South African First Division Inland (8 teams)

Media Prediction 4th

Board Expect Mid Table Finish

So after I was announced as new manager of F.C.A.K, still don't know how that happened to be frank, I set about the task of trying to beat the media and boards prediction of 4th place. After a busy pre-season where I brought in 9 players to bolster a thin and incredibly young squad, we were more than ready for the season ahead. 

Our form became was little patchy, due to morale a few key players dropping form, towards the mid-season break and we slipped into 3rd place somehow despite only losing 3 games in the first half of the season. 

The second half matched the first half. A row of wins followed by a series of defeats etc etc. We managed to sneak into the promotion playoffs with a 1-0 win over promotion rivals Black Leopards and finished in second place.

The Playoffs was however a heart breaker, after a 4-2 home win in the first leg against Dynamos we let it slip in added time losing the second leg 3-1 and out by away goals. 

League Record:

2nd 17-5-6 F79 A37 PTS 56

----Playoff Semi Final - V Dynamos L 5-5 away goals

First Division Cup:

1st Rd v Cape Town W 3-1

QTR Finals v Witbank Spurs W 5-1

Semi Finals v Dynamos W 2-0

Final v Thanda Royal Zulu L 1-3

South African Cup:

1st Rd v Louis vale Pirates W 3-0

2nd Rd v AJAX CT L 2-0

High points: Finishing 2nd, 2nd in Manager of the year award.

Low points: Losing in FDC final, losing out in playoffs in the last minute due to away goals despite dominating!

South African First Division Inland (8 teams)

Media Prediction 4th

Board Expect Title challenge

So after last seasons near misses, I was hoping we could push on and at least claim promotion. The board gave a large chunk of money for transfers which I was shocked about and went ahead to blow it all in a professional like fashion. 

We started brightly with 6 wins out of 8 but this followed with 6 defeats from the next 9 games. We went into the second half of the season 10 points behind the leader with extraordinarily little chance of catching them. 

We gave it our all, but we failed to get over the last hurdle despite results going on our favour. All we needed was a win to finish 2nd but despite having 6 cocci's we failed and finished the season with a miserable 0-0 draw.

League Record:

4th 16-4-8 F69 A38 PTS 52

First Division Cup:

1st Rd v African Warriors W 3-0

QTR finals v FC Cape Town W 3-1

Semi Finals v Carara Kicks W 6-1

FINAL v Dynamos W 4-2

My first trophy as a manager!

South African Cup:

1st Rd v Tuuks W 4-1

2nd Rd v Bay Academy W 2-1

3rd Rd v FS Stars W 6-1

QTR Finals v AmaZulu L 3-1

Highs: Winning the First Division cup, Defence starting to gel, New SC scoring for fun

Lows: Star player wanting to leave and disrupting the dressing room, finishing lower than last season.

Other interesting news:

- I signed a new 3-year contract despite interest from Orlando Pirates

- Algeria Offered me the national coach position in which I turned down due to realism.

- ITALY are 2012 European Champions beating WALES in extra time 2-1

South African First Division Inland (8 teams)

Media Prediction 4th

Board Expect Promotion

My transfer budget was heavily splashed this season and I used the ridiculously small amount I had to bolster the midfield which had become old and slow. I had a good feeling about this season from the off. 

We made a slow start losing 2, drawing 2 and winning just 1 of our first 5 games. But we never looked back from there. We clinched the title with 4 games to spare losing only 3 games in the entire season.

The playoff between us and the Coastal champions Platinum Stars for promotion went off without a hitch, drawing the first leg 1-1 away and comfortably winning the 2nd 3-1 to clinch promotion to South African Premier League!

League Record

1st 19-6-3 F66 A30 PTS 63

First Division Cup:

1st Rd v Carara Kicks W 3-0

QTR Finals v Dynamos L 1-0

South African Cup:

1st Rd v Nathi Lions W 2-0

2nd Rd v Witbank Spurs W 2-0

3nd Rd v Blackburn Rovers (RSA) W 5-2

QTR finals v Maritzburg City L 3-1 

Highs: Promotion!, Turning a very good profit

Lows: Losing to non-league Maritzburg City (could of gone all the way), not retaining First Division cup.