Liverpool: A Manager's Journey to Past Glory

Liverpool: A Manager's Journey to Past Glory
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Preface:

I am back although I don't really feel like continuing with my wrestling diary, but I have found the motivation to actually write something so here I am telling a story. I have been reading some interesting football fantasy stories in the internet and it has given me the drive to make one my own here. Some things won't be accurate in the story but for most parts, I will try my best to get the right information. I am trying to put this into the perspective of the manager and how his life (family, football career, past events) affects his career as a football manager. I will try to stay with this thing for as long as I can and I hope you enjoy. I will also be using Football Manager 2012 for the simulation of results and I will build a story from there. Thank you.

Prolouge: My One and Only

January 1997 - I was a prospect from the famous Liverpool youth academy during this time where the likes of Robbie Fowler, Michael Owen, Steven Gerrard and Jaime Carragher were playing alongside me for the Reserves Team of Liverpool Football Club, headed by Roy Evans as the first team manager. It's been around 7 years since the famous club has won the League Title and fans were already wondering if the future will be bright for this club.

"I can guarantee you that our youth academy is pulling through and we are actually prepared to call up some exciting talents from the reserves team during the summer for next season. Take a look at them and then ask me about our chances for the title next season" - Roy Evans

"I can tell you we have some hot prospects who are ready to make the cut and amongst those players are Steven Gerrard, Michael Owen, Jaime Carragher and 22 year old, Leo Evans" - Sammy Lee, Liverpool Reserves Manager (1997)

We were all told before the FA Reserves Cup Finals game at May 1997 that if we do well in front of the watching scouts and most importantly, the manager (Roy Evans), then we could be considered to be included in the first team for next year. We were against West Ham's also blooming reserves team and it was a really tough game. I was a striker, by the way, a finisher and the smart type, the one who would always play for the better of the team.

I was playing alongside Michael Owen and we have really formed a great partnership throughout the reserve season, combing a total of 40 goals out of the 67 scored. We took the lead at the 19th minute after a through ball by me to my strike partner, Michael Owen as he cooly slams it home past the keeper for the all important lead. Throughout the game, I was bullied by the defender who was apparently trying to shut me down. I proved him wrong however, as I slammed the ball past the keeper at the 59th minute to give my team the 2-0 lead, just perfect. The watching Roy Evans gave me a thumbs up and I knew in my heart, that I would be playing for the first team next season.

I always loved the club, I grew up a Scouser and I have always supported them since. I have been through their epic league triumphs and also their disasters. However if I was to take anything from this team, it's that they always had the heart to fight back and they were always the team to beat. I love the club, and I will continue to even after I stop playing.

Little did I know that it would come really soon. At the 83rd minute, frustrated West Ham players were just throwing tackles around in anger. I ended up being on a very nasty one from the same defender who tried to stop me. I clutched my leg and I couldn't dare look but I knew that something was wrong. Medics approached me as players around me hold their breath as they dare not to look at the extent of the injury. Me leg was positioned in a different angle as the medics quickly stretchered me off and rushed me straight into the hospital. I remember flashing lights in the ER before I passed out.

"With an injury as nasty as that, you're even lucky that you are still able to walk, son. Nevermind playing for Liverpool, you can never play football again" - Doctor

And just like that, my career has just ended before it even started. All of who I have played with have been successful as football players over the next decade and I couldn't bring myself to return to the game for the next few years. I, Leo Evans, love the sport although I couldn't bring myself to end it prematurely. I knew that there was a way back for football and so I took my coaching badges over the years and hope that I could become a successful manager and one day, maybe, return to Liverpool and lead them to past glory.

Chapter 1:
May 2011

"And Valencia reach Champions League Football after finishing 2nd in the La Liga just 5 points off Barca and 2 points above Real Madrid". It's been a long ride since and I couldn't believe it, I have reached this far. I am currently 36 years old now and it felt like I have been managing my whole life. It all started with minnow side, Southampton and I lead them to promotion to the Championship where we finished in the mid-table. That's where I left off for a short stint at Championship side, Middlesbrough where we almost captured the FA Cup but we were stopped by Manchester United in the semi-finals. I then switched to Spain and managed struggling Real Betis for a while and led them to a decent mid-table finish before the break came - I was to manage Valencia - the superstar filled team including David Villa, David Silva and Juan Miguel Mata.

The trio was my plan and I developed it to be one of the most feared partnerships in Europe. Unfortunately, two out of the three was sold to pay for the huge debt of the club and I was left to work around the last of the three, Juan Mata. The 2010-2011 season did not really start out well with 5 losses on the bounce during September-October. However we bounced back with some famous wins and we secured 2nd place in the La Liga table, just ahead of Real Madrid which was an amazing feat considering the players that they have bought.

It has been around 4 seasons since I was tasked to manage Valencia and I left that giving them Champions League Football was a fitting farewell gift as I have decided to take a break from managing. Little did I know that when I returned to England and picked up the newspaper, this has been the on-going headline since by departure from Valencia:

"Dalglish not taking up full-time Liverpool job. Unemployed Leo Evans rumored to fill up the spot of Liverpool"

I immediately reached for the phone and dialed up with Liverpool's managing director and owners to confirm talks about taking the Anfield hot seat. Dream come true? Well it has been around 21 years since Liverpool last won a League Title and 5 years since they have won any title of sorts. With no European Football this season and with the club looking for someone to stabilize the team, this was going to be one hell of a bloody challenge. And so the journey begins here.

When Football Manager came out in October, I considered taking a break from booking the WWE to see if I could get a footballing one to be successful, never happened. Hopefully you can live the dream for me

Best of luck, I'll be reading this and great to have you back in the section.

Chapter 2:
June - July 2011

"What are your thoughts on becoming the Liverpool manager"
"Can you lead them to past glory? There has been several managers who came and went but none did not get the job done"
"Who's going to be your first signing?"
"What's your style of play going to be?"

Ah the press, they never get old and their sole focus is to get a real story to show for the country. I have been in the managerial game for quite a while but when you're a manager of a top club in the Prem, there's always going to be pressure on you. I knew I had to choose my words carefully because any wrong word and that's going to go against my reputation as a manager. I couldn't even handle some of these questions because quite frankly, I haven't even met the United States Owners of the club. I knew what may game plan was going to be: the exciting and fast paced type, enough to gain attraction to the footballing style of the club after years of being conservative under Roy Hodgson and Rafa Benitez.

Mr. Dalglish has resigned to a role in the Academy once again but he did leave me with some signings before he left the club:
20 million pound signing from Aston Villa: Stewart Downing
24 million pound signing from Sunderland: Jordan Henderson
9 million pound signing from Newcastle: Jose Enrique
13 million pound signing from Blackpool: Charlie Adam
Undisclosed Fee from Nacional: Sebastian Coates

With all these signings, we also needed to breakeven with our budget so Mr. Dalglish also took the initiative to sell some players and/or loan out some players to cut on the wage budget:
Joe Cole to Lillie for 8 million pounds [Transfer]
Alberto Aquilani to AC Milan for 12 million pounds [Transfer]
Fabio Aurelio to Bayern Leverkeusen for 2 million pounds [Transfer]
David Ngog to Bolton for 5 million pounds [Transfer]
Soritis Kyrgiakos to Wolfsberg for free [Transfer]
Jonjo Shelvey on loan to Blackpool [Loan/Part deal to bring Charlie Adam to Liverpool]
John Flanegan on loan to Charlton Athletic [Loan]
Brad Jones on loan to Nottingham Forest [Loan]

With all these happening already, I was left with a budget of 25 million pounds, still enough to sign up that superstar signing that the fans want. They are all claiming that Luis Suarez is left with the burden of being the top scorer for this season and they also say that Andy Carroll should be sold to get something out of the 35 million pounds that we payed to get him. I'm not the bold type of manager and I like to give chances to some players. I just see the current number 9 of Liverpool as a challenge and I'd like him to prove all his critics wrong by being the star of this season. I spoke with Andy and he was a good lad, we even had time to get some lunch out as I revealed to him my plans for the future. We didn't buy him for this season alone, but for the seasons after and for the future.

Some people are also claiming that the defense is too weak and that we need a partner for our other secured center back, Daniel Agger. Martin Skrtel isn't just a favorite and Jaime Carragher, a good ol' friend of mine, is too old to play a full season, all matches. I stuck to my gun and I didn't splash the cash knowing that Sebastian Coates can deliver seeing as he's had a good preseason. He's done well for Uruguay and I'm glad to have him on my squad. Jose Enrique and Glen Johnson are assured of a spot in the line up as well.

Was there any doubt about the quality of Pepe Reina? I trusted him and I told him that one day, he will become the captain of Liverpool and he will also get his chance at Spain. I just worked some tactics with him and I can why people are claiming that he's one of the best keepers in the Prem. That's rubbish for me. He is the best keeper in the Prem.

Which brings us to the midfield. Stewart Downing, Charlie Adam and Jordan Henderson are good buys and are useful squad players. However, they bring with them huge price tags and a promise to deliver from day one. It's kind of harsh on the lads but that's my job now, to help them settle in and somehow have an impact on the team. Lucas will always remain a mainstay in the team, proving all his critics wrong after being named Liverpool's player of the year last season, an impressive feat. He's still young and he can only get better which is why he will be an important player for this season. Dirk Kuyt has the lungs to run and the will to inspire other people to play. He's on the wrong side of 30 but he will also be vital to our chances this season. Stevie G is still out with an injury but we will all expect him back sooner or later because what's a crew without it's captain? I'll make a mental note that he's already 31 years old but he's still got it, that man.

Which brings us to my all important signing. I have been waiting for this since I signed for Liverpool and I am given the right amount of money to purchase this man. I have worked with him for a long time and I believe that he's the missing piece in the puzzle for Liverpool. He'll be a great addition and this could be the man who will help us take the first step: Achieve entry into the Champions League place by the end of the season.

Chapter 3:
Early August [Transfer Window] + Flashback

The press has been speculating as always and a number of strikers have been linked to the club including Karim Benzema, Gonzalo Higuain, Robin Van Persie, and among st others. I read the newspaper everyday and it seems like there has to be a new name linked to our club. 25 million pounds is a lot of money and that can either bring me a gem of a signing or a flop. Andy Carroll is not yet the star striker this season for me. He's got a huge price tag, that man and it is going to be a burden to live up to that price tag if I keep pinning my hopes on him even though the media expects me to considering the price tag. He's one for the future and he will play a role in this season. I have already given him a minimum target of 10 goals this season and we will see whether he will break this target.

Back to the signing, I have already a name in mind and we have been having short talks since it was said by the Chairman of the Board that I was given 25 million pounds to sign a star striker. He was already the name I had in mind and I worked with him before. I forgot to mention that I worked with the Youth Team of Wolfsburg before I became a big time manager. I worked with this young lad and he had this ability to really put the ball at the back of the net. He was like a son to me and I tried to bring him when I went to Valencia but the club's debt was too much and we couldn't afford the man. Now he's one of the best strikers in the Bundesliga, a man that Germany looks to when they are in trouble and I have just secured his services on personal terms. I left it up to our managing director to secure the club agreement and finally the speculation is done and August 7, 2011; just a week before the Premier League starts, a new signing for Liverpool has been announced. He will be wearing the number 10 jersey for us and I tell the press that he will be good for us and that he will score loads of goals. A deal worth 24.7 million pounds. He comes from Bayern Munchen saying that he chose Liverpool because he wants to excel under my leadership and he has been a fan of the club since he was a young lad.

Who is this man you may ask?

Two words: Mario Gomez. The Champions League challenge is well and truly on!

Chapter 4:
Setting the Goals and Pre-Season; Summer and Early August

I sat down with the Board at the start of August and we talked about the targets for this season. Champions League is always going to be their main target and that means finishing no better than fourth place. We talked about how the club is regressing these past few seasons and Kenny Dalglish only bought time for me during his short tenure here in the hot seat. They made it a point that I need to give back the fear instilled to the clubs coming to Anfield and make it a fortress again. They said that Champions League is not enough, I need to bring back the 'elite' status that every club in Europe has known us in the past. Basically, bring back the glory days.

We then talked about the League Cup and the FA Cup. In Early August, I was set a date with Manchester United away in the first round of the League Cup knockout stage. The owners say that I do not really have to prioritize on these cups but I told them that these cups will be the stepping stone for success. I have set my own target with at least a Semi Finals showing in both the League Cup and the FA Cup. Is it possible? Well with no Europe this season, it is a big possibility and it gives us only three fronts to target. A treble? It's highly unlikely but I have always tried and I almost did it with Valencia.

Pre season was good because players respond to me and they follow my tactics and way of playing. We faced Rangers for our first pre season game and we drew, 2-2. Andy Carroll got both goals and he proved to me that he is hungry for goals this season and he is hungry to step up and be the main man. It's my job to exploit that and that, I will do. Our second pre season game was against Burnley and we trashed them 5-0 with Andy Carroll (1), Craig Bellamy (2), Maxi Rodriguez (1) and Charlie Adam (1) getting on the scoresheets respectively. I usually use these matches for competition between these players and they have all given me a reason as to why I should start them in the opening day of the season. The last pre season game of the season was against Athletico Madrid, a side that I used to face in Spain. I have never beaten them in my time in Spain and that run continued as we slumped to a 2-1 defeat. Stewart Downing gave my side the lead but we let go in the end with 2 goals and lost the match that we should have won.

All in all, it was a good pre season with no games showing that we don't have the skill to make it to the top. There's a job to be done and the board have put their burden on me, a young manager who aspires to do well. Whether if I do well or not will speak over time but I tell the press that I shouldn't be judged until the season is over. I tell them that patience is the key and that it will all come out in time. For the moment, I have to take it one step at a time and I will start with our season opener at Anfield, against Sunderland.

As I'm starting to get a bit more time on my hands I have been reading through the BTB (Wrestling and Non-Wrestling sections) this one struck my eye as I am an avid Pool' supporter. I will definitely be keeping my eye on this one and love what you have so far. Great work!

Thanks man! Good to know that someone is reading my work. Hope you enjoy the rest!

Chapter 5:
A Promising Start

As with every new manager, the players are always looking to impress and in the first few games, they always try their best to make themselves a regular fixture in the starting 11. I told them frankly "no man is bigger than the club, and no one's name is permanent on the team sheet". How did they respond? A resounding 3-0 win against Sunderland in the opening day of the season. Not bad for your first match in English, eh? Anyhow, I started with Reina in goal, Enrique, Agger, Skrtel and Johnson at the back, Henderson, Downing, Adam and Lucas in midfield with Suarez and Andy Carroll. I limited Mario Gomez to the bench because he still needed to settle in but I did give him a run out and boy did he make the most out of it. The first goal came at the 13th minute when Suarez simply waltzed past 3 defenders and slid a pass through the defense for Andy Carroll to slide home and his first of a promising season. The second came in the 69th minute when Suarez slid home from a Downing cross. The third came in the 90th minute when Mario Gomez headed in a cross from Henderson. All in all, the fans were happy and I was happy with the team performance.

The press named us a "Champions League Hopefuls" this season and with a start like that, I'd bet on that. Our next match was against Arsenal and Arsene really tried his best to unnerve me by calling me a "rookie". The match was at the Emirates and it was a good game showed by the team which is exactly the same except I took out Downing for Maxi Rodriguez. The game ended 1-1 when Arsenal took the lead in the 39th minute with a brilliant finish from Van Persie. Daniel Agger then leveled up the scores in the 80th minute after a header from a Charlie Adam cross. It was a good away result although I felt we could have done better considering the "crisis" Arsenal was going through (they lost their next match against Manchester United 8-2!!). I felt we could have walked away with 3 points but these are the things we need to work on. Our captain, Steven Gerrard has been finally named fit for the next game against Bolton (who we swept past with a 5-0 scoreline (Carroll, Henderson, Suarez, Skrtel and Steven Gerrard). Yep, the captain returned with a goal which made the fans happy. So 7 points from a possible 9 and an aggregate scoreline of 9-1 in the first three games of the season. Things are looking up and up next comes the away match at Old Trafford in the League Cup knockout stage.

"Sir Alex Ferguson is one of the most decorated managers in the business. Do you think your team can beat his in the upcoming League fixture?"

"I'm not going to say whether we'll win or not but let me say this, I will relish this first of many battles with the "great" Mr. Ferguson"

I said that with a sly smirk on my face because I knew that the challenge was there and I always thrive on challenges.

*Note that not all matches will be in full detail. I have only done it in these first few games to give you guys the feel but I think I will be working on the important matches and give an update on the table ever so often*