From Russia with Love to Crazy for Udinese

ZSP manager Mark Stewart was happily planning how to keep the Russian club in Division 2 when Top 100 supremo Sir Stephen Beddows sent a chance message to the Welshman

‘Do you want Udinese? they have 200 players due to the former manager’s incompetence but good talents to work with.’ Stewart said ‘ initially I thought no way I’m leaving Zenit, I love tag team bear wrestling with Uncle Vlad, and the crisp winters’

However after further consideration, I realized it would be a good move for the benefit of the game world and myself to take the job, so sadly I said farewell to the fine city of St Petersburg and took a flight to Udinese.

Initial thoughts on the squad have been some cracking assets. I have had a lot of inquiries, now as everyone knows I’m not one for mass transfer deals and never do advance deals

I do want to make subtle changes and improve the squad in my own way, but right now when I look at the squad page seeing 190-odd players makes me want to throw up

People who know me will know I like to win, I think the current squad is easily good enough to get promoted so I will only do deals that I think will improve us immediately and in the future

The majority of the offers received so far have not tempted me, I know Kounde will interest the top clubs and I’m happy to eventually let him go, however until I can get rid of all the 60-odd-rated rubbish in the first week of August I do not really want to contemplate transfers unless I get an offer I cannot refuse

Results wise I suffered a nightmare start with 5 successive defeats, however, we have turned things around with 2 wins on the spin, the most recent being top-of-the-table Southampton.

With 5 promotions under my belt in T100 I won’t be wasting any time and hope to get promoted this season and make it 6

As a footnote, I thank everyone once again for the messages and offers for players, but if you want to get a deal done with me before August then make sure your sending a juicy tempter

I’m staying with Udinese long term unless sacked at any point and really think I can turn them into a top division one club, thanks for reading, and have a nice day