Steven Gerrard - into the world of management

View attachment 901138

Stan Kroenke: Steven, Stan Kroenke here, the director of Arsenal Football Club. How are you?

Steven Gerrard: Hi Stan, I'm good thanks. i have to admit, this call has come as a bit of a surprise. What can I do for you?

Stan Kroenke: Well I'm sure you're aware that Marcelo Bielsa has left the club to take the managers role at Barcelona. I would love to give you the opportunity to take over from him.

Steven Gerrard: Wow! That would be a huge honour! Bielsa did such a great job.

Stan Kroenke: He certainly did but I understand his decision on joining Barcelona. So, how would you feel about joining the club?

Steven Gerrard: I'd be delighted Stan. I would love to take charge of such a historic club and have the opportunity of winning silverware here. What sort of interest have you had?

Stan Kroenke: We have not yet advertised the job, you are the man I want!

Steven Gerrard: Where do I sign?

View attachment 901140
 
Well luckily you didn't achieve any major success with Derby ;)
Lets just hope hope you do well at Arsenal.
 
xtremeRED said:
wow man! that's awesome..
what's the arsenal squad like?
Click to expand...

Cheers man, squad's pretty good. They won the league fairly comfortably last season so can't be bad :) I'll do an update on the squad shortly.

reubomad said:
Well luckily you didn't achieve any major success with Derby ;)
Lets just hope hope you do well at Arsenal.
Click to expand...

Haha, I bet your glad I didn't stay there long lol. Arsenal are set up for success so lets hope so
 
So, my first day in charge and the whole squad are on holiday. Until they return I got to meet my backroom staff ...


Assistant manager:
View attachment 246411


I was a bit surprised to be greeted at the training ground by ex Man Utd forward, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. He's been at the club for 2 and a half years now and his stats look pretty good so I'm happy to keep him here.

First team coach:
View attachment 246409


The best known coach at the club has to be Arsenal legend, Martin Keown. Keown played for the club for over 11 years and made over 400 appearances. He's been at the club in various positions since 2006 but has only recently been installed as coach. I can't see any reason why I'd get rid of Keown, if he can concentrate on the defence then it can only improve us.

Scout:
View attachment 246404


Now I thought Keown had been at the club a while but Pat Rice makes him look like a newcomer, he's bee in the backroom since 1984 and was a player at the club for 15 years. He's Arsenal through and through.
 
My first task was to run through the squad with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, despite all the lads being on holiday ...

Steven Gerrard: So Ole, good break? I'm keen to get an idea of the squad and where needs improving. I'm aware the squads on holiday but I don't want to wait until they come back and see all our top targets go elsewhere.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: Yeah, break was good thanks boss. I agree, the sooner we act the better chance we have of signing the quality players. It's difficult to say where the squad needs strengthening as we won the league so easily last season. The biggest challenge will be the Champions League which the club hasn't competed in for the last few seasons now.

Steven Gerrard: I agree, the Champions League is the big one this season. So, how would the team look if it were down to you?

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: It would be very similar to last season's squad ...

View attachment 246390

The back 5 really picks itself.

Wojciech Szczesny has had his ups and downs during his time at the club but last season was definitely his best.

The two full backs are plenty good enough as well, the only decision here is whether to play Chambers at right back or center back. Given the lack of options at right back I'd play him there.

Koscielny is then the next easy pick. He played every game last season and was a real rock. In terms of who partners him, Jeison Murillo gets my pick. He's only been at the club since the star of last season after moving from Real Madrid. He shared game time last season with Per Mertesacker who both played 20 odd times.

The midfield is then the toughest choice, my picks are Ramsay with Schneiderlin in the more deep lying postion, although in truth there isn't much between them, Wilshere, Niklas Stark or Matias Kranevitter.

The more attacking midfielders also take care of themselves with Cazorla, Sanchez and Ozil the stand out players in the squad.

Up front, Paulo Dybala is the best option here and finished last season as the Premierships top scorer. Although he could probably do with some help as Welbeck is the only other striking option.

Steven Gerrard: Thanks Ole, that gives me a lot to think about. I'll have a good look myself when the lads return next week.

See you soon Ole.
 
View attachment 246083
ARSENAL SQUAD RETURN TO TRAINING.

So, after observing the first training session I then set up a meeting to meet the squad for the first time ...

Steven Gerrard: Right then lads, I just wanted to use this opportunity for me to introduce myself to you. I know I haven't really met any of you before.

Squad: Hi gaffer, is there anything we need to know before the season starts?

Steven Gerrard: I want to give you all a clean slate this season. Winning the league last season was a brilliant achievement but I really want to go one further this time around and go for the Champions League. I'll watch everyone train so you all have the opportunity to impress me.

Squad: Thats good boss, gives everyone a chance then. The Champions League will be great but really difficult.​
 
After a couple of days of watching the lads train, I organised a meeting with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ...

Steven Gerrard: Hi Ole, how do you feel the training's going?

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: Things are going well boss, early days but no injuries picked up and the lads fitness is always improving. Is there anything you've picked up on?

Steven Gerrard: Great stuff, I'm really glad about the fitness. I'm concerned about the defence if I'm honest. I don't think its good enough. Koscielny is quality but Mertesacker and Murillo are a way off the quality I'm looking for. I think a new center back is needed?

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: Do you think thats necessary boss? Both played really well last season and Murillo was only bought 12 months ago for big money. I doubt the board would agree to signing a new defender anyway.

Steven Gerrard: I'll deal with the board. You just find me one. Work with Pat Rice and find me a quality defender, I don't care how much they cost.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: Yes boss, I'll report back in a couple of days.
 
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: Boss, I've been working with Pat Rice and found the following center backs who maybe worthy of looking at.

Juan Jesus:
View attachment 246046

Juan Jesus is the first option, currently at Inter Milan he's a quality defender and one of the best available. The trouble with this signing is that he's been at Milan for over 5 years now so will command a hefty fee of between £25 million and £30 million.

Although he's a definite improvement, his asking price is without doubt too high.


Bruno Martins Indi:
View attachment 246045

Next up is Bruno Martins Indi, the big dutch defender is currently on loan at Everton but that will expire in only a couple of days. Indi played 25 games for Everton in the last season and recorded an average rating of 7.10.

The big man can also play left back and can probably be picked up for around £9 million. Another big positive is his wage demands will probably only be around £40k per week.

Its debatable whether he's an improvement on the 2 defenders we're looking to replace though.

Steven Gerrard: Juan Jesus is a brilliant player but I won't be paying that much, the board will never agree to it. Keep the search up, I'm still convinced we need someone else come in.
 
Our first bit of transfer news and my first bit of hard work ...

View attachment 246035

Man City offer £46.5 million for Mesut Ozil.

Although this is a huge amount, Ozil was a huge part of my plans for next season so this offer was declined.
 
CHAT WITH MESUT OZIL AFTER MAN CITY OFFER DECLINED.

Mesut Ozil: Thanks for seeing me boss, I just wanted you to know how disappointed I am at Man City's offer being turned down. The offer was fair and I want to go.

Steven Gerrard: The club didn't feel the offer reflected what your worth! Why do you want to go there anyway, we've just won the league and their not even in the Champions League. They only just finished in front of my Derby side for **** sake!

Mesut Ozil: You just can't compete with the wages Man City will offer me. They're talking about £250k per week plus a huge signing on fee.

Steven Gerrard: Winning trophies should be more important to you than money! You're already on £140k per week, how much money to you ****** need?

Mesut Ozil: All you've done here is further convince me that my future lies elsewhere. I'll get on to my agent tomorrow morning and make sure this deal happens.

Steven Gerrard: Good luck with that! I'll ensure you don't join Man City!
 
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: Boss, I've found the perfect defender for us, a little ambitious but if we can get him he'd be perfect ...

Sergio Ramos:
View attachment 246030

Sergio Ramos, he'd be brilliant! Its going to be a big transfer and will cost a lot but if we can convince the board he'd be fantastic. His wages would be between £150k and £200k per week while Real Madrid will want around £40 million for him.

Steven Gerrard: ****** ****, Ole you've done it! Arrange a meeting with me and his agent. Oh and don't mention this to the club yet as I don't want the press knowing yet.
 
No doubt Ramos will be an amazing signing but he is surely on the wrong side of 30 now but will add the quality for your CL run I suppose.
 
where is Pique? Balanta? Laporte? Hummels? Varane? Inigo Martinez? Bartra?
transfer fee spread over 48 months would be a good go to getting them..

great story, but isn't Ozil injury prone/inconsistent? the 18m of the transfer fee was ridiculous - after 50 games etc.. it'd take years to happen!

KIU, good luck!
 
Cracking move on getting the Arsenal job, Quite surprising how many of the original squad are actually there! For CB there's 2 decent ones I've found who will still be quite young in Ruben Vezo (Starts with Valencia) and Niklas Sule ( Starts with Hoffenhiem)
 
Rootsey said:
No doubt Ramos will be an amazing signing but he is surely on the wrong side of 30 now but will add the quality for your CL run I suppose.
Click to expand...

Yeah, his age does worry me a little. It will all depend on what transfer fee they demand I guess.

xtremeRED said:
where is Pique? Balanta? Laporte? Hummels? Varane? Inigo Martinez? Bartra?
transfer fee spread over 48 months would be a good go to getting them..

great story, but isn't Ozil injury prone/inconsistent? the 18m of the transfer fee was ridiculous - after 50 games etc.. it'd take years to happen!

KIU, good luck!
Click to expand...


They all seem so expensive mate haha. I'm still in the mindset of being at Derby and looking at the cheap options. I'm having doubts now about Ramos haha.


JamesScott2908 said:
Cracking move on getting the Arsenal job, Quite surprising how many of the original squad are actually there! For CB there's 2 decent ones I've found who will still be quite young in Ruben Vezo (Starts with Valencia) and Niklas Sule ( Starts with Hoffenhiem)
Click to expand...

Yeah most of them are still there to be honest haha, there's also Welbeck, Bellerin and Debuchy as well as all the others mentioned. I'll have a look at them mate, thanks.
 
View attachment 245826
TALKS WITH REAL MADRID BOARD RE SERGIO RAMOS.​

Steven Gerrard: Hello, thanks for meeting with me today.

Board: No problem Steven. What can we do for you?

Steven Gerrard: I've heard through the grapevine that Sergio Ramos is unhappy and is looking to move away?

Board: There have been a couple of reports saying this, but it is rubbish! He and Carlo Ancelotti have had a slight disagreement as the manager is playing him in midfield. The news have blown it all out of proportion and we are confident both will make up soon.

Steven Gerrard: You see, my assistant manager (ole gunnar solskjaer) has spoken to Sergio's agent who has told him he wants to leave and this is more than a fallout. So lets not waste anymore time, how much for him?

Board: Haha, Steven, Ramos is not for sale. We will not sell him.

Steven Gerrard: Come on, everyone has their price! How much?

Board: £60 million ... up front!

Steven Gerrard: Hahah £60 million? For an ageing center backs who's the wrong side of 30! Come on, be sensible.

Board: Steven, there will be no negotiation. £60 million or no deal.

Steven Gerrard: Look £60 million isn't going to happen, it just isn't. My board are going to be reluctant to offer much money up front due to his age. Could we look at a part exchange for another of our players?

Board: Maybe. How about Alexis Sanchez?

Steven Gerrard: Are you off your head or something? I'm not swapping Alexis Sanchez who's in the form of his life for Sergio Ramos who may only have a couple of years left at this level.

Board: We have heard that Mesut Ozil has requested a transfer. We may be interested in brining him back here.

Steven Gerrard: Ozil for Ramos?

Board: Yes, we would be happy with this.

Steven Gerrard: Let me think about this ...


View attachment 245822
 
View attachment 245821
Driving home from the meeting with the Real Madrid board I was undecided. Was Sergio Ramos worth the same value as Mesut Ozil? We'd had offers of over £50 million for Mesut, and that was without us negotiating it, we may even get more. Was Ramos past his best?​

I had no option but to phone Ole ...


Steven Gerrard: Ole, how are you?

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: Good boss, what's on your mind?

Steven Gerrard: I don't want anyone at the club knowing but I've met up with the Real Madrid board today to discuss us signing Sergio Ramos.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: Wow! You don't hang about do you Steven. How did it go?

Steven Gerrard: Hmm, up and down.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: So, how much do they want?

Steven Gerrard: Mesut Ozil.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: What do you mean, Mesut Ozil? What's he got to do with it? Is this the let-lag talking?

Steven Gerrard: Thats what they want. They want a straight swap between Sergio and Mesut.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: ****** ****. What do you think?

Steven Gerrard: I dont know what to think. I was really hopeful Mesut would stay but after our meeting the other day, there's no chance of that. Swapping him for Sergio would be like offering £50-£55 million for him.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: That's too much Steven. The blokes 31 years old. We could get Varane for that! Or John Stones, and have change. I don't think the board will be too happy either, they're banking on that money coming in.

Steven Gerrard: I know Ole. I don't know what to do! I'll sleep on it and speak to you tomorrow.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: When do you need to decide by?

Steven Gerrard: Midnight tomorrow or the deals off. See you at training mate.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

FMBase

Beta

Resources

Back
Top