Tiempo para un espa?ol de vacaciones!

[Mr. Kurns]

Author's Note: This is using England - CC Championship and Up, Italy - Serie A and Spain - Liga BBVA (as it's now known).

*********

I woke to my alarm clock singing Katy Perry's "I Kissed A Girl", what a torrid song that is! I slammed down on it, and the music stopped, only after an odd "Crack" sound. I got up and picked the paper up off the doorstep, and flicked on Sky Sports News, which had become a daily routine since I moved to London in 2005, to manage lower league club Luton Town.

We were mid-table for my tenure at the club, before I was sacked. I joined Derby County for the 2006/07 season, and gained promotion, but left, after a number of players left the squad.

I flicked the pages of the Sport section of the paper over, looking for the latest Football headline, hoping to see a Premier League job arise. As i turned to the back a headline screamed at me.

Del Bosque Quits Spain!
​

I looked at the headline for a minute, before picking up my laptop. I clicked up the internet, before finding the Spanish Football site, and finding their

The favourites for the job included Luis Aragones, Jose Antonio Camacho, Fabio Capello and Juande Ramos, "no sign of me!" I chuckled. email details. I fired off an email with my resume attached, to apply for the vacant Spanish job. I picked the paper up again and read te rest of the article, Del Bosque claimed that he had resigned because of "personal problems" after having a nasty split with his wife, in which he was to blame according to the paper.

 

[Mr. Kurns]

No me gustaba el f?tbol, me encanta

**********
As i pressed the button on my answering machine, I heard a think accented voice over it, "The Chief Executive of the SFA will meet you on Thursday July 4th, at the Spanish FA, Headquarters in Madrid, at 3:00 PM, to discuss your application, your airplane tickets and accomodation details will be sent to you as soon as possible."

Just over a week later, I stepped off the plane, onto the Tarmac at Madrid-Barajas International Airport, spanish dictionary in hand of course! After collecting my luggage, I spotted a sign with Tobie Chapman - Federaci?n Espa?ola de F?tbol. I walked over, and a smartly dressed man took my luggage, and dumped them in the back of a sleek black car, and motioned for me to hop in.

I walked into the FA HQ, and walked over to the receptionist, who motioned towards a meeting room, as I walked up it opened, and inside was the Chief Executive, who welcomed me to Spain. To keep a short story, short, he told me that the other managers had pulled out, leaving me. He told me I had the job, he handed me a couple of sheets - The FA's expectations, the current Spanish squads, and the staff list. He told me that I was expected to qualify for the Euro's 2008, and that we should reach the Second Round atleast. He congratulated me, and said that there would be a Press Conference at 7pm to announce my appointment.

Spain Appoint Aussie!
​

That was the headline that confronted me the next morning, as I looked on the internet.

The Spanish FA has appointed 25yr old Tobie Chapman as the manager of Spain. Chapman, who has managed in England for 3 years, was a suprise appointment, but the FA believes he can lead Spain to glory, was what they said at a press conference in Madrid.

Chapman on the Football Manager 2007 Cover.
​

I stoppd reading there, I was sure it wouldn't get ay better from there on. I checked my mobile, where there were a heap of SMS messages from friends and family.

 

[mattfb]

Great start mate. This looks awesome!

 

[Ayub 95]

Nice tobes good work KUTGW

 

[saladguy]

Great start and good luck in Spain!

 

[Mr. Kurns]

Tiempo para ver algunas f?tbol - espa?ol de estilo

*******

My first proper activity as manager, was to attend the EURO Vase third round between Antwerpen and Deportiva.

EURO VASE MATCH DAY

G Beerschot Antwerpen vs R.C. Deportiva de La Coru?a S.A.D..

15 Mins: Felipe plays a one-two with Joan Verdu, before sending it foward for the unmarked Bravo, but his header jut misses the top corner!
41 Mins: Joan Verdu with a good chance, takes the free kick, but it doesn't curl enough, and it flies into the side netting!

45 Mins: Half-Time here at Antwerp

66 Mins: Bravo is in pain, he's picked up a knock to his hand, when he collided with Svetlicic

68 Mins: Verdu with another free kick, it hits the wall, and Ferrera has to work, but saves the shot with no trouble in the end.

90 Mins: Full Time is blown, to end the first leg of the EURO Vase 3rd Round, a 0-0 draw, in a game that Deportiva dominated.

Valeron was dissapointing, with only a couple of shots, and none threating, overall a fairly sloppy game, and none of the Deportiva boys looked like confirming a place in the Spanish squad.

With still a month left until Liga BBVA fixtures started, I had 20 sheets of fixtures on my desk, detailing every friendly that each squad would play over the next month.
​