My Slovakian Dream
January 2009
I was finally here. I looked out of the window, looking at the four building opposite. This was certainly different from my time in England. I was use to the hustle and bustle of London City, something was happening all the time. It was alot different here, It seemed that if a dog barked then it would be the talk of the village for the next week. When my fiance told me that we would be moving to a village, i thought there would at least be a community of two thousand people, with a small shop, a church, etc. But within hours of arriving, it had hit me that this was a different world. a total of twenty people lived in this village. I was stunned
I had left England with a very good job, a nice circle of friends and my family. We had saved enough money to buy a house in Slovakia, and live for at least a year with out either of us getting a job. But the next Month was a long one
February 2009
A month had passed and i was extremely bored. I was yearning for England. It has it's bad points but it wasn't as lonely as this. My fiance loved it here, it was quiet, every one was friendly and she enjoyed her trips into Zilina city centre.
One night, i told her i needed to find a job. I couldn't handle being at home. I loved her, obviously, but i needed something to do. She didn't seem to agree but helped me in my search for a job.
I had been able get by speaking my pigeon Slovak but as soon as i began to Job advertisements, i knew i was in big trouble. It hit me that my Slovak wasn't as good as my fiance let on. Every job i pointed out, she laughed. "you can't do that" she would say, and i didn't even know what it was.
But i was determined. I decided i didn't need her help and i would find a job of my own. But my Slovak wasn't good enough. All i could find were cleaning jobs for Twenty Euro a week. I could barely bring my self to clean my own house, let alone some one elses.
March 2009
Still looking for a job, i decided to enrol for a two month course at the Zilina community college. I was going to learn Slovak. Every tuesday and Wednesday i would drive into Zilina and i would learn Slovak.
My Slovak gradually improved through out the month but still, no jobs caught my attention. My Slovak was still bad and i still didn't want to clean anyones house. The next two months went by with nothing. I managed to learn Basic Slovak in that small amount of time though
June 2009
Finally, Finally, i thought to my self. I applied for two jobs. I applied to work in the new fast food outlet in Zilina, Burger King. The money wasn't good but it would get me out and communicating. The second job was what i wanted though. It was for M.S.K Zilina, i had translated the add into English. they were looking for an English speaking accountant. Great, i had the first part down to a tee, i could speak English. And i also spent a year studying accounting back in England, a few years ago. At the time i had it in my mind i wanted to be a Banker, but once i gained the qualification, i had forgotten all about it, and i always thought to my self it was a waste of time but looks like it may be paying off now.
I was told by my Fiance that Slovakia was in a transition period and that employers wouldn't really look at your history. I told Burger King that i had worked for Little Chef for ten years in the U.K, which was obviously a lie but my greatest lie was to MSK Zilina.
I don't know why i done it, but i wanted to impress them. They wanted a five year job history, so My first Job i put down was financial controller for Sky Sports, the second was Financial manager at the BBC. But i also wanted to put something else in there, so i told them i had spent time at Windsor and Eton FC as a fitness coach, which wasn't far from a lie. I had actually helped two of their players get fit for an upcoming season. I also told them i coached at Fulham FC and Chelsea FC. To be honest, i thought i would have no chance of getting either job, so why not have some fun right?
Two weeks later
The post arrived, two letters stood out and finally something came in my name. One Was from Burger King which i opened first. It was some where along the lines of that they had already filled the position with some one local, but they would keep me on record for the next six months. Ahhh, so being English will go against me.I didn't have much hope for the next letter, from MSK Zilina, so i left it for my Fiance to look at. I figured she would be proud of me for actually trying to get a job
Later that evening she approached me with a face of thunder. I thought she would be proud. But no, she demanded to know what the **** i was up to. I explained that it was for an English accountant, this is when she laughed. She had a huge smile on her face and told me my interview was in a few days, June 8th!
So i travelled to MSK Zilina's ground, the POD. We went through all the usual dribble, i was given a tour of the ground, the changing rooms etc but not the financial control, which i thought was strange. I was greeted to the owner of the club who told me the history of MSK Zilina.
Over the next few hours, he totally dismissed my time with Sky and the BBC, which i was glad about as i had lied about it but he wanted to know more about my time as a coach. I thought this was strange as i said i was a fitness coach, but i played along. I told him i was mainly behind the scenes and stayed out of public view but i had worked along side the managers and some times helped pick the teams. He had a huge grin on his face, and he kept on rubbing his hands.
Soon after, he stood up and shook my hand and told me they would be in contact soon. He asked if i had any special requirements, so i said i want all written correspondence in English. At least i would be able to understand the rejection letter. I made my way home and had to laugh to my self, that was very weird, although it was nice to see behind the scenes.
My Fiance, laughing, asked how the interview went, which i bluntly told her my rejection letter would come in a few days. She just laughed and told me that my Slovak was ****! i argued with her when she said, "Ok, so what job did you go for, with MSK?" Thinking she was a little stupid, i told her, "Maybe your understanding of English isn't as good as you thought, i went for some financial position there, they wanted an English speaker" She then said Check Mate..and i listened on in wonder. She re-read the job advertisement, they wanted an English speaking Manager.....for their first team squad!
I gulped, it hit my that my Slovak was still **** and i felt even lower knowing that even Burger King didn't want me. I went to bed early that night, in a sulk, declaring i wanted to go home
Three days later, i noticed a commotion out side. Two of the villagers were shouting, i peeked out and saw they chasing a donkey up the muddy lane. I laughed but before i knew it, the Donkey was making a B-Line for my newly planted flowers. They actually cost alot so i ran out side and began chasing the donkey with them. With in thirty minutes i had control of the Donkey and one of the Villagers, Lucas, said he would employ me to chase his donkey. Tongue in cheek i said ok, but it killed me inside to realise this was probably the only job i could do....or become a cleaner. No thanks
I made my way back inside, looking at my fiance, re telling my story of how i cptured the donkey, my version stood right up next to the famous story of St George slaying the Dragon, when in reality, i was making a fool of my self. My fiance laughed and gave me a quick kiss before informing me the postman had been with my MSK Zilina rejection letter in hand. I laughed and opened it, low and behold it was in English. At least they kept to their promise. But what came next surprised me
Dear Mr Drezzy
Further to our interview, the MSK Zilina board would like to welcome you to our club and offer you the first team Managers position.........
Further to our interview, the MSK Zilina board would like to welcome you to our club and offer you the first team Managers position.........
I read on, low and behold, they were impressed with my CV, which was all a lie, and said they firmly believed i coud make the step up and lead MSK Zilina to Glory. What had i done? It was the end of June, and i thought i would give it a go. My fiance wasn't too impressed but hey, i told her that i had heard of Players from foreign country's flooding into Eastern Europe, who were no good but these teams took them on any way. Why couldn't a manager do it?
---------- Post added at 04:47 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:08 AM ----------
D-Day
July 2009
Today was the big day. A few days earlier i had signed my contract and today i would be shown off to the world, or at least The Slovak press. I hadn't yet met any of the players but i had tried gaining information on them, they certainly were not like the players i was use to. I knew i wouldn't be able to lure any one like Drogba or Rooney to the Pod, firstly i didn't have the money and secondly, Why the **** would they want to come to Slovakia.
The Club owner, Jozer Antosik was a wealthy man and loved surprises. No one knew who was going to take the vacant position, he wanted it to stay a secret until i walked out onto the Podium. In a meeting before i was introduced, he told me i had his full backing, that he had invested a lump some of his own money into the club. He was tired of Zilina being a hit and miss team, He wanted them to play European Football every season. It was my Job to do that. Ooops
The Conference
Jozef was out first , greeting the media. They asked him a few questions
Media: Hello Jozef and thankyou for taking time to talk to us. What are yur aims for Zilina now?
JA: I want Zilina to take the next step, for far to long we have been a hit and miss team. I want us to play regular European football, i want us to be a constant threat on all front in Slovakia. This is why i have hired Mr Drezzy
The place went silent. Peeking into the room, i could see people getting excited before my name was mentioned. There were reports in the press that Jozef had managed to lure Guus Hiddink in, others had heard that maybe a top manager from Germany was coming. They even liked the idea of Christian Gross. But what they got was me, no one knew me, the Chairman of the supporters club was so disgusted, he left with out even hearing what i had to say. Then i was pushed out....
Jozef introduced me to the media but no one seemed interested, some one from the Zilina Football Press asked me if this was my dream job, but i didn't know what to say, so i just said i was happy to have the chance to manage a team like Zilina.
First question answered, that was easy. World Soccer Magazine were up next, who i hoped hadn't looked to see if i was a coach at Chelsea. They picked up on my Slovakian, and bluntly asked me if it would be a problem. I simply told them, in Slovak, that it wouldn't be a problem..
For the next thirty minutes i answered questions, but i wanted to get into my office with Jozef and talk about transfers. He had told me we had Thirty Million to spend. i had already asked him to send scouts out, which he had.
Later that evening i had arranged a kick around between the first team and reserve team. Time to act like a manager.......
---------- Post added at 06:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:47 PM ----------
Pre Season
(Will be posting monthly updates after this)
With the first day now passed, it was quickly Leading up to 7:45 PM at the POD. I had spent the day talking with my staff, whilst the lads were taking their first training session under me. We had talked about Zilina's previous two friendly games and it was clear to my staff and I that some drastic changes were needed. I was already having discussions with Christian Vieri about a possible free transfer. He only wanted a modest wage and as a club, we figured that he would bring a wealth of experience with him. We wasn't expecting him to be the player of old though.
Zilina's first game away was against Slavia Prague, a 0-0 draw in the czech capital. On paper i was impressed but my assistant told me it was men against boys and Zilina were lucky to come away unscathed. Next they had travelled to Poland and had beaten Polonia Warszawa 2-1. Again, i was impressed but i was told it wasn't a very good game and Zilina were lucky to score one, let alone two. So, i watched on in wonder as the first team played our reserves
MSK ZILINA Vs MSK ZILINA RESERVES
@ Pod Dobnum
My Thoughts: I am expecting our first team to win and i am looking forward to seeing them in action
FT: MSK ZILINA 1 - 1 MSK ZILINA Reserves
Goals For MSK - Jez 68
Goals For MSKR - Guldan - 5
Final thoughts
The players seemed lazy and treated this a a kick around. i was very unimpressed especially when i told them all to show me why they deserve to wear this shirt. I knew straight away there would have to be some drastic changes. Hopefully alot of players will come, and a few will go.
We had four days before our opening game with Presov, i needed to sign a few players and fast
---------- Post added at 10:04 PM ---------- Previous post was yesterday at 06:26 PM ----------
July 2009
After a poor performance against the reserve team, i decided to bulk up our squad, signing five players before our next game against Presov.
Thoughts before the game
Presov would prove to be a tough game, so we needed to be focused. Over all, though, i thought we could get a result and i implemented this to my players, they seemed up for the challenge
Presov 0-2 MSK Zilina
from Tatran, Presov
from Tatran, Presov
Att: 5067
Goal Scorers for MSK: Jan Kadlec (65), Rivaldo (78)
After Thoughts
A good solid performance from the lads, the arrival of Rivaldo certainly looked like a plus. He ruled midfield setting up Jan Kadlec for his first goal of the season. Presov seemed to want to defend even though they went a goal down but the pure brilliance of Rivaldo undone their defence and he capped his performance with his first league goal.
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After our first home game i was called to see the owner. I was thinking he would congratulate me on our first win, but as i entered the room, he had a face of thunder. What had i done wrong?
He pointed out to me our next game was a qualifying game in the UEFA cup. I couldn't see what the problem was, but he soon made that clear. I didn't have my coaching badges. What an oversight on my behalf. after a lecturing and my poor excuse of "I lost them", all was well. Josef was owed some favours by some one at UEFA and all of a sudden, i had all my certificates and badges. He knew dam well i hadn't gone on any course, but i guess he saw something in me, he gave me a lifeline.
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Thoughts before the game
I was lucky to still be a manager, in my mind any way. It was time to repay Josef straight away. Gandzasar of Armenia would give us a game, i was told. I hadn't even heard of them, but i had to get the boys in the frame of mind to win. Deep down i was confident of a win but i wasn't familiar with them.
MSK Zilina 4 - 0 Gandzasar
from Pod Dubnom, Zilina
from Pod Dubnom, Zilina
Att: 4148
Goal Scorers for MSK:
Robert Lewandowski (29, 76, 90+2)
David Kobylik (67)
After Thoughts
What a game, we should have won by more. We were One up at Half time and from watching the first half, it would be a miracle if there wasn't any more. Lewandowski had a great debut, ripping their defence to shreds. TO say i was extremely happy is a understatement.
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A couple of days had gone when i was speaking to the lads about our upcoming game against Trnava. Trnava had a good team, capable of winning the league. Our talk was cut short as Josef run into the training room, jumping up and down like a mad man possessed. The next round of the Euro Cup (UEFA Cup) had been announced. The winner of our game would play Braga of Portugal.
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Thoughts before the game
The past two games were a test but i felt this one would be tougher, I expected Trnava to come to the Pod and attack us, and my scout agreed. But we were aiming for the win
MSK Zilina 0 - 0 Trnava
from Pod Dubnom, Zilina
from Pod Dubnom, Zilina
Att: 4148
After Thoughts
We went out expecting them attack us, but they wanted to defend. The first half was shocking, no attempts on goal, no nothing. The second half picked up with both teams coming close to scoring but in the end, a bore draw was the result. I wasn't too happy with this result
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On the way to Armenia, i was very confident of qualifying for the next round. The boys were relaxed and so was i, i was finally feeling like i could make this work.
Thoughts before the game
Gandzasar 1 - 2 MSK Zilina (1-6 AGG - Zilina Through)
from Gandzasar, Kapan
Gandzasar 1 - 2 MSK Zilina (1-6 AGG - Zilina Through)
from Gandzasar, Kapan
Att: 4133
Goal Scorers for Gandzasar:
Andranik Sargsyan (60)
Goals for MSK Zilina:
Robert Jez (11)
Christian Vieri (88)
After Thoughts
With four goals to catch up on, Gandzasar came at us from the go, hitting the bar in the second minute. But with ten minutes gone, Robert Jez scored a simple tap in which deflated the Gandzasar supporters and players. From then on, they lacked conviction and we were happy to knock the ball around. They scored in the second half in which they began to believe again but the result was confirmed when Christian Vieri scored a placed header a few minutes before the end.
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Our next game was at home against Petrzalka. I managed to study their last game, a 2-0 loss. These guys would not be pushing for the title, and would be lucky to stay up this season.
Thoughts before the game
Zilina were showing glimpses of the team i wanted them to be. We were favourites for this game and i wanted to destroy them
MSK Zilina 2 - 0 Petrzalka
from Pod Dubnom, Zilina
from Pod Dubnom, Zilina
Goals for MSK Zilina:
Robert Lewandowski (22)
Michael Bradley (61)
Att: 5429
After Thoughts
Petrzalka certainly showed willing in this game. We were stunned, they had four shots on goal before we even had a chance to get in the game. But twenty minutes in, Trusty Lewandowski managed to run around the keeper and slot home. They still came at us and in the second half, they played very well but a neat finish from Michael Bradley stopped them in their tracks. We made them look good today and never really got out of second gear, but a win none the less.
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I was called into the office by Jozef. He couldn't stop talking about the Braga game. Zilina had hosted top European teams in the past but no one of note for the past few years. Josef was happy and was asking me to do anything in my power to get a result, even though the press were reporting that Braga would win easily. To be honest, if we didn't pull our socks up, i was afraid of a mauling.
Thoughts before the game
I told the guys that they could win this game but secretly i was praying for a miracle. My scouts had warned Braga were on fire. But my players seemed pumped up and we were expecting a big crowd, we had to perform
MSK Zilina 4 - 3 Braga
from Pod Dubnom, Zilina
from Pod Dubnom, Zilina
Goals for MSK Zilina:
Sebastian Blanco (30, 65)
Sergey Krivets (36, 85)
Mathias Jorgensen S/O (48)
Goals for Braga:
Wason Renteria (9)
Hugo Viana (Pen 26)
Andres Madrid (67)
Att: 6058
After Thoughts
What a game! My fears seemed to be confirmed after thirty minutes as Braga put us to the sword. Two goals up, it could only get worse until Blanco scored a real poachers goal. This gave us beliefe and a few minutes later Krivets scored what only can be described as a wonder goal. Two all at half time. I was very happy, maybe we could steal something. But with in minutes Jorgensen was sent of for a two footed challenge. Braga seemed a bit more conservative in the second half, which was a mistake on their behalf as Blanco scored his second of the game. We were over the moon but soon brought back to reality by a fantastic Braga goal. 3-3, i would take this. As Braga seemed to settle for the draw, Krivets scored a sweet goal which in the end gave us the win. it was a great night although Braga were still strong favourites to go through.
End of Month Awards
Jad Kadlec received gaol of the month for his goal against Presov.
Rivaldo was given player of the Month award by MSK Zilina.
MSK Zilina are currently laying 3rd in the Slovak First Division, two points behind leaders Banska Bystrica after three game
Transfers
IN:-
serge aurier -- season loan -- rc lens
blanco -- 1.5 million -- lanus
michael bradley -- 3 million -- Monchengladbach
marian cisovsky -- 500K -- Timisoara
dentinho -- 4.3 Million -- Corinthians
jorgensen -- 1.2 Million -- FC Kobenhaven
kadlec -- Sparta Praha B -- Loan
krivets -- Lech Poznan -- 200K
kuciak -- Sporting club Vaslui -- 300K
lekic -- Partizan Belgrade -- 272 K
lewandowski -- Lech Poznan -- 3.1 Million
rivaldo -- 180K -- Bunyodkor toshkent
nelson -- 4.5 Million -- Borussia Dortmund
virei -- Free transfer
Players out
Tomas Oravec - to Racing Santander - £150,000
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