Oktoberfest Chronicles; The Rise of 1860 Munich

[WILKOFM]

After a promising return to the Bundesliga in my first blog of FM23, our dreams were crushed when a broken pc and corrupt save file disrupted our success. However, with the impending release of FM24 on Monday, I've decided that the time is right to reignite the Battle for Oktoberfest and commit to this long term challenge for this series!

TSV 1860 Munich currently languishes in the depths of German football, burdened with a staggering £43 million of debt and a squad expected to merely maintain a mid-table position. Nevertheless, this challenge beckons, and I'm eager to get started!

Having made an attempt at this challenge last year, I've gathered valuable insights on how to navigate the depths of German football, especially concerning the potential for youth development which I hadn’t relied on much last time. More importantly, last year's endeavor ended in failure, so it's time to turn back the clock and start afresh.

Here are my objectives for this save:
- Climb the divisions and secure a Bundesliga victory
- Achieve consecutive Bundesliga titles.
- Elevate TSV 1860 Munich to the top spot in Munich.
- Build the best backroom team of ex players and grow them as coaches
- Create the best youth academy in Germany.

Before I proceed, I must mention that surpassing Munich's impressive tally of 32 trophies may be a tall order, but as they say, stranger things have happened!

I'll be patiently waiting for the full game to be released on Monday, and then we'll embark on this exciting journey! Expect regular updates at the start of each season – on the 1st of September, 1st of January, 1st of February, and the final day of the season, keeping everyone well-informed and engaged.

And, as is customary with long-term saves, I’m aiming to attend one of their games this year as well as being on the hunt for a shirt, adding a personal touch to this epic adventure!

If you're also considering embarking on an 1860 Munich save, feel free to reach out. It would be interesting to compare our journeys!

Auf geht’s ins 1860 München!

 

[WILKOFM]

Season 1 – Taking Over and Preseason Challenges…

There's nothing quite like delving deep into your squad during the initial hours of a new save, bypassing the need for the space bar and meticulously assessing each player. This is precisely what I've been doing!

Upon inspecting the squad, I've noticed a significant turnover in real-life, which means we'll need some time to acclimate to the new team and sort out any gaps through summer signings. Fortunately, we have a generous £6,000 left in the wage budget, and by offloading a few players, we should have ample room for deals.

Here's our squad as of July 17th, the first day of the save.

We have 11 players with contracts expiring at the end of the year and one player on loan. I'm eager to secure deals for both Vrenezi and Verlaat, as they will play pivotal roles in the team and the club's future. Additionally, we have Greilinger and Knoferl, both products of our youth academy, whom I'd like to retain for as long as possible. I'll be working on these deals before diving into any transfer business.

We have a solid base of a team here and I think we’ll just be fine tuning a lot of these areas this summer which is a very promising start! It’ll be interesting to see how it all comes together!

My plan is to provide a squad update at the end of the summer transfer window, then we can kick on with the season!

Board & Supporter Goals

For our first season, we have received quite reasonable objectives from the board, which I believe are attainable in the long run. By the end of the 2025-2026 season, they expect us to secure a promotion, and with a few additions, we might be competing even sooner.

I've learned from past experiences, especially in FM23, about the challenges of managing wages when promoting players from the second team. So, maintaining our wage budget or having some room to manoeuvre is essential.

The one-year contracts for players aged 33 and above may be frustrating, but they do prevent us from signing aging legends towards the end of their careers so maybe they know me a little too well.

Staff

Unfortunately, our coaching and staff setup is not currently in a favourable state, and I don't anticipate significant improvements in the near future. While I'd love to make substantial changes now, it seems like a waste of resources for the time being. I'll fill in the staff positions where possible, preferably with one-year contracts. Next summer, we can undergo a massive overhaul, bringing in club icons and utilizing a new feature in 2024 of helping train and develop our staff.

Also, there's currently no room for a set-piece coach, so it appears that I'll have to work some tactical magic myself!

Now, it's time to dive into the summer transfer window and kick off the season! As mentioned earlier, I'll provide a transfer update at the end of the window, and then we'll embark on our first season.

 

[WILKOFM]

Season 1 - Summer Transfer Window Concluded…

Beginning with player departures, it has been a challenge to retain the core of our squad. Star players Verlaat and Vrenezi, whose contracts run until 2024, declined offers for extended deals.

They both came to me to say they were leaving at the end of their deals, prompting my decision to maximize Vrenezi's transfer value. Losing a player of his caliber is annoying, but I opted to capitalize on his market worth. This will enable us to reconstruct the squad with free agents and loans for this season. Verlaat agreed to a £400K deal if an offer materialized (fortunately, it did not), providing me with more time to try and convince him to stay.

All loan moves include optional future fees, and I'm open to allowing them to either continue or be released at the conclusion of their contracts. Overall, the squad clearing process has been quite successful, creating additional room for the influx of young talent and quality players.

As you can see, we've welcomed 9 new players to strengthen the squad, technically 8, as Kilo will initially feature in the B team. Consequently, I've transferred a few promising young talents from our original squad to the B Team, ensuring they receive the necessary playing time to develop.

Here's a brief overview of our new acquisitions:

- Bramback - Goalkeeper - A promising young talent already at backup level for us, aiding in fulfilling the quota for 4 under-23 players in each squad.

- Revivo - Left Back - (Loan) - A quality left-back with impressive attacking abilities, likely to be a regular in the starting XI as we look to move on some of the older squad members.

- Attipoe - Right Back - A reliable option and a guaranteed starter. Completes the defensive line after already having strong central defensive depth.

- Walbracht - Central Midfielder - Another promising youth player set to feature in most games and contributing to the under-23 quota.

- Tchimbembe - Central Midfielder - (Loan) - A standout player for us, secured on a decent wage with no additional fee. Although young, he's going to be the linchpin of our midfield.

- Strieder - Central Midfielder - A homegrown talent from Germany and the oldest signing we made. Bolsters our midfield depth and is likely to feature prominently when available.

- Jovic - Right Winger - A superstar free transfer, still in his early 20s. He's already making waves on the right flank, serving as an excellent replacement for Vrenezi.

- Jebbison - Striker - (Loan) - Not a player I initially sought, but when i saw he was available for loan, he stepped in as our starting striker, injecting more pace into our attack and allowing for versatility in our forward line too.

With all of that being said, here's how our starting XI looks as we get into the season...

I'm very happy with the deals we've been able to close, resulting in a formidable 23-man squad for the upcoming year. I'll continue to monitor the market in the weeks following the window closure, in case any potential stars become available on a free transfer. If I do identify any prospects, I will certainly bring them on board!

Now, it's time to kick on with the season, and I'll return with an update in January following the next transfer window!

Auf geht’s ins 1860 München!

 

[Zlatan Lumic]

A trip with "Die Löwen"? Well consider me in (I might not be posting regularly and most likely end up lurking most of the time but I'll be sure to check the progress made).

First I'm gotta say that I genuinely glad you saw the need to rely on the youth system as it's always been a vital part of this club and known for being one of Germany's most successful academies (players like the Bender twins, Julian Weigl, Fabian Johnson, Florian Neuhaus or Kevin Volland among others started their careers in München's cerulean side).

Also it's a shame that we ended up losing Vrnezi, as the guy was quality for 3.liga standards (and even 2.Bundesliga if you ask me) but I guess it was unavoidable (I hope Jovic it's up to the task, filling such a void won't be easy).

Nothing else to add other than wishing you good luck on the challenge ^^

.P.S.: If you want to offer 33+ y.o. "longer" contracts you can always add automatic extensions per numbers of match played you know (there are loops to everything you know XD)

 

[WILKOFM]

A trip with "Die Löwen"? Well consider me in (I might not be posting regularly and most likely end up lurking most of the time but I'll be sure to check the progress made).

First I'm gotta say that I genuinely glad you saw the need to rely on the youth system as it's always been a vital part of this club and known for being one of Germany's most successful academies (players like the Bender twins, Julian Weigl, Fabian Johnson, Florian Neuhaus or Kevin Volland among others started their careers in München's cerulean side).

Also it's a shame that we ended up losing Vrnezi, as the guy was quality for 3.liga standards (and even 2.Bundesliga if you ask me) but I guess it was unavoidable (I hope Jovic it's up to the task, filling such a void won't be easy).

Nothing else to add other than wishing you good luck on the challenge ^^

.P.S.: If you want to offer 33+ y.o. "longer" contracts you can always add automatic extensions per numbers of match played you know (there are loops to everything you know XD)

Glad your following it all so far! We definitely want to build that youth setup again and look to bring in as many from those squads as we can. There's nealry 100 players on contracts at the club at the moment so im sure there will be a few gems in there somewhere!

Jovic really is filling the boots of Vrenezi, but it still hurts a little knowing he could have been here alongside Jovic which would have been deadly!

And thanks for the tip on the older players, that exact thing has allowed me to pick up 3 guys on free's. Very very good little loophole there!

 

[WILKOFM]

Season 1 - December - Progress Report

Kicking off the season update, we're thrilled to announce a significant shift in our club, highlighted by the introduction of a new board, marking a comprehensive overhaul of our leadership. This transformative change holds substantial implications for the entire club...

It might not be common knowledge, but 1860 Munich has faced considerable challenges under the ownership of Hasan Ismaik, who, under Germany's 50+1 rule, has exerted control for over a decade. While he may have rescued the club from extinction at one point, his prolonged influence has left a lasting impact. The burden of an unpaid loan, a mere £51 million in the game, serves as a tangible reminder.

However, in a positive turn of events, the new regime has ousted him from the club, offering a glimmer of hope reflected in the revamped debts and loans page

This development is genuinely remarkable and bodes well for the club's future. Kudos to Marlon!

Signs of a promising football team are emerging…

As we reach January 1st, the season has gone rather impressively! Glancing at the results, the page is predominantly green, with a few red marks scattered. Despite facing challenges, particularly in our forward line with injuries and an ever-changing lineup, we've managed to secure positive results and integrate younger players seamlessly into our squads.

With all considered, we find ourselves comfortably atop the league with a four-point lead. While injuries haven't derailed us yet, caution is warranted as some players are set to move on in January.

And let's not overlook the cup games... I'll leave that for you to check out!

Squad Updates

Reflecting on the squad midway through the season, you'll notice some strategic additions as the months unfolded. Sokratis, initially brought in to cover early defensive injuries, has become a crucial member of the starting XI. Leitner joined the squad to compensate for impending January departures, while Hahn recently joined to bolster our forward line after a series of injuries. A homegrown talent from Germany, Hahn brings top-flight experience from last year.

Adapting well to the 4-2-3-1 formation, our squad has found stability. Starke, excelling at CAM, currently leads as the top scorer. Jovic remains a standout player, integral to every game. With a squad of 14/15 players, forced rotation has proven beneficial thus far.

We are still navigating interest in Verlaat, hoping to retain him as one of our key players.

A Change is Coming…

As we approach January, significant player departures are already planned. Several players either refused contract renewals or demanded wages beyond our means. After securing available free deals, we aim to enter the winter window in a strong position, with little need for extensive additions…

 

[WILKOFM]

January Window Update

The January transfer window was busier than expected for the club, with more moves than hoped for. This inevitably affected results in the short term, but with the window now closed, the club is hoping to get back to business.

Not on the list to start with is Ludewig, who suffered an injury that will keep him out for five months, so he was recalled by Salzburg. This was a blow as he provided cover at both left and right back.

The pre-agreed transfers of Tarnat, Steinhart and Lakenmacher went through on the first day of the window. With all three players kicking off at one stage or another about their contracts, or lack of new ones, it wasn't worth the hassle and damage they could cause to the squad. We cashed in on them for nearly a combined £100K.

In the most gutting move of the year so far, Verlaat was allowed to leave after he agreed a pre-contract with Heracles Almelo. We managed to squeeze £300K from them though, which is a good sum of money at this level and can be used to reinvest in contracts down the line. Its so annoying to lose a player of his calibre but id rather be able to have some money to show for it rather than seeing him leave for free in the summer, so in the end I think it turned out okay for us considering the circumstance.

And finally Rieder, who originally wanted to go out on loan, but the club decided it was best to cash in on him now as they were never going to be able to offer him the game time he wanted.

In terms of incomings, Ragnar Klavan was brought in as a direct replacement for Verlaat. He is 38 years old but is here to plug the hole for the time being. He is an ideal ball playing defender for the club but this did mean that our back line was Klavan and Sokratis, so i began to search for a more agile and pacey partner to join him.

Reuell Walters, on loan from Arsenal, was next through the door. This versatile defender can cover all across the back line for the club. I loved him in FM23 as he is still so young and can grow into a solid first teamer over time. He will be thrown in at the deep end and will probably play most weeks as he has taken up the role Ludewig was playing before he left.

On deadline day, we finally found the player they were looking for, Edvin Kurtulus! The 23 year old really shouldn't be playing at their level but they do love a good last minute loan deal! He slots in perfectly to their back line and is now the rock at the back we've been looking for. He can use both feet and has lots of experience for someone of just 23 years. So we’ll certainly be looking to extend this loan for future seasons no matter what happens this year.

And finally we were able to sneak in that one little bonus loan in the shape of Samuele Vignato from Monza. Best played at CAM, the 20 year old has already played 15 games in Serie A this year and was available as he looks for more game time. He's an ideal player to slot in and share the game time with Starke as he is aging a little.

Now it's time to kick on with the season and hope the club can push for at least a playoff place this season!

 

[WILKOFM]

Season 1 – Establishing Foundations and Achieving Targets…

As we conclude the season, we reflect on our journey so far! Following a successful transfer window in January, we charged into the rest of 2024. Although we faced a setback in the DFB-Pokal against Leipzig, a team of their calibre proved a formidable challenge, and overall, we can't be too displeased.

The league results, marked by a sea of green, indicate that we progressed as planned. Despite some injuries, bolstering the squad in January allowed us to navigate challenges effectively. Noteworthy in the latter part of the season was the outstanding performance of Jebbison and Jovic, both displaying remarkable class for this level of the game.

The table speaks for itself…

CHAMPIONS!!! Claiming the championship with a staggering 16-point lead is truly impressive.

Yes we really managed to do it, and in some style! With 96 goals scored and a 53+ goal difference being the key factors. Our solid defensive line throughout the year contributed significantly to our success.

Although we had concerns about the reliance on seven loaned players at the end of the season, we are confident in addressing potential gaps during the upcoming transfer window.

Regensburg and Dynamo Dresden were formidable opponents, staying competitive until we pulled away in the final months so hopefully we can battle with the higher quality teams next year too.

What adds to the impressiveness of our achievement is our 17th rank in the league for salary per annum. This underscores the excellence of our squad building and bodes well for the future. With an additional £30K wage budget and £600K to spend, the foundation is set for further progress.

Our lineup at the season's close reveals strong partnerships and numerous green performance indicators. Securing key players like Kurtulus and Walters will be key for us to continue to build. Tchimbembe, who will return next year thankfully, is crucial as well. Sadly we wont be able to bring Jebbison back so a new striker is now top of the wish list for us. Overall this squad really showed its overall quality and I’m super happy with how it all turned out. Jovic finished top scorer in the end but Starke, Jebbison and Guttau all finished just 1 behind on 16 (Things we love to see!). Id like to try and bring in a more German core next year and maybe some older guys for that extra bit of experience as we hit the next level for the first time since the 2016/17 season!

While there's work ahead to strengthen the squad, the board's expectation to battle for relegation suggests that we have a solid base to build upon.

Now, let's eagerly anticipate the developments in the summer transfer window!

Auf geht’s ins 1860 München!

 

[Zlatan Lumic]

I honestly expected the team to perform well, since the squad was way better than media seemed to believe and 3.Liga is such a even and competitive ligue that a result streak can propel a team into 2.Bundesliga (or send it crashing down into Regionalliga Bayern in the worst case scenario).
What I wasn't expecting was seeing the team literally speedrunning the 3.Liga, consider me impressed.

Also if the league run was impressive, the Pokal run was something else... The team managed to get all the way into the Top 8, knocking some Bundesliga teams along the way and putting one heck of a fight against RB Leipzig.
I'm sure it was a massive boost for both morale and economy (the cup run surely must've worked wonders for the club's coffers).

2.Bundesliga will prove a difficult challenge, but hopefully with a few additions to the current squad the club will survive the first year and start building a solid foundation.
(A bit of a shame that players like Vrnezi, Verlaat and Lakenmacher left the club so soon though).

.P.S.: Glad that my free agent signing tips proved useful to you, but please... Try to rely on the academy a little bit too XD

 

[WILKOFM]

I honestly expected the team to perform well, since the squad was way better than media seemed to believe and 3.Liga is such a even and competitive ligue that a result streak can propel a team into 2.Bundesliga (or send it crashing down into Regionalliga Bayern in the worst case scenario).
What I wasn't expecting was seeing the team literally speedrunning the 3.Liga, consider me impressed.

Also if the league run was impressive, the Pokal run was something else... The team managed to get all the way into the Top 8, knocking some Bundesliga teams along the way and putting one heck of a fight against RB Leipzig.
I'm sure it was a massive boost for both morale and economy (the cup run surely must've worked wonders for the club's coffers).

2.Bundesliga will prove a difficult challenge, but hopefully with a few additions to the current squad the club will survive the first year and start building a solid foundation.
(A bit of a shame that players like Vrnezi, Verlaat and Lakenmacher left the club so soon though).

.P.S.: Glad that my free agent signing tips proved useful to you, but please... Try to rely on the academy a little bit too XD

Ah mate you are telling me! It was such a boost to keep the form up the way we did this year. The team having such a solid 14-15 players makes such a difference. It must be so frustrating in real life when things like this dont all come together!

The Pokal run was so fun, we seemed to not really care who we played against! Although Leipzig did knock us off the park so fair enough to them! haha We really did benefit financially, out balance is over £7 Million at the moment!!

Yeah i've mad a crazy amount of moves this summer, but i think we've also developed our youth team more now too so i think the next couple of years you'll see a lot more of them coming through for sure!

Glad your enjoying it all though, this season is looking like a cracker!!!

 

[WILKOFM]

Season 2 - Double Promotion, Anyone?

And here we are, entering Season 2, back in the 2. Bundesliga! The club underwent a major transformation over the summer, with nearly the entire staff being replaced. A revamped coaching team stands alongside me as we embark on the next level of German football.

To illustrate the success of our summer, consider this: on July 1st, we were predicted to finish 17th. Now, we find ourselves here!

I must say, that's some pretty good business!

Some Goodbyes…

Regrettably, even before the transfer window opened, we bid farewell to one of our key players, Sokratis, in defense. His retirement came at an opportune moment, but it's still sad to see him leave. Despite the potential to be a valuable squad player, he retired before getting a chance with us.

This summer, we managed to generate £825K from player sales, all of which went straight into wages. This is a significant amount for a team making the transition from the third division in Germany. The bulk of the sales came from squad players of the previous season.

This year, I noticed that some players tend to create issues when there's interest in them. Rather than disrupting the club dynamics, I chose to let them go.

While the departure of players like Starke and Leitner was disappointing, especially given their roles last year, their impact on the team dynamics outweighed their contributions. The rest of the departures, mostly squad players, won't have a substantial impact, considering the caliber of players we've brought in for the new season.

Meet the 2024 Team!

With 10 players leaving, it was crucial to ensure we had enough depth for the challenges ahead, and we certainly achieved that. Welcome the 21 new additions to 1860 München!

Among them, Wadau, Riedel, and Torres are youth prospects brought in to strengthen our B Team and create healthy competition.

Let's break down the signings by position:

In Goal...

• Kasten: A young goalkeeper backing up Hiller, starting the season impressively.

Defenders...

• Mai: A solid German national with versatility in the back line.
• Rekik: A 22-year-old prospect capable of playing across the defense.
• Mane: A promising young right back transitioning between the first and second team.
• Katterbach: A young prospect competing with Bell-Bell for the starting left-back position.
• Ferguson: A versatile player covering all defensive positions.
• Faye (Loan from Barcelona): A potential wonderkid seamlessly fitting into our backline.
• Bell-Bell: A late addition providing depth in the backline, likely to get substantial playing time.
• Kurtulus (Loan from Inter): Delighted to bring him back, now with added versatility at right back.

Midfielders...

• Tchimbembe: Back in the fold after a successful loan season, offering versatility across the pitch.
• Celina: Ex-Man City player adding star quality as a left-winger.
• Coventry: A new central midfielder joining a robust midfield unit.
• Chalobah: A defensively minded player complimenting another potential wonderkid.
• John-Jules: Ex-Arsenal prospect filling the role of an attacking right-sided winger.
• Mainoo (Loan from Man Utd): A last-minute addition adding class to our midfield.

Forwards...

• Iliev (Loan from Inter): Primarily an attacking midfielder with the ability to play up top.
• Housni (Loan from PSG): Brought in as the main striker, providing depth.
• Wilson (Loan from Aston Villa): Expected to be our leading man, a young talent with scoring ability.

How The Squad Looks…

With a complete squad overhaul, we enter September with many new names. However, players like Attipoe and Jovic maintain their fantastic form, remaining integral to the team. The core players left from 2023 include Hiller, Guttau, Hahn, Greilinger, Attipoe, and Jovic, signaling ample work ahead on the training pitch.

Despite the significant changes, we still boast the lowest wage budget in the league. This indicates not only an improved squad but also a responsible approach to financial management. Hopefully, this sets a positive tone for building over the next 2-3 years. Check out the £18.56 mill Werder Bremen are spending by the way! Maybe some day we'll be lucky enough...

The Backroom Team

Finally, our new backroom team looks promising across the board, poised for growth in the coming year. While I'd love to add a set-piece coach, I'm content with the building blocks we've added this year.

Now, it's time to finish that roast dinner and dive into Season 2 in Munich!

 

[WILKOFM]

Season 2 – Mid-Season Update...

As the winter break comes to an end, it's time for a mid-season rundown. We've reached the end of January 2025, and there have been some significant developments in our squad…

Our financial performance as a whole has earned us a boost in budget for the remainder of the year, courtesy of the board. This comes in handy for contract extensions and securing star loans during the winter transfer window!

Additionally, we've inked a new deal that extends our tenure until 2027—a testament to the commendable work we've continued in Season 2.

Results So Far...

Surprisingly, the 2. Bundesliga hasn't been as challenging as anticipated! Our struggles have largely stemmed from difficulties in scoring rather than other factors. Transitioning from dominating games to conceding leads in the final moments has been a learning curve at this higher level. Nonetheless, the team's rapid cohesion has allowed us to hit the ground running! Starting the season with a 7-1 win isn't a bad way to kick things off, right?

Wilson, Iliev and Jovic have been pivotal, supported by players like Guttau and Tchimbembe. Among them, Bersant Celina has stood out as our star performer, delivering exceptional performances and clutch moments. Securing him for the long term is a real bonus as we continue to build.

As things stand, we're comfortably at the top of the table with just one loss so far. However, despite our solid performance, we maintain a mere two-point lead. Our defensive strength, conceding only 16 goals, is the pillar of our success and the foundation we need to push forward in 2025. However, the recent January window might impact our pace at the top.

Our cup journey has seen success, albeit scraping through several rounds. Nonetheless, we'll gladly seize any victory and ride this wave of good form for as long as possible!

Transfer Window and Release Clauses...

This winter, we fell prey to a release clause, resulting in the departure of Nemanja Jovic to Mainz for a minimal fee of £2.1 million. Losing a key player due to contractual oversights is frustrating, leaving a significant gap to fill.

Conor Coventry also bid farewell after a promising start to the season, although his form declined, prompting acceptance of any reasonable offer. Ferguson and Greilinger, with limited playing time, ventured out on loan to aid their development. Rexhaj isn't a priority, but Vega, a youth prospect, is loaned out after being signed in the window.

With the funds from Jovic's sale, we made some notable acquisitions. Dennis Borkowski, secured for £86K from RB Leipzig, instantly replaces Jovic and possesses significant potential despite his age. A minimal fee of £4.3K was spent on Vega, identified as a 5* potential prospect in our scout report. At 16, he'll qualify as a homegrown player upon arrival in the summer.

We delved into the free agent market, adding Michael Cuisance and Willian to bolster our squad. Cuisance fills Coventry's void and, at 25, promises longevity, while Willian adds depth to our forward line until the end of the season. Consequently, Housni loan ended early and he’s back at PSG due to limited playing opportunities.

Finally, on deadline day, we secured a potentially outstanding player, Marin Soticek, on a free loan from Milan. He's already perceived as a standout talent and could be instrumental in maintaining our lead at the top this year!

With these unexpected changes, re-establishing our best eleven might take time. Let's see how we adapt; perhaps, we can aim for that surprise back-to-back promotion!

Auf geht’s ins 1860 München!

 

[WILKOFM]

Season 2 Finale - Watch your backs Bayern...

So here we are, the end of season 2! At the start of the season we knew we had a reasonably good squad and even though the board only expected us to battle for relegation I think we all knew we could do a lot more!

Results…

Throughout the season, our squad significantly strengthened, thanks to key additions during the January window. The return of the "sea of green" in 2025 spurred us forward, and the contributions of Soticek and Borkowski exceeded expectations. While losing Jovic was disappointing, Borkowski's performance as his replacement brought satisfaction.

As we approached the season's end, there was a noticeable decline in goal-scoring, a common occurrence during a title charge. Our cup journey, culminating in a narrow loss to Stuttgart in the semi-finals, added to the excitement of a fantastic run.

And now, the climax we've all been waiting for…

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS! Back-to-back promotions mark a significant achievement and a real milestone for the club!

The final table reflects our dominance, securing the league victory by a remarkable 9 points. A surge in March propelled us to a new level of performance.

What makes this achievement even more remarkable is our success on a modest budget compared to our league counterparts. Kudos to the entire team for a job well done!

The Squad…

Looking ahead, we bid farewell to some key players and loanees, though our squad remains somewhat in one piece. Players like Kurtulus, Faye, Mainoo, and Wilson, while not returning immediately, have made a lasting impact. A special mention goes to Iliev, now acquired on a free, whose 16 goals and 7 assists played a pivotal role in our success and hopefully will do the same as he takes the step up with us!

You can also see Celina popping up with 14 goal contributions and even Tchimbembe getting in on the act! Katterbach also caught the eye and made the team of the season along with a few of our loanees, so he’ll be another to watch next year!

Here’s a snippet of what Celina and Iliev look like as star players for us right now…



Looking ahead to the struggle of the Bundesliga…

As we gear up for the next season in the big leagues, the board has granted us an additional £50K in wages and £2.5 million in a transfer budget. Despite budget constraints, exciting times await, possibly linked to our new stadium.

The real challenge begins as we strive to build a squad not only capable of competing against relegation but also instilling hope in our fans and establishing ourselves in the Bundesliga. The journey continues, and we'll do our best to navigate challenges and leave our mark in the top tier.. let's have it!!

Auf geht’s ins 1860 München!

 

[Zlatan Lumic]

Dang... You're shattering expectations left and right.
I knew that the team for this current season had quality for the 2.Bundesliga, but I imagine that you'll manage to comfortably survive this season at best and use it as a foundation to build upon and get promotion in the next one or two years.
So colour me massively surprised yet again... You speedran through the 2.Bundesliga with terrifying ease (despite having really fierce opposition such as Hannover, St.Pauli, Kaiserlautern, Werder Bremen...)

Also impressive performance yet again in the Pokal, making it all the way into the semifinals forcing Stuttgart all the way until the penalty shootout and knocking several Bundesliga teams out along the way, bit of a shame that you fell so short of playing European football (only 2 matches short) but definitely an amazing run to be proud of ^^

Next season will be definitely be hellish in comparison with what you've encountered so far (such a sudden promotion can be both a bit of a blessing and a curse), but after what we've seen up till now... I definitely want to believe in this team's odds.

 

[WILKOFM]

Dang... You're shattering expectations left and right.
I knew that the team for this current season had quality for the 2.Bundesliga, but I imagine that you'll manage to comfortably survive this season at best and use it as a foundation to build upon and get promotion in the next one or two years.
So colour me massively surprised yet again... You speedran through the 2.Bundesliga with terrifying ease (despite having really fierce opposition such as Hannover, St.Pauli, Kaiserlautern, Werder Bremen...)

Also impressive performance yet again in the Pokal, making it all the way into the semifinals forcing Stuttgart all the way until the penalty shootout and knocking several Bundesliga teams out along the way, bit of a shame that you fell so short of playing European football (only 2 matches short) but definitely an amazing run to be proud of ^^

Next season will be definitely be hellish in comparison with what you've encountered so far (such a sudden promotion can be both a bit of a blessing and a curse), but after what we've seen up till now... I definitely want to believe in this team's odds.

Appreciate it mate! It's been a real journey so far and we're still only really getting started!! I think when we were able to string together the results after january that really helped push us on for the win! Speedran is the best way to put it haha!

The Pokal is one of those weird ones, i try to keep my best team out as i find a couple of losses are always just around the corner when you get knocked out, so like to push hard in that! This season may be a different story now!

It's been a super super tough summer so i think your spot on with the hellish season that's ahead!

Thanks for the support though mate, really appreciate it!

 

[WILKOFM]

Season 3 – Pushing Boundaries...

After consecutive promotions, we've reached the Bundesliga and now face the daunting challenge of securing our place in the league. This season promises to be far more demanding than the last two, but it's precisely the kind of test we've geared up for. Our aim? Cement a spot among the top contenders for years to come.

Eliminating Debts

Starting the year on a high note, the club is in its healthiest financial state in over 25 years, having cleared all outstanding debts. This financial boost before the new season kicks off should propel us toward the next level of competition.

Despite the influx of money and our strategic moves, the outlook isn't too optimistic. Odds at 800-1 sound like a fairy tale akin to Leicester's improbable feat...

Transfer Season… or the Silly Season!

Although the board gave us some funds, they were absorbed entirely by player wages to meet their demands for new contracts or in our pursuit of free signings. Consequently, we had lots of discontented players, seeking unreasonable pay hikes that had to be offloaded to save morale!

While Attipoe's departure for £2.4 million seemed promising on paper, receiving only 10% of the transfer income to reinvest in the squad dashed hopes for substantial upgrades. Mane and young talent Ziereis also departed due to triggered release clauses, albeit with a bit more negotiated profit from their exits, which is always a positive.

Players like Walbrecht, Kurt, Guttau, Bell Bell, Kasten, Rekik, Tchimbembe, and John-Jules were unwilling to compromise on wages, leading to their departures—mostly on loan deals with obligatory fees for the following year.

This churn of players yet again highlights the harsh lessons in managing contracts upon entering the Bundesliga, even if relegation is on the cards this year.

Yes, we've done it again—welcoming 15 new faces, with 14 now part of the first-team squad, all for a mere expenditure of £750K! While not a resounding success, these acquisitions should bolster our chances this season.

• Belman – GK – By far the best keeper we’ve had, quite small but hopefully a solid starter.
• Desler – RB – Probably the best player at the club now, a real strong option at RB if he can stay fit
• Soares – LB – Portuguese left back with top level experience in Portugal, Spain and Greece.
• Scales – CB – Took a bit of a punt here, with little experience but has played in the champions league with Celtic.
• Cresswell – CB – (Loan) – Solid addition at CB, on loan for the year but looks like he has a lot of potential.
• Maitland-Niles – RB/CM – (Loan) – Steady players that will cover pretty much anywhere on the pitch. Love a player like this in the squad.
• Veloso – CM – £300K – Hopefully will grow into a star player, only 20 years old and will get lots of experience this year.
• Rey – CM – Solid holding midfielder who will rotate a lot of the year.
• Iliev – CAM – Great having him in the team full time, hope to build on last year’s success.
• Rene-Adelaide – RW/LW/CAM – Will mostly play in the middle but has the potential to cover all across the front 3.
• Soticek – LW/RW – (Loan) – HE’S BACK! Another loan but will be looking to see if I can bring him in full time at the end of this year for sure!
• Okugawa – RW/LW – £450K – Our highest fee spent and he’s 29! Plenty of experience at this level and much needed when we are so out of our depth.
• Archer – ST – (Loan) – Last minute signing I finally managed to push through, will lead the line for us and will look to be the one to keep us up for sure!
• Soonsup-Bell – ST – A great youth addition that has started the season well, need him to be a big help from the bench this season!

Revamped Squad...

Our lineup for the Bundesliga showcases a mix of formations, with a potential shift to a 4-3-3 to bolster our defensive stance. While our attacking front appears solid, defensive challenges loom large, warranting extra support wherever possible. The squad boasts depth, including promising young talents ready to step in when needed, albeit with a slight overspend of the wage budget.

Despite exceeding our wage budget, we remain the league's lowest spenders by a significant margin. The financial gap between us and the big spenders is stark—£10 million against £199 million. It's undeniably a tough battle ahead.

Club Progress

The focus during the summer leaned more towards players, but now with the season underway, a substantial upgrade in staff becomes imperative. This enhancement should foster the club's growth and establish a sturdy foundation for our future…

Remarkably, we're now a financially robust club! This achievement bodes well for our long-term prospects. With current spending well below our financial capacity, successfully beating relegation this season could position us favourably in the coming years.

Now the battle to stave off relegation is upon us... Let's get to it!

 

[WILKOFM]

Season 3 – Diligent Effort in the Bundesliga

At the midway mark of the season and with the January transfer window behind us, we find ourselves still battling but exceeding expectations. Our aim now is to sustain this momentum and firmly establish our position in the top division this season.

Our Progress So Far...

We started the season with a solid start, clinching 6 points out of the first 12 available. This was commendable for a team predicted to face relegation. While we displayed prowess in scoring goals, our major setback lay in our defense, which seemed porous and vulnerable. Every highlight reel seemed to feature threats on our goal or misplaced passes at the back, highlighting a need for bolstering our defensive depth.

This urgency led us to explore the free transfer market, a real positive in Germany allowing us to register acquisitions at any time. The first reinforcement was Joe Rodon, a seasoned leader from Tottenham who instantly became the linchpin of our defense. Additionally, a tactical shift to a 5-at-the-back formation was implemented to fortify our defense while maximizing counter-attacking opportunities. Soon after, Tommy Doyle and Taylor Harwood-Bellis, both former City youth players, were brought in as a holding midfielder and another centre-back option, respectively. Their arrival injected quality into the team, significantly aiding our journey leading up to the January window.

Despite fluctuating results, a noticeable improvement emerged in our defensive solidity, reflecting positive progress due to the integration of these new additions.

League Standings...

Twenty games into the season, we currently hold the 9th position—a significant achievement considering there's still ample room for growth. With the recent January signings, our squad now possesses greater depth necessary for competing at this elevated level. However, this progress required bidding farewell to some beloved players, an inevitable aspect of rapidly achieved success in this game.

Transfers: In and Out...

Regrettably, to accommodate the higher demands of the Bundesliga, we had to bid adieu to three reliable squad players: Ferguson, Mai, and Chalobah, who had contributed significantly in our initial seasons. Cuisance's discontentment due to Tommy Doyle's arrival prompted a swift decision to part ways before his dissatisfaction affected team dynamics. Rey and Soonsup Bell's stint with us didn’t pan out, leading to their departures on loan, freeing up space and wages for potential youth prospects.

Additionally, Greilinger, a long-serving homegrown talent, opted to move on for more playing time elsewhere as his level no longer matched the league's demands.

These departures amassed £1.5 million in fees, complemented by an additional £4 million in transfer budget and £100K in wages, empowering us for further acquisitions.

Following the earlier free transfers, our squad received substantial reinforcements, addressing the depth deficiencies that plagued us at the season's onset.

• Sarriegi - A promising youth talent with immense potential, scouted as possessing a 5-star upside.
• Alberto - Another highly talented prospect with a 5-star potential rating, a valuable youth addition.
• Tromp - A significant investment at £7.75 million, an 18-year-old versatile player excelling as a CAM and on the wings, breaking our transfer record.
• Jaeckel – Secured on loan to fortify our defense, providing crucial experience at this competitive level.
• Handel – A surprise free acquisition identified through scouting reports, bringing solidity to our midfield alongside Doyle/Maitland-Niles.
• Rodriguez - A crucial addition to our attacking lineup, costing £6.25 million, expected to amplify our goal-scoring capabilities based on his prior success at Lecce.
• Mourino and Terracciano – Deadline day loan signings to provide added depth in defense and midfield, respectively, serving as contingency plans against potential injuries.

Another point to note, is the extreme improvement in our staff. There's plenty of contracts up this summer too so we'll be upgrading even more when we can...

Financial Power.. or Lack Of It!

Despite these signings, we remain at the bottom of the wage table, facing a considerable gap to bridge. The aim, if we maintain our league status, is to gradually increase our financial flexibility to further nurture our growth and development over the coming months.

Let's continue our relentless pursuit and secure our position for another year of challenging yet rewarding Bundesliga football...

 

[WILKOFM]

End Of Season 3 - A Landmark Chapter!

Embarking on our Bundesliga journey after a hiatus since 2004, we initially had modest expectations. Anything beyond relegation avoidance would have been deemed a triumph. However, with a promising start and some solid winter additions, I'm delighted to say that we truly exceeded expectations!

Firstly the board agreed and i was offered a new contract with a nice hefty wage rise too!

Results

Following significant changes in the winter transfer window, we needed some time to find our rhythm. A winless February wasn't ideal, but once we settled on the optimal starting eleven, we could buckle down and focus on the task at hand. The partnership between Veloso and Tromp is already iconic; both considered wonderkids, they are set to bolster our front line for years to come.

While our strikers didn't hit peak form, the prowess of the two wonderkids behind them propelled us to secure notable victories. As May approached, the prospect of reaching European places loomed, though it always felt just beyond our grasp given the squad's current level.

We finished the season strongly, comfortably securing a mid-table position. With a fantastic return to this level in our first year, there's a solid foundation to build upon.

Although we narrowly missed out on Europe by two points, the highlight is finishing a commendable 18 points clear of the relegation playoffs. Exceptional work all around!

Our Strongest Line-Up So Far…

We adapted well to the new formation this season, striking a balance between defensive solidity and goal-scoring prowess. Building a squad upon promotion is always challenging, and now that we're firmly in the Bundesliga, a minor rebuild is in order. The aim is to rely more on our own players than loans, and with several departures, we hope to invest in securing a more robust squad.

Special mention goes to Joao Veloso and Jan Tromp, our leading figures. With both already on new contracts, they are poised to guide us up the league and towards greater success!

It's sad to bid farewell to players like Cresswell, Maitland-Niles, and Archer, who performed admirably but were financially out of reach. Perhaps we can revisit the market if their valuations become more reasonable.

Oh yeah, and before I forget Tromp only popped up in 7th place on the NXGN list… we’ve got a good one lads!! And in typical FM fashion we also got some other news from Tromp!

It's always a great addition to the game and a nice touch from Football Manager.

Looking ahead to a BIG summer...

After a successful third season and meeting board targets, we've been granted a generous budget of £16,000,000, along with a substantial £212,000 per week increase in the wage budget. This should provide ample room for moves to enhance our squad. With deadwood needing to be offloaded, combined with the returns from loans, we anticipate generating additional funds for squad improvement.

The board has finally confirmed a new stadium by 2028, financed largely from this season's winnings. Although it depleted our funds, the prospect of surpassing our current 15,000 capacity is exciting!

Excitingly, we've also already begun investing in our future. Six new players are set to join in July, with Kospo and Missori likely ready for first-team action.

The summer transfer window beckons, and I'm ready to make the most of that £16 million!

 

[Zlatan Lumic]

While it's a bit of a shame that the team ended up just a mere couple of points shy of getting into European football, that was never this year's goal to begin with.
This season's goal was managing to avoid relegation (securing a comfortable league spot if possible) and use the momentum granted by it to build a foundation that allowed the squad to keep rising and become a top contender, goal that has been passed with flying colours.
With a few key additions I'm sure that the team can end up in a Top 6 spot next season.

As for the Pokal... The hasty exit is definitely a shame (specially considering the amazing runs you had the two years prior), but I think that it also was a blessing in disguise since it lowered the amount of matches and let you focus entirely on the league campaign.

Keep up the good work and shattering expectations as always, Europe will be hearing and fearing "Die Löwen" roars in no time at this rate ^^

 

[WILKOFM]

While it's a bit of a shame that the team ended up just a mere couple of points shy of getting into European football, that was never this year's goal to begin with.
This season's goal was managing to avoid relegation (securing a comfortable league spot if possible) and use the momentum granted by it to build a foundation that allowed the squad to keep rising and become a top contender, goal that has been passed with flying colours.
With a few key additions I'm sure that the team can end up in a Top 6 spot next season.

As for the Pokal... The hasty exit is definitely a shame (specially considering the amazing runs you had the two years prior), but I think that it also was a blessing in disguise since it lowered the amount of matches and let you focus entirely on the league campaign.

Keep up the good work and shattering expectations as always, Europe will be hearing and fearing "Die Löwen" roars in no time at this rate ^^

Yeah got to take the huge positives for sure! The additions we have joining the club we can at least consolidate a mid-table finish and not rely on loans too, its looking super positive!

And yeah the Pokal is so annoying, best team we’ve had by far but then at least we were able to kick on for the rest of the year!

Appreciate the messages again and hopefully you’ll enjoy the climb up the league even more!