England Job - The Story

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Tuesday, 7th July

What a day. I applied for the England Managerial role just under a fortnight ago and I never expected the reply I got from FA Chairman Tony Procter.


I was about to head out to football training for my local side, Truehurst FC, when my phone rang. I answered and sure enough it was Mr. Tony Procter himself. I felt a tingle down my spine, but I still assumed he was giving me the bad news.


But instead he gave me the best news of my career; of my life. I have the most sought after job in the country. I am living the dream.

 

[NUFC_Tony]

Good start mate. I'm Tony Procter, however.

 

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Wednesday, 8th July 2010

Me, talking to the media for the very first time.

Met the press for the first time today; what a buzz. My press officer warned me of the questions they were going to ask, and that they'd pounce on my mistakes, and I felt more under pressure than ever.

Barraged with shouting voices and clicking of microphones and cameras, I managed to keep my cool and give some good honest answers.

I told 4-4-2 magazine how I'd be considering the captaincy, and The Daily Mail that I want to play successful football. The rest seems all a blur to me.

 

[NUFC_Tony]

Another good post mate, keep this up and you'll be in the job for a while, if the results go well!

 

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Wednesday, 15th July 2009





Just received my first official FIFA email from none other than Sepp Blatter. It was a standard one, telling me that England remained 7th in the World Rankings.

I looked up the list and saw Russia at 6th. "We can do them", I thought to myself. We are capable of getting into the top 5 by the end of this year, easily.

Oh, and what a novelty to have a personal assistant. Brilliant!

---------- Post added at 08:41 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:35 PM ----------

Thursday, 23rd July 2009

Three weeks into my reign as England Gaffer and my backroom staff seem to be running scared. Franco Baldini's been rumoured to be interested in every other club as a coach and even Steve Wigley wants to head to Man Utd.

Ah well. What can you do?

I've started formulating plans for the squad and for the captaincy. It's becoming more unlikely by the day that Rio will keep it, but I'm changing my mind every few minutes.

I've got four names in mind. What to do, what to do?

 

[NUFC_Tony]

I really don't want to go down this thread liking all your updates, but I'm going to have to if they stay like this!

I'm expecting a draw at least against Holland. Please remember you need to provide screenshots of formation, result and anything else you see as important.

 

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Tuesday, 4th August 2009

Gary Lewin, one of my more faithful staff-members and team physio, just whipped me across an email. It was the Injury Table for the English National Pool. I wasn't happy when I saw it.

Jonathon Woodgate, Michael Dawson, Michael Owen, Rio Ferdinand and Owen Hargreaves all definately out of the Holland match. I know it's a friendly, but let me try some things out? Nah, the England job isn't as simple as that.

And to add to all of that Michael Ballack injures Ashley Cole in training. ****** Germans.

 

[NUFC_Tony]

Another nice update - how far do you think you'll get tonight?

 

[Eds]

Depends how many people comment. If people stay interested I can probably get into 2010.

 

[NUFC_Tony]

I hope you can get into that far mate, people will comment when you get nearer WC, I'm off now, see you tomorrow!

 

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Thursday, 6th August 2009

What a frantic day. I've been calling all the players in my first squad with congratulations and making sure they're in top tip form.

I've still got a few difficult desicions to make, including the captaincy. I assume I'll need to make that in the next few days. I'm leaning towards one lad at the moment...

The other is the keeper. Who do I go for? Three decent keepers, but we really need a quality one if we are to win the World Cup.

Desicions, desicions.

 

[Carine]

Looking good so far

 

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Friday, 7th August 2009

As the phone rang, I was on top of the world. I had just decided on my starting XI for my first game as England Manager, against the Oranjes. My awful ringtone blared across the room and I went to pick it up.

My first impression was to assume he was joking; playing a prank on the new gaffer. But I could hear his stern voice and realised he wasn't playing around.

It was only a friendly, but Wayne Rooney had just pulled out of training with a thigh strain. He was expected to be out for a week, the match is in 5 days. I'll keep him in the squad and see how he comes along.​

---------- Post added at 09:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:19 PM ----------

Tuesday, 11th August 2009

We're pretty much there, the game against Holland is tomorrow, and I had to make my desicion on who to give the captain's armband to.

In the end, JT earned his place as vice-captain and Stevie G won the armband. He's an inspirational leader, and from CM, he's everywhere.

The World Rankings also came out today, unsuprisingly, we are still 7th. We can move up to 6th with a convincing win tomorrow though. We can hope.

 

[Daniel Carter]

Hurry up and get to Holland game, I want to see how you get on..

 

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Wednesday, 12th August 2009

I woke up this morning with a huge sense of excitement and anxiety. I was in Amsterdam, managing the England team against a strong Dutch side. I knew the team I was going to set and I told the lads the XI at breakfast.

I think we deserved to win, personally. We dominated a fair few stats, although the game was fairly even. Some really good performances from Steven Gerrard and Aaron Lennon along with Joe Hart making a few crucial saves.

I'm fairly happy with a draw, considering the lads have only just met this tactic and me, and also Wazza is out. This formation is built around him and Stevie G, so when they're both on form and fit, we'll be a side to be feared.

Now back to the training pitch, and how to improve upon a decent performance. I think the pace of Gabby in the second half was brilliant against the tired legs, and he could well be utilised as a supersub.

Ashley Young and Shaun Wright-Phillips also pose this same use from the bench as being fairly rapid themselves. With Gerrard, Lampard and Barry/Carrick spraying the ball over the top; that's a recipe for goals.

 

[Joss]

Good luck with the England job, might try and nick it off you when you get sacked . Hope you're continuing with your Arsenal story, will follow this from time to time too, i think you should give super Sol Campbell a place, oh and as far as keepers are concerned, look no further than the one and only Manuel Almunia

 

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Saturday, 22nd August 2009

A bad couple of days since the Dutch game. Brian Eastwick joins Franco Baldini in wanting every other job available and then the dreaded injury bug strikes again. This time, it's serious.

Glen Johnson, my starting Right-Back for the World Cup. I decided that long ago. And what happens, bang, broken leg. Out for around 5 months, he'll be back for the World Cup, but he'll have hardly of played.

Ledley King, the ideal backup to Rio and JT. He's injury prone so he was going to bust something sooner or later but another broken leg? Oh come on. 4 months on the sideline for Ledders.

Looks like I'm going to be reduced to Lescott at CB and Richards at RB. Joy.

---------- Post added at 12:33 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:24 AM ----------

Sunday, 30th August 2009

Squad announcement day.

Typical of my luck to have so many injuries. We'll probably get two more draws against Slovenia and Croatia, the way things are going.

On the upside, Rooney's back and we've got Rio recovering, he'll get twenty minutes or so against the Slovenes.

Yes, you have read that right. David Beckham and Michael Owen both brought back into the squad, warranted by good club form. Beckham has actually been phenomenal for AC so far, and could, maybe, get a starting place.

Davey James is back in the squad after injury. I hope the guy plays well, I want him in my starting lineup. Joe Hart was alright against the Oranje, but I've always had time for James.

Gerrard's warned the lads not to get complacent. Spot on lad.

---------- Post added at 12:45 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:33 AM ----------

Saturday, 5th September 2009

Wembley, what a place. I was mesmirized as I walked out with the players as the 80,000 fans burst into life. That's something I'll never forget.

I've gone with the same formation, I'm a big believer in the 4-2-3-1. The defense doesn't look solid at all but hopefully Rio will be back in no time.

I told the guys to get forward, and we did, fairly well. But we almost fell asleep at times. After Franky's goal, we just let them have the draw. That was disgraceful defense and I'm going to give the guys a thrashing for that.

You know it's not your day when two goals get disallowed, one blatently on-side. We outperformed them in every sense, yet lacked that X Factor. Rooney wasn't playing well today, and without him, we seem tired, run-down and slow.

We should be winning these games, but let's look on the bright side, unbeaten, right? Nah, I want win, and so do the English public. Croatia will be my first victory as England Boss. Mark my words.

 

[OAFC JACK]

Looking Good. I will definately follow this story. Good luck, lets have another Star above that badge

 

[bad_loser]

Croatia will be my first victory as England Boss. Mark my words.

I hope it isnt! (Im croatian)

But definitely a great idea and a great story!
Keep it going.

 

[ollieconnolly]

looking good mate i know you followed mine at CB look no further than Michael Dawson, won me a semi-final v Italy on his own