It’s season 24! Or if you prefer, the 2020/21 season. As the footballing world comes to terms with England winning their first tournament since 1966, this is a very different world. Barcelona will start the season in the second tier of the Spanish league, on the hunt for a new manager who can guide them back to the top. Newcastle also need a new manager, as I have left them after 8 years and multiple trophies. Where now? Taxi!

First up though, Barcelona appoint this chap as manager.

Toni has had 2 spells as Atletico Madrid manager as well as various other jobs across Italy and Spain since turning to management in 2000. Good luck to him.

I don’t want to drop into the second tier of anywhere so it is with great relief that a top European club comes calling

They have £170m in the bank and were champions just two seasons ago. Sign me up.

Serie A is not a league I’ve managed in during this save so it’s always good to complete the set of all 3 leagues. It seems to be a very tight league, looking at the history everybody has a chance

Cesena, for example, are now in Serie B. Verona feel the need to dispense with Carlo Ancelotti

Whilst we’re on a managerial tangent, David Platt is free to take over

Having been runner up in the league last season it hasn’t quite gone to plan in the opening 2 months so Platt’s away, and takes up the Verona hotseat. We’re not done though…

Steve! No! Haslam never really recovered from missing out on the quadruple (and actually winning nothing) in 17/18 so it’s a shame, but after narrowly escaping relegation last season it’s probably for the best. Long serving defender Chema is appointed, he’s played over 500 games for them so it’s probably wise.

Arsenal need a new manager and as is so often the way, Haslam is back in business

I also need replacing at Newcastle, lest we forget.

Never in my life did I imagine I would be replaced by Damien Johnson. Villa appoint former Athlete turned commentator in his place

Of course it’s a different Steve Cram but whatever. Liverpool’s beleagured boss also calls it a day

That was a disaster from start to finish

Long serving defender and former England international Des Rodosthenous is appointed. Good old Des.

Anyway, back to Italy and I’ve set about spending some money

Our first game is a cup win, a goal for Nicoletti is a common theme.

After a slow start, it’s not long before we’re firing on all cylinders

This was Udinese’s first defeat of the season. Shots fired.

Nicoletti has strange stats for a forward but an unbelievable goals return

We’re also in the Coppa Italia quarter finals

So a very promising start and we sit 3rd after 10 games.

When I arrived I would have settled for European qualification (we aren’t in Europe at all this season) but if we can put a run together there is nothing to fear in this league, it’s very strange.

Over in England, the traditional curtain raiser

Rubbish. Arsenal win on pens and Platt still resigns. Some people are never happy.

Man Utd are the early leaders, conceding only 3 is quite ominous but I didn’t expect to see Cardiff and Hull in 2nd and 3rd.

Newcastle are seemingly average without me, though Villa have nosedived without Damien Johnson.

Darlington and Aston Villa have watertight defences. That could be two former league winners going down.

So that brings us to the conclusion of this update but no new post is complete without dropping in on Peter Beardsley’s career

This will be the last update of his 50’s but I am planning a special Beardsley at 60 post to pay tribute to a playing career spanning over 40 years. I’m off to brush up on my Italian, see you again.

For more CM9798, check out my series over at The Higher Tempo Press or buy the book on Amazon