Glory Of The Football Manager System

Chapter 133: The First Week III

Back on the pitch, it was slightly better. The players were thinking more, their movements more considered. But the intensity, the instinct, wasn’t there yet. It was like they were performing a dance they’d just learned, counting the steps in their heads. The Pressing Success Rate crept up to 22%. A marginal gain, but a gain nonetheless.

At the end of the session, I asked a few players to stay behind for some extra technical work. Nya, Reece, and a few others eagerly agreed. I glanced over at Connor, who was already walking towards the changing rooms. "Connor, a word?"

He turned, a look of annoyance on his face. "Yeah, gaffer?"

"A few of us are doing some extra work on passing drills. Fancy joining?"

He shrugged. "Nah, I’m good. Got stuff to do."

"What stuff?"

"Important stuff."

"More important than improving?"

He flashed that grin again. "Gaffer, I’m Connor Blake. I don’t need extra work. I’m already brilliant."

He turned and walked away before I could reply. Nya, standing next to me, shook his head. "He’s unbelievable."

"In a bad way?"

"In every way," Nya said. "But mostly bad."

I watched him go, a cold knot forming in my stomach. The system flashed a notification in my vision, a feature I hadn’t seen before: [SYSTEM] Player Relationship Update: Connor Blake. Respect: 35% → 34%. Reason: Disagreement with training methods.

Thursday, June 4th

on a shortened pitch. I hoped the competitive element would spark the intensity

pressure of a real game, all the lessons from the past

stood and waited for the ball. It was a

my voice growing hoarse with frustration. "We

Frustration. Some, like Connor, looked bored. I was losing them. The realization hit me like

These were elite prospects, some on professional contracts, who had been

session ended, I saw Gary Issott standing by the side of the pitch, his arms crossed. He’d been watching for the last half hour. My heart sank. My first week, and the Academy Director

the players dispersed. "Tough

"Disaster is another. Catastrophe. Shambles. I could

smiled slightly. "It’s week one. They’re not

it at all," I admitted, the words tasting like ash. "They’re not buying in. Especially Connor. He thinks he’s too good

thinks he’s too good for everything," Gary said. "That’s why you’re

paternal expression on his face. "Of course they’re not. You’re asking them to unlearn years of coaching. You’re asking them to work harder than they’ve ever worked before. It’s not going to happen

"They need time. And you need to be patient. Don’t lose faith in your methods, but

a lifeline. I had been so focused on immediate results, on proving

Friday, June 5th

Gary’s advice to heart, I dedicated Friday to building relationships. No intense tactical work. Instead,

He came into my office with his notebook, full of questions. We talked for half an hour about his role, his ambitions, his love for the game. He was a sponge, eager to learn. The system confirmed it: [SYSTEM] Player

Hannam was next. He was more reserved, but his questions were sharp. He wanted to know how he could be a better leader, how he could help get the other players on board. He was my lieutenant on

videos of Manuel Neuer, and I explained how his positioning was

a plan for him yet, and a meeting without a clear purpose would be a waste of time. I needed to understand him better before I

Saturday, June 6th

session of the week was a full 11v11 training match. I kept my instructions simple: "Just try to remember one thing we