience and youth into my new team. The positions I was looking at were a third choice Goalkeeper, as I already have David Marshall and Artur Boruc who will be challenging to wear to Celtic goalkeeper shirt. Centre Back, I want a strong, centre back to challenge for a first team spot with Bobo Balde, Gary Caldwell and Evander Sno. Last but no least I wish to add a striker to the club, I need four top quality strikers to challenge eachother. I already have Kenny Miller, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Derek Riordan in his first team.

I called his scout Tom O’Neil to his office to discuss future signings; I wanted Tom to look at Sinan Bolat of Genk and Glenn Verbauwhede of Club Brugge. I also stated to Tom that I will be bringing in another scout in the next few days.

Glenn Verbauwhede

At the end of the day I was please with my days work and went back to my hotel where I had a meeting with a potential assistant manager, strong reports insist that I would be appointing him tonight. The meeting begun at 6:30pm and at 8:16pm I walked out of the conference room shaking hands with my new Assistant manger, Graham Rix. I want Graham to train with the first team and to take charge of the pre-season friendlies; I plan to take a back seat to asses my squad further.

My Hotel

Thursday 6th July 2006

I arrived at the ground being greeted by die-hard Celtic fans, when I initially saw them I thought that we were going to have some trouble but when they saw me they started chanting my name and I was in dream world. That morning I met with Paul Cunningham and Colin Ritchie, two new scouts that I brought in. I decided to send Paul to track Gabriel Agbonlahor’s and Tom Huddlestone’s progress, two potential loan signings. I also sent Colin to scout for a new centre-back, focusing on Petri Pasanen, Martin Laursen, and Michael Jakobsen of Aalborg FC.

www.celticfc.net - Headlines –Friday 10th July 2006

New Broom Sweeps Through Parkhead

'New Celtic manager Tom Varney has today transfer-listed two players, releasing two players and loaning out one.

Shaun Maloney and Neil Lennon are both considered surplus to requirements, and have been made available for transfer. In addition, Nicky Riley and Craig Reed have both been released from their contracts. The club wishes to thank all four for their efforts in Celtic colours. Varney has also accepted three loan offers for Craig Beattie from Derby County, Ipswich Town and Dundee United, it is understood Varney wanted Beattie to gain first team experience ready to break through to the Celtic first team next season.

In more positive news, talented and explosive striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has come in on loan to challenge for a first team place. Varney has also appointed Bobo Balde as captain of Celtic.

Gabriel Agbonlahor

By Saturday 8th, Varney received a bid from Fulham for transfer listed Shaun Maloney, this bid was accepted and in a matter of hours Shaun accepted a contract and had moved for a sum of £3,000,000. Also going out of Celtic was Craig Beattie on loan to Dundee United. Going the other way was Tottenham’s Tom Huddlestone who has come in on loan.

Tom Huddlestone

Monday 11th July

After watching training this morning and making a few notes, I called Maciej Zurawski and Shunsuke Nakamura into my office separately to discuss new contracts, I offered them what I thought was about right. Later that day I called my captain Bobo Balde to my office, I wanted to talk to him about how things were going and how he thought had progressed. He thought that the new setup was going well and the squad is looking forward to potential signings, as captain he thinks the squad has a bright future and has noted that Graham Rix has been a quality addition 2 the backroom staff.

Tuesday 12th July

This morning I had planned a surprise for the lads, instead of training today I’ve sent the lads off to a army camp, this will aim to improve team bonding and pre-season fitness. I went down to the training ground to break the news to the lads, they had started training with a little fitness drill, and as I made may way down they were there running through ladders etc as I watched it came to my attention that a few of the lads weren’t putting in 100% so I stopped the training session and brought them in.

“This season I am not going to expect anything less than 100% from you guys, you all have a equal chance of getting a place in my team but if your level drops then I won’t be afraid to get you out of the team or substitute you. If your not picked in my team then I expect you to work even harder in training to impress me and my staff. If you not in the team and not training hard there will be consequences. Right now boys, today I have planned a team building session as part of pre-season training. Today you will be going to an Army Base. Here you ill be put through your paces with various exercises. Enjoy.”

When the lads left, Graham and I went through the videos of the friendlies that had been played. We played six friendlies, losing two and winning four. Bit of an inconsistent pre-season but we have potential. Graham admitted he didn’t play a full strength team for all friendlies, he told me that he tried to give everyone a game so they could prove themselves to the new management.

Friendly Results

Celtic 1-2 Gretna
Celtic 2-1 Proodeftiki
Panionios 1-2 Celtic
Krykera 0-1 Celtic
Larisa 2-0 Celtic
Celtic 2-0 Partick

Sunday 23rd July 2006

Sunday Telegraph – Bank Of Scotland Premiership Preview

Celtic FC

Odds:5-4

Prediction: Celtic have a really good chance of winning the league, I think it will be between Celtic and Rangers again this year, the true challenge will be the Champions League. Im sure manager Tom Varney will want to do well in europe.

Transfers In:

Glenn Verbauwhede-700k
Michael Jakobsen-2.7 Mil
Gabriel Agbonlahor-Loan
Tom Huddlestone-Loan

Transfers Out:

Nicky Riley-Released
Craig Reed-Released
Shaun Maloney-Fulham-3 Mil

Thought to be Strongest Side:

GK:Arutr Boruc
DR:Mark Wilson
DC:Michael Jakobsen
DC:Bobo Balde
DL:Lee Naylor
MR:Stephen Pearson
MC:Shunsuke Nakamura
MC:Thomas Gravesen
ML:Alan Thompson
ST:Kenny Miller
ST:Jan Vennegoor Of Hesselink

Monday 24th July

Before I went to the training ground I went to the estate agent to seal the deal on my new house, I feel at home in Glasgow, the fans have taken to me and the club feels right. I have purchase a lovely family home just outside of Glasgow in a town called Coatbridge. Later this afternoon I will be meeting my girlfriend to start moving all our things in.

My Humble Abode

**evertonfan** · 07-12-06, 01:52 PM

nice start mate there is some good storys at the moment and if the rest is as good as the start this will be with the best

Tazskool · 07-12-06, 01:59 PM

nice :)

lukeharmz · 07-12-06, 08:22 PM

Pretty good mate , maybe put a few screenies up of your team and other bits

hotshot_V · 07-12-06, 09:14 PM

Wednesday 26th July

Things are going well in our new house me and my girlfriend are having quite an easy time settling in, she loves the shopping and her new friends. She has become close friends with Thomas Gravesen’s girlfriend Kira Eggers, they frequently are going on shopping trips to London and Paris and she is getting used to a football manager’s wife. This morning I joined in with training, to see how the team was progressing, we trained on fitness, tactics and a few set plays. To be honest I was shattered by the end of it. When I returned back to my office there were stacks of electronic mails left from various clubs. It seemed like my reserve and youth players were in high demand, various offers came in from Sheffield Wednesday, Morton, St Johnstone, Partick and Carlisle. I decided to accept all the offers because I wanted to get them to play first team football.

Kira Eggers

Thursday 27th July - 8:46 am

I left my home with a kiss from my girlfriend and drove off in my Vauxhall Astra VXR to head to the training ground. On my way there I had a phone call from the agent of nineteen year old Kilmarnock striker Steven Naismith. He said he wanted to meet me, he said that Kilmarnock accepted my offer of 500k. So I said I would meet him at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock. Kilmarnock is only around an hour away from Glasgow so I thought it wouldn’t be putting me out that much. I rang Graham to let him know that I wouldn’t be there to watch the player’s train this morning as I had a meeting with Steven’s Agent.

Thursday 27th July – 10:05 am

I finally arrived at Rugby Park, where I had been delayed by traffic. I was greeted by Steven Naismith and his agent, and they walked me through the stadium into an office. We sat down and I got my contract offer out, which I prepared earlier that week, I thought he would accept it without even looking at it twice. A basic of £25,000 p/w with a signing on bonus of £450,000, I handed him the contract then handed him a pen. After a silence of ten/twenty seconds he put the contract on the table and made adjustments. He wanted an outrageous £60,000 p/w with a signing on bonus of £1,000,000, he also wanted a goal bonus of £300 per/goal. As soon as I read the adjustments he made, I laughed in his face. I knew then he wasn’t going to come so I said to him, “who do you think you are? Wayne Rooney?” He laughed and stood up, I also stood up, and he said “good luck with your season” I replied with a smurk “Good luck finding a club that will pay you that much” I walked out the door and headed to my car. On my way out I was approached by a tall, lanky figure, I heard a voice “Sir, can I have a minute” I turned around and it was Simon Ford a Kilmarnock Centre Back. He said “I hear you looking for a good strong centre back, sir?” I didn’t reply, he carried on “I would like you to send some scouts to watch me train and play my next match against Inverness”, I stood and thought for a second, I replied, “Who are you?” he said “Simon Ford, Sir”, in response I stated “If I was Accrington Stanley manager I wouldn’t sign you” gob smacked he replied “Accrington Stanley?.....Who are they?” I opened my car door and simply said “Exactly in my London accent” I drove off, on my way back to the training ground.

Saturday 29th July 2006

Day before my first competitive game in charge on The Bhoys, I can’t believe only 2 months ago I was an apprentice at Martin Allen’s MK Dons. Today’s training will be light, few weights, running through set-pieces. I wasn’t needed on the training ground so I stuck to my office, I concluded the loan deals which saw, Roco Quinn go to Nottingham Forest, Michal McGovern go to Sheffield United, Scott Fox and Paul Lawson go to Morton, James O’Brien go to Ross County, Kjarton Finnborgason go to St.Johnstone, Scott Cuthbert go to Partick, Ryan Conroy go to Airdrie United, Colin Nicholson and Mick McGlinchey go to Carlisle and finally Darren O’Dea. Later that afternoon I called in Graham Rix to go through plans for tomorrows’ game against Motherwell.

Sunday 30th July 2006

As I stand in the away changing room at Fir Park, Motherwell, I stand infront of a team capable of so much, I can feel the confidence in the room, I can see the potential. “Today I want you to go out there and prove that you can win the league. Teams like Motherwell we should be absolutely roasting. This is first competitive game with you boys and I want you to prove what you can do to me.

Starting Line Up vs Motherwell

We started the game well, we were all over them, we had all the possession but couldn’t score to save our lives. It was on the hour mark and we had 17 shots only 6 on target. I had to something, I replaced Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink with Gabriel Agbonlahor. Finally in the 87 min Agbonlahor slipped the ball through to Kenny Miller who rounded the goalkeeper and slotted home.

Motherwell 0-1 Celtic

Wednesday 3rd August

This morning in my in-tray was a letter form Fulham Football Club, they wanted to acquire the services of Alan Thompson, they came in with a bid of 250k I don't want to sell him so I rejected the bid. I stated that Alan Thompson was a member of the first team squad and he said that he wants to win medals. Also in my emails in had recieved a loan offer for a young boy in my youth team who goes by the name of Teddy Bjarnsson. I accepted the loan offer. Within hours he was packed and ready to moved to St.Johnston on loan for the rest of the season.

Alan Thompson

Saturday 5th August 2006

Matchday, I arrive at Parkhead with my squad, we are without Thomas Gravesen and Stephen Pearson for the visit of Hearts. I think we are going to find this a tough challenge today. To replace Thomas I have brought in young, talented Tom Huddlestone and to replace Pearson I have promoted Zurawski from the bench. “They are gonna come at us and try and hassle us, I want us to relax and show them how you can play, control the game in middle, Tom (Huddlestone) I want you to hold in midfield and let Shunshe (My new nickname 4 Nakamura) roam in midfield creating things for the front two.

As I walk out the tunnel to my first experience of the Parkhead crowd, I appreciated them with a few hand gestures and sit in the dugout. We started well with a few good opportunities, but then on the eight minute mark, Hesselink drove forward and slipped through a pass right to Kenny Miller, he was clear of the defence showing great pace to get behind Steven Pressley and stunningly chipped the ball over the advancing keeper. Miller then doubled then lead on the sixteenth minute and then again trebled the lead on the twenty-first minute, The fans were chanting mine and Kenny’s names. The atmosphere was unbeilable. Going into the twenty-seventh minute, Huddlestone picked up the ball in the centre circle, he and Shunshe made a one-two then he dribbled round Christopher Berra in the Hearts defence but got caught by his trailing leg, Penalty!!. Alan Thompson steps up and lashes it home, 4-0, im living in dream world. After the break I made three subs bringing on Jarosik, Telfer and Agbonlahor. On the 52nd Min mark Nakamura made it 5-0 with a trademark free kick.

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