sherm

A tall, grey haired, bespectacled man strolls through the streets of Manchester. As he walks, many people stop and stare at him. The reason for this is his uncanny resemblance to Sven-Goran Eriksson, something that has never been a factor in his life...but it soon will be. He pays no attention, keeping himself in his own world as he walks down Deansgate Locks. His holiday is 24 hours away from ending, so he wanted a leisurely stroll. Later on, he has a tour of Manchester City Football Club, something he has been looking forward to since his holiday started thirteen days ago. His hero is, as you may have already guessed, Sven-Goran Eriksson. It was he who got him into football, the man who inspired him to play football and coach his local side. At 45, he isn't young, but he certainly has the knowledge. He would be following Manchester City as a fan, especially with Eriksson poised to take over. He was that much of a hero to him, he even changed his name by deed poll. He went from being Stefan Schmit to Sven-Erik Goransson. He has a shrine dedicated to the man in his house, and he was hoping he would be at the ground so that he could meet him and perhaps get his autograph

3 hours later

He stands in a corridor, looking at the great history of this club. League titles, European titles, F.A Cups, League Cups. They had won it all. With Sven in charge, they could do it again, bringing back the glory years. The Hall of Fame, the likes of Bell, Summerbee, Tueart. The list is endless, great players, great times. His thoughts were wandering away with him when he was suddenly distracted by a voice

"Ah Sven, finally. I thought you would never come"

He turned round to find a small, Chinese looking man stood behind him, with two men in suits

"I'm sorry, what do you mean?"

"Stop with your jokes now Sven. Quickly, we must sign the contract"

He was guided into a room, and around the rather large table were 8 men, who all pointed to a document lying in the middle of the table and said in unison

"Sign!"

He was in no mood to argue, so he duly did. He didn't know what he was signing, but it would soon become clear

"Now, Mr. Eriksson, you have agreed to become our new manager. I would have preferred for you to dress more formally but as long as you do for the Press Conference tomorrow I will let it slide"

"Eriksson? Look I'm sorry but I believe you may..."

"No time I'm afraid, we have to dash. Be here tomorrow for 10.00 sharp for your first Press Conference as manager. Welcome aboard"

And with that, they left the room, leaving Sven standing all alone in the middle of the Board Room.

"Oh My God. What have I done?" he wondered, as he strolled out of Eastlands as the new manager of Manchester City. His resemblance of the former England manager had gotten him the job, but he was panicking, big time

"How can I manage a Premiership football team? In the best League in the World? It's suicide. I'll have to explain to them tomorrow. Better cancel my flight first"

sherm

Just a few bits of info for those interested. Game is FM08, being played with BetaPatch, with English (up to League 2), Scottish (2nd Division) and Spanish and Italian top divisions loaded

Basically, I am a Manchester City fan, and as there seem to be no real stories about them on here, I thought I'd give it a go. The Character is based (as I'm sure you've guessed) on a certain Swedish football manager, only with a few slight twists. Sit back, relax, and hopefully you will enjoy the ride

sherm

Manchester City Press Conference
City of Manchester Stadium, Eastlands

Thaksin Shinawatra, Manchester City's new owner, enters the room. He greets the gathered news reporters, who are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Sven-Goran Eriksson to be unveiled as the new manager at Eastlands. Dr. Shinawatra takes the microphone, and addresses the crowd in his shrill voice

"Ladies and Gentlemen, please put your hands together for the new Manchester City manager, Sven-Goran Eriksson"

The applause started, but once Sven entered the room it subsided quickly. Gasps of shock could be heard, and mutterings from some of the press reporters were loud and direct

"Are you having a laugh? That's not Eriksson"

"That's a look-a-like. Where's Sven?"

"I hope you ain't been wasting my time Shinawatra"

Sven took his seat next to his boss, his head tucked down with his chin touching his chest, saying nothing. He looked up momentarily to see 100 confused faces staring straight back

"Ladies and Gentlemen, please settle down so we can start the Press Conference"

The huddle resumes their seats, before several hands shoot up for the first question

"Dr. Shinawatra, Anthony Woolidge here from the Times. You are aware that this man you have appointed manager is not Sven Goran Eriksson aren't you?"

"I'm sorry, what did you say? This is not Mr. Eriksson? That's impossible"

"Really. O.K, well lets see shall we? Excuse me sir, but what is your name?"

"I'm Sven-Erik Goransson. I am a football manager, and I am from Sweden, and although my hero is Sven-Goran Eriksson, I am most definately not him"

"Thankyou for that Mr. Goransson. Seen as you are the new manager of Manchester City, do you have any ambitions for the club?"

"Well, I don;t have any plans of yet. I don't even know if Mr. Shinawatra will allow me to stay, but this club has a great hsitory. I don't see any reason why it cannot have a great future"

Despite the fact that Shinawatra had hired the wrong man, Sven-Erik Goransson would keep his job at Manchester City. The reason why? It would cost too much to fire him and then replace his role with the official Sven. So from the local Park in Helsingborg in Sweden, to the dizzying heights of the English Premiership in Manchester, this is the ride of Sven-Erik Goransson

sherm

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> | Pkd | Inf | Name | Position | Morale | Form | Con | Apps | Gls | Av Rat | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | - | Inj | Andreas Isaksson | GK | Okay | - | 59% | - | - | - | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | - | | Kasper Schmeichel | GK | Superb | - | 89% | - | - | - | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | - | | Vedran Corluka | D RC | Very Good | - | 89% | - | - | - | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | - | | Nedum Onuoha | D RC | Okay | - | 89% | - | - | - | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | - | | Sun Jihai | D RC, WB R, DM, M RC | Okay | - | 89% | - | - | - | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | - | | Micah Richards | D RC, DM | Very Good | - | 89% | - | - | - | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | - | | Richard Dunne | D C | Superb | - | 88% | - | - | - | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | - | | Michael Ball | D/WB L | Poor | - | 89% | - | - | - | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | - | | Javier Garrido | D/WB L | Superb | - | 88% | - | - | - | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | - | | Shaleum Logan | D/AM RL | Good | - | 88% | - | - | - | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | - | | Gelson Fernandes | DM | Good | - | 87% | - | - | - | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | - | | Dietmar Hamann | DM | Very Good | - | 89% | - | - | - | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | - | | Michael Johnson | M C | Poor | - | 88% | - | - | - | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | - | | Elano | AM RC, F C | Good | - | 89% | - | - | - | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | - | | Geovanni | AM RC, F C | Superb | - | 88% | - | - | - | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | - | | Martin Petrov | AM L, ST | Very Good | - | 89% | - | - | - | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | - | | Darius Vassell | AM L, ST | Very Good | - | 89% | - | - | - | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | - | | Stephen Ireland | AM C | Okay | - | 89% | - | - | - | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | - | | Rolando Bianchi | ST | Okay | - | 88% | - | - | - | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | - | | Emile Mpenza | ST | Okay | - | 88% | - | - | - | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | - | | Giorgos Samaras | ST | Good | - | 89% | - | - | - | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | - | | Daniel Sturridge | ST | Okay | - | 89% | - | - | - | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

The Squad list had been shoved into Sven's hand the moment he arrived for his first day on the job. Having had a look, albeit a brief one, it was clear that the blue half of Manchester had some realn talent amongst their ranks. The likes of Elano, Geovanni, Bianchi and Richards all stood out, and would surely all provide a key spine of the team. Sven made a couple of mental notes, making it his priority to bring in a goalkeeper and a striker to further strenghten the squad, which was decidedly stronger in defence than it was in attack

aaberdeenn

Good start. :thup: Quite a cool start too.

ross8

I like it :thup:

StokedOnCity

Aside from the fact that this isn't possible since the name should be on the contract and it could easily be canceled, it's cool.

sherm

Cheers lads. I know it seems a bit far fetched but I thought I'd try something other than the usual

---

The pre-season friendlies had been arranged before Sven came to the club, and despite them all being against lower level opposition, it would provide a good chance for the players to get match fit before the start of the season. Sven was not really an expert on the Swedish game, and neither was his Swedish assistant Hans Backe, so they were relying mainly on Derek Fazackerly's wealth of experience to get them through the early stages. They hadnt needed to wait long for their first look at the side as they travelled the short trip to Oldham. Sven came away from the game satisfied, having watched his side romp to a 6-0 victory, playing some scintillating football in his 4-5-1 formation, and really impressing the new man

Two more short trips were next, a goalless draw with Rochdale and another impressive win, this time 4-0 at Bury. Sven was pleased with how his side were performing, and their fitness was improving all the time. Sven had made three forays into the transfer market, although he had sold one player which nearly got him lynched, but he was pleased with the strength in the squad. The youngsters of Manchester City have a good pedigree too, and he was delighted to have been given the opportunity. Gillingham were despatched 2-0, while the final warm up match saw Irish side Cliftonville beaten 2-1. The season was drawing closer all the time, and Sven was growing more nervous as it did

Transfers Out

Micah Richards : £18,000,000 to Barcelona
Sven took a whole lot of criticism for selling the star defender, but if the lad wants to leave there wasn't much he could do


Transfers In

Manuel Almunia : £1,700,000 from Arsenal
Sven had earmarked the need for a 'keeper as soon as he saw the squad, and when Almunia became available he snapped him up quickly. Talented, flamboyant, but definately good enough

Mauro Zarate : £3,500,000 from Al-Sadd
Talented young Argentinian striker who Sven felt would be a good addition to the squad. Capped at under-21 level and a future international

Ryan Nelsen : £7,000,000 from Blackburn
Sven felt worthy enough of the talents of the central defender to pay a lot of money for his services. He was a big, powerful defender who was good in the air and would be a useful asset for the side

sherm

August 2007 - The Real Deal?

Sven's career in top flight management started away from Eastlands, and a trip to Middlesbrough beckoned. Despite falling behind to a goal from Aliadiere, the team fought back well, and three second half goals secured the victory, the pick of the bunch coming from Stephen Ireland six minutes from time with a 25 yard thunderbolt

The next game was at Estlands, and a full house turned up to watch Sven's side take on Alan Curbishley's West Ham Utd. It wasn't a classic game to watch, and neither defence was tested too often. Craig Bellamy scored the opener for the visitors after 53 minutes, and it looked like it might be enough for the win, but two minutes from time Sven watched his Italian striker Rolando Bianchi head home the equaliser and rescue the point

The following game was one in which Sven saw his team give their best performance yet, with a romping four goal win over newly promoted Derby County. The lead was gained after ten minutes, Darius Vassell sliding the ball home, and the former Villa man added his second after 8 minutes of the second half. This would have been enough for the victory, but a brace in the final twelve minutes from Rolando Bianchi sent them home with a comfortable win, sending them 3rd in the table

The next guests to Eastlands were Fulham, a side who had five Northern Ireland international players in the side. Sven fully expected his teams good form to continue, but it looked like they weren't going to score, as the visiting 'keeper looked like he might keep everything out that was thrown at him. In the end though, a fifth goal of the season for Bianchi gave Sven his third win in four games and saw them end the month in 2nd place

There was one more game to play, a 2nd round tie in the League Cup which saw League Two side Barnet as the opponents. Realistically, it was a game Sven expected to win easily, but his lack of knowledge of English cup competitions proved this theory to be false. Two goals came in the 90 minutes of normal time, Jason Norville using his pace to put his side into a shock lead, but Sven saw his youngster Daniel Sturridge level things up. The extra half an hour proved to be too much for the League Two side, and City's stamina came out on top, and Mauro Zarate's first goals for the club sent them through with a 3-1 victory

sherm

September 2007 - The Bandwagon Keeps Rolling

After a good start, Sven wanted to see his side continue that in September, and a trip to the Blaxk Country to face Aston Villa was first on the agenda. After a goalless first half, the sparks flew in the second with four goals, and two from either side. Jefferson Farfan put the home side in front, but Martin Petrov levelled inside 60 seconds with his first Premiership goal. The Bulgarian added to that nine minutes later, and looked to be sending Sven's side home with another win, but an injury time goal from Shaun Maloney salvaged a point for Villa

Sven sson had his first real test in management soon after, as Rafael Benitez brought his Liverpool side to Eastlands. Sven, and his players, had expected a tough test, but it turned out to be less difficult than expected. An own goal from young defender Jack Hobbs sent the blue half of Manchester in front, but a penalty by Dutchman Dirk Kuyt levelled it up. The penalty was controversial, but it didn't make any difference anyway, as a six minute double from Bianchi secured an excellent win for Sven and his side, temporarily sending them top of the table

The fans were starting to warm to Sven, and his methods and tactics had been adapted to by the players like a duck takes to water. With the fans really starting the Bandwagon, the team welcomed Sunderland to Eastlands for their first televised match of the season. It wasn't as exciting as some of the games that they had been involved in so far, but Sven didn't care, as he saw his side grab a fifth win in seven Premiership games. Bianchi continued his terrific scoring form with a 26th minute header, but the game wasn't sealed until four minutes from the end of the game, Brazilian winger Geovanni volleying home from the edge of the area to seal the points

The League Cup was up next, and brought a trip to Upton Park to face West Ham Utd. The home side had fielded their strongest side, while Sven took the opportunity to play some of his youngsters. They performed admirably, and despite losing they could easily have won the match. Just as in the League game, Bellamy slid home past the 'keeper to put his side in fron, but Darius Vassell equalised within a minute. The game was finished on the hour mark, Dean Ashton heading home the corner, and sending the Londoners through to the fourth round

The final opposition of the month saw fellow Lancashire side Bolton play host to us at the Reebok Stadium. It was maybe inevitable then that it was former Man City striker Nicolas Anelka who put the 18th placed side ahead. Sven didn't panic, he knew the goals would come, and they did, Emile Mpenza firing the equaliser with his first goal of the season. Anelka gave his side the lead again just four minutes into the second half, but the point was saved once agin when Darius Vassell broke free to slide home and finish coolly