Rivaldo, Makaay, Djalminha. Tristan, Capdevila, Bebeto.
Giants of the late ‘90s.
Giants of Deportivo la Coruna, the little club that could.
From 1992 onwards they were the Spanish club that upset the status quo. Almost pipping the vaunted Barcelona Dream Team to the La Liga title before finally landing the trophy in 2000. Champions League regulars for so many years before the downward spiral began in the late 2000s, finally being relegated in 2010. There would be a brief revival and promotion but after years of relegation battles the once Super Depor now sit in Segunda Division.
Waiting a spark of revival.
Armed with my FM19 crushing 4-4-2 system my aim is to bring Deportivo back to glory. To cast aside the giants of Madrid (both of them) and Barcelona to replace with not just a Super Depor, but a titan Depor, towering above said giants.
Ambitious. Yes.
Possible. Of course.
All that is needed is time. And patience. Which I never seem to have.
I am one of those FM players who has a grand idea, starts playing and then pulls the plug as their mind begins to wander. Just as it seems a long term save has been found, something else catches the eye and that is it, the save is no more. Hopefully by writing about it and keeping track of it a new era of focus will begin.
Constituent Parts
I was expecting the club to be in a dire financial situation, but things are much better than expected.
The sponsorship isn’t amazing, but there is something in place. Great news that the main kit sponsor expires at the end of the season. When promotion happens (hubris?) that should be a better deal.
The big bad news. The club owe £72 million. Though the monthly outgoings are not terrible, this isn’t the Premier League. Some serious wheeling and dealing could be required.
The clubs core facilities are moderate. Nothing that needs desperate action, but I doubt I will see the youth system produce many amazing players in the short term.
The squad has a number of very good players on loan. There are some good young players at the club while there are a few veterans around. No one is on huge wages, but the size of the squad and the average wage mean almost £200k goes out a month. This will have to be reduced. In fact, the general squad size is too big, something to take a deeper look at.
Cartabia, Exposito and Mosquera could be players to build the team around.
This formation depends on the strikers. Quique and Fernandez look like they will be able to supply enough fire power.
The U19s have some promising players but they are a long way from being able to play first team football.
The B team have a couple of interesting players, particularly the young Nigerian goalkeeper Uzoho.
The club have been very busy in the summer, but I of course head straight for Pelayo Morrilla.
With the TraditionalFourFourTwo loaded up my assistant picks this team for me for the traditional inter squad friendly.
We crush the 19s 9-0. Telling us very little.
The picture has been painted.
The work begins.
Onto season 1 and the promotion hunt.