DaveAzzopardi
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After retiring from football I wanted to get into management at the age of just 35. Oh, by the way, my name is Dave Azzopardi. I was born in Malta and moved to England at a young age. I've played for Wolves and Manchester City and have some great spells there. I was also a Maltese international and played 32 and scored 8. Anyway, I really hope you enjoy my story.
After returning to Malta for 5 days I recieved a call off an old man called Ken Bates. I didn't have a clue who he was but I had a long conversation with him. After asking his name and what he did etc. he revealed he was the Leeds United chairman. I asked him why he called and he wanted me to be their new manager. I was, let us say... shocked. I didn't know what to say. I'd just moved back with my family and a decent club wanted me to manage them back to England. I told the man I would tell him later in the day. He understood clearly. After deep conversations with my wife, children and my family, they all said it's my own choice. I was stuck.. What to do? I told Mr. Bates that I didn't know what to do. He offered me a real contract, no jokes, no negotiations. £5,750 on the table. I walked over to my wife in the other room watching some Maltese entertainment she proberbly doesn't understand. I was talking to Mr. Bates and my wife was nodding, telling me to take it. I said it as quick as anything I ever said, 'I accept your offer.'
Ken Bates sounded very pleased and he had tickets waiting for me at the Maltese National Airport. I flew to Leeds the next day and settled in to my new Penthouse Mr. Bates had rented for me. I then took my first trip to Elland Road, to start my new career as a manager.
---------- Post added at 07:54 PM ---------- Previous post was yesterday at 09:32 AM ----------
After returning to Malta for 5 days I recieved a call off an old man called Ken Bates. I didn't have a clue who he was but I had a long conversation with him. After asking his name and what he did etc. he revealed he was the Leeds United chairman. I asked him why he called and he wanted me to be their new manager. I was, let us say... shocked. I didn't know what to say. I'd just moved back with my family and a decent club wanted me to manage them back to England. I told the man I would tell him later in the day. He understood clearly. After deep conversations with my wife, children and my family, they all said it's my own choice. I was stuck.. What to do? I told Mr. Bates that I didn't know what to do. He offered me a real contract, no jokes, no negotiations. £5,750 on the table. I walked over to my wife in the other room watching some Maltese entertainment she proberbly doesn't understand. I was talking to Mr. Bates and my wife was nodding, telling me to take it. I said it as quick as anything I ever said, 'I accept your offer.'
Ken Bates sounded very pleased and he had tickets waiting for me at the Maltese National Airport. I flew to Leeds the next day and settled in to my new Penthouse Mr. Bates had rented for me. I then took my first trip to Elland Road, to start my new career as a manager.
---------- Post added at 07:54 PM ---------- Previous post was yesterday at 09:32 AM ----------
I met Mr. Bates for the first time when he told me a few things:
- I had 1m to spend (Not a big budget in my eyes)
- We were favourites to win the league
- I got to make out 2009/2010 season kits
- I had full control over everything
I had met my players for the first time, seeing such prosprects as Jermain Beckford, I was happy.
The night I got in I contacted my mate Michael Mifsud who was also a free agent.
He said he'd be really intrested in Leeds and I signed him within 10 minutes, great signing aswell!
Michael Mifsud
I got on to the kits and I managed to get a sponsership off Fly Emirates
Our Kits:
Another update in 10 mins!
- I had 1m to spend (Not a big budget in my eyes)
- We were favourites to win the league
- I got to make out 2009/2010 season kits
- I had full control over everything
I had met my players for the first time, seeing such prosprects as Jermain Beckford, I was happy.
The night I got in I contacted my mate Michael Mifsud who was also a free agent.
He said he'd be really intrested in Leeds and I signed him within 10 minutes, great signing aswell!
Michael Mifsud
I got on to the kits and I managed to get a sponsership off Fly Emirates
Our Kits:
Another update in 10 mins!
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