First FM story - starting a bit of a stupid time, got exams coming up in the next few weeks and so won't be able to post much - unless this distracts me, which it probably will!
I've always loved football. Growing up in Porto Alegre, I played every day in the dusty little park with its two little nets. I still had fond memories of beating kid after kid with deft Brazilian touches, tackling with the tenacity of Dunga and trying to reproduce the magic of many of my Brazilian idols. There were scouts everywhere, and many often looked at me, took notes and called me over. At the age of 14, I was offered a trial at Botafogo in Paraíba. I took it. I remember clearly the long bus journey through Brazil, and the week long trial, which was successful.
By the age of seventeen I had a career ending injury, and I looked into becoming a builder with my father. We had stayed in Paraíba. I also applied for a coaching badge to the Brazilian Football Associatoin. I continued building for many years, but my heart was in fútbol. I continued in my job as a builder, while I had developed a strong passion for Campinense Clube. I saw them every week, and bought my notebook with me, making notes on positioning and marking. I found it fascinating.
That was in 2005. Now, at the age of 23, I found myself touring the majestic Amigão stadium, with the chairman of Campinense, Saulo Mínah, talking to me.
"We've seen you at every game, making notes, analysing. We like analytic people in football. I have also heard from your father you have a coaching badge. You are also an avid Campinense fan. I see you as the ideal man for the job. Our former manager Adílson was a faliure in my eyes."
At 19th in the league after 7 games, I could see why. I had a burning desire to have a go, to turn this around.
Three days later I signed the contract with Campinense Clube.
Saulo gave me a 1 and a half year contract with the club, on £1,900 per week. I was delighted with the deal - definitely a step up from my builders wages; I had always been a poor man. I spent the day with my new players, getting to know them, ask about some of the training techniques they had used under their former manager, and about their thoughts on why they were 19th. The thoughts were positive, upbeat.
At 7.00 PM, I made the decision that 36 year old Tácio was to be the captiano. He appeared to be an incredible influence on the other players. After a day of training I had analysed that Almir was one of the better players at the club. A shame he is only on loan. After that day, I rang the chairman up and indicated that I thought I would be able to steer the club into a top half finish. the wage budget was set at 40k per week, with the transfer budget at 0£.
Next post will be a preview of the next game.
I've always loved football. Growing up in Porto Alegre, I played every day in the dusty little park with its two little nets. I still had fond memories of beating kid after kid with deft Brazilian touches, tackling with the tenacity of Dunga and trying to reproduce the magic of many of my Brazilian idols. There were scouts everywhere, and many often looked at me, took notes and called me over. At the age of 14, I was offered a trial at Botafogo in Paraíba. I took it. I remember clearly the long bus journey through Brazil, and the week long trial, which was successful.
By the age of seventeen I had a career ending injury, and I looked into becoming a builder with my father. We had stayed in Paraíba. I also applied for a coaching badge to the Brazilian Football Associatoin. I continued building for many years, but my heart was in fútbol. I continued in my job as a builder, while I had developed a strong passion for Campinense Clube. I saw them every week, and bought my notebook with me, making notes on positioning and marking. I found it fascinating.
That was in 2005. Now, at the age of 23, I found myself touring the majestic Amigão stadium, with the chairman of Campinense, Saulo Mínah, talking to me.
"We've seen you at every game, making notes, analysing. We like analytic people in football. I have also heard from your father you have a coaching badge. You are also an avid Campinense fan. I see you as the ideal man for the job. Our former manager Adílson was a faliure in my eyes."
At 19th in the league after 7 games, I could see why. I had a burning desire to have a go, to turn this around.
Three days later I signed the contract with Campinense Clube.
Saulo gave me a 1 and a half year contract with the club, on £1,900 per week. I was delighted with the deal - definitely a step up from my builders wages; I had always been a poor man. I spent the day with my new players, getting to know them, ask about some of the training techniques they had used under their former manager, and about their thoughts on why they were 19th. The thoughts were positive, upbeat.
At 7.00 PM, I made the decision that 36 year old Tácio was to be the captiano. He appeared to be an incredible influence on the other players. After a day of training I had analysed that Almir was one of the better players at the club. A shame he is only on loan. After that day, I rang the chairman up and indicated that I thought I would be able to steer the club into a top half finish. the wage budget was set at 40k per week, with the transfer budget at 0£.
Next post will be a preview of the next game.
Last edited: