Alpha Romeo Metaphor II

View attachment 328392Friday, 6 June 2014 9:45AM

I rolled up to the gate at Casteldelbole. It was the same gate, same everything, but everything was different. My guts were churning. I'd barely eaten. All I'd had were several espressos that certainly didn't calm my nerves. I was also contemplating on of the dangers of being a baldy: if you get nervous, really nervous, the flop sweat just starts pouring down your brow. And I was going into a pressure cooker of an interview.

Enzo came barreling out of the booth when he saw it was me.

"My Little Devil," he greeted me. He was very serious this morning. "I have heard the news. I have been to church already this morning, said a prayer to Santa Catherina on your behalf and lit several candles. You can relax, everything is taken care of."

There's another thing you need to know about Enzo. He's a deeply religious man. He's a firm believer in he power of the saints.

"You know that Santa Catherina is the patron saints of artists, no?" Enzo continued. "What you did with the boys was art. Santa Catherina will be watching over your interview, have no fear. I know that you will rebuild the Rossoblu. I have always known you will do something special."

I was dumbstruck. I put the Alfa in neutral, got out and gave him a hug.

"I just hope I don't ever let you down," I said as I lowered myself back down into the Alfa.
 
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Loving it! Read all of this from FM14. Can't wait for it to continue!! Keep it up
 
The beauty of a honeymoon period as a manager is I get to get rid of a load of deadwood from the coaching staff. I had first hand knowledge of who was good and who was worthless. Furthermore, the staff was really unbalanced. We had 5 first team physios and 4 for the youth system -- of these only 2 were any good. We had 4 youth team goalkeeping coaches for only 3 youth keepers. We had 4 first team fitness trainers and another 4 for the youths - only 3 were any good. The first team assistant manager was an ally of Guaraldi and Savoia so he had to go. Plus he was worthless.

Bizarrely, there were only 2 coaches for the first team. So poor Ballardini had to split up Tactics, Ball Control, Defense, Attacking and Shooting between his useless assistant and two low-skilled coaches. No wonder they didn't perform all that well.

The wonderful thing about having a Director of Football is that I left all the dirty work for Savoia. I just emailed him the list of everyone I wanted gone and he was obligated reach a mutual termination agreement with each. Furthermore, knowing he doesn't like me only added to the schadenfreude.

The bottom line is regardless that however long I last as manager, I want Bologna to have a solid group of coaches and a high-functioning academy.

Then I began the process of searching for a whole bunch of new staff. If you know me, you know I hate interviewing candidates. There's no way around this process so I dove right in so as to get it over as quickly as possible.
 
Wednesday, June 11, 2014 5-ish PM

"Thanks for calling in everyone," I said once everyone had joined the scouting conference call. "I appreciate the reports you've given me. I've had remarkably little to do so I've read them all. Thanks."

"I have always thought that our scouting needs a boost and I plan on adding staff," I continued. "The issue is essentially that you all have too much territory to cover. I've glanced over your travel reports for last year and you certainly covered a tremendous amount of Europe. What are your thoughts?"

"This is Tomasso and I must ask if you want an honest answer?" Chief Scout Tomasso Fini asked.

"Of course," I replied. "This organization needs some changes and while I have general impressions, I could use an honest opinion about where our scouting is at. I've been able to deliver results everywhere I've been so hopefully I can stick around here long enough so that some strategic thinking about how we scout will stick."

"The problem is the last few Presidents have stifled youth development," Fini said. "They have always demanded that we win first and have always demanded mature players who can deliver now."

"This is Pierluigi and we all know that we sell off any decent youth into co-ownership," Pierluigi Di Gia. "And the big clubs always buy anyone good we develop."

"Carlo here," Carlo Jacomuzzi added. "We have no scouts looking for local talent. All we do is hope they turn up at our doorstep."

"Right, I'd noticed that," I concurred. "The big clubs have dozens scouring their local area. We should at least have a few."

"We know nothing about Eastern Europe," Fini added. "This should be addressed."

"This is Antonio," Antonio Mazzagatti said. "Don't forget that the President and Director of Football often add players without consulting the manager. So we work tirelessly to find out the qualities of a player who the manager doesn't want or like and who doesn't play much and then is sold for a loss or leaves on a free."

"So who do you send your reports to typically?" I asked.

"The Director of Football," Fini answered.

"From now on, I want them, too," I stated. "What else?"

"You know that we have to keep Savoia happy by sending him reports about senior citizens," Di Gia added. "So I hope you understand that we must continue to submit these reports to Savoia. He's our boss, unfortunately, not you."

"Understood," I said. "Guaraldi and Savoia have promised that I will be included on all player purchases. If they want you scouting for someone and I'm not involved, will you inform me? I have ways to fight them, but it will take a while to rally our side. I do not want the club wasting it's resources fruitlessly."

There was a murmur of approval.

"Anything else?" I asked. There wasn't. "Great. Please consider this the beginning of a conversation. Forza Bologna!"

"Forza Bologna," they said.
 
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Fantastic that your back, was wondering what you would do, great way to tie it all together from the last story. Those iti's and the dodgy match fixing!! I think your work is not finished in England tho, And with the new Italian links to Leeds, i think you could end up being Chellino's new man and possibly lead them back to the glory days. Watford aswell is always interesting especially with the Udinese links and how they work in game. Good luck will be following again.
 
9pm-ish that evening...

"Thank you, Graziano, for meeting me for dinner," I said as Goalkeeping Coach Graziano Vinti walked up to my table in my favorite restaurant.

"Not at all," he replied as he sat. "I didn't get the email from Savoia so I concluded I get to keep my job."

I smirked.

"Yes, I know," he continued. "You far too thoroughly enjoy making people you dislike do odious things."

"Is it that obvious?" I asked. "I'm fine sacking people I don't think are competent. I've sacked several bus loads on two distinct occasions already."

"Which baffles me why you rang about dinner," he said. "I've only been at the club for days. Technically, three and a half weeks."

"Yes, exactly," I said.

"Ahhh ... so it's a clean sweep then?"

"Not entirely," I replied. "Most of the people loyal to Savoia are out except for a couple because they're very good at their jobs. I want Savoia to know what I'm doing. I want to control what he knows and when and how he finds out."

The waiter brought out a bottle of wine. I declined to sample it as I knew it was good. I could see the gears grinding as Graziano watched the waiter pour.

"It's all good here, the food," I said. "I hide here in the back. This is comfort food for me. I've missed this place so badly since I left."

Graziano moved his eyes across the menu without comprehending. He was trying to read into the significance of everything I said. So Italian.

"I brought you here to talk to you because I find this place really relaxing," I said. "So relax. I want to talk to you about becoming my Assistant Manager. We have a number of mutual acquaintances who speak highly of you and they agree you'd be a great help."

"Oh," he said. "Would I still get to work with the keepers?"

"Of course. But you're a very perceptive man, you're great at reading people, or so I'm told and with you as Assistant it frees me up to hire another coach."

"There's a pay raise, right?"

"Of course. A nice one, too."

"I'm honored," he replied. "I'd be glad to be promoted after a mere few days at the club. But one thing..."

"Yes, of course."

"I'm really not the disciplinarian type," he said. "I'm not much for shouting at anyone or punishing."

"You can leave all that to me," I said and flashed that smile of mine that everyone tells me scares people.

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Friday, 13 June 2014 12:30pm

"Thanks for meeting with us on such short notice," Albano Guaraldi said as he, Roberto Savoia and I sat down in his office. "Roberto and I just happened to be back in Bologna today so I felt this was a prime opportunity. Now that you've had a few days to get settled in your new role, we wanted to talk about how we achieve promotion this season, Roberto ..."

"Yes," said Roberto on cue. "72 points got Palermo promoted this season as you're well aware I'm sure. 80 points got Verona into Serie A the year before. I think we should aim for 80 points."

"Well, technically speaking, Latina had 68 so 69 would have been enough and while Siena got 77 in 2010/11, they only needed 71. Furthermore, 2012/13 and 2011/12 were a bit odd as the top teams were far, far stronger than the rest and there was quite a race to the finish for the automatic promotion spots. The bottom teams those two years were really poor. Judging by the third placed teams the last five years, we'd need 70. But the second place team averaged 77 over the last five seasons."

"So we aim for 77?" Guaraldi commented. I nodded.

"But here's the the situation as I see it," I said. "The club has been very unstable. You've even publicly stated you are seeking to sell your stake in the club provided the right owner or group come along. A new President taking over will be tumultous. We've had 11 managers in the last 5 years and that isn't good. Our player purchases have not followed any pattern and have changed based upon whomever temporarily held the Manager post. There has been nothing but conflict between the Board and the managers as well as amongst Board members. That has to stop."

"But doesn't what you say make the point that I should be in charge of player acquisition?" Roberto said.

"You hired me to put together a squad that will win promotion," I said. "I need players that are the kind of players who will sweat blood for the Rossoblue and fight until their last breathe for the cause. You haven't purchased those kinds of players. In addition, they skill players you have purchased are past their sell-by dates and will be injury-prone. I've watched videos of the players you've brought in on loan for the upcoming season and I'm not impressed."

"So you are already questioning my judgment?" Roberto said.

I just looked at Roberto for a moment as I thought. Should I actually answer his question? I didn't want to go on the defensive. I was in charge until they sack me. How could I pivot? Then I went for the vision thing.

"What this club lacks is a vision," I said. "What this club lacks is a plan. Arrigo Sachi only succeeded in transforming Milano into one of the greatest sides the world has ever seen because Berlusconi backed him 100%. Wenger succeeded because his Board backed him 100%. Guardiola created the only other team that dominated as much as Milano ... and arguably more ... because Cruyff and De Gaal built the structure and his Board backed him 100%."

Roberto didn't look like he was going to argue my point, so I continued.

"Another way to think about it is imagine if my keeper, star defender and midfield General didn't want to play for me, where would I be? The team would stink. Since it's harder to replace three star players than sack the manager, the manager goes. If my President and Director of Football don't support me in my efforts to win promotion, where will I be?"

"So far I have won wherever I go," I went on. "I would have gotten Cadiz into the play-offs had I not been sacked. The Board of Cadiz undercut me at every step of the process, yet I kept the team competitive. I was not counting on any points away to the league leaders, that's the loss that got me sacked. We had a run of matches to end the season against the bottom sides. I had total control at Wimbledon. I got Wimbledon promoted and was in the running for another promotion when I got sacked there for the match-fixing bull****. As you know they went on to gain promotion. Finally, I just took a bunch of boys and nearly won the youth league. Most of these boys won't play in Serie A. Let's just be honest. Most will have professional careers, though. They now understand that they have what it takes to be a part of something bigger than them."

"If you want to try and martyr me by undercutting me at every juncture, I might still get us promoted," I said. "If you sell Cacia out from under me, Aquafresco or maybe a teenager from the youth squad might contribute enough to finish the job. However, as I said during the interview, if you, Albino, do what you can to keep the club's finances in good shape and you, Roberto, sign the players I've identified, I will get us promoted. I'll work within whatever budget constraints set. The EU900,000 you've set is fine. I will instill a fighting spirit in my players just like I had when I played. We will be a tight-knit squad that will score plenty and be painful to play against."

After my speech, they both nodded that they agreed. But I know otherwise. Then we exchanged pleasantries. They were nodding to agree that I had done well in the initial skirmish not that they would cooperate or support me if I actually challenged their power somehow. It's never over until it's really over. The only thing I could do to prevent a next move by them was to win matches.

After all, winning cures everything.
 
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Just read the 4 pages, wishing it never stopped lol! Its just like reading a book.
 
Saturday, June 14, 2014 4:00pm

"Would you wait out here, please?" I asked in English.

"Absolutely not," said Noam.

"No, seriously, I don't want their first impression to be walking in with a security detail," I replied.

Noam wasn't budging according to his body language. Noam was in charge of Bologna's security. Noam was a former Massad agent and his English was better than his Italian. He'd been hired last January when Guaraldi got death threats when he sold Diamanti. He had revamped the club's security and was personally in charge of security for the President and manager. Since Guaraldi was out of town, he'd decided that he personally needed to provide my security at this first meeting with the Ultras.

Now, I can see where he's coming from. In all likelihood the death threats were from someone in the room I was about to enter. When violence erupted inside or outside of the stadium, these were the guys responsible. But first impressions are important and don't want the Ultras first impression of me to involve a very scary looking former Massad agent providing security for me.

"I realize that your job is to make sure I'm safe," I said. "But the Ultras loved me when I played for the club. Our communications team say my appointment has been reasonably well received. Their willing to overlook my inexperience because of that fondness. I don't want to jeopardize that goodwill by appearing scared of them."

"C'mon, we're meeting in a Ristorante," I said. "A public place. Please I beg you to just wait here."

Silence.

"Fine," he replied at long last. "I'll be monitoring the situation from right here in case you need me."

"Thank you," I said and opened the door. I saw that about thirty people had stuffed themselves into the back corner of the restaurant. Many of them were wearing club colors.

The groups started to quiet down as I strolled over.

"Good afternoon," I said. "I'm surprised so many of you showed up. Thanks for coming. I'm not much for giving speeches. I want you guys to know that I want to be available. I will never run and hide. I left my former Massad agent outside. No, really. The guy the club hired to head up our security after the whole Diamanti ****storm is a former Massad agent. Anyway, you guys have my email and I'll respond. Let's get right to questions, let's talk."

"Welcome, Enrico," said a tall, gangly man. "I'm Christian Ventura. I'm President of Forever Ultras. I'll get right to it: what's the plan?"

"Great question," I said. "I haven't seen any signs in the last decade. Or ever really. Unless you consider winning a plan. Which we haven't done all that well of late. There are several things I'll be addressing right now. First, we don't have enough scouts and we don't have enough scouting in and around Bologna. The big clubs do this and we should, too. Secondly, I'm bringing in coaches. I've let a bunch go. We need more specialist coaches. Both for the First Team and the kids. Finally, we'll be playing a high tempo, possession and pressing game."

"Hi, Enrico," said a squat man. "I'm Joe Paccerillo, I'm from Beata Gioventu. Where do you stand in relation to Albano Guaraldi and Roberto Savoia?"

"They hired me," I said. "I have to be delicate here. Regardless of who eventually comes out on top of this internal war, I'm here to win matches and get us back into Serie A. We all know there's a feud going on inside this club. Some directors want Guaraldi out, you guys all want Guaraldi out and we've all read the news about a possible takeover and new President. Guaraldi and I talk regularly, he's my boss after all. He knows of my plan and my philosophy. Savoia and I talk regularly. He'll be signing the players I want and taking care of contracts."

"I'm Guiseppe of the Freaky Boys," said a short man. "Savoia and the Directors of Football before have all signed and sold players without the manager's input. How will this change?"

"Just the other day we talked about this topic," I said. "I've given him a list of players to sign already. I've prioritized my list. I can't really say more than that, sorry."

"Is this squad good enough?" Christian. "I mean Cacia and Methusaleh and all these loan signings, will they do the job?"

"Keep in mind, we haven't even had a training session, yet," I replied. "I also have no idea about these loan signings. I've watched videos of past performances. Also, keep in mind that I was in charge of the youths and I might just promote a few."

"Which ones?" A man asked. "Sorry, I'm Filippo of the Old Guard. Can you tell us?"

"Aw, Mother of Mary, I get to have a few surprises up my sleeve, don't I?" I replied.

"Actually, let me return to the strengths of this squad," I said. "We've got a great young keeper in Stojanovic. Perez is awesome. Cacia is a proven scorer at this level and Aquafresca will do better. Franco Zuculini is primed for a break-out season. Morleo is a solid leader. Casarini is dependable and creative. We have plenty of talent and creativity available."

"I've got to ask," said another man. "Apologies. I'm Antonio of Via Genova. I've got to ask. You're dating a supermodel?"

"Yes," I replied. "She's English as you all probably know but has really enjoyed life here so far. You'll see us around town, we won't be hiding or anything. I just ask that you be reasonable, that's all. I'm here to work for you."

"One more question," Christian said. "Will the players continue to hide inside the Rossoblu bubble or will they be out to meet with the fans?"

"Two things," I replied. "First, that will be up to my new Israeli friend. You know, the former Massad agent who is now in charge of security. Secondly, I will schedule events to get the players out and meet the fans. We'll have signing events, promotions with local businesses and some training sessions will be open to the public. My Israeli friend has carte blanche to shut any and all of it down if he feels anyone's safety is in jeopardy. Clear? Gentlemen, it's been a pleasure. I will do all I can to keep communication channels open. Talk to you all soon."
 
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As a manager, June is best spent with your mobile attached to your ear. When it wasn't attached to my ear, I was interviewing a candidate to fill out my staff. I needed to fill 16 positions. It might be better to just tell you what I didn't need. I didn't need physios and goalkeeper coaches. Keep in mind that this was for both the first team and the youth team.

I occasionally spoke with Gwen. She understood that I needed to put in long hours taking care of a million details. We had dinner occasionally. Seriously, that part sucked. At least I knew that once the preseason kicked off, I wouldn't have to work quite as hard.

My first problem is that I only had two senior central defenders. The rest had been sold off. I thought that one boy from the U18s might be able to be the fourth central defender. I figure I'd loan a young, promising player. Also, I could use a fourth fullback.

Secondly, I need to make some money. I organized three Cup competitions. All together that should pull in an extra million for the club.

Third, I needed some youth players. We lacked both quantity and quality. We let a bunch go who weren't ever going to make the grade. So I scoured the scouting reports looking for promising young talents. Then I watched videos of U18 and U20 club matches. Every summer several boatloads of young men are cut loose by their clubs. There are always a few diamonds in the haystack, if you know what I mean. I wanted to find that kid who was cut not because he lacked talent but hated his club, his manager disliked him or whatever. Talented players get cut all the time. Kids on second chances are often extremely motivated. I know I certainly was when I got to Bologna. I invited anyone who looked like they might have any potential for a trial. By July, about 100 young men were going to flood Casteldelbole. I can honestly tell you that I can tell if a kid is any good by watching him train or play for about five minutes. Seriously. Within five minutes, the kid will either display good ball skills, strike the ball well or display some trait to make me notice. By then I'll also have twenty other sets of eyes watching these boys in addition to me.

Fourth, I needed some icing on the Rossoblu cake. I needed someone to take free kicks. I wanted better than alright. I've already got several players who were alright. Or to put this in metaphorical terms, could I get a sports car on an economy budget?
 
love this story, the detail you go to is unreal but at the same time you can tell you're setting up the club well. Keep it up!
 
Hate when someone comments on this, i get excited theres another update XD lol!
 
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