Journey of a Deadman: #26 (Győr) – Second Chance

My Football Manager 2021 journeyman series is now into its seventh season. Will it be lucky 7 for Shama Deadman as he seeks his first major success as a manager?

In Part 25, Shama completed his first season with Győr, who finished just six points off the promotion places in Hungary’s second division. He has now given himself two more years to finish the job, and return this once-great club to the top flight.

Today’s post is the 2026/2027 season preview, where we go through Győr’s summer transfers and see how the squad now looks as ETO head into the new NB II campaign. Is this their time to shine? Continue reading “Journey of a Deadman: #26 (Győr) – Second Chance”

Journey of a Deadman: #25 (Győr) – Defensive Disasters

The 2025/2026 season is almost over, and Shama Deadman is once again chasing a first career promotion.

Despite a rough start, our journeyman coach’s first season at Győr has gone pretty well. In Part 24, a fine run of form saw ETO establish themselves as serious contenders to be promoted from the NB II to Hungary’s premier division.

Shama’s previous promotion pushes with Cambrian & Clydach and then Espinho ended in failure, but will things be different this time around? Let’s read on to find out… Continue reading “Journey of a Deadman: #25 (Győr) – Defensive Disasters”

Journey of a Deadman: #24 (Győr) – Rocha ‘n’ Roll

Welcome back to my Football Manager 2021 journeyman series, where Shama Deadman is now well into his first season as manager of Győr.

If you’ve read Part 23, you’ll know that it hasn’t been the easiest of starts for Shama, who’s already sacked one of his goalkeepers and spent big on another. On the bright side, he’s unearthed a young diamond on the right wing, and Győr’s recent form has been much better.

It’s now November 2025. Can ETO keep up the momentum as they seek a return to Hungary’s top division… or will it be another winter of discontent for Shama? Continue reading “Journey of a Deadman: #24 (Győr) – Rocha ‘n’ Roll”

Journey of a Deadman: #23 (Győr) – Feeling Hungary

Shama Deadman is about to begin the sixth season of his managerial career, as our journeyman coach kicks off a new era with Győr in the Hungarian second division.

In Part 22, Shama introduced us to his new team, and welcomed back a few old friends from his past. He didn’t have much success at his previous clubs – Cambrian & Clydach in Wales, or Espinho in Portugal – but will another change of scenery deliver a change in fortunes?

Today’s chapter will take us through the first three months of the 2025/2026 NB II season, from August all the way to October. Will Győr enjoy a strong start in their bid to return to Hungary’s top tier, or will the new manager make a right goulash of things? Let’s find out… Continue reading “Journey of a Deadman: #23 (Győr) – Feeling Hungary”

Journey of a Deadman: #22 (Győr) – The One That I Want

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Welcome back to my ongoing Football Manager 2021 series, as Shama Deadman’s coaching journey has taken him to his third club in a third different country.

After five years honing his craft in Wales and Portugal, Shama has taken on a new challenge with Győr in Hungary’s second division. In case you missed it, you can find out how he got here by reading Part 21, where we also see how the football world looks five years into this save.

You now join us in the summer of 2025, as we take our first look at Shama’s new club. After a couple of lean seasons, can he awaken this sleeping giant of Hungarian football? Continue reading “Journey of a Deadman: #22 (Győr) – The One That I Want”

Journey of a Deadman: #21 – Five Years Later

Shama Deadman has now been a football manager for five years… but his career hasn’t exactly gone to plan.

Job 1: Cambrian & Clydach. Solid first season, almost promoted in the second season, then all it fell apart and Shama resigned midway through the third.

Job 2: Espinho. Solid first half-season, almost promoted in the second season, then all it fell apart and Shama resigned midway through the third.

After leaving Portugal in Part 20, Shama is back at the job centre, just as the 2024/2025 season is ending. In today’s chapter, we will find out where he goes next. As an added bonus, I’ll also take a closer look at the football world in 2025, as we’ll see which teams have won the major leagues and competitions during the first five seasons of this save. Continue reading “Journey of a Deadman: #21 – Five Years Later”

England At Euro 2020… Without ‘Big Six’ Players

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We’ve had to wait an extra year, but Euro 2020 is finally here! Or is it Euro 2021 now?

Anyway, with the European Championships about to kick off, I thought I’d get you in the mood ahead of England’s inevitable Last 16 exit. It’s time for a Euro-themed Football Manager 2021 experiment!

In today’s post, I’ll be managing England as they launch their latest attempt for continental glory. However, as the title suggests, there is a twist: I CANNOT use any players from the Premier League’s ‘Big Six’ teams. Continue reading “England At Euro 2020… Without ‘Big Six’ Players”

Journey of a Deadman: #20 (Espinho) – Saving My Job?

Welcome back. It is crunch time for Shama Deadman, as the Espinho manager faces a potentially career-changing few months.

The previous chapter saw the Tigres make a shaky start to the 2024/2025 Terceira Liga season, as inconsistent performances and even more erratic shooting left their promotion charge in tatters. They also exited the Taça de Portugal after a heavy defeat to Portimonense.

Quite simply, results HAVE to improve over the winter months, otherwise Shama will be shown the door. As a new year draws near, can he save Espinho from a relegation dogfight – and save his job? Continue reading “Journey of a Deadman: #20 (Espinho) – Saving My Job?”

Journey of a Deadman: #19 (Espinho) – What A Mess!

It’s time for another chapter in the tale of mediocrity that is Shama Deadman’s managerial career.

Last time out, we previewed the 2024/2025 season – Shama’s third in charge of Espinho in Portugal’s third tier. He has made several additions to a side that missed out on promotion by just six points… but has he changed too much too soon?

This chapter will take us through Espinho’s results in the first four months of the new Terceira Liga campaign. Can the Tigres make a strong start in their quest to reach the Segunda Liga? Continue reading “Journey of a Deadman: #19 (Espinho) – What A Mess!”

Journey of a Deadman: #18 (Espinho) – You Espinho Me Round

Welcome to the fifth season of my Football Manager 2021 journeyman series, where Shama Deadman has reached a career crossroads.

In Part 17, the 2023/2024 season came to an end as Shama led Espinho to an unexpected Terceira Liga promotion challenge. No spoilers here, but if you’ve not read the last chapter yet, now might be a good time to catch up. ;D

It’s now the summer of 2024. England have won their first European Championship after an extraordinary comeback against Portugal. Meanwhile, back on the Portuguese coast, Shama has made a decision on whether to stay at Espinho or move to another club… Continue reading “Journey of a Deadman: #18 (Espinho) – You Espinho Me Round”