retired_lydiadiebolt

20th of June 2004<P>I initiate the trimming of the squad with José Dacosta, a left-back, Gustavo Cañizares, an attacking midfielder, and Iván Zamorano (the mercurial striker) all transfer-listed. None of the players like it when I break the news to them, particularly the Chilean, but they are not part of my long-term plans and I think it would be unfair to them to continue to permit them to think otherwise. I am also deliberating whether to list Ismael and Pablo Casar. Unfortunately, none of the listed players are attracting any interest from other clubs. Hmm.<P>20th of June 2004<P>Spain moved a step closer to the final with a good 2-0 victory over Russia played in front of almost 50,000 at the Estádio das Antas in Oporto. The undoubted star of the tournament so far, Joseba EtxeberrÃ*a, scored both goals in both halves of good football from the Spaniards. The result consolidates Spain’s newfound favouritism for the trophy, especially with the Italians now out of the contest. <P>In the evening contest, the last quarter-final sees the Czech Republic prevail over eastern European cousins, Georgia 2-0 with both goals scored by Strasbourg’s Milan Baros. <P>I am summoned to Señor Florentino Manzano’s villa in the hills overlooking the town and the Estádio Municipal de Cartagena. The club chairman graciously allows me to sit and then has his maid pour me a drink. I light up a cigar and prepare to be the receptacle of information. He informs me that thanks to patient negotiations by the Spanish FA, we will receive £5 million from TV rights. I refrain from asking whether I’ll get that to spend on new players or whether it will be squirreled away by the directors… [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif" alt="wink[/IMG] Anyway, he continues to state that he expects me to attain a respectable league position this season. Obviously then he thinks that fourth place in our first season in the Primera Liga was no fluke. Myself, I’m not so sure. [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="big grin[/IMG]<P>Another national manager bites the dust as Russia fires Anatoly Byshovets this evening even before the players can board a plane to leave Portugal.

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21st of June 2004<P>Another Englishman walks through my door and I begin to think that Cartagena must have invented itself as a tourist resort for the Poms and have directed all tourists directly to my office. But then I remember when the man introduces himself as David Livermore that he is the promising young D/DM LC I signed on a free transfer from Millwall.<P>I had offered Fernando Morán and his under-study Cristian �lvarez new contracts as their current contracts expire at the end of the new season. Unfortunately, both refuse to sign the contracts, with Morán revealing that he is still unhappy with me. I can’t understand why, but I believe that unless he signs soon I will transfer list him to recoup money on him.<P>The fixture list is decided this evening and released to the clubs. We start with games against Alavés (home) on the 29th of August 2004, Celta Vigo (away) on the 12th of September and promoted Numancia (home) on the 19th of September.<P>23rd of June 2004<P>Spain’s quest for its second European Championship success came crashing down all around them as the Czech Republic scored three times to win 3-0. The Spaniards had no answers to the threat posed by Wolfsburg Pavel Verbir and PSG’s Jan Koller (2). It was a disappointing end to the campaign which had begun so well with a 7-1 defeat of Finland in the group stage, and once again Spain is unable to shake the tag of being the big-time chokers. Somewhat like the Finns in that match, Barcelona’s Antonio Prats had an awful match, letting in all three shots the Czechs had on his goal. Just over 52,000 fans watched the entertainment from the Estádio José de Alvalade in Lisbon.<P>Almost 93,000 Portuguese fans will go home very disappointed tonight as Holland clinched its spot in the Euro 2004 final against the Czech Republic with a 4-1 demolition of the hapless Portugal. Inter Milan’s Anthony Lurling fired the Dutch into the lead in the 18th minute and Feyenoord’s Roy Makaay added a second four minutes later. PSV’s Ruud van Nistelrooy scored his 25th international goal of his career on 43 minutes. João Pinto netted right on half-time to give the host nation some hope in the second half, but in truth Portugal never looked likely to steal this game and van Nistelrooy scored his second and Holland’s fourth with a couple of minutes to play. Fernando Couto did not play this game and it may well be the end of his international career.

retired_lydiadiebolt

24th of June 2004<P>Ballesteros’ good form in the last campaign attracts the attention of Celta Vigo and the club offers me £1.5 million but that doesn’t come close to his release amount and he is too good a player to let go for that amount of money. Hence, I turn down the offer.<P>My assistant manager’s contract expires today and I still can’t persuade him to sign a new one.<P>I organise a tour of England in early August to hone the players’ skill and fitness. We start with a match against Rushden & Diamonds, then face Crewe before being hosted at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ by Manchester United. On the 14th of August, Parma travels to Cartagena to play us and a week later, Bayern München also makes the trip to our little town.<P>25th of June 2004<P>Stan Collymore departs for Sporting Gijón today. I still feel angry about how he continuously professed his desire to go back to England but then goes and signs with one of our chief rivals in the Primera Liga. Still, I can’t argue with his contribution to the club’s success in the previous three seasons. His statistics tell a lot of the story, but his value in promoting the club’s profile is immeasurable: Stan Collymore (33 y/o, ENG 2 caps, S C): 117(4) apps, 61 goals, 15 assists, 18 MoMs, av. rate: 7.69<P>27th of June 2004<P>Pedro Alberto finally takes the big hints I’ve been dropping in his earshot for the last six months and announces his immediate retirement from professional football at the age of 35: Pedro Alberto (35 y/o, ESP, D/DM C): 0 apps<P>In an exciting match played in front of almost 51,000 supporters, Holland triumphed 3-1 over the Czech Republic to claim its second European Championship. Clarence Seedorf gave the Dutch an early lead, but shortly after half-time, Jan Koller equalised for the Czechs. But parity lasted only 8 minutes when Mark van Bommel restored the Dutch lead on 55 minutes. Ruud van Nistelrooy added the clinching goal on 72 minutes, allowing Edgar Davids, the Dutch captain, to lift the European Championship trophy high above his head.<P>After the match, my phone rings. It is former Dutch international turned coach, Hans van Breukelen. With 73 caps’ worth of experience, I think the 47 year old is an excellent addition to the coaching staff, particularly when his wage demand was surprisingly low for such a good coach.

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28th of June 2004<P>The club’s roster is shaved by two as Javier Margas and �lex Fernández leave the club: Javier Margas (35 y/o, CHI 98 caps, 6 goals, D C): 20(6) apps, 1 goal, 2 assists, 1 MoM, av. rate: 7.15; �lex Fernández (30 y/o, ESP, DM C): 48(10) apps, 10 goals, 14 assists, av. rate: 6.93<P>30th of June 2004<P>Two new players arrive at the club today. Former Italian U-23 international, Mauro Esposito, comes to the club hoping to fill the great void left by the departure of Collymore, while Jurica Vucko joins from Alavés as further competition for the attacking midfielder/playmaker role. The Croat takes over from Óscar �lvarez as the highest paid player at the club.<P>1st of July 2004<P>Finally some progress is made on the contract negotiation front with Fernando Morán pledging his future to the club as he signs a three year deal worth £1.5 million to the player. Now if I could get Cristian �lvarez to sign a contract, I would be quite happy.<P>4th of July 2004<P>Still looking to trim the substantial wage bill, I decide that I can do without the services of Iván Gabrich. He is now over 30 and isn’t very prolific, so he isn’t likely to be the man to replace Stan Collymore. He isn’t very happy about it – in fact, he was rather furious when I told him – but there are clubs interested in him and are not yet deterred by the £1 million price I’ve placed on him.

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5th of July 2004<P>It doesn’t take long for the first bids to start rolling off the fax machine for the Argentine striker. Caracas leads the chase, offering me £1 million for Gabrich. They are closely followed by Liga Deportivo Universitaria. To both of them, I ask if they can add an extra £500,000 to the fee.<P>7th of July 2004<P>However, the extra money I demand of Gabrich’s two suitors appears to be too much for them and they withdraw from the race to sign the Argentine.<P>8th of July 2004<P>Olimpia faxes me a bid of £1 million. I respond by adding a demand for £250,000 after twenty league matches.<P>9th of July 2004<P>Elche seeks to tempt me with an offer of £1.9 million for Ballesteros, my dependable right back. Sorry, fellas, but this player isn’t for sale just yet.<P>10th of July 2004<P>Olimpia responds with the money I’m looking for, so I allow its manager to discuss terms directly with Gabrich.<P>11th of July 2004<P>Gabrich agrees terms with Olimpia and then sulks to the press that his move was partly motivated by a clash with me. I’m sorry to contradict the good Argentine, but the move was completely motivated by me making a decision that he was surplus to requirements at Cartagonova: Iván César Gabrich (31 y/o, ARG, S C): 30(15) apps, 12 goals, 6 assists, 3 MoMs, av. rate: 7.18<P>Keep smiling! [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="big grin[/IMG]
Dixie Flatline

retired_spoonlawlor

<P>Will do, as long as you keep writing.<P>Still a great story and good luck in the upcoming season.

retired_lydiadiebolt

Thanks, Tricky Winger! [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif" alt="smile[/IMG] [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="big grin[/IMG] I'll endeavour to keep up the steady flow of updates.<P>Speaking of which...<P>12th of July 2004<P>Tenerife has useful left-back Curro Torres languishing in the ‘B’ side. They also like the look of Gustavo Cañizares, whom I have no further use for, so we negotiate a deal where Cañizares plus £350,000 is offered for Torres, which values the defender at an even £1 million. Tenerife goes for the deal and I offer Curro Torres a good deal. If I sign him, it might spell the end for Heinze and Ismael at the club, too.<P>13th of July 2004<P>One part of the deal clicks into place this evening as Curro Torres informs me that he would be delighted to join Cartagonova, effective immediately.<P>15th of July 2004<P>The newspapers fix upon the idea that Ismael Ruiz may soon leave the club for Alavés. To tell you the truth, I don’t think I would mind either way, because he would be no more than a squad player with Couto the incumbent midfielder and Gibbons and Livermore the potential successors. Hence, I decline to make a comment in relation to this news story, preferring to confine my statements to the club’s chances in the European Cup.<P>In the evening, Gustavo Cañizares finally agrees to the move to Tenerife. I immediately contact the club’s lawyers to finalise the deal then I get in touch with Curro Torres so we can unveil him to the local press tomorrow morning: Gustavo Cañizares (30 y/o, ESP, AM RLC): 37(2) apps, 4 goals, 9 assists, 2 MoMs, av. rate: 6.85

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16th of July 2004<P>I decide to list Gabriel Heinze and Ismael, as I no longer have use for them with considerable cover down the left side of defence with the arrival of Curro Torres.<P>17th of July 2004<P>It doesn’t take too long for interest to surface in Heinze. His min. release clause is a laughable £150,000, but he refuses to re-negotiate a contract and hence he is on the list. Boca Juniors comes in with an offer that matches the release clause, so they can go ahead and sign him for all I care. By the evening, both sides have agreed personal terms and on the 26th of July, he will be gone: Gabriel Iván Heinze (26 y/o, ARG, D LC): 5(1) apps, av. rate: 6.83<P>18th of July 2004<P>Emmanuel Petit, the pony-tailed one, is still in charge of Real Oviedo, although they never looked like gaining promotion to the Primera Liga last season. He decides that he would like to purchase some experience for this campaign, so he offers me £8,000 for Iván Zamorano. I don’t want to deny the old stager one last fling at professional football, so I accept the cut-price bid and allow the two sides to negotiate terms.<P>Deciding that I need a good out-and-out striker to partner Redondo up forward in this campaign, I offer Feyenoord £3.1 million to take Niels Kokmeijer off their hands. It accepts the offer and soon I’m talking turkey with the young striker who is so desperate for football that he will accept ridiculously low wages – like £1,500/week for three seasons! [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif" alt="smile[/IMG] I like him already!<P>Later in the evening, Zamorano phones me to tell me that he has agreed terms with Real Oviedo and will leave in the morrow. It has been a pleasure: Iván Zamorano (37 y/o, CHI 70 caps, 36 goals, S C): 9(8) apps, 9 goals, 3 assists, 1 MoM, av. rate: 7.35

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19th of July 2004<P>In the afternoon we sign, seal and deliver the biggest deal in Cartagonova’s short history as Niels Kokmeijer puts pen to paper on the contract that will see him leave Feyenoord for the Spanish Primera Liga for £3.1 million. I can seriously see him being a potential Dutch international striker in a few years time, so I hope that the price tag will turn out to be a bargain.<P>21st of July 2004<P>Alavés swoops on Ismael Ruiz as it offers me £275,000 which meets his min. release clause. By the evening, the deal is concluded and the defensive midfielder is on his way to Basque country: Ismael Ruiz (27 y/o, ESP, DM C): 1(2) apps, 1 goal, av. rate: 6.33<P>23rd of July 2004<P>I’m interested in signing another Dutchman. This time, his name is Kew Jaliens, and he plays his football for Ajax, when he gets the chance. I make a bid of £2 million for the right-sided defender and to my delight the cut-price bid (he’s officially listed at £3.1 million) is accepted. However, he has a high opinion of his ability and he drives a hard bargain, but we’ll see what happens with this one.<P>I conduct this business from my hotel room in Monaco as I’m in attendance for the draw for the third phase of the Champions’ League qualifying round. To mixed emotions I find that we draw Spartak Moskva with the first leg to be played at the Estádio Municipal de Cartagena. So it looks like being a seeded club didn’t really help us draw an easy game to advance into the group stages.<P>24th of July 2004<P>My Saturday morning breakfast routine is interrupted by a call from Jaliens’ agent who informs me that the player has agreed to our terms and would like to join. I tell him that I’ll put the lawyers onto the case and we’ll have him registered as a Cartagonova player by the afternoon. It also spells the end of Pablo Casar’s time as a wanted Cartagonova player – he is put on the transfer list.<P>26th of July 2004<P>Casar’s former club, Racing Santander, pitches its hat into the ring for the defender, offering me his min. release clause amount of £150,000 for him. I accept the offer, as I’m contractually bound to do.<P>27th of July 2004<P>But Racing Santander is not the only club interested in the defender. Cosenza matches the Spanish club’s bid, so I accept that one, too. However, Casar has already made up his mind to return to his former club, so the deal is done by evening: Pablo Casar (25 y/o, ESP, D RC): 28 apps, av. rate: 6.64<P>Keep smiling! [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif" alt="smile[/IMG] [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="big grin[/IMG]
Dixie Flatline

retired_bsvolley12

Every time I see that I grin [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="big grin[/IMG]<P>Great story Dixie as ever, keep it up [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif" alt="smile[/IMG]