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"It's Kind Of Like The Marshall Plan.." - The 1.FC Dynamo Dresden Story
It was time for a fresh start, as much because of what I felt as because of what my PC demanded, so, it's off to Germany for a tale of football from Saxony.
This one may start a little slow, but I do feel like it's got legs, so sit back, relax, and let me say now, thanks for reading.
As always, questions are welcomed.
Leagues Being Run:
Argentina (Premier Division Only)
Belgium (First Division Only)
Brazil (First Division Only)
Denmark (Premier Divison Only)
England (Third Division and Above)
France (Second League and Above)
Germany (Regional Division and Above)
Greece (National A Division Only)
Holland (First Division and Above)
Italy (Serie C1 and Above)
Japan (J-League 1 Only)
Mexico (First Division Only)
Poland (First Division Only)
Portugal (Superleague Only)
Russia (Premier Division Only)
Serbia & Montenegro (First Division Only)
Spain (Second Division and Above)
Turkey (Premier Division Only)
Sound like enough?
09-17-2004, 05:28 AM
"It's Kind Of Like The Marshall Plan.." - The 1.FC Dynamo Dresden Story Post #2
There’s a small city in the east of Germany. Okay, it’s not really small, but, lying on the bank of the River Elbe, two hours south of Berlin and two hours north of Prague, home to over a million people, there is the city of Dresden. Elected Europe’s greenest city in 2002, Dresden is a beautiful city, home to all sorts of beautiful architectural styles and a booming modern commerce sector, and some wonderful weather.
Inside of Dresden, there is a stadium that holds 30,000 people, 10,521 seated. That stadium is the home of 1.FC Dynamo Dresden, the city’s team. A regionally-known side, Dynamo Dresden have just won promotion from the North East-South division to the German Regional Division North. However, in the process of getting this promotion, Dresden lost their Manager to more marketable, profitable clubs. However, Germany already having a good relationship with U.S. Football (see Landon Donovan, Anthony Sanneh, Clint Mathis) Dresden opted to gamble, and accepted my application as manager. It’s a move met with a little chuckling in the local media, but not much shock, not that I’m surprised.
I’m lucky that many of the people here have a rudimentary understanding of English, as I’m taking a crash course in German from the moment I get off the plane in Berlin. The drive south is wonderful, and, as we come upon the stadium, I can’t help but give a quick smile.
I’m greeted as I enter the club’s official offices by a youngish looking man, only a little over 40. His name is Egon Putzi, and he’ll be my new right-hand man, my Assistant Manager here at Dresden We exchange pleasantries, and he escorts me around the ground and offices, telling me some of the club’s history and beginning to get me acclimated to my new team. Our tour ends in the boardroom, where Jochen Rudi, the Chairman greets me warmly.
Over a few drinks, he gives me a bit of an introduction to the city and explains the business side of the team to me, before outlining this season’s needs. While we’re thankfully under our wage budget limits, we don’t have much to spend on transfers, only around $150K. Herr Rudi would love for us to stay up however, and says my only expectation this year is to secure a respectable position around mid-table, and after that, who knows? All he wants from me is to concentrate on the now.
Thankfully, he speaks enough English for us to hold something akin to a real conversation, rather than hearing me stumble through “Beginner’s German”. However, I can see a real determination in his eyes to make something of this team somewhere along the line, and that I can respect. With a final drink and a toast, I’m off to greet my new secretary. Tomorrow I meet the team, and get life in Dresden under way.
June 30th, 2003
It’s of no surprise to anyone that follows the sport that Brazilian side Santos’ striker Robinho has gathered quite a European following. That following includes Newcastle, Celta, Real Betis, Lyon, Manchester United, and, most recently, Valencia, as teams begin to queue up to try and pry the in-form striker away from the big Brazilian team.
July 1st, 2003
First order of business is clearing out much of the backroom staff, replacing them with my own personal choices. Nothing against the men who were here before mind you, but there’s a certain level of comfort you’d like to have among your own staff, people that you have an understanding with. So today I’m greeting Ralf Santelli and Andreas Wessels as two new coaches on my staff, and greeting Simon Rog and Ian John as two new scouts. More than anything, I’m happy with how positive they all are about the new season.
July 2nd, 2003
I’m surprised, as I view the team as a whole in practice today, that our team is so very small. With only 20 players in the first team and very few more coming through the system in the future, the situation isn’t insomuch dire, but it does require attention sooner rather than later. We do need some extra talent to bolster the team, and in that regard, as practice winds down today I’m hitting the phones hard, as, after having brought on four new scouts in the past two days, I’m sending out people to scout everywhere for new blood from all nations. I know a lot of the locals expect a team like this to be all-German, but I’d like to win, rather than sit around and wait for the next Jurgen Klinsmann.
By the evening, I’ve already pulled off two real coups. Not that I’ve signed Zinedine Zidane, no, but I’ve given our team some real recognition for youngsters by getting English legend Tony Adams and ex-Player of the Year George Weah to sign contracts as coaches here at Dresden. It’s huge for me as well as for the team, as I can’t wait to take advantage of the years of experience these two men surely have, and put them to good use.
Before I even walk out of my office, I’m talking to the representatives of Khaled Boulanine, an Algerian Defender, already capped for the Algerian Under-21 side but not yet signed to a team. He is very interested in coming and getting a job playing somewhere, and since we’re the first to contact him this summer, he’s anxious to find a home before the season starts. I let him know that he’ll be absolutely welcome in Dresden, and, before I go home that night, we’re talking terms. By the morning, he’s on the next plane for Germany.
Khaled Boulanine (20 y/o, ALG, D LC)
July 3rd, 2003
Friendly – 1.FC Dynamo Dresden vs. FC Bayern Under-19s
I’m happy that the board has already gone out of their way to give our preseason a shine of the special. Three big teams will be sending their youth talent to the Harbig Stadion this summer, first Bayern, then Real Madrid (no really!) and then Chelsea will all be sending their reserves and youth teams to take on our first-teamers. It’s not insomuch supposed to be a test for our team, more a chance for me to watch the players go about their action, and to reap some early money from our fans who’ll surely hear “Real Madrid” and stare unbelieving at the program and come to the games. So, it’s even more of a surprise to those who show up and to our fans when Oliver Kahn, Mehmet Scholl, Jens Jeremies, Thomas Linke and more line up. Apparently, Bayern’s not going to throw away a chance to get their stars legs prepared for the new season. Needless to say, they absolutely crush us. We don’t even manage a single shot, but Bayern is kind enough not to embarrass us.
Final Score – Dynamo Dresden 0:1 FC Bayern Under-19s
July 6th, 2003
An American fetches a hefty sum today, as DaMarcus Beasley is apparently worth $9.5M to Racing Santander to pry the promising left-winger away from PSV Eindhoven. This move in and of itself isn’t of much interest to me, but I am very interested in more “patriotic” things, so I tell my secretary to note that I’d like to put DaMarcus on my shortlist. I know I have no chance of signing him now, but that’s not the point. I’d just like to keep tabs on him for a while and see how he pans out. And maybe, one day in the future, I’ll have $9.5M to spend.
Meanwhile, the German FA does the draw for the First Round of the German Cup today, and I’m not enthused at our match. We’ll be facing the powerhouse that is Borussia Dortmund in the first round, a team that’s had a habit of success in recent years, and supposedly may give FC Bayern a run for the title this year. While hope does spring eternal, I don’t think anyone on the team is expecting us to pull off and upset here, but, you never know.
Friendly – Dynamo Dresden vs. Chelsea Reserves
It’s only a matter of time until Chelsea adds one of the game’s biggest names to their squad list, and the good money has it on Nicolas Anelka, who certainly won’t shirk the chance at silverware with Chelsea. However, with names like Filipe Oliveira and Valerio Di Cesare lining up against us today, we’ve got nothing really to worry about. 578 people show up to see us show some improvement in our play and a little more life at the front, but the result is still the same as before.
Final Score – Dynamo Dresden 0:1 Chelsea Reserves
09-17-2004, 05:30 AM
"It's Kind Of Like The Marshall Plan.." - The 1.FC Dynamo Dresden Story Post #3
The German FA has no real restrictions of note on Loans that I can take out in a season, so I’d like to bolster our squad in a way that doesn’t require a penny. So I’m calling every single top-division team I think might have useful players in their reserves. Liverpool, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, Ajax, Dortmund, I do mean all of them. And the first team (and player) to come through is Dutch powerhouses Feyenoord, who clear Forward Duna N’Kunku to come south and get some first-team experience under his belt. They player himself isn’t thrilled about the move, but apparently he’s so desperate for first-team experience that this will have to do.
Duna N’Kunku (20 y/o, NED, F C)
The whirlwind that is the European transfer market finally kicks into action today, as Argentine Ariel Ortega returns to Spain today, a $7.75M move that sends him from Fenerbahçe to Deportivo la Coruña. Meanwhile, to the east, Jérôme Rothen leaves the principality of Monaco for the promise of Olympique Marseille where the number of good balls played to Drogba and Mido surely will improve greatly with his addition.
July 9th, 2003
“Sir?” My secretary peeks into my office. “There’s a call for you on Line 2. A Mr. van Marwijk?”
I raise a confused eyebrow, but pick up the phone nevertheless.”
“Mr. Flanagan?” A brusque voice on the other end greets me.
“Yes?”
“This is Bert van Marwijk, from Feyenoord. I hear you’re looking for a few Loans this year. Well, I have a number of players that would like to go abroad and get some experience under their belt.”
We talk for a few minutes, and he eventually reveals that he’s got four other players he’d like to send to Dresden on Loan for the season. I’d be thrilled to take them, the only problem being that German Regional Division rules state that any match must have at least 6 German Under-24 players and two German Under-21s. This means at least half of my match squad is going to be filled with youth, but, those other five slots certainly aren’t closed either.
It takes a little while, but we eventually hash out a deal that sends Wouter Artz, Michael Brown, Dion Dickhoff and Sigourney Bandjar south, and puts a smile on my face.
Wouter Artz (18 y/o, NED, SW/D/DM C)
Michael Brown (18 y/o, AUS, AM C)
Dion Dickhoff (17 y/o, NED, SW/D RLC)
Sigourney Bandjar (19 y.o, NED, AMC)
July 10th, 2003
Friendly – Dynamo Dresden vs. Real Madrid “B”
This is the match I’m most thrilled to say we landed. Even against their reserves, it’s still a game against one of the biggest clubs in the world, and our fans turn out to see the people who may be the next big thing in Spain come and play. Of course, as usual, it’s a slightly lopsided affair, but I’m happy to say that the boys play with a great deal of heart, even for a meaningless friendly, for which I give them due congratulation when the match is over.
Final Score – Dynamo Dresden 0:2 Real Madrid “B”
July 13th, 2003
Liverpool grab one of the more hotly desired prospects in the game today, latching onto Ranger’s Mikael Arteta, taking the promising Spaniard south from Glasgow for a mere $5.75M fee. It is, of course, a statement of intent from Liverpool. If Arteta forms a strong partnership in midfield with Steven Gerrard, the possibilities for more silverware at Merseyside go up a great deal.
July 15th, 2003
Another Loan in today, this one from PSV Eindhoven, as it seems the only players that want to go out on Loan are from the Netherlands. Thankfully, this one isn’t a bad prospect. Tim Janssen is only 17, but he’s got clinical finishing ability, and has the potential to be one of the next big things from Holland if things go his way. PSV wants him to get some time playing against Pros however, and since there’s no space in their attacking line, we’ll take up the slack.
Tim Janssen (17 y/o, NED, S C)
July 17th, 2003
Friendly – SV Babelsberg 03 vs. 1.FC Dynamo Dresden
An away friendly for the boys to tackle today, and I’m partially happy to see Tim Janssen prove he’s got chops, scoring twice before the 30 minute mark, the first a fine run-and-shoot that dribbles past Babelsberg’s goalkeeper, the second an excellent volley from the corner of the goalbox that rips into the lefthand corner of the net. I’m glad Janssen is working out, but less happy that so far, he’s the only member of our attack that’s showing any real punch and power, which is a concern. Even worse, Babelsberg manage two late garbage goals, as our substitutes give up a two-goal lead in 5 minutes. Not good.
Final Score – Babelsberg 2:2 Dynamo Dresden
July 18th, 2003
Three moves are wrapped up today, the highest-profile one being Lilian Thuram giving up life at Juventus for the Riazor and a season at Deportivo la Coruña. This move being worth $9.75M and Deportivo having spent $17.5M on transfers already this year, it goes without saying that they’re going to be one of many teams trying to topple Real Madrid. A third place finish last year only leaves room for a runner-up spot or winning it all as far as improvement goes.
Spain is also involved in the other two transfers, with Real Zaragoza buying Cameroonian international Lauren from Arsenal for $9.5M. Meanwhile, Espanyol has taken Mista from Valencia for $8M.
I’ve only heard about the moves here through international websites like Soccernet.com. The transfer market in Germany has been very slow so far, with the biggest moves standing as Wolfsburg sending Slovakian midfielder Miroslav Karhan to Villareal for $1.8M and Werder Bremen buying Bobby Convey from the MLS. Personally, I’m jealous. I’ve heard about Convey, and I believe the press. He ought to pan out very well in Germany.
July 20th, 2003
Friendly – Lichtenberg vs. Dynamo Dresden
I’m glad this one wasn’t at home, because the home fans would’ve been absolutely livid about the lackadaisical way we walk through today’s friendly. Perhaps the players are spoiled after playing some of the cream of Europe, but the two we give up today are soft goals by anyone’s standards, and our play is sloppy, at best. Only 52% of our passes find their way to the right feet, but it doesn’t matter in the end. On the bus afterwards, I make it perfectly clear to every member of the squad that this kind of attitude won’t be tolerated again.
Final Score – Lichtenberg 2:0 Dynamo Dresden
July 25th, 2003
I’m interested in the potential services of one Thomas Richter, a 32-year old Center Defender that would give us some good, experienced legs at the back. Currently playing for amateur side SC 04 Schwabach, he’d be a help immediately, and the $2K price tag that Schwabach’s asking for him is nothing to be sneezed at. But, still, there’s the issue of his potential use to a club that really cannot afford to be signing one-year shots and then letting people go. My coaches aren’t enamored with his apparent lack of speed or agility, but he does have the defensive nous to stick to his man like glue. We place the bid.
Meanwhile, in much higher-stakes transfers, Real Sociedad splurge $15.5M on Fenerbaçe’s star forward Sanli Tuncay. Meanwhile, Atlétìco Madrid pick up Nwankwo Kanu from Arsenal for $9.25M, where the Nigerian international can hopefully find a home.
09-17-2004, 05:30 AM
"It's Kind Of Like The Marshall Plan.." - The 1.FC Dynamo Dresden Story Post #4
I’m disappointed to read about the U.S.’s sad end to their Gold Cup campaign this year, as they lose in the final to a superior Costa Rica side 2-0. It’s a disappointing end to a perfectly good run in the cup for the U.S., but they simply cannot put together a strong enough defense or attack against Costa Rica, and it costs them, as the Latin American side simply cut a swath through their defense time and time again this day, never giving the Americans the time to try and put together a real defense or offense.
Friendly – FSV Zwickau vs. Dynamo Dresden
Our last friendly of the year, and it’s a much more intense affair than our previous get-togethers with teams. With the start of formal season play just around the corner, and the knowledge that I will soon be putting together my final squad list for the season, the players are really aiming to impress. To be perfectly honest, their trying to impress, and not aiming at the net, a fact that becomes wholly apparent as stylish shot after shot flies wide or above the net. Our savior is once again Tim Janssen, who side-foots home the equalizer on 64 minutes to spare us our blushes. Despite outshooting our opponents 7-1, we only walk away with a draw, a finish to the preseason that isn’t very promising.
Final Score – FSV Zwickau 1:1 Dynamo Dresden
July 29th, 2003
I’m scanning my squad today, beginning to put together what we’re going to need for the upcoming campaign. It’s not easy in the slightest to piece together a squad given the German FA’s rules for the Regional Division, requiring the numbers of German Under-24s and Under-21s in the match squad. To be perfectly honest, it’s quite difficult, but I can see how it most certainly randomizes the league campaign a bit. A team has to rely on their youth ranks to propel them to the Second Division where they will have the freedom to start whoever they well please.
But, since I can’t go around buying the best Under-24s and Under-21s around, I’m making do in the meantime. So today, we announce the signing of Schwabach’s Thomas Richter for $4K. He’ll spend his time here acting as a stopgap for the bleeding wound that is our center defense, until we can finally find someone who can really shut opposing strikers down to take the role.
August 1st, 2003
And it begins. Tonight marks the beginning of the German Regional Division North’s season, with two matches kicking off the festivities. We don’t play until the 3rd, but, in consulting my coaching staff, I’m ready to announce to my players who has made the cut and who will be on the outside looking in this year. As follows, are the 2003/04 1.FC Dynamo Dresden First Team…
FORMATION: 4-4-2
GK: Ignjac Kresic (36 y/o, CRO, GK): The eldest player on the team, this will be Ignjac’s 5th season with Dynamo Dresden, and he’s been the No. 1 ever since his arrival. That said, it’s slowly becoming apparent that Ignjac’s best years are behind him now and that we need to look towards a new keeper. This is all, of course, things I have planned down the road. Ignjac still makes good enough decisions and is the kind of general in the box that you want to have around. Given the current prospects, Ignjac may be around until he decides to retire himself.
DR: Torsten Bittermann (35 y/o, GER, D R): Another aged player in our back line, Torsten is our team captain, a fan favorite, and looking forward to his second season with Dresden. There won’t be much more after that however, if only because simple father time will not be as kind to Torsten as it might be to Ignjac. He’ll still keep up, and he’s got the kind of drive and grit that you really look for in a defender, but the looming question is for how much longer? Long enough I’m hoping.
DL: Dexter Langen (22 y/o, GER, D/DM L): Dexter’s going to drive me insane this year, I absolutely know it. One of our young bucks, he’s got a good, well-rounded game, and was most impressive in the preseason. But the kid is notorious among my coaching staff for not necessarily being down with putting in 100% every time, all the time. Factor in that he can be overwhelmed by too much of a radical shift in formation… but he’s got speed to waste, tons of it, and a cross that’s beyond his years. I’m generally a stickler for guys who put in 90 minutes, but if he’s willing to give me the right 70, I’ll take it.
DC: Dion Dickhoff (17 y/o, NED, SW/D RLC): We’re weak at the center of defense, so the nod goes to Dion Dickhoff, on Loan for the year from Feyenoord (one of 5 from the club, totaling seven players on Loan from clubs in the Eredivise). This is a huge risk, I know, starting a 17-year old, not even really out of the youth ranks in the center of our defense, but he’s had our coaches raving about his current ability and how he can help the squad so, he’s got the job. We needed a fix, and, hopefully, he’s it.
DC: Volker Oppitz (25 y/o, GER, D C): He may not earn much compared to the Ayalas and Ferdinands in the world’s defenses, but he’s worth every penny to us. Only 25, and blessed with ability, he can keep up with strikers, mark them, keep them under wraps, and will win as many headers as you need him to with his skill and great strength. He’s got good instincts on the ball, and I’m hoping he’ll show the consistency we need in the center of defense this year. By far, our best player at the back.
MR: Ronny Scholze (22 y/o, GER, AM/F R): Ronny’s by far, not the fastest thing ever to roam the right side of the field in Germany, but for our needs, he’ll do well enough. Good at many things without excelling in any, he’s the kind of player who, at this level, will make a reasonable enough name for himself without necessarily attracting the attentions of bigger clubs with much more money to spend. If he can give me 30 solid games this year, I’ll be happy.
ML: Nico Däbritz (31 y/o, GER, DM RL): Probably my least thrilling decision, and mainly because his skills in attack aren’t what the average coach might want. But his skills are the most rounded of everyone’s so he takes the position. On the whole however, his playing of the left flank simply underlines my disappointment with our speed down the flanks this season, and whether we’ll be able to really, really stretch teams on the counter-attack. His crosses are adequate enough though, so, here’s hoping.
MC: Maik Wagefeld (22 y/o, GER, DM C): If it wasn’t for Torsten, Maik is more than enough of a presence on the pitch to be our team captain. Despite that, Maik’s got all the skills you’d want a good DM to have. He tackles, he can distribute the ball well, and I’m hoping his anticipatory abilities will do nothing but frustrate those who line up opposite him this year. I don’t know how much of a future he has, that’s still murky, but his present is looking entirely good.
MC: Steffen Heidrich (36 y/o, GER, AM C): I’m least happy about Steffen starting. Not because he’s not good, but because he’s 36. To say that I’ll be gently pushing him towards retirement is an understatement. The heirs to his throne aren’t quite there though, not yet. But I don’t think I can rely on a man who turns 37 next year to give another full year of time before time itself catches up with him.
FC: Thomas Neubert (22 y/o, GER, S C): The biggest, best prospect on the team, our hopes for the new season are pinned on Thomas. He’s all speed, and has a remarkable knack for creating goals from the front. But he needs to improve on his finishing, as a good striker can’t be worrying about getting the assist every time he enters the goalbox. After a 8 goal haul in 30 games last year, I’m expecting some real improvements.
FC: Tim Janssen (17 y/o, NED, S C): Picking up Tim has been the highlight of our preseason so far. He loves to score, and does it for fun, quite literally. With speed to burn, and the overwhelming competitive desire to show him club, PSV Eindhoven that he’s worth keeping, I’m expecting more from him than from anyone else this year. After his fine showing in the preseason this year, I’ve already got some of our fans clamoring that we begin talks with PSV about possibly picking him up and making him a full-time Dresden player, to which I say we need to wait, and see how this season turns out.
IN RESERVE -
Oliver Herber (21 y/o, GER, GK): The backup in case of emergency, Oliver’s not exactly what I would call a good insurance plan, but, he’s there, and he’s affable enough that he can understand that, for now, he is second fiddle, and knows that a 36-year old man between the sticks bodes well for his future chances. All of this said, he’s got great agility. If he can get the reflexes to match, he might compete for the job.
Wouter Artz (18 y/o, NED, SW/D/DM C): One of our horde of Loans from Feyenoord, Wouter is, to our standards, quite a promising prospect. He may not make the cut at Feyenoord, and if he doesn’t we’d be happy to give him a home. His passing is second to none, and his tackling has the kind of edge that, while clean, lets opposition know he means business. If he can get a little better at going the full 90, we’ll be returning quite a good player back to the Netherlands.
Tom Hoffmann (21 y/o, GER, D R): Should Torsten go down, Tom is one of our backup plans. Not spectacular, but he knows his way around the pitch pretty well at this point, and has remarkably good positioning instincts for someone his age. If he can couple that with some other developments, he’ll be fine, but, like much of my First Team, he’s here because he fits the age requirements and we need to stay in the good graces of those.
09-17-2004, 09:38 AM
"It's Kind Of Like The Marshall Plan.." - The 1.FC Dynamo Dresden Story Post #5
Sven Johne (19 y/o, GER, M RC): My coaches are enticed about this kid, and all have reccomended that he get some reps in the first team to help develop his talent and let him grow into the player he has the chance to be. I’m less impressed with him myself, being that he has no excellent skills of merit at this time. That said, in a year, things could change. For now, he’s here to make sure I have a number of Under-21s on hand at all times.
Rico Kühne (21 y/o, GER, M R): Young, and still by far my second choice at the right of midfield should anything happen to Herr Scholze, if only because noone else on the team is honestly capable of playing the right of midfield with a great deal of ability. So Rico’s our fallback plan, and, despite inefficient passing, I expect his reasonable speed and crosses to come in handy when we need him.
Alexander Kuhnert (19 y/o, GER, M C): Nice kid, just won’t make the cut as a pro, of that I feel certain. I’m sure he’ll help some other team somewhere, but for us, once I have the wherewithal to release him, his name will be cut from the squad. As with Sven Johne, currently only on the team to keep up with the Under-24/21s rule.
Ranisav Jovanovic (22 y/o, SCG, AM/F L): Ranisav made the decision as to who plays the left side of the field quite difficult for me, if only because Ranisav is good enough to start. The problem being, he doesn’t really shine in any category, but he’s not bad at what he needs to be skilled at. If he improves, this particular Serb could worm his way into 10-20 matches this year and create some real controversy as to who should be starting on the left side of the field.
Daniel Ziebig (20 y/o, GER, AM/F L): Not nearly as fast as the other two men playing the left flank, Daniel has the best crosses of the lot, able to find a striker in the box whenever he so needs. The problem being, Daniel has a lot of trouble getting in those crosses when pressured by defense, and we can’t rely on someone who is only going to deliver under the best of circumstances. If he can improve his dribbling significantly, he’ll be the kind of player I want on the left.
Michael Brown (19 y/o, AUS, AM C): On Loan and Transfer Listed by Feyenoord, Michael’s showing up in Dresden with a bag full of tricks and an almost crazed desire for the ball. He may not necessarily be sprinting up and down the pitch for 90 minutes, but when he goes for the ball, he’s going all-out, which is redeeming. I’d like to teach him a bit about playing the flanks, to capitalize on his highly developed crossing ability, but there’s always the chance that someone might steal him away from me before the season’s over, so caution, of course.
Christian Frölich (25 y/o, GER, AM C): A fringe player at best, Christian represents the “Semi” in our title as a “Semi-Professional” team. He’ll run for 90 minutes, but whether he’ll get anything of use done while he runs is rather touch and go, but the potential is there, I’ll just have to watch and see how far he can go. These are the prime years of his life he’s entering, and if this is it, he’s going to need to find a new home.
Sebastian Hartung (22 y/o, GER, F C): Some potential here, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I don’t know if Sebastian has the kind of ability I want. I’m not looking for “Zidanes y Rauls” here, but some skill is necessary. I’d like to deliver to the board what they asked, and a little more, and his abilities just aren’t as rounded as we’d like.
Dona N’Kunku (20 y/o, NED, S C): Another Loan from Feyenoord, Dona seems like he’ll go one of two ways. He’ll either be a super-sub and be a game-changing force off the bench, or he’ll be nothing more than a waste of a Loan, and fade into the background here. He’s got all the youthful creativity of some of the stars, but there’s a lot more to his game that he needs to put together to make it all work. My coaches want me to try and sign him, but I’m going to wait 20 games and see how I feel then.
Meanwhile, in Spain, Steed Malbranque moves to Real Madrid today for $7.5M from Fulham, a move that may not be the biggest thing since sliced bread, but will do a lot for Madrid as far as depth in midfield goes.
August 3rd, 2003
German Regional Division North – Game 1: Dynamo Dresden vs. St. Pauli
Our first game of the year, my first game in charge. My stomach’s doing flips as I gather the players in the dressing room before the game for a quick team-talk. My words aren’t Thoreau, but I do hope they’ll get the point across.
“This is game one. Game one. That means we’ve got 33 more to play after today. Counting today there are up to 132 points to win. We’re not going to win them all, noone is. But we’re going to work, claw and scratch for every single one of them, and we’re going to make it hell for our opponents to take them from us. It’s a new division for this club, a fresh start, and that means we’re the unkown factor here. Let’s go show them all that we should not and cannot be taken for granted.”
St. Pauli (4-4-2): Hollerieth; Gibbs, Gunesch, Stanislawski, Nascimento; Moheit, Hupkes, Mayer, Ludwig; Nwosu, Agu
Even thought there are only 4,000 here, for a first-time manager like me, it’s almost like being at the Nou Camp. I know I’ve never been infront of a crowd that big, and I’m just hoping that we’ll put on a good show as the game kicks off. And to our credit, we do. We start positively, and monopolize the ball for much of the first half, although some problems with overworking see us only manage a single paltry show on net before 30 minutes is gone. But we deserve a goal, and on 38 minutes, we get it, Hollerieth punching away a cross into the box, only to see Scholze pick it up at the top of the penalty area, turn, and hammer it with his left foot. Hollerieth would’ve had it covered it seemed, but Stanislawski ends up deflecting the ball just enough for it to evade Hollerieth’s despairing attempt at a save, as the ball coasts into the back of the net. I’m beaming as the players celebrate. I’ll remember this goal for a long time, it’s my first in charge of a club.
St. Pauli aren’t lax, and Nascimento shaves the post with a 25-yarder just before the whistle for the half blows. With the restart, they come close once more, Moheit just firing wide from a freekick on 58 minutes. But we’re not without our chances, and on 62 minutes, Heidrich gives us one to really be proud of, taking a pass from Janssen after the striker dawdles to the left of the box for a moment, and, finding himself in space, tees up a 25-yard piledriver that scorches past Hollerieth and into the net. 2-0!
Minutes later, I’m less than happy to see Dickhoff being helped off by our physios, apparently having done some serious damage to his leg after an unfortunate challenge with Gunesch. With Dickhoff, who had been playing very well, out of the lineup, St. Pauli begins to press and the game really begins to open up, with both sides squandering gilt-edged opportunities at both ends of the pitch. It would seem Lady Luck favors St. Pauli however, Moheit, who had been torturing us all day with his freekicks, unleashing one from 22 yards or so that Kresic can only palm away, only he palms it into the path of Gunesch, who taps it home from five yards out.
Our fans finish the match with their hearts in their throats, but when it’s all said and done, it’s one down, 33 to go for Dresden, and my journey has truly begun.
Final Score – Dynamo Dresden 2:1 St. Pauli MoM – Ralph Gunesch
After the game, I take a seat in my office and replay the day in my head. It’s a good start to the year, not great, but good. The problems are there, our defense seems too apt to making stupid fouls in prime freekick area, which will bite us in the behind eventually. And then there’s Dion Dickhoff, who, after one fine game at the back, injured his hip somehow apparently, and will be out for two months recuperating. But, three points are three points, and I really cannot underline how nice it is to know that the team has until Friday to rest, and then we hit our once-a-week schedule that I’m enthralled with. 34 games in a season, playing once a week, with a Winter Break in the middle? I couldn’t be happier, because it means less fatigue to my players.
09-23-2004, 08:37 AM
"It's Kind Of Like The Marshall Plan.." - The 1.FC Dynamo Dresden Story Post #7
Like a black hole, Real Madrid continue to gather talent. Today they announce that they’ll be completing a triumvirate of famous Brazilian players, as they announce the $7.75M signing of Rivaldo from AC Milan. Couple this with $6M move to Madrid of Danish star Jan Kristiansen from Esbjerg fB and the midfield in the Spanish capital is getting very, very crowded. Already, there are questions flying around as to the potential futures of Figo, Zidane and Beckham, and whether another big move could be in the offing before the August 31st transfer deadline rolls around.
FC Augsburg are apparently in a bidding mood today, and are looking to pry Lars Heller off my hands. Lars is one of my excess defenders, currently on the Dynamo Dresden 2nd team, and the $22K that Augsburg are offering is nice but, they’re offering Jorgen Bode in return, a 30-year old Defensive Midfielder who has seen better days. I don’t need any new blood right now, at least, not that I’m going to be paying the contract of, but I like the deal. My response? $2K up front, with another $18K over the next 12 months. Moreover, we get 40% of Lars’s next sale fee.
August 8th, 2003
Finally, after weeks of hemming, hawing and renegotiation, we finish hammering out a $4K deal today for Schwabach’s Thomas Richter. Richter’s working a $10K per year contract, and has indicated that he is perfectly fine with playing an off-the-bench position on the team. Being 32, he’s a quick fix in case of emergency, and will see very limited action. However, we needed a quick fix.
Thomas Richter (32 y/o, GER, D C)
German Regional Division North – Game 2: Dynamo Dresden vs. Hamburger SV (A)
Probably, the most odd part about playing in the Regional Division is that we’ll be taking on the Amateur sides of bigger, First Division clubs like Werder Bremen, Borussia Dortmund and today’s opponent, Hamburger SV, not to mention the Under-23 sides of Schalke 04 and 1.FC Köln. All of this said however, while we may have had trouble in the preseason against the Reserve squads of bigger clubs, I think we’ll fare better against this competition.
While the HSV name may be there, the understanding that these are their reserve players at the very least emboldens our players some. They’re attacking as I’ve instructed, and are really putting in the hard graft to make life hell for HSV all over the pitch. For the first time this year, I think I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt that we’re outplaying a team from the outset, and we thoroughly deserve our award on 8 minutes when Heidrich’s header evades Groth and falls right into the path of Neubert, who neatly slots the ball past Frech from 10 yards to give us the early lead. He’s happy to double his tally on 39 minutes, as HSV is unable to stop Janssen’s screaming run into the box from the flank, and are left to look on in dismay as his shot is well-saved by Frech, only for Neubert to pounce first on the rebound, netting number two.
We’re in cruise control by the end of the third half, and HSV is looking ragged, at best, a sad statement for their reserves, if anything. But that’s not the point, what is is the game becoming a bit chippy as things go on, with Wagefeld and Baith both notching Yellow Cards within minutes of each other after the reseat for some “overzealous” play. Leave it to substitute Sebastian Hartung to get minds back on the game, a longball breakaway allowing him to just reach the ball before Frech, poking it under the ‘keeper’s diving body to notch our third. One professional foul from Hanke and a Scholze penalty later, we’re walking off the pitch with a smile, and three more points.
Final Score – Dynamo Dresden 4:0 Hamburger SV (A) MoM – Thomas Neubert
After the game, I’m called into the Chairman’s office for a happy bit of congratulations. Admittedly, it’s only been two games, but Herr Rudi says he likes what he is seeing from our team so far. I’m glad to hear it, but we’ve got a really good test coming away against Braunschweig. Winning at home is one thing, but winning on the road really is where a team tells its quality.
August 12th, 2003
Well, you sign that many players, someone’s got to leave.
Still, everyone’s aghast when Real Madrid announces the sale of “Zizou” himself, Zinedine Zidane today, to Inter Milan for a mere (considering his worth) $24M. Real Madrid are apparently really banking on the combined ability of Rivaldo and Steed Malbranque to replace the French legend, a move that most analysts are underlining as entirely idotic already. On the upside of all that, Inter Milan have just vaulted themselves into the Serie A chase, the addition of Zidane gives them an absolute midfield maestro who can change the game with a flick of his foot. A smart, smart buy.
August 13th, 2003
Claudio Pizarro has spent four fine seasons in Germany, and had started this one off in fine form, scoring twice in three substitute appearances for FC Bayern. But, it’s hard to resist when the money of Chelsea comes calling, which they do today, announcing Pizarro’s signing for $22.5M from the German giants. With the chase for Nicolas Anelka apparently leaning heavily in favor of Manchester United and Barcelona, Chelsea make something out of nothing here, picking up a scorer who should fare well in the English game.
Meanwhile, apparently teams are already having their eyebrows raised by the play of Maik Wagefeld, who certainly has been doing well in the two games we’ve played this year. It’s early, but I’m still a bit surprised to have my secretary announce to me today that Second Division side VfL Osnabrück have left a message for me, asking exactly how much it would take to pry Wagefeld away from Dresden. Given how early in the season it is, and how I really don’t have the reserves to fill in for his loss right now, I set the bar high. $100K and a 50% of Next Sale clause.
August 15th, 2003
Rafa Benitez and Valencia aren’t going to let Real leave them in the dust apparently, and make their own move today, picking up French striker Djibril Cissé from Auxerre today, a $15.25M move laden with potential for the French International. Given that he can get his form into good shape in the cauldron of Primera Liga football, he could aid Valencia in a real title chase with Madrid.
Meanwhile, the Nicolas Anelka saga ends as everyone suggested it would, with the striker leaving for Manchester United, a move worth $21M to Manchester City, and bringing what hopefully will be the extra striker he needs to Manchester for Fergie. Surely, his ability is undeniable, but whether Fergie can form him into a strike-team par excellence with Ruud is up in the air. If he does, Manchester are being tipped to win in a landslide.
August 17th, 2003
German Regional Division North – TSV Eintracht Braunschweig vs. Dynamo Dresden
A beautiful Sunday afternoon for a game of Football, as we play for what I hope will be our third win in succession. All my life prior to this, I’d been following teams in England, especially in the lower leagues, where 46 league games is the norm. But here, with only one cup competition and only 17 other teams to face, suddenly, being three games into the race seems like we’re very far in indeed.
If we start all of our away games like this, it’s going to be a long year. Braunschweig dominate all over the pitch, and we can barely get a touch to the ball. It’s like we’re cursed or something, as they pour down upon us in attack. Much to my dismay, Kresic isn’t up to the task of keeping us in the running, and on six minutes, Lieberknecht serves us a hanging cross into the box that noone can apparently get to, for Rische to happily nod into the back of the net with a glancing header. Six minutes later, they’re at is again, this time Mazingu, taking a poor clearance first time and setting himself up before blasting a 30 yard shot that doesn’t have much curve, but has the pace to zip past Kresic’s half-hearted attempt at a save and into the net.
Even with a few changes to our tactics for the day, Braunschweig’s assault continues, and I’m looking glum on the bench until our counter-attack finally gets a sign of life, Neubert taking what was a seemingly useless run out to the left flank and delivering a ball into the box that Janssen makes good on, beating his man to the ball and thumping a header into the net.
After the interval, things are a great deal more balanced, although we’re seeing a real problem with Mazingu, who is dominating the midfield and threatening the net constantly with shots from 20-30 yards time and time again. So it’s a bit of a surprise to men when one smart header from Wagefeld frees substitute Daniel Ziebig to go screaming in on net, curling a shot just over Stuckmann’s shoulder that he paws at but can’t stop. A two goal fightback, and I’m looking thrilled.
Braunschweig kick it into high gear again however, and begin running rings around us once more. It takes them three minutes to put things back to rights, Graf personally making Oppitz and Bittermann look like amateurs before delivering a pass to a wide-open Rische that the striker takes at the left edge of the penalty area and drills past Kresic for the go-ahead goal. A stupid penalty later, and we’re wondering why we couldn’t turn a two-goal return into a draw.
Final Score – TSV Eintracht Braunschweig 4:2 Dynamo Dresden MoM – Lars Fuchs
After the game, I have no harsh words for the team, not yet, but I’m sure they all understand that their performance as a whole was poor, and that improvements are absolutely needed. Much worse, we lose midfielder Michael Brown for two months to a torn groin muscle, which he somehow managed over the course of the game. Moreover, Osnabrück aren’t interested in Wagefeld for our terms.
09-23-2004, 08:37 AM
"It's Kind Of Like The Marshall Plan.." - The 1.FC Dynamo Dresden Story Post #8
I’m aiming towards making our first real transfer of the year, although it’s not entirely what I was hoping for. Jose Brenes of Costa Rican side CD Cartaignés is a good player, and will be a great fix for our left flank. Problem being that he’s Costa Rican, not a German Under-24 or Under-21. Still, we need the help, and I’m willing to blow the majority of our transfer budget on a $100K move for the left-winger. His desire for a $40K a year paycheck is a bit steep, but we’ve got enough flexibility to make it work.
August 20th, 2003
René Beuchel is currently toiling away in our 2nd team (Dynamo Dresden II), and probably won’t see the light of the first-team anytime soon, so divisional opponents KFC Uerdingen 05 would like to purchase him from me today. For nada. Zip, zilch, nothing. A freebie.
No. Way.
However, I’m not entirely against the notion, so I let them know he’s theirs, if they’re willing to give me ½ of his next sale fee. Personally, I don’t think it’ll be a cent over $5,000, if that, but, I’m not going to sit here and let them get away with grand theft.
August 22nd, 2003
Uerdingen agree to my terms for René Beuchel, and I allow them to talk turkey with the player. He’s got no future here, and I doubt he has much of a future as a professional footballer. But that’s just my opinion I have other things to focus on, namely our upcoming match against Borussia Dortmund in the First Round of the German Cup.
August 23rd, 2003
German Cup – First Round: Dynamo Dresden vs. Borussia Dortmund
This isn’t the worst First Round matchup thinkable… but it’s close. Dortmund competes for the Bundes Liga title year after year, and now we’re taking them on in the German Cup. I don’t like to say that I have “throw away games”, but this one’s damned close. Noone’s going into this expecting a big win, but hope springs eternal.
Dortmund’s first team of starters draw a nearly full house, 26,000 strong through our doors for the game, and, I’m very proud to say we hold our own for the first 30 minutes. I’m even more proud to say that we manage to strike first, Tim Janssen continuing a stellar season, curling home from 18 yards to put us in the lead.
However, we are playing Dortmund.
It only takes three minutes for Koller to equalize the scores, and they push themselves happily into pole position for the win, scoring four goals in a row before substitute Thomas Neubert tacks on one for dignity in the 88th minute. Still, we fought hard and, had we taken all of our chances, and we did have a few, maybe we might’ve held out. But, that’s one less thing to worry about this year.
Final Score – Dynamo Dresden 2:4 Borussia Dortmund MoM – Jan Koller
After the match, I make sure to tell the boys that I am proud of them for their performance. They managed to outplay a far superior team for nearly half the game, and deserved better than what the scoreline showed. That said, the German Cup just wasn’t on my achievements radar this year, especially with Dortmund in line to take us on first. What sticks out more than anything currently is the continuing good form of Tim Janssen, who is showing an obscene amount of ability and composure for a 17-year old. I don’t want to burn him out, but he’s going to play, and play, and play here.
August 24th, 2003
Stuttgarter Kickers, from the Regional Division South come calling today, inquiring about Thomas Neubert. They’d like to take him away from us for $55K over the next 12 months, plus one of their aging Defensive Midfielders in a Transer/Player Swap. This isn’t nearly close to my valuation of Neubert, which stands at $250K based on possible future returns, so the offer is rebuffed.
August 26th, 2003
Torsten Bittermann’s age catches up to him today, as he twists his knee on the training field, sidelining him for two weeks of play. Good and bad, bad because it’s legs down, good because, even though he is the team captain, I’m wondering how good Bittermann can possibly be anymore.
Meanwhile, I’m happily announcing the signing of José Brenes, who arrives in Dresden today, ready and raring to go and play. He’s not everything I want, but he’s more than enough right now.
Meanwhile, Rene Beuchel completes his move to Uerdingen today, so the doors at Dynamo Dresden are swinging both ways.
In:
José Brenes (24 y/o, CRC 7 caps, D/M L)
Out:
René Beuchel (30 y/o, GER, M C)
In transfers that actually matter on a European scale, a $9.75M bid is all it takes for Barcelona to take talented young French fullback Patrice Evra from Monaco and bring him to Catalan country. Evra, who, along with Philippe Mexes may be one of the “next big things” in French football, at least at the back. Early reports are he’ll fight with Fernando Navarro for the starting gig.
August 29th, 2003
German Regional Division North – Game 3: SC Preußen Münster vs. Dynamo Dresden
This game I’m anxious about. I need to know whether our form this year will be the always frustrating “strong at home, weak on the road” kind of form that has plagued so many mid and lower-table teams throughout Football’s history. Our last away game was a debacle at best, so a good showing, and at least a point is what I’m looking for.
It would seem to me, from viewing our opposition in many cases, that I may have allowed my eyes to get bigger than my stomach in some cases already this year. Dresden has just been promoted, so I may need to temper my expectation. Still, I expect better, when only 55 seconds after kickoff, Münster absolutely waltzes through our defense, Hayers, Harf and finally Milde playing chip after chip past our bamboozled looking defense before Milde happily slots one right between Herber’s legs that could’ve (should’ve) been saved. Playing on the road is going to be quite difficult for us this year, that I can sense already, and any bits of good luck that come our way we need to seize on. So, when Maik Wagefeld’s volley on 26 minutes from just outside the area deflects off Schryba and ends up redirected past Gößling, we’re up in the air cheering the equalizer.
Herber, however, adds a real howler to his tally today, racing off his line to collect a chip into the box. Problem being, he doesn’t go up nearly strong enough, and can’t get his hands on a ball that, by all means, he should have. Hayer, the beneficiary of Herber’s spill is more than happy to easily convert the tap-in to put us down as the half ends.
Fighting back constantly isn’t going to work for us in the long run, but we keep on working at it, which is very, very good to see. When we’re on, we’re really taking our chances when they come, highlighted on 52 minutes as Däbritz and Janssen work a wonderful one-two down the left that frees the on-Loan striker to whip a dangerous ball right into the six-yard box that Neubert muscles past his man and nods right into the side of the net for the equalizer. Five minutes later, and we’re hemorrhaging bad goals again, Milde beating Richter in the air easily to nod home his second and Münster’s third. They form a defensive shell, and force the ball into our half constantly for the next 30 minutes, and I’m left wondering whether we’ll have the quality to put together any really good away games this year. But, Thomas Neubert plays the part of our savior, a flick-on from substitute N’Kunku freeing him for a streaking run on net. As Münster’s defense closes down, he shoots, a ball that, while not particularly convincing, is good enough to clip off Gößling’s foot and roll agonizingly into the net to guarantee us a point.
Final Score - SC Preußen Münster 3:3 Dynamo Dresden MoM – Tino Milde
After the game, our greatest failing this year becomes very, very apparent. We’re hemorrhaging goals at the back, be it from bad defense or bad goalkeeping, and we’ve got to stop giving up 2-3 goals a game to be a real, strong team. Our record is entirely indicitave of how our year be. 2-0-0 at home with six goals for and one against, versus a 0-1-1 record away with five goals for and seven against. And still, through all this, we’re 4th.
09-23-2004, 08:37 AM
"It's Kind Of Like The Marshall Plan.." - The 1.FC Dynamo Dresden Story Post #9
The transfer window closes with a whisper, rather than a bang, Patrice Evra’s move is the biggest of all the last week of parlays, surprising fiscal responsibility from a football world known for throwing money at every single problem it might (or might not) have. I can’t help but chuckle some, knowing the transfer window has closed for me as well. Between us and the riches in Munich, who does the German FA think is going to go out and try to buy Robinho?
The biggest news in recent days is Euro 2004-related, as Germany knocks off Iceland 1-0 thanks to a Bernard Laum goal in the 55th minute to guarantee themselves a spot in the playoffs. Heavily favored to get win the automatic bid into the tournament, eyes are now turning to Scotland who are second in Group 6, continually surprising with today’s 4-0 victory over minnows The Faroe Islands. The coming matchup between the two on the 10th should have a real say in who finishes where in the Group.
Meanwhile, I’m looking to Africa for talent. Seeing how many foreign nationals are in other teams, and realizing that, with seven substitutes on the bench that I can adhere to the German FA’s rules without putting any of them in the starting squad, I’m trying to bend a little bit. Julius Berger’s got two strong players in Ishola Shuiabu and Uche Okereke, but whether I can draw the pair to Germany to play their football is a little dicey. I’m hoping my enquiry as to their pricing won’t be returned with an exorbitant fee.
September 10th, 2003
The plot thickens.
Fans are enraged today after Germany’s shock 3-1 defeat to Scotland in Leverkusen. Noone’s entirely sure what happened, as the game seemed a reasonably even affair, but, after a 13th-minute penalty from Michael Ballack, Germany just can’t find the net again, not to mention their profligate shooting, what with eight of their thirteen shots not making it on target. Scotland, on the other hand, just took their chances when they came, goals from Mark Burchill, Barry Ferguson and Paul Dickov undoing the Germans plans and leaving the teams tied at 14 points with one game left. With Germany in second on virtue of Goal Difference, four behind Scotland, a win over Iceland in October is needed to take the automatic bid and avoid the always-dangerous playoffs. With Scotland playing Lithuania, Germany’s going to have to have a little luck on their side now.
September 11th, 2003
My favorite “loophole”, so to speak, in the transfer window rules is that while no Transfers can me made, free transfers are all well and good. So while my inquiries as to Ishola Shuaibu and Uche Okere may not come to fruition until January, I can look for uncontracted players who can do a huge job for us right now. So today I’m happy to be introducing Goran Markovic to his new teammates today. A 27-year old Serbian striker, if he acclimates, he’ll give us one of the things that we really need, at least so I hope, that thing being a reliable striker up front. More important, he’s willing to take a squad rotation position as he acclimates to the new country and climes, and if he can, his finishing ability should put opposing defenses under pressure. Now… to address the problems in defense.
Goran Markovic (27 y/o, SCG, F LC)
September 13th, 2003
German Regional Division North – Game 5: Dynamo Dresden v. Wuppertaler SV
I’d like to keep this upper-portion of the table pace, so at least a point today is what we should be aiming for. As always, whether we get it or not is another matter entirely.
I feel like Claudio Ranieri, constantly tweaking, tinkering with our particular variant of the 4-4-2, trying to make it into something that works for us in particular. My work thus far has had its ups and downs, one of the downs nearly coming early in the form of a horrible mistake from Frölich falling right to Mayer’s feet at midfield. With half of our team already in attack, he strides forward and blasts a curling 25-yarder that Kresic seems to react to late, but still manages to get a hand to and keep out of our net. So, to watch Breinburg, of all people, one-up him on 18 minutes is a shock and a wonderful thing to see, the central defender showing a striker’s level of class and ability, taking a header from Brenes just outside of the box and volleying it first-time right into the back of Maly’s net. Ten minutes later, we’re really off to a flyer, Wagefeld continuing to show his worth and ability by dribbling past his marker, and making it all the way to the left edge of the penalty arc before unleashing a (in all truth) tame shot that Maly doesn’t read nearly well enough off his foot, and ends up having to watch roll into the net.
Home is where the heart is, so they say, and apparently it’s where our best form is as well, as Janssen and Neubert both tuck in goals after the break, and we coast to a victory and three more points. Now, if only we could do this away from home eh?
Final Score – Dynamo Dresden 4:0 Wuppertaler SV MoM – Tim Janssen
After the game, my lecture to the team is positive, albeit stern. The win is good, it puts us into 2nd place, only behind Schalke 04’s Under-23s squad, who have been on a tear this year. But, with our next game on the road against 8th-placed Neumünster, and no less than another five teams three points or less behind us, this is no time to feel secure. A win against Neumünster, or at least a more decent showing could go a whole lot for us. I have a feeling that whoever does the best on the road here will end up in the Second Divison next year.
As I prepare to leave for the evening, my secretary informs me that Julius Berger would like to talk turkey about both Okereke and Shuiabu. $120K for the latter, $40K up front with another $30K after 30 goals for the latter. Since it won’t be until January before either of these moves go through, I ship off a fax saying that it sounds perfect.
September 15th, 2003
Good news today, as we finish negotiations with Julius Berger and agree to bring on both Ishola Shuaibu and Uche Okereke for a modest fee of $80K (combined) up front, with another $120K wrapped up in clauses, like League Games played, Goals Scored, or just over the next 12-18 months. The board is wary about he move, but I assure, them, it’s the last signings I’ll be making as a manager this year, unless I’m absolutely sure Pelé himself (or, in this case, Frans Beckenbauer) is the prospect in question. The deals go through January 1st.
September 16th, 2003
Everyone’s favorite continental club competition kicks off for real today, with the beginning of the group stages. Here’s how they’ll match up…
Group A: Newcastle, Porto, Celtic, AC Milan
Group B: FC Bayern, Olympique Lyonnaise, Lazio, CSKA Sofia
Group C: Real Sociedad, Olympiakos, Austria Vienna, Dinamo Kiev
Group D: Deportivo la Coruña, Manchester United, Lokomotiv Moscow, PSV Eindhoven
Group E: Ajax, Beskitas, Juventus, Partizan Belgrade
Group F: Arsenal, FC Copenhagen, Panathinaikos, Sparta Prague
Group G: AEK Athens, Chelsea, Monaco, Real Madrid
Group H: Benfica, VfB Stuttgart, M. Tel-Aviv, Internazionale
With the talent spread out rather well over the six groups, it’s really anyone’s call this year. However, with their buying spree behind them, money is being placed on Real Madrid to retake the title, or Inter Milan, who have started out the Serie A season in style, scoring eight goals in two games. Myself? I’m betting on Manchester United, I think if Anelka plays like the player he’s been hyped to be, they’ll do the trick.
09-26-2004, 09:52 PM
"It's Kind Of Like The Marshall Plan.." - The 1.FC Dynamo Dresden Story Post #10
"It's Kind Of Like The Marshall Plan.." - The 1.FC Dynamo Dresden Story 
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