True Champions - The Story of a Young Manager

[*Paul*]

True Champions
Book 1
To Glory...And beyond!​

Author's note: I have been inspired by Mike's great story. This is based on my Crystal Palace save, which I have already made a story on but replaced that one for this one. Click here for that story.​

19th May 2009​

I was, as usual, on my old and battered PS2 and playing Fifa 09. An old, second hand PS2 was all that I could afford, with a night-time shift at Asda and a day time (part time too) job at MacDonald's. I earned about £200 a week and I was sick and tired of it. I wanted a proper job, a full-time and quite highly paid job. I couldn't think of what I could do, I mean I was good at science at school but it won't be good enough for me to get a job to do with Science. There was only one thing I was good at which I loved, too. Football. I played Sunday League every Sunday for the best team in the league and I was top scorer but that was seriously not enough football for me. I wasn't too old to become a player, at the age of 30, but I doubt anyone would want me. I would have to consider coaching or management. I had played on a few manager games, like Championship Manager 2004 and Football Manager 2008 and I also liked to go on Manager Mode on Fifa so I don't think I would fail that much. Anyway, it would help to get some real experience. However, the chances of becoming even a Sunday League manager were quite small and it was near impossible to become a Premier League manager. Firstly, to become a manager you need coaching badges, don't you? At 7:00pm on the 12th of April 2009, I applied for a Fifa Coaching Course (FCC) in Lyon, France. I went to bed that night safe in the knowledge that soon I would become an official and licensed coach. ​

22th May 2009​

Nothing's really happened in these three days apart from the fact I have just heard from Fifa that the course starts on the 30th April and I need to meet at the Le France hotel at 3:00pm. I have all the details of my flight to Lyon and the other small details, such as what to wear, what to bring, etc. I've played on the PS2 most of the time, although I have had a small kickabout with my mates in the park. I am thinking about the FCC every second, every minute, every hour; I am just so excited. ​

27th May 2009​

I have just received a phone call from Sepp Blatter himself thanking me for joining the course and wishing me luck in 'my future career'. He also told me that after the visit to Lyon, he will be assigning us as assistant managers to some small clubs for a week to give us some 'experience'. After that week, we will manage some 'trial teams' for a matches against other trial teams. He also promised he would recommend us to chairmen as potential managers and managers as potential assistants. I can't wait: only 3 days left!
*Please leave comments and follow. Thanks!​

 

[jharty]

nice start

 

[Alcaraz]

Good start,keep going...

 

[The Shots]

This will never be as good as Mike's.

But good luck as I have only read the OP.

 

[mashedPotatoes]

Looks good Paul

 

[*Paul*]

30th May 2009​

I hardly slept last night and I felt so tired when I had to wake up at 6 o'clock in the morning. Not the best way to start your day, when you are annoyed and tired. Still, I was excited and raring to go: I had only been to France twice and only for 2 weeks in total. Fifa told me I would be staying there for two and a half weeks. The total cost of the residential, mind, was £1200 and the course cost £350. I didn't have to take out a loan or anything, mind, to afford these fees, I'm not that poor. Anyway, I'm at the airport now and waiting for my flight. It's 11pm and I've done all those checks and stuff, the plane should be here in 10 minutes. ​

1st June 2009​

This place is brilliant! As soon as we touched the ground at Lyon airport, I could tell this place was nice. And that was before we even got into the hotel! It was 3 star and brilliant. It has everything you would possibly need: a swimming pool, a lounge with a 3DHD TV, a Cinema room, a Jacuzzi, a massive field and lots of other things. In my room, which is on the 5th floor, there is a 25 inch TV, a table, a bathroom, a double bed and some other furniture. On the way here, I brought a Match of the Day magazine to read. I'm enjoying every moment here so far. Also, yesterday we had a small meeting and they said that I would be at Camp 2, which is just down the road. It would only take 10 minutes to walk there. Fifa also said that Gerard Houllier would be teaching us with some other great coaches. The dinner was also brilliant last night, I had Lasagne, Soup and some Garlic Bread. And a few glasses of Champagne, of course. ​

2nd June 2009​

My first day at the Camp was average, not that good but not bad either, I guess. We warmed up by stretching and run around the pitch 3 times, which took us 9 minutes. I am not the fittest person in the world, although some of the other wannabe coaches were much slower than me. Then, we did some 'Barcelona School Coaching', that was what it was called. We practised passing and moving, dribbling and control. We did that for two hours. Then we went back the the Hotel for lunch, Pasta for me. After lunch, we had a five-a-side match for half an hour before we rounded off with set piece practise. We finished that at 2:00pm. Then, at 5:00pm, we had to have a evening coaching session where Houllier taught us stuff about coaching and managing. This session lasted until 7, when I had some lovely pizza. I watched TV until 11pm and I eventually drifted off to sleep half an hour before midnight.​

 

[Chris]

Nice stuff Paul.

A good read.

 

[*Paul*]

nice start

Good start,keep going...

This will never be as good as Mike's.

But good luck as I have only read the OP.

Looks good Paul

Nice stuff Paul.

A good read.

Thanks for all the positive and encouraging comments everyone
@The Shots: I know Mike's is unbeatably the best but I will try and match it mate and give you an entertaining read. Updates soon!

 

[Alcaraz]

Good stuff mate

 

[Mike]

Everything looks good, and it was a nice read. Keep at it

 

[Roonaldo]

Looking good Paul

 

[Jack]

Bit unrealistic how you say you have two jobs, earn 35 quid a week, yet can afford 1500 on flights etc. Only problem ha.

Apart from that, good writing and keep it up.

 

[*Paul*]

7th June 2009​

I can't believe I've been here for about a week already! It feels like I've only just got here, I'm enjoying every minute of it. We basically do the same things every day but sometimes we are allowed to go to town and have a day off, like today. We've also travelled to Paris to watch Paris St. Germain v Lyon, a great game it was, even though it was a friendly. We were told to take notes on it, like how the players lined up, etc. I only have 10 days left here before we go and work under some managers or coaches in a real life situation, for pre season. Anyway, the other night, I was asked to go on a date with this girl. Francine Yaul, her name was. She is quite pretty, with blonde hair and brown eyes. I accepted and we just went to the local restaurant, Deux Gateaux. It was brilliant. Got to go, need to meet Houllier, dunno why, he's just called me. ​

8th June 2009​

It turned out that we were going to sight see today and we went on a open top bus. The fare was provided by Fifa. We went to Paris and saw the Eiffel Tower. We also went to some places nearby, like castles and climbed a mountain too. All in all, it was a very fun day; why wouldn't it be? When I got back to the hotel, there was a note pinned on the outside of my door. It said: ​

Dear Paul,
Would you like to meet at Deux Gateaux tommorow at 7:00pm to discuss something very important. Please be there.
Thanks​

I really didn't know who it was from, but if it is really important then I might as well go there. Anyway, what could happen to me? I went to sleep that night thinking about the meeting. I finally fell asleep at 1:00am, 9th June.​

9th June 2009​

"Me?", I asked, "Boss of Crystal Palace?". I was shocked. I had met Simon Jordan, who had come all the way to France just to meet me. He had asked me to become boss of Crystal Palace. He was looking for a rookie who would be on low wages. He was willing to give me a chance after Houllier said to him that I was the best manager here. "Yes, you. So is it a yes or no then?" Asked Jordan. I didn't move, let alone speak. My mouth was open with surprise and all kind of thoughts rushed through my numb mind. "Yes, yes, of course!" I asked quickly, just in case he thought I didn't want the job. "But I will have to finish this course first, it finishes on..."
"- The 17th of June, yes I know!" He interrupted. "We'll discuss contract terms and other stuff after the course. Goodbye." And with that he left the restaurant, with most of his food untouched. I finished my plate, whilst thinking, and left at around 8:30. I was going to become a manager in the Championship. It hadn't sunk it yet. ​

###############​

10th June 2009​

I woke up feeling strange. I felt that there was something I was looking forward too massively but I just didn't know what that thing was. I remember I was so delighted I felt I would of gave anyone £30 if they were there at the time. Then I remembered. I was going to become a manager, not any old manager as well, the manager of Crystal Palace FC in London. Crystal Palace were in the Coca-Cola Championship in England. The CHAMPIONSHIP! I felt so happy and proud. Then my alarm rang. It was already 10;00pm. ****, I thought, I'd better get a move on! So I got changed in 5 minutes, brushed my teeth and took a bite of toast and walked down to the Camp with two pieces of toast in my hands, and two croissants in my pockets. Houllier was there to greet me when I arrived and he said "Well done, it is great news, I...errr...congratulate you!" And with that another typical day at the Camp started.​

14th June 2009​

Nothing's really happened since my last entry expect the days have gone by and I have woken up happier and happier. Today I woke up thinking that heaven could not be better than this, at the time everything felt perfect and I felt calm and peaceful. Still, there is stil 3 days to go, you think it isn't long? It is. And I just can't wait. 3 more days of typical training before my dream comes true, and I get to meet Simon Jordan for discussions over the financial aspect of my contract. ​

17th June 2009​

It's 6:00am right now, and I just can't sleep. I'm being 'taxi-ed' down to the airport at 10am and I will board the plane to London at 2pm. I just can't wait to meet everyone to do with Palace, it is just a dream come true for me. I can't concentrate these days, all I think about is Palace, Palace, Palace. Well, I think I might watch Sky Sports News for a bit now. ​

 

[SwineFluGotYou]

Looking great.

 

[miggo97]

looking good so far, should be even better half way through

 

[*Jones*]

i have to ask, why does your story jump from april to june? wheres may gone?
other than that, looks good

 

[*Paul*]

Good stuff mate

Everything looks good, and it was a nice read. Keep at it

Looking good Paul

Bit unrealistic how you say you have two jobs, earn 35 quid a week, yet can afford 1500 on flights etc. Only problem ha.

Apart from that, good writing and keep it up.

Looking great.

looking good so far, should be even better half way through

i have to ask, why does your story jump from april to june? wheres may gone?

other than that, looks good

Thanks for the comments, it helps keep me motivated. Does anyone want anything confirmed or screenshots or stuff like that?
@retrodude09: I didn't realise that, lol, I'll change it.
@j-gibbard: I'm not really bothered about the exact prices in the financial side, only really concentrating on the personal and football side of the story mate . Changed it, though .

 

[SamScfc]

What about your other stories.

 

[*Paul*]

What about your other stories.

Which other ones? This is a replacement for my Crystal Palace one, which it states in the OP. And I am taking a big break from the Spain one, it is currently closed...I am concentrating on this and also: England Job - The Story. I will probably revive the Spain one at the end of the Summer Holidays (In September). Next time please PM about that because it isn't really on topic.

 

[casey32]

I look forward to this I did enjoy the old format alot though:'(