FIFA Manager Career: A Football Life

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INTRODUCTION

Hello world! I've been playing FIFA 16 for a while now and am in my fourth year with this particular run. I'll post a bio below - but started in MLS and worked my way up to the Premier League with Everton. Having fun with this, so I thought I'd post for others to follow along. I've just started the season - and have won all 3 league games so far and a 2nd round EFL Cup match against Manchester City. Hoping to find my way to a league title and maybe even a Champions League title some day. Anyway, I hope you enjoy reading...

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BIO

FIRST YEAR

Brian Happel got his career started in America's Major League Soccer in December 2014 when he was named Manager at the Seattle Sounders at just 35 years old. He took the squad to Mexico for a preseason tournament and proceeded to win it in convincing fashion.

His official start in MLS wasn't quite as successful, as the Sounders conceeded the equalizer with less than five minutes remaining in regulation at home against New England and Happel would have to accept a draw in his first significant professional match.

The second match brought on a much more desired result, as Happel secured his first victory as head man on the sidelines in a win over San Jose.

There would be many more positive results, as Seattle went on an undefeated run of 26 straight games, 22 of them ending in victory. The young manager finally suffered his first defeat against Portland on August 30th, 2015.

It would be the only loss Happel would have to deal with as manager of the Sounders, as his squad went on to grab the U.S. Open Cup title, clinched first place in the Western Conference, and ultimately won the MLS Cup in his first year on the job.

The other significant moment came in August, when the young boss was tapped to take on the managerial role for Poland's national team. Success followed him on the international stage, as Happel helped the squad get past the finish line and qualify for Euro 2016 with two wins and two draws.

A NEW CHALLENGE

Happel did so well in his first year that he immediately attracted attention in Europe from some of the second tier clubs in Germany, England and Italy. Ultimately, he decided to move on from Seattle and took the manager's position at Perugia, who were sitting in third place in Serie B on New Year's Day of 2016, but trailing first place Cagliari by a whopping 19 points.

The club's executive board gave Happel a shocking and steep goal: win the Serie B title. The winning touch seemed to follow the bold and aggressive coach, as he lead Perugia to an undefeated run of 19 wins and two draws, indeed catching Cagliari to win the league title and earn the squad's first promotion to Serie A since 2004.

The summer was just as exciting for Happel, as he lead Poland into Euro 2016. Two victories to open the tournament ensured that the squad would compete in the knockout stage. But, a stunning 4-2 win over Germany convinced many of the critics that Happel's bunch was for real. Poland went on to beat an uninspired French team 1-0 in the quarterfinals. But, the dream finally came to an end when England's Harry Kane put one in the back of the net in the 86th minute to steal a semi-final win.

Perugia's first season in top flight football in Italy was remarkably successful, as the team continued to take on all challenges, including a surprising 2-2 draw with perennial powerhouse Juventus early in the campaign. The team took over first place in early December and would not look back for the rest of the season. Perugia captured the Coppa Italia and shocked everyone by winning the Serie A title and clinching a spot in the Champions League for the following season.

The wins kept on coming for Happel, as his third campaign with the squad got off to another successful start that saw the team remain in first place through December and a 4-1-1 record in the Champions League that put the team in the knockout stage with a tussle against Manchester United set for the Round of 16.

Unfortunately for Perugia, that's where the run with Brian Happel at the helm would end.

ON TO THE PREMIER LEAGUE

Happel took just about everyone by surprise when he announced shortly after the new year in 2018 that he had accepted the manager's position at struggling Everton in the Barclays Premier League. The Toffees were stuck in seventh place but still had aspirations for the Champions League, and the board decided Happel was the man to lead them there.

While a more seasoned Happel took on yet another team, the results basically remained the same. He'd reel off another impressive run of victories, ultimately leading the people's club to a 23-2-1 record. Not only did the young man in charge lead Everton to a third place finish and a spot in the Champions League next campaign, but his bunch also picked up the EFL Cup and the FA Cup in the process.

WORLD GLORY

It was time for Happel to take a shot at the world stage, and his team certainly shined in the spotlight. Poland breezed through the group stage of the World Cup with victories over Chile and Austria and a memorable 2-2 draw with Germany. Happel's bunch picked up a comfortable win over Uruguay in the round of 16. The real shocker came in the quarterfinals, when Poland demolished the normal world-beaters Spain 6-1. A dramatic win in penalty kicks over Switzerland in the semi-finals pushed Poland to a rematch with the powerhouse Germans. But, it would be Happel coming out on the right side once again, as his team hoisted the World Cup trophy thanks to a 3-1 victory over Germany.

[Hinkleyyy]

Gonna be following looks really good!

[Hapshoops32]

Quote: Originally Posted by Hinkleyyy

Gonna be following looks really good!

Thanks Hinkleyyy!

[Hapshoops32]

Game Highlights

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Game Highlights

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MATCH HIGHLIGHTS