Sink Or Swim

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davegutt0512

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I was half way through my lunch when the phone rang, I was busy enjoying a beautiful British summers day on the balcony of my new home, a home I had recently moved into with my new wife Ava.

I had met Ava around 12 years ago now when I was playing football for her Dad, only semi-professionally, I played around work and he coached on the weekend, when he had finished his daily post round. We were both young then, only 13 to be precise, First love as they say... 12 years later brings us back to this day, the phone was still ringing....

"Afternoon, Charles Lopez speaking"

"Hi, this is Alberto Ruiz, you don't know me but I have been given your number by an old friend, I am calling with regards to an open vacancy at UE Cornella FC, I have been led to believe you may just be the man I am looking for"

"I think you may have the wrong number sorry"

"Wait don't hang up, this is Charles Lopez correct? I am the chairman of Cornella FC, we met last year on your continental B course, I was joking with you about moving to Spain to work for me. Well.. I was half joking"

"Erm.. yes I remember you, but how did you get this number, why me?"

"I have been given your number by your Father-In-Law, me and him used to work together at the club many years ago, I have recently brought the club essentially saving it from extinction, the club holds a special place in my heart and I couldn't see that happen, I see the club as a family and I would like to extend that to you"

"Again, why me? I know I have taken my coaching badges but I have very little experience, nothing near managing a professional club"

"I have to go now, media attention awaits, but think about it, take some time, Goodbye"

"I will thank you, Oh and call me Charlie"

I couldn't help think that this was a joke, why would I be headhunted for a job that I have no experience in, obviously my dream job is professional management but I didn't expect it to happen now, besides we had just moved into our new home 3 weeks ago, could I really move to Spain?



​
 

When I woke the next morning I still had the previous days phone call in my head, as I sat there replicating my weekend routine, sitting with my iPad and coffee looking at the football news I came across an unreal article, yes it was about me, it was Alberto Ruiz talking about the purchase of his club, the departure of Jordi Roger, the manager that achieved promotion from the Tercera Division in the previous season and finally that he had declared interest in a young English manager to take the club forward, a family friend.

I suppose when your famous reading about yourself in the news comes as second nature but when your an unknown, it doesn't really come stranger than that, I continued to read down the page..

Wiziwig Sports - "So the English manager you are talking about? Who is it? You say he has no experience, do you think your loyal Cornella faithful will be happy about that?"

"Don't get me wrong I believe it is a risk, but any manager comes with risks, this club has a rich heritage of giving young players a chance so why not extend that to the management team?"

Espana Soc - Do you think we are in such a position to be taking such risks after promotion, you head into this season as favourites to finish at the bottom of the table, Has this nameless entity accepted the job?

"No he hasn't accepted the job, we infact have never met, I came off of the phone today with him to speak here, to you guys. I see this season as an opportunity to return this club back to how it once was, a passionately run club and we need a passionate manager to achieve this.

WOW, as I finished reading I couldn't help but feel that this chairman was certainly interested in having me at the club, obviously I had a lot of thinking to do, so many things to think through, money? I would have to initially cover both of our salaries if we moved to Spain, Our new house? And before that would Ava even want to move, her family were here, she liked it here.​
 
That night me and Ava had a reservation at our favourite local restaurant, it wasn't anything fancy but we liked it anyway. I had already decided that i was going to break the news to Ava that night, the more I read online and the more I thought about it throughout the day I was beginning to really relish the chance to go in to professional management, I knew it would be tricky, I didn't speak the language, I didn't even know where in Spain the club was situated and most of all I didn't even know how to manage a football club.

After we had eaten and the first 5 bottles of lager had gone down nicely I bit the bullet and told Ava,

"Ava, I have something to tell you, I want you to hear me out before you respond ok? I received a phone call yesterday with enquiry to a new job, I believe its the opportunity of a lifetime and i think it could be great for me, well us"

"Ok, well thats brilliant, whats the job is it a promotion at the bank?"

" Well no, not quite. Its actually a job at a football club, as a manager. A manager of a professional football team"

"Wow, what? Its your dream?"

"The job is in Spain, and if I was to accept we would have to move, soon."

"Ok lets do it"

"What no discussion, your family? Our new house? You love it here"

"Its not a million miles away, family can travel, I can travel and you never know if your successful we may be able to buy the house again, chances like this don't happen more than once, you have to take them"

When we got back from the restaurant, my mind was spinning, this was real now, nothing holding me back. We had an early night that night, I had an important phone call to make tomorrow.​
 
I woke up very early the next morning, nervous for the phone call I was going to make today, after putting it off for almost an hour and 4 cups of coffee later I dialled the number for most possibly the most important call I would ever make.

"Hi, Mr Ruiz, How are you? This is Charlie Lopez"

"Arrr... Charlie I was hoping to hear from you today, please however call me Alberto, what can I do for you today, have you called to discuss my offer?"

"Actually yes I have, Obviously there are a lot of things that need to be discussed, In person I think would be better however if the role is still open I would like to provisionally accept the Job?"

"Fantastic, lets meet, I am in Coventry next week to discuss terms with a players agent, would you like to come along, after all if all goes well this player could be playing for you?"

"Yes that sounds great"

Before wrapping up the phone call we arranged to meet for lunch before meeting the agent at Coventry City FC training ground, I have never followed League 1 football so any player that could be signed would be completely new to me. It would also be a good insight in to how these deals materialise.

I text Ava to let her know how the phone call went and to ask her if she wanted to have a look at possible properties in Spain.

Obviously the job wasn't mine yet, but I needed to start planning these things, I have a property to sell, probably one to buy, the list goes on and on.


​
 
I took some flex time off work and spent a lot of time at home in the week mainly researching to the background of the club, there was a lot for me to learn if I was going to accept this job and perform well.

View attachment 322875

After I had done my research I found the club originates from a place called Cornella De Llobregat, infact a place I had stayed close to on several trips to Barcelona, until now I didn't realise it was so close.

The club really had no sort of history, its only honour being last seasons league title.

Ava had gone out tonight with her friends to a bar in the city, I had offered to drive them home when they were done however it was now 2am and I was to drive the 2 hours to Coventry tomorrow and I wanted to have my wits about me ready for the lunch meeting, after I had text her and made sure she was ok jumping in a cab, I turned off the iPad and went to sleep, Hopefully this anxiousness wouldn't keep me awake all night.​
 
Looks like a story to follow, well done so far mate
 
Really enjoyable read and nice layout with the right amount of detail. :)
 
I woke up that morning as I usually do to the sound of the breakfast show on TalkSport radio, as I rolled over I realised no Ava, a sudden worry came over me, where was she? Had she gotten back home last night?
I ran downstairs calling her name only to find her in the kitchen, Only my wife would get up early, hungover to make me my favourite breakfast on my big day.

"God, Im nervous today, I don't know what to expect"

"You will be fine, try not to be so nervous, you know what your talking about, remember that, if you weren't the right man for this job you would be going into the bank today, remember Confident!"

I remembered that word "Confident" for the whole 105 mile drive to Coventry, I was meeting Mr.Ruiz at a small restaurant in the city, I purposely parked my car a couple of miles away, I fancied the walk to talk myself through the meeting I was about to have, I felt better prepared this way.

"Nice to finally meet you in person Charlie"

"Hello Mr. Ruiz, likewise I have been looking forward to this since last week when we first spoke"

"Now lets get down to business, I want you to accept this job, you want this Job, take the job?"

"Ok, lets do this"

Wow I don't normally make decisions that affect my whole life with such urgency but its feel right, everything has fallen into place at the right time and I don't feel like No is an option, I can't wait to get started.

"Lets get to the training ground then I want you to meet your newest player"

I jumped back in the car and I followed Mr.Ruiz to the ground, all I wanted to do was ring Ava, tell her the news, I will make sure I tell her everything when I get home.


​
 
Loving the story, looking forward to seeing how your first season goes, and this mystery player from coventry,
 
As I arrived at the training ground, I noticed that the facilities here were superb, I know Coventry and a long standing tradition as a Premier League club, FA Cup winners, Ok things had turned extremely sour in the last 10 years or so but I only hope the facilities I will be working with are half as good as this.

As we walked in to the conference room, the player and his agent were sat discussing the summers world cup.

As we approached, everyone stood up and handshakes were exchanged all round.

"Hi Patrick, Reda, as you know I am Alberto Ruiz let me just introduce to Charles Lopez I have just today appointed him the new manager of UD Cornella, he will be your new manager Reda"

"Alright Boss, Im glad to be moving in your direction, a move to Spain is something I have been looking at for a while"

As the meeting concluded and the contracts were signed, we all parted ways.

"Reda we will release a statement and organise a press conference for when you land in the country, Pre-season starts on 19th July, Ill see you there"

"Im looking forward to it boss"

After Reda and his agent had left the room I picked up with Alberto about the player and his scouting report.
My scouts had him down as a very good player for the team, better than anyone else in the team, Ok we had paid more than we normally pay for a player but I believe it is important to show intent, he could keep us in the league.

"I guess I will see you around 19th July Mr.Ruiz, time to go and organise my living arrangements, see you in 3 weeks"

As we drove in separate directions, I rang Ava to tell her I was on the way back, I didn't say too much over the phone but **** I was excited now.


​
 
The next few weeks flew by, I had handed in my resignation at the bank and used accrued holiday days to book off my entire notice, all the guys at the bank were incredibly jealous of the reason I was leaving. I hadn't even thought about the extra money I was going to be receiving, my new weekly wage surpassing my monthly salary at the bank.

Me and Ava had come to a decision that we would rent out the house we lived in at the minute, just incase everything went horribly wrong, we had some interest from a young couple, they suited what we wanted as tenants of our house.

We had also decided to rent a villa in Spain just outside the centre of Barcelona, it was expensive but we could afford it now.

Our belongings had been shipped, plane tickets were on the counter and tomorrow was the day that it all came to a reality, tomorrow we would be flying to Spain, 2 days after that I would be taking my first training session and 2 days after that my first preseason friendly.

I just want to get to the club now, see the training facilities, the stadium, the players, my staff, get a handle on how I am going to start to run this club.

With all these things running through my head I went to sleep on them, Hopefully I can get a good nights sleep.​
 
Today was the day, my first day at the club, my first training session, my first press conference as the new manager of UD Cornella FC.

As I arrived at the club I was greeted by Mr.Ruiz, Im glad he was here, a familiar face to show me around introduce me to the players and the staff.

"I have the press conference to announce you to the media booked for 2pm, right now shall we go meet your players and staff on the pitch"

"Yes Iv been looking forward to this for 3 weeks"

As I walked on to the training field, the first thing I noticed was that the first team squad was small, really small, I only counted 19 players, that would have to be addressed at some point soon, I also noticed the lack of leadership on from he staff.

"Alberto, how many staff are employed here?"

"We have been running on a skeleton crew recently, only the assistant manager, Head of youth development and our physic on staff"

"No coaches, Scouts, Oh dear I have only been here 20 minutes and I'm looking at having to employ a team of coaches already.

"Inaki"

Over came the assistant manager that Alberto had just called over

"Charlie, this is your assistant manager, Inaki Cabrera"

"Hi, nice to meet you, I would like to arrange a meeting with you and all my other staff tommorrow morning, they will become a regular thing, just to discuss club matters, the team etc."

"Yes, no problem sir, I will tell the others"

"Can you also do me a favour, get the players in 30 minutes early tommorrow I would like to meet them all before we hit the pitch aswel"

Me and Mr. Ruiz soon headed to the press room, this bit I was nervous for, I didn't know what to expect how many cameras would there be, I had coached before but nothing prepares you for this bit.​
 
"Please welcome Charles Lopez to the room, the new manager of UD Cornella"

European Football post - "What are the ambitions of the chairman for this club, do you share the same ambition?"

"Yes definitely, there are many constructive discussions that will hopefully lead to a positive future for this club"

"You have been asked to steer the team to avoid relegation, do you think this can be achieved this season?"

"We are ambitious, Im not here to avoid relegation, I'm here to help push the team up the table, and my ambition is to take this club to the top"

"What made you take the job?"

"Ambition, the chairman and everyone at the club shares the passion I have for this job"

"Obviously there is big ambitions here at this club, are you the right man for this job?"

"Im honoured to have been given this chance, I will do my absolute best"

"What are your short term goals for this club?"

"First of all I would like to bring a few extra players to the club to add to squad depth, I will also be bringing in a new back team, the staff here are not what I need for my club and all contracts have been mutually terminated"

"Such a big decision to make on your first day at the club?"

"Its the first of many so I might aswel start now"

"Thanks for your questions and that will be all, I have some phone calls to make"​
 
I didn't even go back down to the training pitch that day, I sat in my office and I made what felt like 100 phone calls, I needed a full staff in place ready for pre-season to start, at the minute I was the only member of staff employed by the club.

After a long day of chasing people, I had quite a few leads on new staff, I had hired Javier Garcia as my new assistant, he is a Spanish national and I will rely on him to bridge the language barrier for me, until recently he had been working at Gimnastic, in the same league as Cornella this season, experience of this league would be important to me this season.

I brought in 3 new coaches to focus on the first team, one specialising in attack, defence and goalkeeping.

I brought in a new scouting team of 3 and they will originally be working in Spain trying to find any promising young talent i can bring to the squad.

It had been a very long day, a stressful day however I had made real progress, tomorrow was another day and it would be focused on bringing in a few new players to add some depth to my squad, however I would start the day by meeting the players that I had at my disposal already.​
 
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