Part three of a Top 100 exclusive new series, world famous fictional Portuguese sports journalist Toni Pinto talks to Espanyol manager Glen Mullan.
In a world where reality is a shifting illusion, where the line between man and machine is blurred, and where the future is uncertain, there is one thing that remains constant: the passion of football fans.
Soccer Manager Worlds is a microcosm of this world, where managers from all walks of life come together to build and manage their own teams. But in this world, where ratings are king and youth is valued above all else, there is one manager who stands out from the rest: Glen Mullan.
Mullan is a enigma, a man of contradictions. He is a shrewd businessman, yet he also has a deep understanding of the game. He is ruthless in the transfer market, yet he is also loyal to his players. He is a perfectionist, yet he is also willing to take risks.
But one thing is for sure: Glen Mullan is a winner.
In the following interview, Mullan shares his insights on the game, his philosophy on management, and his advice for new managers. But be warned: Mullan is not a man who minces his words. He is a straight talker who tells it like it is.
So if you’re looking for an interview that is both informative and entertaining, then this is the one for you. But if you’re not ready for the truth, then you may want to look away.
Toni Pinto (TM): What is your name and where are you from?
Glen Mullan, UK, Blackburn
TP: Hi, thanks for taking the time to chat with me today. Let’s start with a general question: How did you start playing SM?
Glen: I joined in 2010 with a number of people initially in a custom Gameworld W64 When CM-Online ceased to be. The gameworld was named after the active GW we had been with in CM, and was run by the now sadly deceased Jim Savvides. I stayed in this GW For around 10 years managing Blackburn and later Spurs, but many managers left SM, and eventually only a handful remained. So I took the decision to cut back on my teams as I had 16 (now have just 3) and this was one I let go.
Winning games should be priority number one
TP: What is your favourite thing about SM?
Glen: Above all I’m a football fan, and love the scouting aspect of football in general. So I enjoy looking for unheard of rough gems and polishing them into diamonds before they are on others’ radars. I buy quite a few with the intention of getting them a couple of updates and then pairing them up in larger deals, usually when they are on the upgrade and are now in others’ radars. I think it’s important not to sit on players too long and even though you may be parting with a future 90, winning games should be priority number one.
TP: What are your goals for this season in Top 100?
GM: The SM Gods, based on stats, have predicted a tough season for Espanyol, and they are not usually too wrong in terms of their predictions. We have been ranked the 19th best team in division 2, or the 2nd worst if you want to take a pessimistic view of things.
Every season so far since I joined SM, I have exceeded the predicted finishing position, even last season when relegation was a formality from before a ball was kicked, I managed to avoid finishing rock bottom which was the predicted placing for my team.
This season’s planning actually started last season, and it’s always been about avoiding the drop, and a panel decision on my position as Manager. The aim is still the same despite a positive start to the season, which if achieved will keep our record of exceeding GW expectations going.
The League Is and Will Continue to Be the Most Important Competition
The cups, we will once again go second team/youth. We reached the quarters and the semi finals last season, which was progress on previous efforts, however the league is and will continue to be the most important competition in the game world.
The youth cup we have entered twice now, reaching the final in our first season and the semi-finals last season, where away goals sent us packing. We was going to miss it, this time around, but have opted to enter again. Looking at other squads, I think the quarter finals is the yard stick we should be looking at achieving. Although our youth team is coming along nicely, it still has some way to go to catch up to the established teams like Juventus etc.
TP: Can you tell us a little bit about your team? What is your playing style?
Glen: Espanyol has always been a long term project for me, and will be my last in the game world. I will either leave in a box, or be sacked, but won’t be considering a club elsewhere.
When I took over I had no fewer than 23 players over the age of 30, with everyone of them on the decline. There was no stand out stars just honest veterans like Handanovic, Bonucci, Ander Herrera, Aspas, Koke and Di Maria. The one stand out player was probably Harry Maguire, however we’ve seen how his career has spiralled.
I then had around another 15-20 players aged 23 to 27 rated 80 to 85, where in the main they were external cannon fodder and had no place in a division 1 team. I could understand it a little if they were in division 5 where they might become 86 or 87, but Division 1?
There was no youth set up at all, so I knew taking the job on, it was going to take thousands of hours of work to totally overhaul the squad, a number of times to get the sweet spot.
Asset wise, the only teams looking at your players were division 3 to 5, so I needed to build a team where Division 1 and 2 teams fancied a player or two off you.
Joining the GW at such a late stage where many teams had 13 or 14 seasons head start on me, it was always going to be a tough ask to re-build, and remain competitive, however I like a challenge, and know long term the effort will pay dividends.
I enjoy polishing rough gems into diamonds
My style is very much win games, by servicing both the first team and the youth team. Buy a rough gem, polish to a diamond with a couple of updates and look to trade in better ratings for the first team, whilst finding some more rough diamonds. Of course, trying to maintain a core of young players who can conveyor to the first team at some point. With a squad cap of 50, I see little point having 35 players who won’t impact the first 11 at any point soon or at all.
I play my first team strategy at Espanyol season by season, to allow my younger players to grow into the first team. Each season I’m on the look out for some short term fixes who can do a job for a season or two who can aid winning football matches.
TP: Who are some of your key players?
Glen: My long term key, is the succession planning I’ve put in place, however right now, my key players are two I identified as must sign players for this season’s objectives.
Verratti we signed as a player expecting to move to the Arab world, we was also expecting a drop to maybe 92. He moved to Qatar and dropped to 93, so this minimal drop is a big bonus.
He is a game changer in our midfield, I can play 4-3-3, 4-2-4, 4-2-3-1, 3-5-2 and in all these formations, and I’ve used them all this season at some point, he is the difference to the team, and a major reason why we are currently sat third. He is one we can sit on now for 3 or 4 seasons and allow the likes of Fofana, Sangare, Lepenant and Oroz, to move up through the ratings with no pressure of having to sell to boost the team.
Muller is another we worked hard last season to get him pre-agreed. We’d owned him previously and know he will bring assists and goals to the team. He has been superb so far doing exactly that. We need to keep him fit and in the team along with Verratti as they are key to what we will do this season.
TP: What are your strengths and weaknesses as a team?
Glen: Strangely our weakness is our strength. We have 42 players 25 or under, and 35 under the age of 21. With this comes the gulf in ratings to some of our opponents who have older player or a more rounded rating across their first 11. For every Muller at 92, we have a Garcia at 86 holding fort in the first 11. The rating gulf is why we are predicted to finish 19th.
However we have a lot of versatility, across the whole squad. We’ve ensured we have 4 or 5 players in every position to cover injuries regardless of rating. We have a squad where every update will bring about far more rises than it will drops, which in turn will see the teams strength grow. We don’t need to sell a single player, but have some major assets which we can move out for big ratings at any point should we struggle. Right now we are exactly where we planned to be.
Game Time Is Key
TP: What is your approach to team and squad management?
Glen: Gametime is key for me, both in real life and in the game. If they are not playing in real life then the lucky breaks you need like rises, etc., are less likely to come to fruition. I like to utilise 85% of my squad throughout a season to control concerns but also to optimise morale peaks of less rated players, which has proved successful. An example of this is Ben Seghir who we gave minutes to last season in division 1, and he was scoring, assisting and even getting the man of the match. He was on song and we maximised this and have done with other players at the right time. Just this week we left out a 90 Sangare for an 88 Mcneil and he repaid us by assisting the winning goal, so squad management is something I put a lot of work into.
TP: How do you prepare for matches?
Glen: I watch a lot of games, look at trends and try to get to know the opposition. As I don’t stick to one formula myself, for example i may win 4-0 but that does not stop me changing formation and personnel the next game I take each game on its own merit and look to line up with what’s best for Espanyol.
TP: How do you approach transfers?
Glen: It’s no secret I consistently do the most deals in top 100, and it’s probably due to my fairness. I’m not looking to rip people off, but at the same time, I won’t be messed about.
If you have not agreed a deal within 24 hours with me, it’s just not going to happen, and 100% of the time it’s due to the other manager, messing about, or whoring their players to others and sharing your offer to try and get a better deal. Why do people do this? You will need to ask them, however so many of us talk in Top 100 that it comes out in the wash very quickly. On average I’d say from first contact via WhatsApp, the deal is agreed by both parties within 15 minutes. No one is ever off the table from me, which can make deals easier to make.
In-game messages can take up to 24 hours to complete a deal, though again sometimes you find you are doing all the work, being both the buyer and the seller. When it gets like that, again I just walk away.
I find it interesting later down the line when certain players go for far less than you offered, but football is a game of opinions I guess.
The Secret to a Deal with Me Is to Be Decisive
So the secret to a deal with me, is be decisive, let me know who you want if I approach you for a player and if its something I can do, we can progress, Or if you want a player from me, make me an offer. I will always let you know if you have players of interest, but I’m not a mind reader. Finally, be aware, your offers are being shared around as much as you’re sharing offers with others. We all talk, and as much as you want to drive the price up, we will drive it back down if we get wind that we are being played!!!
TP: What is your favourite formation and why?
Glen: The winning formation!!! I’m not fixed on one, and don’t buy into the idea that there are cheat formations. There are many variables on SM, it’s understanding those more than the formation that should gain you fruit. It’s no coincidence that some of the best squads continue to under-achieve, building a squad is one thing, being able to manage one is a totally different game.
TP: How do you adapt your tactics to different opponents?
Glen: I do study the opposition in all my games, and respect every opponent. Historically some of my finest nights have been against the best teams. Ratings will win you more games than you lose in most cases, though there are different approaches that may gain the weaker team an opportunity to close that gap slightly. The GW is getting very competitive where the margins are finer. That little bit of extra work, can go a long way in my opinion.
TP: What is the most important thing to you when developing a game plan?
Glen: Don’t carry players you don’t need or want. No one can have 35 of the next Messi it’s impossible. I put so much time into looking at players before I bid for them, a quick google search is not enough for me. I read articles, scout reports, watch videos, watch games live, wait for certain players to be added to the database, not just bid on them because they have been added with a 73 at 18 years old, or are 16 or 17 which does seem to be the trend of some managers. I give quite a lot of tips to others on possible signings who have profited from this, as I just can’t sign 500 players.
Ratings win games, don’t be too quick to throw a rating away because they went to Saudi, or just turned 33 or 34. A 91 player in your 11, is better than an 84 rated sat in your (will not play) bin. That being said, I’m more selective on the young players I buy, which allows me to implement keeping or signing that 33 year old. If your youth set up is like “Pin the tail on the donkey” and you don’t genuinely know a lot about that player, bar he plays for Manchester Utd or has been linked with Juventus, then he really should not be in your squad. Space is a premium and those 50 spots are so important, so making them count is my game plan.
Winning Is the Name of the Game
TP: Ratings? Experience? Youth?
Glen: All of the above, winning is the name of the game. We hear the term “Builders” a lot, however what are they building if in their 20th season they are still no closer to winning the league? They still are underachieving and watching the parade go by.
Ratings coupled with a bit more tactical nous, will get you more success. Those experienced heads are key to all teams, due to hidden values of leadership, experience.
Youth is critical to either buying your next rating, or unearthing the next star who can fast track to your first team.
In most cases you are going to be waiting 15 seasons to get a 90 from the youth if you sign as a 16 year old. In the meantime that waiting don’t get you results on the pitch.
So in an ideal world, you need ratings, experience and youth. Too much of one, and not enough of the other at some point will trip you up, leaving you requiring a re-build or facing the sack.
TP: What is your proudest achievement as a manager?
Glen: During my time at Espanyol I’ve recorded the teams highest league finish in division 1, won it’s first trophy, gained a promotion and reached a youth cup final. I’ve now got a team that there will be at least one player that every single team in the league would want from my roster. That’s probably 40 managers more than when I started this journey.
I should have thrown the game
TP: What is the biggest mistake you’ve made as a manager?
Glen: I do weigh up the pros and cons of each decision, but strangely winning the play-offs two seasons ago to go back into Division 1. I’d secured a free season by league position and did not need to go up. Promotion was 3 seasons too early and ultimately it added a relegation to my CV, I should have thrown the game, but my competitive nature would not allow me to do this.
TP: What advice would you give to new managers in Top 100?
Glen: Engage, try and do some internal deals. Decide what the 1 season, 2 season 3 season plan looks like. If it’s build a rounded squad, it may mean losing that one big player to build half a team. Don’t be afraid to sacrifice, I’ve sacrificed many players. Guler is an example, he was sold just last season, it be world’s end at some teams, but this season I signed Sesko. There is always another diamond in the rough if you put the time in.
TP: What do you think of the current state of SM?
Glen: It does not bother me too much, I pay for the Gold, but the game is offered for free too. For a free game it ain’t bad is it?
TP: What are some things you would like to see improved?
Glen: Salary caps be good, and I do like transfer windows, I’d also like to see other values added to contracts to make it more competitive to sign a player rather than it be a random lottery.
TP: What are your hopes and dreams for the future of SM, and Top 100?
Glen: My hope is I’m here to see my team return to Division 1 and break into the top 4. I’ve dedicated so much time to this project, that it would pain me to see someone else take it on, and rip it all up in a month, which I’ve seen at other clubs.
TP: Is there anything else you would like to say to your fellow managers?
Glen: Play nice, play honest and most of all enjoy it.
Toni’s Thoughts
Glen Mullan, is a manager obsessed with youth and development. He has taken over a club in shambles and is rebuilding it from the ground up, one rough gem at a time. His goal is to create a team that is competitive and successful, but also sustainable in the long term.
Toni Pinto
Mullan’s approach is unique. His strengths and weaknesses are intertwined. He is a man of many paradoxes. He is both decisive and patient, tactical and intuitive, and a builder and a winner.
Espanyol is a long-term project for Glen Mullan, and he will either leave the club in a box, or be sacked.
Mullan is a complex and fascinating figure. He is a manager who is always looking for ways to improve, and he is never afraid to challenge the status quo. He is a true visionary in the world of Top 100.
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