Managing Career for JD Bishop

[JdBishop]

Rules and Settings

System: PS5
Difficulty: Legendary with OS sliders
Controls: Full Manual
Squad Rules: Realistic league rules depending on the league managing

Transfer Rules
Realistic moves only
Must fully scout a player before signing
Must maintain the clubs wage structure
Cannot purchase a player better than my top current player

Rewards
If reaching the Champions League

• Can sign 4 first team players
  2 can be in the top 4 of overall in the squad

If reaching the Europa League

• Can sign 3 first team players
  1 can be in the top 4 of overall in the squad

If reaching the Europa Conference League

• Can sign 3 first team players

[JdBishop]

A "free agent" for once in my career. Open to sign with any club that is willing to have me. After receiving my coaching licenses with Crystal Palace, and having my contract with the Youth Academy expire. I am now a 35 year old free agent looking to start my head coaching career. Now the only question is, where do I start?

Some interesting offers have come through from all over Europe. Leyton Orient reached out for an interview if I wanted to stay close to London. The job will be difficult. Low transfer money, not a lot of talent in the squad and the hell of trying to get out of the lower leagues in England can ruin any young manager. Paris FC, the second division in France. An unknown to me completely but a club with a lot of potential.

The biggest challenge that my agent mentioned is Como in Italy. They have some big name players, are in a very tough league and have high ambition. It could be a fun challenge but also could ruin me if not done right.

I heard there are two other clubs. One in the Eredivisie and one in Belgium that might be interested. My agent is confirming the details before I make any decisions but it does sound appealing...

And last, a monster challenge that will certainly get people talking. Tottenham Hotspurs. Every manager has failed there in recent years and they just finished 14th in the Premier League before sacking Ange Postecoglu. This summer they have sold some big names and are very young. Could be a challenge.

[JdBishop]

[JdBishop]

It is now official. The new manager in Belgium. An American going to the Belgium Pro League, the first American ever from what I have heard. So far, this is what I have learned about Westerlo and the history of the club.

KVC Westerlo is a Belgian football club based in the town of Westerlo, founded in 1933. The club has spent much of its history fluctuating between the top two divisions of Belgian football but has established itself as a respected side known for its strong community ties and focus on youth development.

After earning promotion to the Belgian Pro League in 1997, Westerlo enjoyed a golden period in the early 2000s, highlighted by their biggest achievement—winning the Belgian Cup in 2001. This triumph secured them a spot in European competition, where they made their UEFA Cup debut.

Throughout the years, Westerlo has been home to talented players and has maintained a reputation for playing attractive football. Despite relegations in 2012 and 2017, the club fought its way back to the top flight, most recently returning to the Pro League in 2022 under ambitious leadership.

Known for their passionate fanbase and commitment to nurturing young talent, De Kempeneers (The Campineers) continue to build toward greater success in Belgian football.[/i]

The team is young, an average age of 24.3 and that includes two goalkeepers over 35 and a striker that is 34 years old. We have a lot of work to do, a strong academy in process and limited transfer funds. This should be fun.

[Agent]

welcome to the site. Looking forward to what you got brewing in here

[Captain Canada]

We here. Let's get it

[JdBishop]

JD Bishop will be taking over a squad that finished 11th last season. The strength of the squad is in midfield with the weakness being up top in the striker position that is thin in depth. The team has an average age of 24.1 with a mix of very young talent and older talent that Bishop will be looking to move while the value is still there.

Goalkeepers
Sinan Bolat, 36 years old, 78 club appearances
Koen Van Langendonck, 35 years old, 187 club appearances
Nick Gillenkens, 29 years old, 8 club appearances
Zenzo De Boeck, 19 years old, 0 club appearances
Nicolas Vercammen, 17 years old, promoted from academy

Fullbacks
Bryan Reynolds, 23 years old, 54 club appearances, 1 goal
Roman Neustadter, 36 years old. 75 club appearances, 1 goal
Edisson Jordanov, 31 years old, 67 club appearances, 3 goals
Rubin Seigers, 27 years old, 55 club appearances
Jordan Bos, 22 years old, 41 club appearances, 6 goals
Tuur Rommens, 21 years old, 16 club appearances, 1 goal

Centerbacks
Luka Vuskovic, 17 years old, recently added
Emin Bayram, 21 years old, recently added
Bakary Haidara, 19 years old, 1 club appearance

Central Midfield
Alfie Devine, 20 years old, recently added
Serhiy Sydorchuk, 33 years old, 23 club appearances, 1 goal
Dogucan Haspolat, 24 years old, 40 club appearances, 1 goal
Arthur Piedford, 20 years old, 35 club appearances
Mathias Fixelles, 28 years old, 52 club appearances, 3 goals
Rhys Youlley, 19 years old, 1 club appearance
Raf Smekens, 21 years old, 2 club appearances

Wings
Allahyar Sayyadmanesh, 23 years old, 21 club appearances, 5 goals
Griffin Yow, 22 years old, 50 club appearances, 10 goals
Thomas Van den Keybus, 23 years old, 33 club appearances, 1 goal
Josimar Alcocer, 20 years old, 23 club appearances, 2 goals
Adedire Mebude, 20 years old, 20 club appearances, 2 goals

Strikers
Islam Slimani, 36 years old, recently added
Matija Frigan, 21 years old, 50 club appearances, 11 goals
Isa Sakamoto, 21 years old, 2 club appearances, 1 goal
Julian Placias, 18 years old, recently added

[JdBishop]

With the season only two days away, Westerlo were finally active in the summer window.

First were two outgoings. Both from the goalkeeper position, Koen van Langendonck secured a deal to the MLS to join the Houston Dynamo for 370,000. Next was Nick Gillekens joining Lausanna-Sport for 460,000. Both moves were done quickly without major negotiations. Westerlo have depth at the position and saw the two men as excess in the squad. Sinan Bolat is the starter going into the season with Zenzo De Boeck as second team and recently promoted from the youth academy, Nicolas Vercammen as a third option.

After the two departures, Westerlo brought in two players to add an attacking threat to a side that is lacking creativity. Ajax winger Christian Rasmussen was the first purchase for 1.2 million. The left footed 21 year old from Lyngby, Denmark has the ability to play on the outside and in a central striker position. Rasmussen made 8 appearances for Ajax and 82 appearances for Jong Ajax with 16 goals. Last season he was on loan at Nordsjaelland, failing to score in 22 appearances.

The second incoming was from the Bundesliga 2, Dortmund II striker Rodney Elongo-Yombo. The 23 year old German spent the last two seasons with Dortmund II scoring 11 goals in 66 matches.

[JdBishop]

KVC Westerlo played to a 1-1 draw against Beerschot. Florian Kruger netted a rebound goal 17 minutes into the match, while Rodney Elongo-Yombo marked his debut for Westerlo with a goal at the 48-minute mark. Despite Westerlo having 53% possession and more shots, they were not able to find a winning goal in the end. Beerschot hit the post in the final minutes before Christian Rasmussen had his shot saved with the last kick of the match.