The Football Managing Mercenary

[Mercurial66]

What on earth has happened in your file for Martinez to be that successful?!?! Tough luck with some of the rejections, it was looking like Newcastle were finally going to come good for you at one point there.

 

[DerbyJack]

In all honesty i have no idea.

Having taken over from Van Gall, he got off to a predictably appalling start but has managed to turn the Red Devils into an absolute force. Thanks alot Mercurial, they did me proud...for once.

---

With just two clubs showing any kind of vague interest in me at the end of the season I was essentially gearing up for another season with Newcastle, especially given my recent history of failing just about every interview possible.

My positively sunny outlook was soon rewarded...

Well there goes a potential year of sun-bathing and kebabs in Turkey.

Truth be told I have no idea about Turkish football beyond the main clubs in the competition and those few European stars who disappear off to the Turkish Super Lig for an end of career swansong, so I can hardly blame the might of Galatasary for opting against such a risky appointment but it seems that careful attitude did not spread as far as the home of French Fries and waffles.

I'm finally free...

Belgium Awaits!

I'm not just out of Newcastle but I'm finally out of England as well!

Having spent nearly Twenty time-travelling years managing in my home country, a club has finally emerged to ****** me away from the punishing Premier League. With the contract signed and five years of obscurity in Newcastle behind me there's just enough time to have a look back at my achievements in the North East of England.

With my career in tatters following a mauling at the hands of the Foxes, a recently relegated Newcastle gave me a much needed life-line at one of the biggest clubs in the country.

And it all started off so well...

2019/20 Season
Championship

A brutal and lengthy season in Englands second tier should have been a walk through for the might of Newcastle but with a rapidly disappearing squad and a host of strong teams all battling for a return to the promised land, I was eventually forced to settle for a respectable second place finish. Non the less, the club and myself where back and ready for revenge in the Premier League.

2020/21 Season
Premier League

The Premier League soon reminded me, just how harsh it is. Fresh from an impressive failure at the Foxes, I was keen on rebuilding my reputation in the top flight but in a season that saw the club narrowly avoid the drop and my job on the line already I barely made it through with my dignity intact.

2021/22 Season
Premier League

With hopes of improving the squad in the transfer window I paid big to transform the squad from top to bottom and only managed to once again narrowly miss out on a return to the Championship. Having spent the majority of the season in the dropzone it was fair to say that by the end of this season I was certainly feeling the pressure at St James's Park.

2022/23 Season
Premier League

Once again in my desperation to escape another life shortening stress filled relegation battle I went to town in the transfer window, with a Twenty million pound transfer for a Russian teenager. Needless to say it didn't pay off. A third straight dog-fight at the foot of the table soon followed and my desire to flee for safety soon grew.

2023/24 Season
Premier League

Realising that I was actually going to need to make some kind of achievement at Newcastle in order to emerge from Newcastle with any kind of respect the boys finally put on the kind of performances that where long overdue. An impressive set of results and a mid-table finish finally saw me gain some momentum and ensured my longed for escape from Newcastle.



Truth be told, it felt a lot longer.

Five seasons at Newcastle and in not one did I manage to pull the team up to its lofty potential. No wonder I ended my spell at the club with more rejection letters then points.

Thankfully, as a money obsessed mercenary, I can hide my shame behind some new found wages.

Time to grab some Euros!

​

 

[MrWisdoman]

Personally one of the my favoruite stories keep up the good work man. Hope Belgium isn't hard on you

 

[DerbyJack]

Thanks alot MrWisoman, as long as it gives me a route to some silverware I'll be happy! Truth be told I'm not all that familiar with the Belgian leagues...should be interesting.

---

My time in England has come to a long overdue end.

Having struggled my way from the basement of English football all the way to the foot of the Premier League, I finally get a shot at proving my worth over seas.

It might not been the Bundesliga, Serie A or Liga BBVA but Belgium certainly is not to be overlooked.

With my bags packed, flights booked and a quick taxi booked from Newcastle, its time to kick start a new chapter of my career.

Big changes on the field. No Changes off it.

As it turns out Club Brugge can only just match the wages of Newcastle United but just a change of location alone was enough to see me quickly jump at the opportunity for some football in the continent.

With my excitement quickly building, its probably a good time to take a step back and take a look at just what I've got myself in to before I leap straight in...

Well that's a welcome surprise.

For the first time in my career I'm actually taking over a club at the top of their game. For the last four years, Club Brugge have claimed the title with former title rivals, Anderlecht seemingly slipping into obscurity. A simple stroll to the title was complemented with an impressive Croky Cup trophy to boot. Surely I've got to pick myself up some silverware here?

Based on the impressive supremacy that Brugge have over the Belgian league it begs one question.

Why have they hired me?

With the club already two competitive games into the season, the boards reasoning soon became clear...

With Seven years of domination, six league titles and five cup trophies to his collection, former manager Mario Been aimed to round off his career with one last piece of silverware.

Unfortunately for the club icon, his impressive career ended on a low with AA Gent spoiling the party and sending Been off from the club with an unfamiliar feeling of disappointment, missing out on Belgium's equivalent of the Charity Shield, the Super Cup.

No Pressure then.

With some mighty big boots to fill, my first taste of European football is going to be testing.

Time to get my globe hopping career truly under-way.

​

 

[DerbyJack]

The Black and Blue of Club Brugge is once again setting up to try and retain their title for the fifth consecutive year.

Its time to see who I've got at my disposal to do the job...

With the squad swelling with pride, I actually take over a team where for the first time in years I don't have a host of players putting transfer requests on my table.

An experienced and strong line-up is at my disposal. It's clear that Brugge have set themselves up as an all out attacking force of late, with a number of players all eager to get themselves forward on the pitch and on the score-sheet at the same time.

The only thing missing from this strong team is a future. With just one player under the age of Twenty-Four the club is crying out for some potential. Non the less its a good opportunity to look at two players who are already at the top of their game.

Formerly of Juventus, Iglesias has struggled for game time for the majority of his career before arriving in Belgium. With one season already under his belt the Argentinian defender has certainly proved his worth at this level, with his rapid pace and growing technical ability once again attracting the attention of some of Europe's best.

The club is flooded with attacking midfielders and key to all of those is Croatian playmaker, Drazen Petrak. An incredible touch on the ball and the mental ability of a player with twice his experience makes him a force to be reckoned with in the Juliper Pro League. With plenty left in his tank, Petrak is certainly going to be a crucial player for years to come.



This just keeps getting better.

With a club at the top of its game, a squad pre-made to seemingly walk to the title and the clubs former closest rivals currently way off the pace, I should be well on my way to finally claiming a long awaited trophy or two.

​

 

[Nnicod55]

Looking very good side and capable doing something in europe if not in UCL then in UEL!

 

[Mercurial66]

Congrats on the new job!! Looks a pretty good squad - great chance to boost your reputation ready for a big job, even if you're not getting much more money right now. Have you got much of a budget to work with?

 

[DerbyJack]

Sure is Nnicod, totally forgot about Europe to be honest. My Champions League debut awaits!

Cheers Mercurial, It's seriously almost setup so well here that it would be harder to fail. I wouldn't put it past me though. I did have a budget just under £30 million....its long gone now though.

---

Having joined with the season already under-way, my moves in the transfer window where hardly going to be ground breaking but that's not to say I didn't do anything in my first transfer window outside of England.

Just two departures from by brief spell at the club.

Goalkeeper Yanick Van Osch has held the fort for Club Brugge with ease over the years but a big money transfer from the might of Inter Milan soon had the Dutchman on his way to Serie A and a chance to really test himself. Joining him out the club is fellow Dutch player, Sandy Walsh. The defender makes a return to Ajax following a disappointing spell just across the border.

With two spaces to fill and time quickly running out I jumped into action...

From: Galatasaray
Cost: £4.1 million​

There are going to many things that catch me off guard abroad. One of those quickly slapped in the face in the shape of a home-grown player rule for the Juliper Pro League. Needing to name atleast six players trained in the country for three years before their Twenty-first country, I quickly made moves to bolster our ranks with former Sint-Truiden trainee, Ramaekers returning to his home country from Turkey to add some depth to our back line.

From: Napoli
Cost: £22 million​

I was still short on Home-Grown players and its fair to say I panicked. Smashing Club Brugges transfer record and matching my own personal one at the same time, I make a huge move to bring Jean-Jacques Richard back home from Serie A. Billed as the next Courtois, Richard will hopefully develop into a world class stopper for the club.




Just a few days into my tenure and I've already set the benchmark.

Splashing the cash on two home-grown players, including an absolutely ridiculous transfer for a Twenty-One year old goalkeeper. Its safe to say I've set about my time in Belgium in style.

No time wasted.

​

 

[DerbyJack]

August 2024

4th August 2024
Juliper Pro League

My time in Belgium gets off to a flying start as my Brazilian striker, Felype bags a first-half brace to ease any pre-match nerves and ensure that the reign of Clu Brugge at the top of the table looks set to continue, despite the arrival of one of the least successful managers in the game today. This has got off to what will hopefully continue to be a smooth start.


11th August 2024
Juliper Pro League

And it just gets better. Another brace for Felype as he proves just how crucial he will be to any future success but the key striker is just one of many as the boys go wild. With six goals smashed home against what should have been one of the leagues strongest sides, the club sends a strong message to anyone brave enough to try and compete against us.


14th August 2024
Juliper Pro League

Anderlecht have struggled of late, with Club Brugge quickly becoming the leagues strongest team, however a nil-nil draw went someway to proving that the Paars Wit are on their way back to the top. With the club seemingly in a free-scoring mode before this game its certainly a worrying sign for an unproven English manager hoping for an easy ride to the top.


18th August 2024
Juliper Pro League

Well this wasn't supposed to happen. Most of you will probably not have heard of Waasland-Beveren. I certainly had not until now but I am more then familiar with the small club from the North of Belgium. A one goal defeat condemned us to my first defeat in the country. With the club losing just twice last year this result is not to be taken lightly.


24th August 2024
Juliper Pro League

That's more like it. Croatian prodigy, Drazen Petrak takes matters into his own hands, as he quickly leads the club back to winning ways with a five goal demolition job of the respectable, Lokeren. When this midfield hits it stride their really is no stopping them at this level. Just need to keep them in this fine form and everything will be A-okay.


31st August 2024
Juliper Pro League

AA Gent are one of the main rivals for our title this season and the Buffalos certainly put one **** of an effort into making sure we would taken notice. A dominant performance saw them shoot into the lead before the club finally burst into life with just ten minutes remaining. A quick-fire comeback helped maintain mine and the clubs credibility in the league.


August 2024
Juliper Pro League

Seven games down and I've already lost the top spot to surprise package Sint-Truiden. With plenty of the season remaining and the club certainly proving that they have what it takes to dominate this league already, their is little to panic about just yet however the Juliper Pro League is not the only thing for me to worry about. The Champions League approaches...

With the club qualifying automatically for the group stage through no effort of my own, it falls to me to hold up the clubs reputation in a relative tough group draw. Isreali side, Maccabi Tel-Aviv should prove to be the groups whipping boys, with Schalke and French giants Paris St Germain certain to provide a huge challenge for the Blue and Black of Brugge.

​

 

[Raaritsgozilla]

A nice change of pace with the move to Belgium! Hopefully some silverware to finally win!

 

[Death Ball]

Nice move! This is your chance to get the attention of the big paying teams.

 

[DerbyJack]

Thanks Raar, Taking over as the best club in the Country should give me the kind of advantage I desperately need.

Cheers Deathball. I sure hope so. Need to make the most of the continental competitions.

---

September 2024

13th September 2024
Juliper Pro League

Looks like we are not set to overthrow Sint Truiden any time soon. A goal less draw with Oostende saw our attacking play prove fruitless, with the minnows defending admirably against wave after wave of attacks. Somehow I don't think Been is going to need to worry about his legacy being obscured anytime soon.


18th September 2024
Champions League - Group E

My debut in the Champions League is upon us. My entire career has built up to this one moment and boy was it worth the wait. Tel-Aviv proved to be more a threat then first assumed as the jumped into the lead but my in form Brazilian striker, Felype was certainly not going to let points slip at this early stage, clawing us back to a hard-earned victory.


21st September 2024
Juliper Pro League

Back in the league and Felype continues his run of goal scoring with the opener before Mouscron-Peruwelz gifted us with an easy route to the points with a clumsy challenge in the box that resulted in a straight red and a quickly converted penalty from our Portuguese winger, Toze.


24th September 2024
Croky Cup - 6th Round

The Croky Cup has been Brugge's for years now and in my first outing in the competition I very nearly ended the run before I even had a chance. Lowly Antwerp pushed us all the way, with another red card and Toze winner deep into extra time eventually proving just enough to see us through. It seems my good fortune in the cups has followed me to Belgium.


28th September 2024
Juliper Pro League

Having scraped our way through to the next round of the Croky Cup we repeated the feat in the next league game, with Trezeguet this time saving our skin with just seconds the spare. KV Melchen should not have proven such a challenge for us in the league but it seems I've still not got to grips with my tactics.


September 2024
Juliper Pro League

Sint Truiden have gone from being midly annoying to an outright threat. With ten games already done and dusted, the pre-season minnows now seem determined to take advantage of the most recent upheaval at Club Brugge and cling firmly on to their spot at the top for grim life. Challenge accepted.


September 2024
Champions League - Group E

We are top of the group! Admittedly we played just one solitary game...against the group minnows but non the less we sit just ahead of Schalke who pulled off an upset picking up a solid victory over the might of Paris St Germain. The French side have invested heavily in their squad but still seem woeful when it comes down to proving their ability when it matters.



​

 

[DerbyJack]

October 2024​

1st October 2024
Champions League - Group E

Having taken advantage of a slow starting Paris St Germain, it seemed Schalke would have been eager to enforce their early advantage but the German side seemed to take victory for granted at the Club Brugge Stadium following an opening goal within just two minutes but a well converted corner, saw new arrival Ramaekers reclaim a point.


5th October 2024
Juliper Pro League

Back to the all important league and its a dominating performance from the title holders as we cruise into a comfortable lead after just ten minutes with defender Engels, marking his return from injury with a game ending header just before the break, shattering Charlerois resolve and keeping the pressure ramped up on plucky Sint-Truiden.


22nd October 2024
Champions League - Group E

Paris have acted quickly to make up for their sloppy start to the group and the French champions wasted little time in continuing their resurgent push to the top. A goal with just seven minutes from time gave us a brief hint of taking something from the game but Italian finisher, Parenti had already done enough damage to secure the victory.


27th October 2024
Juliper Pro League

With the boys just about recovering from their impressive efforts in the Champions League, we return to action on the home front and are quickly given a rude awakening as Liege smash home a goal within just ten minutes. With an hour of the game gone it fell to Felype to get us back in the game with Ndong eventually ending our hopes of picking up all three points with a straight red card.


30th October 2024
Juliper Pro League

With the disappointing draw behind us we have just two days to recover for a potentially tough game against an out of sorts KRC Genk. With Genk fully expected to be in the running for the title, the mid-table side are reeling from a disappointing start and a goal just minutes after the opening whistle quickly compiled their misery.


October 2024
Juliper Pro League

Sint-Truiden are flying. With a two point lead over us and some of the finest form in the league we are in for a tough fight for the title and things are certainly about to get harder as Anderlecht make their long awaited return to the title race. With a game in hand we can just about keep them at bay but any slips are certain to be punished. This is not as easy as I thought.


October 2024
Champions League - Group E

With half the group now done and dusted, we have done well to remain in the running for a potentially surprising spot in the next round. Rather predictably for now though we remain behind both Paris St Germain and Schalke in our quest for the next round but with a small dose of good fortune we could pull this off.


​

 

[DerbyJack]

November 2024​

2nd November 2024
Juliper Pro League

Zulte Waregem are just outside the race for the European spots but a four goal defeat soon demonstrated the gulf in class between the two squads. Influential play-maker Drazen Petrak led the charge with another two goals added to his already impressive tally with fellow midfielders, Toze and Castellano both adding to the one-way traffic.


6th November 2024
Champions League - Group E

Back to back games against the French giants in the Champions League and at Parc des Princes we are quickly put to the sword. Having nearly slipped up at The Club Brugge Stadium, Paris St Germain seemed determined not to take any chances this time around as they cruised to a comfortable victory.


9th November 2024
Juliper Pro League

The battle of the title contenders has come about and the Black and Blues certainly made no mistake in enforcing themselves upon the division as we cruise to a Toze inspired victory. Central midfield enforcer Ndong also added to the scoreline to ensure a much needed victory but it certainly came at some cost...

22nd November 2024
Juliper Pro League

Without or all important play-making Croatian, we struggled to break down KV Kortrijk as we throw away our lead from the previous game by struggling to a goal-less draw in front of a frustrated home crowd. With last seasons title winning side, drawing just seven times on their way to the title, I've got a long way to go before I can claim to have replaced the mighty Mario Been.


26th November 2024
Champions League - Group E

With Paris St Germain giving us a humbling defeat in our previous Champions League game, it was a welcome relief to welcome point-less Maccabi Tel-Aviv to our stadium and we quickly took advantage of the Isrealis poor standing with a second half victory putting us back in with a narrow chance of qualifying from the group.


30th November 2024
Juliper Pro League

Standard should be doing far better then they currently are but the former ten time winners of the league seem a shadow of their former selves with another narrow one goal victory, pushing them yet further into the mire. A relegation dog fight beckons for the fallen Belgian giants.


November 2024
Juliper Pro League

That's more like it. Having finally got our hands on the plucky up starts Sint-Truiden, we leap frog them into the lead and quickly go about building up a four point gap. On top of our recent success, it seems Anderlechts return to glory was short lived, losing every game this month and sliding straight out of the top five.


November 2024
Champions League - Group E

With one game remaining our fate is unfortunately no longer in our hands. On top of having to rely on win-less Tel-Aviv beating the might of France, we also need to pick up victory over the already qualified Schalke. It looks like we're heading for the Europa League unless we get some kind of footballing miracle.


​

 

[DerbyJack]

December 2024

4th December 2024
Champions League - Group E

The final game of the group stage and we save our best for last. Having qualified already, it could be said that Schalkes heart wasn't exactly in this game but non the less an impressive result for Club Brugge, as substitute Musonda makes an instant impact from the bench to fire home the only goal of the game. We have done all we can try and progress.


7th December 2024
Juliper Pro League

Back to the Juliper Pro League and our Champions League victory is soon forgotten following a disappointing defeat to former rivals, Anderlecht. Following a horror show of a month in November, Anderlecht are desperate to make up some lost ground and an unfortunate own goal for record signing, Richard gave them a much needed boost,


11th December 2024
Croky Cup - 7th Round

The Croky Cup seems to be my easiest route to a trophy and we make steady progress with a three minute spell of domination just quarter of an hour into the game. Midfield duo, Petrak and Castellano both combine to send us past Standard with ease. Nothing can stop me from claiming a trophy now!


15th December 2024
Juliper Pro League

With the Anderlecht result fresh in our minds we head into the next league game eager to restore our pride. Fortunatley with both of our two in-form players getting themselves on the score-sheet we secure the victory with ease. Hopefully that Anderlecht result will continue to invigorate the squad.


19th December 2024
Croky Cup - Quarter Final

Having waited an age for the Croky Cup, two games come along in quick succession and we suddenly find ourselves in the Semi-Final. A late penalty however was the only thing that could separate us from Charleroi with Castellano holding his nerve to fire home a clinical spot kick in front of the booing home crowd.


22nd December 2024
Juliper Pro League

We once again leave it until the second half to secure victory but with another goal for Petrak and a superb individual goal from right winger Trezeguet we ****** up another three points with relative ease. With the points rolling in our grip on the title grows ever stronger.


26th December 2024
Juliper Pro League

..Or maybe not. With things seemingly back on track from the rare defeat earlier in the month, a high flying AA Gent ensure that we don't get too far ahead of ourselves, holding us to a hard earned draw. I'm know just one draw away from equaling the entire number of draws Club Brugge wracked up last season already. Instant impact.


29th December 2024
Juliper Pro League

My first Brugge derby ends in victory as we fight back from behind to ensure bragging rights of the city. A goal within just two minutes of kickoff suggested I might be in for one **** of a rude awakening but a well converted set-piece maneuver from Engels and another Toze thunderbolt soon turned the tables.


December 2024
Juliper Pro League

Despite the loss we do manage to hold on to the top spot in the league and even more positively we maintain our four point gap over the chasing pack. The only downside of an otherwise successful festive period see's Anderlecht make a return back into the top three and well into the race for the title.


December 2024
Champions League - Group E

Despite the impressive result over Schalke at the start of the month, Maccabi Tel-Aviv fail to pull off an upset as Paris St Germain romp to victory and claim the last remaining qualification spot to go with it. Despite missing out on the knockout round of the Champions League, we can take some comfort for our instant arrival in the Europa League...

Wolfsburgs awaits.

The German side have not only caused a stir in their Europa League group but they currently stand at the top of the Bundesliga, looking like a strong contender for the near complete domination of Bayern. This should be easy then. The inform efficient Germans against a English manager desperately trying to prove himself with a Brugge side worryingly used to victory.


​

 

[DerbyJack]

January 2025​

10th January 2025
Friendly

The new year in Belgium see's the club go through a short winter break but in order to keep the boys fresh and keen for my continued title push, I still put them through their paces with a quick friendly against minnows Coxyde. In ruthless fashion our two key players continue their impressive form guiding the team to a comfortable win.


13th January 2025
Engels Testimonial

Rounding off the brief winter holiday comes a testimonial game for long serving defender Bjorn Engels. A Club Brugge player for the entire length of his career, he practically bleeds black and blue and the boys certainly showed their respects with another comfortable victory against Polish side, Legia Warszawa.


19th January 2025
Juliper Pro League

And with that we are back to action. Having frustrated us earlier in the season Oostende do the double with an inspired display at the Club Brugge stadium. Having shot into a two goal lead it seemed I was about to watch the club fall short of Been's impressive record last season with a third loss of the season but Brazilian finisher smashed home two quickfire goals to recover a point.


25th January 2025
Juliper Pro League

With a sluggish draw, the boys seemed to be slow off the mark following the new year break but a clinical one goal victory at least showed some signs of the team returning to winning ways. Rarely used midfielder Castellano took advantage of a rare start to score the only winner of the game. It feels good having talent in depth.


January 2025
Juliper Pro League

That one draw proves costly as the seemingly unflappable Sint-Truiden bring the gap down to just two points. With the plucky club intent on apparently ruining my debut in the nation, i can at least take some solace in the fact that Anderlecht have once again bottled it. A ten point gap now stands between us and the long forgotten champions.

​

 

[DerbyJack]

February 2025

1st February 2025
Juliper Pro League

With the tiny but determined Sint-Truiden hot on our heels any slip ups are sure to be punished but the boys seem determined to see this season out. A four goal demolition KV Melchen keeps us in the lead and continues to showcase the impressive talents of Felype. The guy has certainly made my honey-period at the club an easy one.


4th February 2025
Croky Cup - Semi Final - Leg 1

The Croky Cup is back and with it comes my crazed desire for Silverware. Cross-town rivals, Cercle Crugg stand between us and the final and it seems they're not about to let an opportunity at humiliating their rivals pass them by as they hold us to a convincing draw at the Club Brugge Stadium.


9th February 2025
Juliper Pro League

With my cup form seemingly reverting back to the same as it was in my home country, I returned to the league eager to ensure that I at least end this season with some kind of trophy. A two goal victory including yet another goal from the apparently lethal Felype helps me put one hand on the league title.


13th February 2025
Europa League - 1st Knockout - Leg 1

The Europa League is here. Having had a dabble in the competition with the Foxes before being unceremoniously sacked, I'm keen on making a strong impression upon Europes second biggest club competition but the might of the table topping Bundesliga side, Wolfsburg proved too much for the boys as a sloppy penalty proves costly in the first leg.


16th February 2025
Juliper Pro League

The Europa League might not quite be going to plan but a return to the Juliper Pro League soon has us back to winning ways as a dominant second half performance has us cruise to victory over mid-table KRC Genk. With the club seemingly back to their unstoppable ways in the league we could have the title wrapped up before long.


20th February 2025
Europa League - 1st Knockout - Leg 2

Heads were hanging low before kick-off as the defensive brick wall that is Wolfsburg arrived at the Club Brugge Stadium but in one of the most impressive displays of the season we proved our might to the rest of the continent with a first half victory that saw us overthrow Wolfsburgs narrow lead and force our way into the next round. Time to see who we're going to face...

Not bad.

Italian side, Torino are by means to be taken lightly but with both Manchester United and Real Madrid in this years competition we certainly have been given a favorable draw.


23rd February 2025
Juliper Pro League

Back to normality in the league and a two goal win has us eventually break down bottom of the table Liege. The seemingly doomed side, certainly proved harder to break down then expected but with exciting winger, Dembele eventually crafting a route to goal we eventually claimed the expected victory.


26th February 2025
Croky Cup - Semi Final - Leg 2

February has been one **** of a busy month but keeping our European success, league title and cup challenge all in balance apparently comes naturally to this group of players as a brace from Felype has us narrowly sneak past our bitter rivals and into my first ever cup final. The wait is almost over!


February 2025
Juliper Pro League

Sint-Truiden have finally broken. The dream is finally over as a horrific month see's the club fall a massive eleven points behind. With the season just weeks away from ending this surely means that I am set to claim my first ever top-flight title. I should have moved abroad sooner!

​

 

[dave8721]

great season so far. Belgium agrees for you. What were the boards expectations in Europe?

Good luck with the finish

 

[Sam91]

Best story going on here. Awesome stuff, just powered through the whole lot

 

[DerbyJack]

Cheers dave, I would love to say it's all pure talent but I've honestly inherited a team way beyond the level of their league rivals. Thankfully the board merely want to hold up our reputation in both the Europe and Champions League. I think I can do that. Thanks again!

Thanks so much Sam, that means alot!

---

March 2025

1st March 2025
Juliper Pro League

Just when they seemed dead in the water, little Sint-Truiden bite back with vengeance. With just a handful of games remaining, the club seemingly lost in second place hit back with an unexpected victory and my first defeat at home in the league. With everything very quickly drawing to a close this is not the kind of result I need to steady my nerves.


6th March 2025
Europa League - 2nd Knockout Round - Leg 1

First blood to the Italians. Just. A spirited game in the heart of Italy saw both clubs find the back of the net within just twenty minutes as we set off in rapid style in our attempts at claiming some kind of advantage. A late goal cruelly sent us back for the second leg behind but with an all important away goal behind us. All to play for.


9th March 2025
Juliper Pro League

The final game of the league and following back to back defeats we struggle to a lowly draw against Zulte Waregem. Having had a commanding start at the end of last month we come to the mid-way point of March very much in the balance. With the Juliper Pro League about to reveal an unwanted surprise this was not a good result.


March 2025
Juliper Pro League

The league is over. Well the league as i knew it at least. My knowledge of Belgian football is quickly exposed as the league suddenly splits in two. With Club Brugge sitting pretty at the top of the table we now face a much steeper challenge as we enter the Championship Group stage. For those like me, that had no idea this was due to happen here's a brief summary; Our Current points total is halved, with games played solely between the top six clubs. Mosts points wins.


13th March 2025
Europa League - 2nd Knockout Round - Leg 1

Now that was tense. With Torino cancelling out our away goal and increasing their lead within just eleven minutes it seemed we were in for a bad evening but a deserved penalty on the half hour mark, kick started a monumental comeback with substitute winger, Trezeguet scoring with just two minutes remaining to steal a place in the next round. Time to see if our good fortune will continue in the next round...

...That's a no then.

Roberto Martinez and his mighty Red Devils are next in line for Club Brugge as the champions of England, eager to make amends for a disastrous Champions League campaign now look to claim the Europa League trophy. This isn't going to be easy.


16th March 2025
Juliper Pro League - Championship Group

Well that didn't exactly get started too well. The former most successful club in Belgium kick start the all important Championship Group stage with a huge victory at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium, shooting into an impressive two goal lead after just fifteen minutes. A disappointing start.


19th March 2025
Juliper Pro League - Championship Group

That's more like it. Our talisman striker, Felype scores the only goal of the game as sneak a victory over KRC Genk. The boys however are looking a shadow of their former selves in this group stage. Could this be about to go completely wrong at the last hurdle? ...More then likely. Yes.


26th March 2025
Croky Cup - Final

This was supposed to be my moment! My gift wrapped opportunity at finally getting my hands on a cup trophy! A thrilling game at the King Baudouin Stadium saw both clubs throw caution into the wind in their attempts at claiming the Cup with the end to end football seeing both teams score twice in extra time. In the end the Yellow and Red of KV Melchen held their nerve in the lottery of a penalty shoot-out to claim the prize.


29th March 2025
Juliper Pro League - Championship Group

With the disappointment of a humbling cup defeat still lingering over the club we return to Juliper Pro League action with a two goal victory keeping us locked in our race to at least claim a sixth successive league title for Club Brugge. Given that I managed to throw away a cup seemingly destined to return to Brugge, I'm taking nothing for granted.


March 2025
Juliper Pro League - Championship Group

With the points halved and our current form seemingly very much under scrutiny we sit just five points clear with both Sint-Truiden and Anderlecht having seven games remaining to overthrow our claim to the top spot. This is going to be a nervy run in to the end of season. I surely can't throw this away as well can I?

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