Title Time! 2018/19

Despite the troubling financial situation PSNI and de la Vega managed to persevere.With 2 games to go PSNI ensured promotion, and in the penultimate game of the season they managed to grab the title. After years of playing at level deemed below them fan were able to celebrate and look forward to better times.

Solid form in the league, and no distraction from the cups, meant PSNI finished 1st with 66pts.

"Fantastic. Absolutely fantastic. We pretty much made 1st place our own from the very start of the season but with everything happening off the pitch we just couldn't relax. Now we can!"

 "Definitely the player of the season for me, McAree. He broke our goalscoring record, 20 league goals. We just need to get him to stay now."

Despite the title win several key players are still not on new contracts. The financial situation seems to be limiting the club.

"Yes it's a finance issue. They want to stay, we want them to stay. But they need to get paid. We'll have to see what happens."


The NI2 is de la Vega's second piece of silverware at PSNI, and in his career.

Back in black, sort of (2018/19)

After several attempts to restructure the debt, and a CVA to deal with what is still owed PSNI finally move out of administration.

"Financially things are still precarious but at least now, in the short term, we can concentrate on our title fight."

After 26 games PSNI sit 1st. Fans will be relieved that the run in to the end of the season won't be complicated by docked points.

Police Admin (2018/19)

Worrying times ahead for PSNI as the club enters Administration. The warning signs had been there for some time but the club was unable to pull out of the financial nose dive.

"It's depressing. We're top of the table but we're in trouble. All we can do is try and push on for promotion. The financial reward isn't great but it's our only hope if we are wanting some form of stability."

When pushed about what this meant for the players a despondent de la Vega had this to say;

"We want them all to stay but we have to accept offers now. But to be frank player sales aren't the way out of this. We're not sitting on any £500k players so all selling would do is destroy any chance of promotion. As for the wage bill we can't make any cuts. We were already working well below the budget and have been for almost two seasons now."

"What does this mean for next season? Well we can't offer reasonable contracts to about 5 of our key players. Even we go up we might not be able to keep them. There's also issue with our promotion push as well...if we're docked points it could knock us out of the running."

Note:

Never been in this situation on FM before. It's kind of awesome.

Promotion Push (2018/19)

The start of the season saw little activity as the club concentrated on replacing backroom staff rather than players. It wasn't until a week before the season opener that PSNI managed to find a suitable assistant manager. As a result fans were left without any major signings.

Despite the relative lack of recruitment PSNI found themselves performing well. After 17 games the club top the table.

"We've had a great start to the season but nothing is wrapped up yet. We have to make sure we don't slip."

Last year some fans felt the distraction of the cups, though pleasant, cost the club a promotion place. This season there will be no such excuse as the team have exited every cup competition. All that remain are the 13 league games.

Success...of sorts (2017/18)

"A good season but we're going to keep the celebrations low key."

de la Vega's first full season in charge has left PSNI fans with something to celebrate. Fantastic cup runs results in their first Intermediate Cup win since 1987, and an impressive semi-final appearance in the Irish Cup.

"We gave the fans a lot to cheer about in the cup, and the final was spectacular. I'm very proud of the cup and scalps we took in the process. We can't get carried away though, a cup win isn't the same as promotion and that has to be our aim."

In the league PSNI seemed close to mounting a promotion challenge and were in the mix up until the last 5 games. However poor form saw them drop away from the pack and finish in 6th place with 43 points.

"A place and a point better than last year. Not quite the progress we were hoping for but still a good showing considering our financial situation. We managed this gradual improvement and cup win on a wage budget half the size of last year."

Half way through the season the PSNI board announced a 50% slash in the wage budget.

"We were already below our cap but it didn't and still doesn't give us room to work with. Even I've taken a wage reduction with my new contract of around the same margin. Next season will be interesting. We had good performances from McAree, Monteiro and Browne but we need to keep building."

"Aims for next season? I want to say promotion but we'll have to keep an eye on the finances and recruitment."

The run in... (2017/18)

With 10 games to go PSNI seem well positioned in 4th place. Despite a dip in form the Police have managed to gather a reasonable 32 points and remain within touching distance of the promotion fight (perhaps even the title).

"We hadn't expected to be in the position at the start of the season but it's been well deserved. The players are putting the effort in and we are reaping the rewards. We just need to keep focussed now which is obviously difficult as we are still involved in two cups."

After fantastic wins against Queens University (4-2) and Glentoran Seconds (5-0) de la Vega's team have booked a place in the Intermediate Cup semi-final. Likewise after a great win against Crusaders (3-2) PSNI find themselves in the Irish Cup quarter-finals against rivals Queens University.

"Well we've already beaten them once this season..."

Despite the the fantastic cup runs some fans worry they may distract from the most important goal for the club, promotion.

PSNI Progress 2017/18

10 games in and things are looking up for the PSNI.

16 points and 4th place at this stage leaves PSNI within touching distance of the title/promotion fight, providing they can maintain their good form.

"The new signings have settled in well. A bit disappointed we didn't get all the players we wanted but clearly we are doing fine without."

When pressed on whether any new faces would be added later de la Vega had this to say;

"Probably not. We had a nice chunk of the budget free but the board had cut the overall budget down because of the financial situation."

No Relegation Repeat

Last time de la Vega was manager of a Northern Irish team it ended in tears around this point in the season. This time however tears and tantrums were avoided as his P.S.N.I. team finished comfortably in 7th place.

In the 8 games de la Vega was manager P.S.N.I. picked up a hefty 15 points (5 wins, 3 losses) but was unable to beat his former side Banbridge on the final game of the year.

"Whilst I'm not happy with the final game overall I'm pleased with how we've ended the season. Our form was very good and we found a system that works for us."

Despite the strong end to the season some were concerned about the number of players leaving, and the reliance on loanees.

"Players are on the way out but there's nothing I can do about that - it was decided before I arrived. But we will rebuild. We don't have a huge budget so we'll recruit wisely."

Short term goals...and loans (2016/16)

Despite joining the club with only 10 days of the transfer window left de la Vega has managed to bring in 6 players on short term loan.

"It is easy to rush in and sign or buy a player when the end of the window is approaching but we can't afford to do that. We're not in the best shape financially so we have to be careful - we can't afford to buy a bench warmer."

 "These loans should do the job though. They're from bigger sides and many have a good record at levels above this. They're filling the gaps in the team sheet and they are not costing us a penny in wages. If they perform well then we can try and see if they can be persuaded to stay on. If they don't fit then we can say goodbye to them at the end of the 3 months."

Or can you go back? 2016/17

After a few months out of work de la Vega has bounced back after being offered the P.S.N.I job in the Northen Irish Second Division. With 8 games to go P.S.N.I. are in 11th place, and are 6 places above the relgation zone. de la Vega's former club Banbridge after last years promotion back to the NI2 once again inhabit the relegation zone.

"Still plenty to do. We'll see where we are at the end of the season but I'm very pleased to be back in Northern Ireland."

You can never go back... 2016/17

Rodrigo de la Vega jumped before he was pushed today. With the team bottom of the table and 11 games left de la Vega handed in his resignation.

"I know there's time left. The team is only 6 points off safety and a relegation battle was always on the cards. But I felt it was better for the team if I left whilst there was still time for someone else to turn performances around. I brought some good players in, though not as many as I'd like, and we've had some good performances but I've not been able to fix the bigger problems."

"Not only have we not won for a while but I couldn't see where we would get the win with our current system and players. I know the fans have complained about the tactics but I have been very active behind the scenes. It's just not worked. As always, I wish the team, the fans and the players all the best..."

Note:

Another relegation battle. I suppose I've been in 4 now. Survived two well (Mirandela), failed one miserably (Banbridge) and then run off with this final one. I'm still struggling to get the teams to perform. I'm getting better tactically but I think I'm being hampered by the fact that I just can't get the players in to make the system work consistently. One or two injuries and the system is buggered. But I can't move to anything to drastic or call up good backups because the teams have had no depth because of wages.

Excuses, excuses I know all of the teams I've managed have been newly promoted relegation fodder so I'm not too worried about getting it right with a slightly bigger team. The problem is I might be running close to ruining my career - I wouldn't hire me! But I have added the S. Korean and Malaysian leagues so I have a few smaller leagues to choose from if my rep takes a nose dive. That said some of those leagues look as good if not better than the ones I've already been in...

Injuries Galore

The recent injury of 1st choice striker Alberto Santos  in the opening game of the season has added to de la Vega's misery. In the pre-season signings Nuninho and Januario were also ruled out for roughly 2 months each. The manager and the fans are eager to make a quick and strong start to their league debut but find themselves hampered already.

Familiar Faces

A mixture of praise and worry has been expressed by the fans over de la Vega's recent signings. Many seem to be familiar faces from his previous, and relatively successful, stint at Mirandela. Whilst they seem to be proven players for this level some fans are worried the de la Vega is over relying on older players, potentially missing out on other promising talents in the process.

Penalva Castelo Portugal Promise? (2016/17)

After over year out a management Rodrigo de la Vega is once again back. The Mexican manager has made a return to Portugal with newly promoted side Sport Club Penalva Castelo. The side is smaller than Mirandela, de la Vega's previous Portuguese side, but the manager is said to be happy to be back.

Despite the blip on his record at Banbridge with relegation de la Vega still enjoys a reasonable, if small, reputation in Portugal. With two seasons at Mirandela de la Vega repeatedly confounded expectations by leading the supposed relegation battlers to mid-table safety.

"I'm very happy to be back in Portugal. We have a small team here sure but all that means is that we have room to grow. I may have been out of the loop for a little while but I'm going to use my contacts from the very start to get some key players in for us to build a sucessful team around."

Penalva fans will be hoping that de la Vega's experience and contacts at this level will help keep the team up.

All over for de la Vega?

After almost a year without a job (but plenty of rejection letters) it appears to many of those that care (a very small and select group, comprising mainly of family, friends and former players) that de la Vega will struggle to ever manage a team again.

Relegation and Resignation

After a run of poor perfomances Banbridge found themselves relegated with a game to go. de la Vega managed to squeeze out some wins and draws but the important matches over relegation rivals such as Coagh United, Chimney Corner and Dundela all went poorly. Those loses allowed a gap to form that become impossible for de la Vega's team to overcome.

Added to the teams woes was a string of red cards in the final 5 games of the season (4) that stopped them from ever really players.

With a game to go de la Vega called a press conference.

"It is with sadness that I tender my immediate resignation. Survival was our aim, and although it was a tough ask we gave our all. Unfortunately it wasn't to be. I am not willing to spread the blame around; whilst there are several areas where things went wrong as the manager it is my responsibility. I wish the club, its players and fans all the best in the future."

Note

Steam at this point decided not to upload the pictures I took. But it was dire. Finished 4 points off safety, with a game to go. The team were terrible and it was a mistake from the off. They were an amateur side that no one really wanted to join. And those that did, and any good players, got poached by other teams pretty quickly. It was a lesson learned. Also my first relegation in about 30+ seasons of recent FM's!

Banbridge Beckons...(2014/15)

Former Mirandela manager de la Vega swaps the sunny climbs of Portugal for the slightly damper locale of Banbridge and the Crystal Park ground. In terms of wage and budget it appears to be something of a step down for de la Vega but the manager cites greater potential for growth.

"I'm really looking forward to this role. Banbridge are currently a small side but there's so much room for growth. There's a core of players here already exceeding expectations and there's no reason why we couldn't, in the near future, aim even higher."

de la Vega joins the Northen Irish team 9 games in, with Banbridge finding themselves mid-table with 12 points. If de la Vega could maintain this the board and fans would be understandibily ecstatic as pre-season expections for the newly promoted club were simply survival.

Rodrigo Resigns (2014/15)

After 817 days and 72 games Rodrigo de la Vega rocked Mirandela by handing in his resignation. Though results had not been going Mirandela's way it had been expected that de la Vega would see the team through. Despite being bottom of the table with only a single point afer 6 games there was still very little pressure on the Mexican manager's job.

de la Vega was followed out by close friend and coach Nuno Luis.

"It was not an easy decision to make. I have a lot of fondness for the club and together we have achieved great finishes the past two seasons. But I feel I can't take the club any further and by hanging on I would only be harming the club, the players and the fans."

Pesimistic Pre-season Prep....(2014/15)

"We had the same complaints from the fans last season but the points still stand. The squad is small but we can't recruit players unless they are both good enough and want to come. I'm not going to spend for the sake of spending and I'm not going to drag the club under with an insane wage bill."

Many fans have reacted angrily to the sparse transfer activity. With the season about to begin Mirandela have brough in only one senior player, and two young back ups.

"We have brought in two full backs from the youth team that I think are going to make a big impact. We've already had offers for one of them so the future may be brighter than the fans think."

Despite de la Vega's words many are left wondering if this will be a season too far for him and his team. As expectations have risen (mid-table rather than survival now) recruitment has not.

NOTE:

Probably going to be the hardest season so far. Expectations have shot up to midtable because of the last two seasons but signing players good enough, and keeping them, has been near on impossible. If there aren't too many injuries we might survive but midtable looks impossible.

End of Season...(2013/14)

"Well you might as well just replay my answers from last year."

When pressed the Mirandela manager had this to add, "I know we're only a point and place better off than last year but overall our performance has been better. More polished. We've got a good core to the team now, we just need to add to it and improve next year so we are closer to the top."

This time round Mirandela comfortably confounded the poor pre-seasion expectations. Though many thought another relegation battle was on the cards the team managed to keep steadily mid-table.

"We have a lot of contracts to sort out. I think there'll unfortunately be a lot of players looking to move on after a good season. We just have to try and replace them sensibly and effectively."

Final Third....(2013/14)

"I'd love a final 10 games like last season but as always I'll settle for survival. It's still too tight and I think it'll go down to the final few games again."

With Mirandela only 10 points off first, and 9 points off the relegation zone where they finish will rest completely on their form in the final ten games.

January Transfer Flurry... (2013/14)

de la Vega managed to suprise fans by unveiling not one new midfield signing but three. All three signings have been warmly recieved by the fans and they look forward to seeing them in action.