European Journeyman - This is The Dream
- Intro
- Welcome to my journey through Europe. I dream of becoming the best manager of all time. My name is Thomas Hansen from Oslo in Norway. After 25 years on this planet, I start on the dream I have had for many years, to become a football manager. Like many of you, I also played football growing up, but like most people, I realized that I could never become a professional football player. A few years ago, I shifted my focus to becoming a manager. I have spent the last few years studying football, but have not yet taken any official coaching courses. However, I have taken a bachelor's degree in Sport Management which will help me in the management profession. I see myself as a motivator who loves high pressure and attacking football. I am writing this in July 2021 at the same time as the first job applications are sent out. The journey can begin!
Playable leagues: Austria - HPYBET 2nd League (Tier2)
Belgium - Nationale 1 (Tier 3)
Croatia - FavBet Druga Liga (Tier 2)
Czech Republic - Fortuna narodni liga (Tier 2)
Denmark - 3rd Division (Tier 4)
England - Vanarama National League North / South (Tier 6)
France - National Championship (Tier 3)
Germany - 3. Liga (Tier 3)
Greece - Super League 2 Betsson (Tier 2)
Holland - Kitchen Champion Division (Tier 2)
Israel - Leumit League - (Tier 2)
Italy - Serie C (Tier3)
Norway - PostNord-Ligaen (Tier 3)
Poland - Fortuna I liga (Tier 2)
Portugal - Campeonato Nacional Prio (Tier 4)
Scotland - Scottish League Two (Tier 4)
Serbia - Prva liga Srbija (Tier 2)
Spain - Spanish Federation Second Division (Tier 4)
Sweden - Division 2 (Tier 4)
Switzerland - Brack.ch Challenge League (Tier 2)
Turkey - Spor Toto 2. Lig (Tier 3)
European Journeyman - This is The Dream
- Part1
- We're going to Sweden
The first stop on the journey is Östersund in Sweden. Frösö IF gave me a contract for the rest of the season. The club is located just outside Östersund and plays in Division 2 Norrland. Östersund FK also played in the same division a few years ago, Graham Potter took the club all the way up to the Allsvenskan in just a few seasons. Potter is currently the manager of Brigthon in the Premier League, he was also a short period in Swansea after his stay in Østersund FK. There is another team also from Östersund, namely IFK Östersund who play in the same division as us.
The Club
Club Vison
Finances
League Table
Results so far this season
Schedule for the rest of the season
The club is newly promoted and is currently in 9th place after 11 games. There are 17 games left of the season and the goal is to avoid relegation playoffs. The club is like everyone else, semi-professional. When it comes to finances, the club has no money to spend, here it is important to keep expenses down. This means that it will be difficult to strengthen the thin squad I have at my disposal. The club is predicted to end the season in 12th place by the media. The team is undefeated the last 3 games.
Squad
One of our better players Anton Olofsson is out with an injury for 3 weeks, and will probably miss the match against city rivals IFK Østersund. Hopefully we can bring in a couple of players who can give us some more depth.
With the players I have at my disposal, I want to have a more direct style of play. At the same time, we have to win our home games.
Transfers In
We bring in 2 very young midfielders, but they are more than good enough to add quality.
European Journeyman - This is The Dream
- Part 2
- 2021 season
Results
July - My first match as a manager ends with a strong away result. We increased the number of games without a loss to 4.
August - We continue the good form, 8 games in a row without a loss. We have to concede fewer goals.
September - The adventure continues in September, 12 straight games without a loss. We won against the league leader Team TG FF, who is the pre-favorite for the title this season. We are also keeping a clean sheet for the first time this season.
October - I am so impressed with the team, we deliver far above expectations. 16 straight games without a loss. Can we fight for promotion?
November - An adventure always has an end, matches without a loss end in 17. A very disappointing collapse away from home against our city rival. Does this ruin our chances of a sensational promotion? We won our last 2 matches, but unfortunately it does not hold for a promotion. We end up in a strong 3rd place.
Table
Season development
Incredibly impressed with what the team manages to deliver. We end up in a 3rd place which we are very happy with, only 1 poor point behind the playoff place. We played with a 4-2-3-1 formation in all the matches which worked incredibly well. The tactics were simple, high pressure, offensive and direct football. When I took over, I wanted us to be unbeatable in our home games. We managed that, no loss at home so far during my stay here. In 8 home games we won 6 and played a draw in 2 games.
Stats
Almost all the players delivered this season. Especially Joel Lundström, Christoffer Nilsson Ihrén, Rasmus Olsson, Carl Panoncilion and Majed Saedi all had a fantastic season.
The new signings
The young boys Olsson and Myhrberg took the step immediately. These two can take the club to new heights.
New contract
After a few weeks of assessment, I chose to sign a new 1-year contract with the club. I believe that we can fight for promotion next season.
European Journeyman - This is The Dream
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Part 3
- 2022 season Pre-Season
- Pre-season
We deliver a decent pre season against varied resistance. With 8 new players in the team, we have strengthened the team considerably. We will continue with the same tactics as last season.
Before the pre-season Alexander Nilsson Ihrén announced that he will leave the Club under the bosman ruling at the end of his contarct that expires at the end of the season. He is the brother of last season's top goalscorer Christoffer Nilsson Ihrén.
Season preview
The club is predicted to be in 9th place this season. The board expected a position in the middle of the table. Personally, I think the team has the opportunity to fight for promotion.
New scout signed The club has signed 1 new goalkeeping coach. Oscar Jonasson has signed a £ 50 contract for the rest of the season. The 37-year-old has previously been both goalkeeping coach and player in IFK Uppsala.
Jonas Gunnarsson will enter the role as head of youth development, on a 1-year contract.
The club has set up a separate scout team, where Jon Lindskog gets the role as chief scout. The rest of the team are scouts Hannes Blomqvist and Sebastian Eneroth. All 3 have received a one-year contract.
Sigurd Ekrem is the club's new physio.
Transfer in Fahad Shariff - Free transfer - the 24-year-old ball-winning midfielder has the potential to become an important player this season.
Tommy Silfverberg - Free transfer - the 16-year-old sweeper goalkeeper is the club's new first goalkeeper.
Noah Appelberg - Free transfer - the 20-year-old left back goes straight into the team.
Omar Eddahri - Free Transfer - 31 year old experienced winger who gives us security and options offensively.
Loyanda-Kiesse Irvine - Free transfer - 22 year old attacking player who can play as a winger and striker.
André Larsson - Free Transfer - the 26-year-old central midfielder returns to the club after a few seasons with the city rival.
Callum Nicell - Free Transfer - The 22-year-old Irishman with a past at Leeds United will be a first choice in central midfield.
Hugo Moldin - Free Transfer - the 19-year-old right-back has enough skills to be a first choice.
Transfers out Sebastian Rolandsson to Söderhamns FF - £ 0 - the young 21 year old midfielder takes the step down to division 4 (Tier 6).
Alvin Westin to Säffle SK - £ 0 - The 22-year-old played no games last season, is far from a place on the team.
Ville Ödmark to Morön BK - £ 0 - the 21-year-old right-back played only 4 games last season.
European Journeyman - This is The Dream - Part 4
- 2022 season - First half of the season
- Results
April - perfect start to the season with a home win. Undefeated after 5 matches. Solid home win against IFK Lulelå who are favorites for the title this season.
May - the victories continue and we lead the league. We lose the last match in May, but we keep the first place in the league.
June - what was a brilliant start to the season has turned into a pure nightmare in June. From 1st place to 7th place after 1 point in 5 matches. We lose the first home game under my leadership at the end of June. We must work hard to reverse the bad trend. Promotion is still an option but it will be tough.
League Table
Transfers out Sami Talsi to TPV Tampere - Loan
Filip Englund to Ytterby IS - Free
Hugo Enfors to Morön BK - Free
Wasy Burhan to Morön BK - Free
European Journeyman - This is The Dream
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Part 5
- 2022 season - second half of the season
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July - after a weak month in June, we win all 5 matches in July and climb back to 1st place in the table. With 8 games left, anything is possible. In July, I win the manager of the month in division 2. In July, the club accepts my request to start coaching education. For the next 4 months I will study to get a National C License. The club covers the course cost of £ 600.
August - 7 points in 4 games is ok. We are 2 points behind the league leader. 1 point behind playoff spot. With 4 games left of the season, everything is in place for an incredibly exciting end to the season.
Who will the league?
September
The table with 1 match left to play
5 teams can win the league or reach the playoffs with 1 game left. Umeå FC Akademi in 6th place can not get promoted as the first team Umeå FC is in Divison 1 Norra which is the level above Division 2 Norrland.
European Journeyman - This is The Dream -
Part 6 - 2022 season - Last game of the season
Build up to the last game
Champions
League Table
Results this season
Stats
Thoughts on first trophy The first title came faster than I had thought, but after last season I got the feeling that this team could have a chance to win the league. Divison 2 Norrland is an incredibly even league, as many as 5 teams had the opportunity to win the league in the last round. The tactics work incredibly well offensively, but defensively there is still a bit to work on. This also has a lot to do with which players are available. The club will have to invest in new players, facilities and young people if the club is to be able to build on the promotion. The club has offered a new 1 year contract. I need time to consider what is right for me.
European Journeyman - This is The Dream
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Part 7
- Hansen signs new contract
After several weeks of assessment, I have chosen to extend my contract by 1 year. Division 1 Norra will be tough for the team, the goal must be to avoid relegation. The players take a holiday after the end of the season and return to the pre-season in January.
European Journeyman - This is The Dream
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Part 8
- 2023 Pre-season
- Pre-season
Prediction
Transfer in Liam Munther - Free transfer - 22 year old central midfielder, good enough to be a first choice.
Gustav Klintberg - Free transfer - 21-year-old offensive midfielder, young player with great potential.
Erik Friman - Free Transfer - 18 year old striker, talent who can quickly become a first choice
.
Daniel Jamil - Free Transfer - 19 year old central midfielder, great talent.
Mail Lundgren - Free transfer - 21-year-old midfielder who can fight for a place on the team.
Dragos Farcas-Lohan - Free transfer - 24 year old forward, will be a backup.-
Renan Faustini - Free transfer - 22 year old wing that will be a first choice.
William Andersson-Junkka - Free Transfer - 22 year old right back who is a clear first choice.
Raymond Mendy - Free transfer - The 27-year-old from Gambia is best as a midfielder, but can also play in midfield.
Alex Jacobsson - Free Transfer - 22-year-old striker, will probably be a first choice.
Simon Röse - Free transfer - 30 year old experienced goalkeeper, will be a good backup.
Jesper Lernesjö - Free transfer - 27 year old left back who gives us more depth in the position.
Gustav Kadura - Free transfer - The 26-year-old will be the
best midfielder we have.
Transfers out Victor Åström - £ 0 - to Säffle SK
Alexander Nilsson Ihrén - £ 0 - to IFK Sundsvall
Andreas Roos - £ 0 - to Slätta SK
Sami Talsi - £ 0 - to PPJ
Christoffer Nilsson Ihrén - £ 0 - to IFK Sundvall
Fahad Shariff - £ 0 - to Stenungsunds IF
Very hectic transfer window, many players in and out. Hopefully the squad is good enough to avoid relegation.
Expectations
The season is probably going to be tough. 35 points is the goal, it is enough to avoid relegation.
European Journeyman - This is The Dream
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Part 9
- 2023 - First half of the season
- Results
The first half of the season is almost like a dream, we perform at a very high level. Now everything is in our own hands in the battle to avoid relegation.
