Hello and welcome to the first episode of the Aberdeen adventure, where I will (hopefully) be leading Aberdeen to domestic and continental glory.

As I have never stayed with one club for the entirety of a save in football manager before, I thought the best way to approach long-term management was to create a clear identity for the club.

For inspiration, I looked at a club with a model that had not only achieved unparalleled domestic and continental success but also fitted in with how I felt a football club should be run.

The two main concepts of the Ajax model I would like to bring to Aberdeen should be no surprise.

Total football

Ajax’ most successful period was probably during the early 1970s, which saw them most notably collect three consecutive European cups. In these trophy-ridden years, Ajax captured the hearts and minds of European football fans, their fluid and expressive style offering a sharp contrast from the catenaccio style prevalent during the 1960s.

Early forms of total football came in direct response to the man-marking systems that ruled during the first half of the 20th century. With the W-M system prevalent, it would be fairly easy to predict how two teams would line up against each other, essentially canceling eat other out, making man-marking the obvious defensive set-up. Therefore by allowing one or more players the creative freedom to roam outside of their set position, the opposition would soon become disorganised, affording far more space to play in.

Total Football ramped this fluidity up a notch. Players were given freedom to roam and interchange positions with teammates during phases of play. For example, if a defender has an opportunity to take the ball into the attacking third, he is able to do though without the defensive structure of the team being compromised as a teammate will drop back an fill the gap he has left. This style of play requires fantastic understanding, technical ability, and intelligence to pull off.

Michels and Kovacs also considered how their teams dealt with space. When attacking, they looked to make the pitch as big as possible, largely through attacking full-backs, to allow themselves space to play in.

Conversely, when the opposition has the ball they looked to limit their space as much as possible. This came in the form of the use of a high line, pressing, and an early example of a successful offside trap. Not only does this limit the opponents’ time on the ball, it allows several players in close proximity to the opponent to press when the ball is lost.

These concepts regarding the use of space are now commonplace, used by all coaches and are the fundamental principles behind Juego de posicion, which helped Guardiola’s Manchester City towards 100 premier league points.

Shape

Pretty much ever since Michels’ and Kovacs’ time at Ajax, the team has been using the 4-3-3 formation. This consistency has several key benefits:

By implementing this formation and playstyle at youth level academy graduates can fit straight into the first team

Youth candidates can be assessed on how they fit the roles in the system, allowing re-training at an early age

By knowing exactly what type of players are required, recruitment can be streamlined and (hopefully) no money will be wasted

Tactical familiarity in the first team will be consistently high

(FM specific) By using a head of youth development with the correct preferred formation, youth intakes will contain players to fit the formation

Youth development

Youth development is an undoubtedly fertile pasture for Ajax, with a frightening repertoire of academy graduates.

I must preface this section by linking to Cleon’s (https://teaandbusquets.com/) fantastic article on Ajax’s youth development methods from the Sports Interactive forums.

https://community.sigames.com/topic/307557-ajax-when-real-life-meets-football-manager-fm14/

In my mind it is a complete guide on how Ajax develop young players in real life, and also gives us some pointers we can use in Football Manager.

Interestingly Ajax judge and develop young players through ‘TIPS’ (Technique, Insight and Intelligence, personality, Speed). In Football manager terms I have roughly interpreted this as:

This is very vague, obviously, but gives us an idea of what constitutes an exciting young prospect. From a Scottish perspective, it is refreshing to see little emphasis on heading, strength, etc. and more on technical and intellectual development.

So how am I going to develop youth players of my own?

Improving youth and training facilities (gradual)

Employing head of youth development with a strong personality and correct preferred formation

Tutoring youngsters to give them stronger personalities and hidden attributes

Ensuring regular game time, either in first team, reserves or out on loan

Focus on DNA attributes

AberDNA

Unfortunately, since I came up with this quirky term it has been used in the clubs’ marketing campaigns. *Grumbles*

Before attempting to describe a club DNA in my own words, I will first link to a fantastic video from Bust the Net (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoIl0vKDpA8)

He describes this concept in better words than I ever could, saying “Club DNA is a way for you to use certain attributes to create a personality for your team”.

So My AberDNA attributes are:

Acceleration: In a fluid system I will need my players to cover ground quickly during transitions, especially when pressing the ball

In a fluid system I will need my players to cover ground quickly during transitions, especially when pressing the ball First touch: Players must be able to control the ball quickly and closely to help maintain possession as well as preventing dangerous turn-overs

Players must be able to control the ball quickly and closely to help maintain possession as well as preventing dangerous turn-overs Passing: Essential in possession orientated systems to aid ball retention

Essential in possession orientated systems to aid ball retention Composure: Players must be comfortable receiving the ball, especially when under pressure, and must not revert to panicked long clearances. Especially important for central midfielders and central defenders

Players must be comfortable receiving the ball, especially when under pressure, and must not revert to panicked long clearances. Especially important for central midfielders and central defenders Determination: Crucial for me regardless of system. All players must have the mental resolve and willingness to make challenges, win second balls and chase leads etc.

Crucial for me regardless of system. All players must have the mental resolve and willingness to make challenges, win second balls and chase leads etc. Teamwork: In a fluid system, teamwork is essential. Players must be willing and competent working as part of a collective press and overall function as part of a unit

So this is the ideology I will try and enforce as Manager of Aberdeen football club.

Thanks for reading my first blog post, Sorry it’s so long and a bit shit. Hopefully you’ll be back for the second episode where I quickly run through the history of Aberdeen football club. All feedback, positive and negative, very much appreciated. Thank you