Anderlecht deduct transfers but add.. just a few. division 2 just in view..

Well after a less than enthralling fight with certain promotion it seemed Walter and his team hope to return for the next season to challenge again in dividion 2 we hope to put things right and prove our worth.

The team we think has never been stronger

kocku 89 still first team but disappointed in move to turkey irl stays for now despite that. Offers have been on the very low side as usual.

Sad to see kamada drop despite fa cup win in irl. Still solid in cm for now.

Luiz 91 leads our mid after a move to us earlier in yge season. Lots of rumours irl regarding move to prem where he was at his best which we hope happens

Sore point is Retegui 91 rated now. Moved to saudi out of nowhere irl. How hes done that after golden boot in serie A. Smashed it this season for us with 18 goals and counting. No intention to sell a key star yet. Might yet return to europe after saudi money gets too much....

Older upfront support with arresc and krameric but they have performed very well since joining. A few young guns supporting roles with hope thry get more gametime in coming years.

At the back we look abit more to the furure with new signings 24 yo pair. Bissek, tuta and Bard to name a few. Martinez we await his move irl... Aim is to keep what we have and only deal with managers willing to offer sensible .

With the team better than ever we will look to youth development in the coming season in div 2 or 3 depending on sm hand of god with some decent players set in for a while now

Enough is enough

Chansiriout

A Summer of Gains for Bayern

A Summer of Gains: Bayern Munich's Roster Gets a Ratings Boost

The dust has settled on the summer rating updates and a new season of Top100 (S26) is upon us in couple of weeks. Bayern Munich fans have a lot to be excited about, both on and off the pitch. The official player ratings have been released, and the results are a resounding endorsement of the team's talent and a clear sign of their impressive S25 campaign.

Of the 49 players on the squad, a staggering 24 have seen their overall ratings increase, while not a single player has experienced a ratings drop. For Bayern, it’s a testament to the exceptional performances of their individual players.

The summer ratings update has sent a clear message to football fans everywhere: a new generation of talent is here, and they are ready to take over. While established stars continue to shine, the most significant movement in the new season's ratings comes from the young guns and breakout performers who have elevated their game to new heights.

In defense, the spotlight is on Dani Vivian, the Spanish center-back who has become a defensive pillar, and Tomás Araújo, Portuguese whose continued development at the highest level makes him one of the most exciting young defenders in the world. We should not forget about Mouriño and Lewis-Skelly. Their impressive rises are a testament to their physical prowess and tactical intelligence.

The midfield battlegrounds have also seen a ratings shake-up. Leading the charge is Isco, whose resurgent season has been justly rewarded. The Spanish playmaker's creativity and vision were a sight to behold, and his rating increase reflects a player who has found a new lease on life. He's joined by Amadou Onana, the midfield who has silenced his critics with a series of commanding performances, earning a well-deserved upgrade. There is also Morgan Gibbs-White, with his dynamic and influential play, has cemented his status as a key player for his club. Meanwhile, a host of young midfielders have made their mark, including Jauregizar, El Khannouss, and Rovella. These players have demonstrated an impressive blend of technical skill, vision, and a tireless work rate, hinting at a bright future for their respective teams.

The forward line is no different, with a new wave of attacking talent making their presence felt. Diao, Harder and Uzun, among others, have proven to be a constant threat, with their pace, dribbling, and eye for goal.

This summer's ratings update paints a picture of a club on the rise. With a young core of players on the upswing and a roster of established stars maintaining their high level, the new season will be even more exciting.

Mia san mia

Tottenham's Stunning Comeback: A Night of Football Drama

Tottenham’s miraculous resurrection caps night of contrasts

If the first legs promised drama, the returns delivered something far more precious – the kind of football theatre that transforms ordinary Saturday evenings into folklore. Two competitions, four semi-finals, and a night that will be remembered for Tottenham’s stunning resurrection and Leicester City’s brave but ultimately futile last stand.

Spurs rise from the dead with stunning turnaround

Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 SC Internacional (agg: 4-1)

Football, they say, is a game of two halves. Rarely has that old cliché been given such dramatic expression as Tottenham’s extraordinary transformation at their gleaming North London stadium. Down 1-0 from the first leg and written off by many, Spurs produced the kind of performance that makes believers of the most hardened cynics.

The blueprint for this remarkable comeback was simple in its execution, devastating in its effect. Fabio Miretti’s 13th-minute free-kick gave Tottenham the platform they desperately needed, sliding under the wall to level the aggregate scores. What followed was a masterclass in controlled aggression, as Spurs systematically dismantled opponents who had arrived in London with every reason for confidence.

Ilias Akhomach’s sublime 31st-minute finish doubled the advantage, his first-time strike leaving the Internacional goalkeeper grasping at shadows. By the interval, the tie had been transformed, but Tottenham were far from finished. Jean-Mattéo Bahoya’s second-half brace – first a clinical 57th-minute finish, then a dipping effort that kissed the post before nestling in the corner – completed a rout that few could have predicted.

The statistics tell only part of this story. Tottenham’s 56% possession and 19 shots to Internacional’s 12 reflect their dominance, but cannot capture the sheer force of will that drove this performance. Internacional, so composed and organised in the first leg, simply wilted under the sustained pressure.

For manager Pedro Vilar, this was vindication of his faith in a side that had been written off after that narrow first-leg defeat. “Two outsiders in the semi,” he reflected post-match, before adding: “What a match between Tottenham and Internacional. After a defeat on first round 1-0, for Spurs was mandatory win on second leg. That happened - Spurs beat the Brazilian team for 4-0… we follow through. What a season for Spurs on Youth Cup.”

Leicester’s golden run ends in honourable defeat

Leicester City 2-2 Barcelona (agg: 4-5)

At the King Power Stadium, Leicester City’s remarkable three-year dynasty finally reached its conclusion, but not without one last defiant roar that almost rewrote the script entirely. The Foxes, chasing a 3-2 first-leg deficit, came agonisingly close to extending their unprecedented run of youth success.

Florian Wirtz, the German maestro playing his final Youth Cup match as he loses eligibility next season (though he continues with Leicester’s first team), chose the perfect stage for what proved his youth tournament farewell. His 54th-minute equaliser levelled the tie at 4-4 on aggregate, before his 69th-minute penalty sent the King Power into raptures and Leicester to within touching distance of another final.

But Barcelona, for all their early-season struggles, possess the kind of quality that separates good teams from great ones. Lamine Yamal’s 40th-minute free-kick had given them the early advantage, and when Sekou Aghehowa restored their lead just 55 minutes in – barely 60 seconds after Wirtz’s equaliser – the Catalans demonstrated the mentality that has made them perennial contenders.

Leicester manager Doug Earle was gracious in defeat, acknowledging that “the run is over” while reflecting on an extraordinary period that yielded back-to-back Youth Cups and a Shield. With Wirtz moving beyond youth eligibility, Leicester face the challenge of rebuilding their youth success around a new generation, but their legacy is secure.

Barcelona advance, but they know they have been in a battle. Their 53% possession and slight shots advantage (16 to 15) tells of a contest that could have swung either way. In Yamal, they possess a talent capable of deciding finals, and they will need every ounce of his brilliance against a Tottenham side riding the crest of an incredible wave.

CSKA complete historic annihilation

AC Milan 0-4 CSKA Moskva (agg: 0-8)

In Milan, meanwhile, CSKA Moskva completed what must rank as one of the most comprehensive demolitions in youth football history. An 8-0 aggregate victory over seven-time European champions AC Milan represents more than mere superiority – it is a statement of intent that reverberates across the continent.

The second leg followed the same merciless pattern as the first. Wilson Odobert’s 22nd-minute free-kick set the tone, Karim Konaté added his fourth goal of the tie just before half-time, and second-half strikes from Jon Martín and Franco Mastantuono completed the rout.

Milan’s Very Defensive approach was born of desperation rather than design, but even their deep block could not stem the tide. The statistics make grim reading for the Rossoneri: 39% possession, six shots to CSKA’s 20, and the kind of comprehensive outclassing that raises serious questions about their youth development.

For CSKA, this represents validation of their bold, attacking philosophy. They dominated from the first minute of the first leg to the last of the second, playing with a freedom and confidence that suggests they fear no opponent. The Shield final awaits, and on this evidence, they will take some stopping.

Leverkusen cruise past brave Sampdoria

Sampdoria 0-3 Bayer Leverkusen (agg: 2-7)

The night’s final act saw Bayer Leverkusen complete a comprehensive victory over Sampdoria that was never truly in doubt after the first leg’s entertainment. Jayden Addai’s early strike and late effort sandwiched Vanja Vlahović’s header to give the Germans a comfortable passage to the Shield final.

Sampdoria, who had shown such spirit in the first leg, found themselves chasing shadows from the moment Addai fired Leverkusen ahead after just five minutes. The Italians’ attacking approach deserved better reward than the 7-2 aggregate defeat suggests, but Leverkusen’s clinical finishing and tactical discipline proved decisive.

The contrast with their semi-final opponents could not be starker. Where CSKA have overwhelmed opponents with attacking verve, Leverkusen have combined flair with pragmatism. Their Shield final promises to be a fascinating tactical battle.

Finals Preview: David meets Goliath twice over

Youth Cup Final: Barcelona vs Tottenham Hotspur

The Youth Cup final presents a classic David versus Goliath narrative, with Barcelona’s European pedigree facing Tottenham’s remarkable journey from the brink of elimination. The Catalans possess undoubted quality in Yamal and Aghehowa, players capable of deciding any contest, but they have been tested by Leicester in a way that few expected.

Tottenham arrive with momentum, belief, and the kind of fearless approach that has already accounted for one supposed superior opponent. Their transformation from first to second leg suggests a side coming to terms with its own potential. The North Londoners will need to maintain that intensity across two legs against opponents who rarely make the same mistake twice.

Youth Shield Final: CSKA Moskva vs Bayer Leverkusen

The Shield final offers a tantalising clash of styles between CSKA’s attacking abandon and Leverkusen’s measured brilliance. The Russians have been simply irresistible throughout this campaign, their 8-0 demolition of Milan serving notice of their credentials. Yet Leverkusen possess the tactical sophistication and individual quality to trouble any opponent.

Both teams have shown remarkable consistency – CSKA in their relentless pursuit of goals, Leverkusen in their ability to control games when required. The first leg will likely prove decisive, as neither side appears comfortable sitting on narrow advantages.

The stage is set

Two finals, four teams, and the promise of more drama to come. Tottenham and CSKA arrive as the stories of the tournament, their journeys from underdogs to finalists capturing the imagination. Barcelona and Leverkusen represent more measured progress, their quality never truly in doubt.

But as this remarkable semi-final round has proven, quality alone guarantees nothing in knockout football. The stage is set for two captivating finals that could yet produce the kind of memories that last a lifetime.

FC Porto vs Dinamo Zagreb: A Cup Final for the Ages

FC Porto 2-2 Dinamo Zagreb (Porto win 5-4 on penalties) Estadio Azteca, Mexico City - Attendance: 86,135

In a captivating final that lived up to its billing, FC Porto claimed their third Top 100 Shield in dramatic fashion, overcoming a resilient Dinamo Zagreb side on penalties after a thrilling 2-2 draw at the iconic Estadio Azteca.

A Tale of Two Trajectories

This final represented a fascinating clash of contrasting footballing journeys. Porto, the established Division 1 powerhouse, arrived as heavy favorites having built a reputation as perennial top-four finishers and cup specialists over recent seasons. Their experience in high-pressure situations and superior squad depth made them the bookmakers’ choice.

Dinamo Zagreb, however, embodied the romance of cup football. The Croatian side’s meteoric rise from Division 5 to Division 2 promotion contenders has been one of the tournament’s most compelling storylines. Under the astute management of ⍟Greg Bilboaツ, they had already defied expectations by reaching their first major final, dispatching several higher-ranked opponents along the way.

First Half Drama

The match exploded into life early, with both teams showcasing the attacking intent that had carried them through the knockout rounds. Porto’s class showed immediately when Julián Álvarez, their designated penalty taker and focal point, fired them ahead in the 9th minute after some excellent build-up play involving Rafael Leão.

Zagreb’s response was swift and emphatic. Just nine minutes later, Luka Jović demonstrated why he’s been their key performer in this remarkable cup run, equalizing with a clinical finish that silenced the Porto faithful and announced Zagreb’s intention to compete on equal terms.

The Portuguese giants regained their advantage through Leão’s 22nd-minute strike, but the first half perfectly encapsulated the evening’s narrative - Porto’s superior individual quality being matched by Zagreb’s collective determination and tactical discipline.

Zagreb’s Brave Second Half

The second period belonged to the underdogs. Zagreb, showing no signs of being overawed by the occasion or their opponents’ pedigree, grew into the game. Their equalizer arrived through Riccardo Orsolini in the 57th minute, a goal that sent their traveling support into raptures and demonstrated their refusal to be intimidated by Porto’s Division 1 status.

What followed was a testament to Zagreb’s character. Rather than sitting back and hoping to reach penalties, they continued to press forward, creating several chances that could have won the tie in regular time. Amine Gouiri and Ché Adams both came close to completing what would have been a stunning upset.

Penalty Drama Decides the Destiny

As the match headed to penalties, the contrasting experiences became evident. Porto’s players had been here before - cup finals, high-pressure situations, and penalty shootouts were familiar territory. Zagreb, for all their admirable spirit, were in uncharted waters.

The shootout was a microcosm of the entire match. Porto’s penalties were taken with the confidence of players accustomed to such moments - Álvarez, Saka, Brandt, Garro, and Rodri all finding the net with varying degrees of comfort. Zagreb matched them blow for blow until the crucial moment when Mauro Arambarri’s effort was saved, handing Porto their third Shield triumph.

Post-Match Perspective

Porto manager André Guerra was magnanimous in victory, acknowledging Zagreb’s exceptional performance: “You gave us a hell of a fight mate! Amazing run from Zagreb.” His tactical decision to substitute key players at the hour mark - a luxury afforded by his squad’s depth - ultimately proved crucial in maintaining freshness for the penalty shootout while also preserving players for upcoming league commitments.

For Zagreb boss ⍟Greg Bilboaツ, the disappointment was palpable but tempered by pride: the defeat on penalties couldn’t diminish an extraordinary tournament run that has announced their arrival as a force to be reckoned with.

The Bigger Picture

This final perfectly illustrated football’s unpredictable nature. While Porto’s victory maintained their status as cup specialists and added another trophy to their impressive collection, Zagreb’s performance served notice that their rapid ascent through the divisions is built on solid foundations.

Porto’s experience ultimately told, but Zagreb’s journey from Division 5 to a major cup final - culminating in a performance that pushed the favorites all the way to penalties - represents one of the most remarkable stories in recent tournament history. Their time will surely come.

Final Verdict: Porto 2-2 Dinamo Zagreb (Porto win 5-4 on penalties) A classic cup final that showcased both the value of experience and the power of ambition.

Youth Cup & Shield Semi-Finals: First Leg Drama Sets Up Tantalising Returns

CSKA Moscow lay down marker with Milan mauling

CSKA Moskva 4-0 AC Milan (Youth Shield)

There are emphatic victories, and then there is what CSKA Moskva served up to AC Milan at the Arena CSKA on Saturday night. This was not merely a defeat for the Rossoneri – it was a comprehensive dismantling that has surely ended their Shield ambitions before the return leg has even been contemplated.

Karim Konaté was the chief architect of Milan’s misery, his hat-trick a masterclass in clinical finishing. The striker opened the scoring on 11 minutes with a composed finish, doubled his tally from the penalty spot ten minutes later, and completed his treble six minutes into the second half with the sort of scuffed effort that somehow finds the net when everything is going your way.

Nestory Irankunda’s sublime strike off the post in the 41st minute was merely the cherry on top of what had already become a rout. Milan, deploying a desperately defensive 4-3-3 formation, were overrun in every department. The statistics tell their own story – 60% possession to CSKA, 14 shots to seven, and a chasm in quality that the scoreline perhaps even flattered the visitors.

Milan’s ultra-defensive approach backfired spectacularly. Manager tactics of sitting deep and hoping to catch CSKA on the break proved woefully inadequate against opponents who combined pace, power and precision in equal measure. The Italians will need something approaching a miracle at San Siro to overturn this deficit.

Leverkusen edge thriller in six-goal spectacle

Bayer Leverkusen 4-2 Sampdoria (Youth Shield)

If CSKA’s victory was a statement of intent, Bayer Leverkusen’s triumph over Sampdoria was pure box office entertainment. Six goals, end-to-end action, and a result that leaves this semi-final tantalizingly poised ahead of the return fixture.

Jayden Addai and Adrian Segecic emerged as the protagonists in this breathless encounter, each claiming a brace in a match that swung back and forth like a pendulum. Addai’s early opener set the tone, only for Vanja Vlahović to double Leverkusen’s advantage before half-time. Segecic’s response was immediate and devastating – two goals in six minutes either side of the interval to level the tie and serve notice of Sampdoria’s attacking threat.

But it was Estêvão’s moment of magic that proved decisive. The Brazilian’s free-kick on 58 minutes was a thing of beauty, bending around the wall and leaving the Sampdoria goalkeeper rooted to the spot. Addai’s second, seven minutes later, should have put the tie to bed, yet with Sampdoria carrying such menace in attack, Leverkusen will know their work is far from done.

The German side’s superior possession (62%) and shot count (26 to 14) suggests they controlled proceedings, but football is rarely that simple. Sampdoria’s two away goals could prove priceless currency in the return leg.

Barcelona survive Leicester scare in Camp Nou classic

Barcelona 3-2 Leicester City (Youth Cup)

At the Camp Nou, Barcelona discovered that reputation alone does not guarantee safe passage to finals. Leicester City, those perennial overachievers, served up a performance brimming with belief and quality that has left this semi-final hanging in the balance.

Kobbie Mainoo’s early strike suggested Barcelona might cruise to victory, but Leicester’s response was immediate and impressive. Florian Wirtz’s equaliser just before half-time was reward for the visitors’ bold approach, and when Kassoum Ouattara’s delightful chip found the net with six minutes remaining, Leicester had secured the sort of away goal that can transform ties.

Djeidi Gassama and João Neves had seemingly put Barcelona in command with second-half strikes, yet Leicester’s refusal to buckle speaks volumes about their character. Their attacking approach – matching Barcelona’s adventurous formation and high tempo – was vindicated by that crucial late goal.

Barcelona’s 58% possession and slight edge in shots (16 to 14) reflected their marginal superiority, but Leicester’s away goal means the Catalans’ advantage is more fragile than the scoreline suggests. The return leg at the King Power promises to be a nervy affair for the Spanish giants.

Internacional’s slender advantage built on solid foundations

SC Internacional 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur (Youth Cup)

While the other semi-final produced pyrotechnics, Internacional’s victory over Tottenham was built on more pragmatic foundations. William Osula’s 14th-minute winner – a scrappy affair that saw the Tottenham goalkeeper fumble the ball over the line – proved enough to give the Brazilians a slender but significant advantage.

The game’s defining moment came four minutes into the second half when Tottenham’s Mario García saw red for a crude challenge. From that point, Spurs were fighting a rearguard action, their ultra-defensive setup becoming a necessity rather than choice.

Credit must go to Internacional for maintaining their composure against ten men. Rather than forcing the issue, they controlled proceedings intelligently, content to preserve their lead while probing for the knockout blow that never quite came.

Tottenham’s resilience in adversity was admirable – they matched their hosts for shots (10 to 11) and created several decent chances through Goran Vidović. But they now face the daunting prospect of overturning a deficit without their suspended midfielder, though the narrow margin means hope remains alive.

The reckoning awaits

Four first legs, four contrasting narratives. CSKA appear to have one foot in the Shield final, while Leverkusen hold a commanding but not unassailable advantage. The Youth Cup remains wide open, with both Barcelona and Internacional holding slender leads that their opponents will fancy overturning.

The beauty of knockout football lies in its unpredictability, and if these first legs have taught us anything, it is that nothing can be taken for granted. The return fixtures promise drama, tension, and the sort of football that reminds us why we fell in love with the beautiful game in the first place.

Underdogs Triumph: AC Milan Beat Dortmund in Cup Final

Cup Final Shock: Underdogs AC Milan Stun Favorites Dortmund to Claim Top 100 Cup Glory

Estadio Azteca witnessed one of the greatest upsets in Top 100 Cup history as relegation-battling AC Milan defeated heavy favorites Borussia Dortmund 2-1

In what can only be described as a David vs Goliath encounter, AC Milan produced the performance of their season to claim the Top 100 Cup in dramatic fashion, overcoming a Borussia Dortmund side that had been overwhelming favorites to lift the trophy.

Pre-season predictions had painted a stark picture — Dortmund’s star-studded squad, boasting the likes of Jude Bellingham (95 rating), Vinícius Júnior (96 rating), and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (93 rating), were tipped to cruise to the Division 1 title. Meanwhile, Milan’s modest assembly of players had marked them out as prime relegation candidates, with their £160.4M squad value dwarfed by Dortmund’s £533.7M roster.

Yet football, as it so often does, delivered the most unlikely of narratives.

Early Drama Sets the Tone

The match exploded into life within the opening minute when Aleksandr Golovin, one of Milan’s few genuinely world-class operators, latched onto a pass from Gorka Guruzeta and fired past Gianluigi Donnarumma. For a team expected to fold under pressure, it was the perfect start.

Dortmund’s response was swift and predictable. With their attacking mentality and adventurous formation, they pushed forward in waves, and it took just five minutes for their quality to tell. Bellingham, justifying every penny of his £76M valuation, curled home a sublime free-kick to restore parity and seemingly put the natural order back in place.

Tactical Battle

What followed was a fascinating tactical chess match that perfectly encapsulated the gulf between the two sides’ resources and expectations. Milan manager Simon Thomas deployed an ultra-defensive setup — narrow width, very defensive mentality, and disciplined formation fluidity. It was the approach of a team that knew survival depended on keeping things tight.

Dortmund manager Dario Saviano, conversely, unleashed his galaxy of stars in an attacking formation with fast tempo and bold creativity. The statistics told the expected story — 57% possession to the Germans, 12 shots to Milan’s 9, with Camavinga and Barella pulling the strings in midfield.

Against All Odds

But Milan’s greatest weakness had been turned into their salvation. With nothing to lose and everything to gain, they played with the freedom that only comes from rock-bottom expectations. Their direct passing style and counter-attacking approach caught Dortmund off-guard repeatedly.

The decisive moment arrived in the 61st minute through substitute Thierno Barry — a 22-year-old worth £9M, facing defenders worth more than Milan’s entire starting XI. When Leandro Trossard found him in space, Barry’s finish was emphatic, sending the underdog supporters wild.

Dortmund’s Desperation

The final half-hour saw Dortmund throw everything forward. Havertz, Júnior, and Kvaratskhelia combined in waves of attack, with Alexander Nübel in the Milan goal producing several crucial saves. The closest they came was an 83rd-minute strike from Júnior that bulged the net — only for the offside flag to crush their hopes.

Miracle Complete

When the final whistle blew, it confirmed one of the most remarkable upsets in recent memory. A team predicted to finish bottom had defeated the division’s supposed champions-elect. Milan’s average squad rating of 87 had overcome Dortmund’s 89, their £37k average wages had trumped their opponents’ £79k salaries.

For Simon Thomas and his unlikely heroes, it represents vindication of their season-long battle against the odds. For Dario Saviano and his star-studded squad, it’s a painful reminder that in football, talent alone doesn’t guarantee trophies.

As Milan celebrated their greatest triumph in years, one couldn’t help but reflect on football’s enduring capacity to surprise. Sometimes, the smallest budgets can produce the biggest dreams.

Final Score: AC Milan 2-1 Borussia Dortmund
Attendance: 84,935
Goalscorers: Golovin 1’, Barry 61’ (Milan); Bellingham 6’ (Dortmund)

Some suggestions to be implemented

Hi Managers, I present some suggestions to be implemented if support and acceptance is found from the Top100 community that could help the game. I think the biggest problem is the automatic renewal of players. Once you sign them, you own them for life.

1. CONTRACTS/STIPULATIONS. But not for managers, but yes for players. Previously, you ran the risk of losing all your hard work with a bad season. What I propose is implementing the rule that first-team players must start at least 10 games for their teams during the season, and if they don't comply, they must be sold at the end of the season.

How would it work?

All players over 21 who are on the main squad at the start of the season have a stipulation that they must start at least 10 games for their respective teams, so as not to generate the same concerns that a real-life player would have.

Matchday 29 of each season would be crucial because there would be 10 games left to play, and it would be the last chance for a player to start if they haven't already. It would also be the last chance to sign a player over 21 because if they are signed after Matchday 29, they would no longer be eligible for 10 starts. We could occasionally remind people on Facebook, WhatsApp, Discord, etc., which teams and players are at risk of not reaching 10 starts.

This can be monitored by looking at the squad's statistics (squad/views/statistics). For example, on my team, ZANOTTI has 7 (2), which means he has played 7 games, 5 as a starter and 2 as a substitute. I would still need 5 more starts to keep him, and with 10 games left to play, I could achieve that. These statistics are the ones that count, not the ones shown in each player's profile. They sometimes vary, and it would also be quite cumbersome to review each player's profile.I know it seems complicated, but it's not that difficult to control, and I'd be happy to help with that.

Failure to comply with this stipulation would result in the player being sold to an external at the end of the season, and he would be unable to be re-signed. If the manager, seeing that the player won't be able to start the established number of games and decides to sell the player in an internal deal, should be aware that transfers to teams that serve as bridges are prohibited, as the Top100 rules state.

This could be seen as real concerns a team would have if players are not playing with their teams. Furthermore, since there will likely be several players who will be sold forever at the end of the season, there will be battles to sign players almost at the beginning of each season.

This will help move the market continuously; perhaps not much between matchdays 29 and 38, but at the beginning of each season, there will surely be many bidding battles. It will also help managers be more active in their strategies and manage their squads well, preventing teams from signing and hoarding players who will never play for their teams and giving a chance to those who truly need them. It's also a less drastic variation on manager contracts, avoiding the loss of your entire squad. This way, you'll lose players, but only because of yourself.

2. L3 CONCERN RULE: This rule should definitely be brought back. But I would perhaps add the variation that after the player's sale, only teams in the same division or lower can sign the player. (Although if the previous rule of 10 starts is added, it's possible that the big teams won't try to sign players who won't play for their teams.)

3. INCENTIVES: This rule might be a bit crazy, but a prize of a new player could be offered to the first three teams that decide to sell a player with a rating of 90 or higher, regardless of age. It could be done at the beginning or end of each season.

They may seem like strange rules, but the first one is especially interesting. It existed in a game world I played before, and I lost Coutinho, for example, at his peak. These are suggestions that may or may not work for the game. I hope they're helpful; I really like Top100. Cheers.

S25 Youth Cup Knockout 1st Round Highlights

The first knockout round of the S25 Youth Cup, played on Saturday, June 21st, delivered on its promise of drama, with extra-time epics, huge upsets, and an unprecedented number of teams being eliminated from all competitions. When the dust settled, the field was significantly thinner, and the paths to both the Youth Cup and Youth Shield glory have become clearer. Here’s the full story of a wild weekend of knockout football.

The Extra-Time Epics: Dortmund & São Paulo Triumph in Thrillers

Two of the round's most anticipated clashes went the distance, requiring fictional extra time to find a winner. In a heavyweight battle, Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund played out a fantastic 2-2 draw in normal time. The back-and-forth affair continued into the extra period, where Dortmund ultimately found the edge, emerging with a stunning 4-3 victory to knock out the Red Devils.

It was just as tense between CSKA Moskva and São Paulo FC. After a hard-fought 1-1 stalemate, the Brazilian side showed their quality in extra time, securing a 3-2 win to advance to the next round and send CSKA to the Youth Shield.

Shock Results: Flamengo and Man City Crash Out!

The knockout stage immediately produced some colossal upsets. The biggest shock saw #12 seed and perfect-record holders CR Flamengo defeated 2-1 by #35 seed Stoke City. The result sends one of the tournament favourites to the Youth Shield and marks a massive achievement for Stoke.

In another major upset, Manchester City were knocked out by Brazilian side SC Internacional, who produced a fantastic performance to win 2-0. The result sees another of the top-seeded English teams fall at the first hurdle.

Disqualifications & Walkovers Thin the Herd

An unprecedented five teams were eliminated from all competitions this round. In a frustrating development, two of the round's most intriguing ties, Juventus vs. SL Benfica and FC Schalke 04 vs. Crystal Palace, were not played as the managers failed to organise the fixtures. As a result, all four teams have been removed from the competition entirely.

Furthermore, while Levante UD were initially defeated 5-2 by Dynamo Moskva, the result was overturned. Dynamo were found to have fielded their senior team and were subsequently disqualified. The official result is a 3-0 forfeit win for Levante, and Dynamo Moskva have also been removed from all competitions.

The Survivors: Who's Through to the Youth Cup's Last 14?

After a chaotic first round, just 14 teams remain in the hunt for the S25 Youth Cup. These teams will advance to the second knockout round. There will be two byes as a result of the failure of other managers to play their games.

  • FC Barcelona
  • Bayern München
  • Chelsea
  • Cruzeiro
  • Everton
  • Hertha BSC
  • Leicester City
  • Levante UD
  • RCD Espanyol
  • SC Internacional
  • Stoke City
  • São Paulo FC
  • Tottenham Hotspur
  • Borussia Dortmund

The New-Look Youth Shield

The Youth Shield has been bolstered by 13 teams dropping down from the main competition. They will join the 14 teams already waiting to form the new Youth Shield knockout bracket. There will be five byes as a result of other managers failing to organise their games or to set their teams.

The 13 teams dropping into the Youth Shield are:

  • AC Milan
  • Arsenal
  • Atlético Madrid
  • Bayer Leverkusen
  • CSKA Moskva
  • Feyenoord
  • HAMBURGER SV
  • Independiente
  • Manchester City
  • Manchester United
  • RSC Anderlecht
  • Sampdoria
  • CR Flamengo

The draw for the second round of the Youth Cup (two legs) and the 1st Round of the Youth Shield (one leg only) are on the the Challonge website as usual. Please arrange your fixtures asap as games are on Saturday.

Wolfsburg - Eine Achterbahn II

Given a lot has happened since September of last year (when I last wrote a blog post), I thought it’d be nice to give an update on the Wolfsburg project.

Back then I referred to my general philosophy – one of building for the long-term as opposed to signing “a bunch of oldies” with high ratings. But I also referred to going through a tough time results wise, where I had to make a conscious choice of sticking to my philosophy or scrapping it to save my job. I chose the former, in hope that I could turn things around, and if I couldn’t, at least the next manager would find a decent team to build on. In what can only be described as a heroic end to that season, we won 5 on the bounce and secured div 4 football the next season. Since then, we’ve been a steady ship on the pitch, while building the foundation for a much more exciting future.

At the time, I touched on my transfers and tactics, with my best starting XI looking something like this;

Today, the team looks vastly different (with positive summer reviews still pending on some of these players!);

On top of this, we didn’t really have a youth team, which I can gladly say we do now. The split of some 20 players in the first team and 30 players in the Wolfsburg u21’s is one I consider very healthy if we are to continue flipping players & compounding as a club over the long-term.

I think this season is one too early for us to compete for promotion, but I see us as strong contenders in season 26. The foundation has been built, transfers are happening less frequently, and our focus is now returning to winning football matches.

My next update will be post season 26, where I’ll reflect on these predictions and go further into detail on my work with the youth team – stay tuned!

Marsden's Tactical Revolution at Hamburger SV

At the start of any season, predictions are made and narratives are set. For Hamburger SV, the script written by many observers for Season 25 was a grim one. Tipped for a relegation battle by at least one prominent statistical model, the club entered the campaign under a cloud of low expectations.

Now, at the halfway mark of 19 games, manager David Marsden has a defiant message for the doubters — and a league table to back it up.

“DON’T BELIEVE THE HYPE!” Marsden declared after a hard-fought 2-2 draw against a powerhouse West Bromwich Albion side.

“A point at home to the strongest team in D2 sees Hamburger extend our unbeaten run to 16 games. It’s enough to see us leapfrog the second-best team in the division and long-time leaders Leverkusen to top the table at the halfway mark.”

He’s not wrong. After 19 games, against all odds, Hamburger SV sit in 1st place in Division 2. It’s a story of tactical identity, squad-wide contribution, and a manager with nearly a thousand games at the helm finally hitting a spectacular run of form.

🔥 A Comeback Story Forged in Frustration

This stunning ascent is made all the more remarkable by the context of the past. Season 24 was, by the manager’s own admission, “another disappointing one,” marked by a poor start that mirrored previous struggles. For a club with the history of HSV, languishing has been a painful reality.

But this season is different.

The numbers tell part of the story:

  • Only the all-out attacking Southampton have scored more goals
  • Only the defensively resolute Dinamo Zagreb have conceded fewer

This is not a fluke; it’s a calculated and effective campaign.

🎯 The Tactical Blueprint: High Risk, High Reward

The foundation is a confident and aggressive 4-2-3-1 Wide system. While many teams in the division use this shape, Marsden has drilled his side to play with a high-intensity, “Pressing All Over” style, using a high defensive line and fast, direct passing to overwhelm opponents.

But where true managerial quality has shone through is in the adaptability.

  • Against Southampton’s gung-ho 4-2-4, HSV shifted to a more conservative “Defensive” mentality with a low block — and won 3-1.
  • Against the league leaders Bayer Leverkusen, they went toe-to-toe with their high press and snatched a dramatic 2-1 away victory.

👥 The Whole Squad Mentality

This tactical success is powered by what Marsden rightly calls a “great team effort.” The statistics from the first 19 games paint a picture of shared responsibility:

  • Hugo Ekitiké leads the line with 11 goals, earning a leap to 90 SMW rating

  • Alex Iwobi has been the creative fulcrum:
    • 6 goals
    • 11 assists
    • An average rating of 7.82, among the league’s best
  • Benjamin Bourigeaud (5 goals)
  • Rafa Mújica (4 in 7 games since signing)
  • Salem Al-Dawsari (4 goals)

🧠 Smart Rotation, Big Results

Perhaps the most impressive aspect has been the masterful squad management.

Faced with a relentless fixture list of league and cup games, Marsden has used his full squad intelligently. Key players were rested in cup ties—even at the cost of early exits—so they could be fresh for crucial league battles.

The result?

  • Wins against Leverkusen and Southampton,
  • Game-changing substitutes like Jorge Carrascal, who scored the winner against the league leaders.

🏗️ A Thousand Games in the Making

For a manager whose combined tenure spans nearly 1,000 games, this season feels like the culmination of a long-term project.

Marsden has shaped a squad with the right blend of:

  • Veteran presence (Casemiro, Otamendi)
  • Rising stars with real-world pedigree:
    • Jahmai Simpson-Pusey (PL2 Player of the Season)
    • Joane Gadou (RB Salzburg)
    • Kees Smit (Golden Boy nominee)
    • Pape Demba Diop (Ligue 1 move)

The future isn’t just stable — it could be dominant.

📈 The Road Ahead

At the halfway point, Hamburger SV are no longer underdogs. They are league leaders, title contenders, and the division’s form team.

The hype they were told not to believe has been replaced by results.

The challenge now is to maintain this incredible standard for another 19 games.

If they can, the long-awaited return to the top flight won’t just be a dream — it will be a certainty.

Regen Update

It was pointed out to me that the Opta rankings I used are not the current up to date rankings. This was my mistake - but I've fixed it. I've updated the manager appointments to show the current team rankings, meaning that some teams will start in different divisions to what was originally published to reflect their current strength.

Four teams have changed managers due to three dropouts and one switch to his preferred team now available.

Please join our Discord server to join in the discussion and vote on starting squad caps.

[googleapps domain=“docs” dir=“spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vSM3FEz-mvdct76G1mu-fRBuqWVRUsb7h1R9-4Ex8P9uDgbpEaJy9RqgmKvFHHjAde6h5MlKFYvZAjd/pubhtml” query=“gid=0&single=true&widget=true&headers=false” /]

Youth Cup Knockout Stage: Qualification Explained

In my previous update I said that the top two in each group qualify for the knockout stages, which is true.

What I forgot is that we need 32 teams in the 1st Round, so that means the eight best third placed teams also qualify.

The best eight third placed teams are: SL Benfica Dynamo Moskva, Sampdoria, AC Milan, CA Independiente II, Stoke City, FC Schalke 04 and RSC Anderlecht.

Everyone else (bar Inter and Chievo who each forfeited three group games) drops into the Youth Shield.

The results and final tables can be viewed here.

The seeded draw for the main Youth Cup Knockout Stage is here.

1st Round is on 21 June, one leg only. Please arrange your matches.

Youth Shield will begin the following week and matches will be confirmed after the first round of Youth Cup games.

Top 100 Regen Manager Appointments

All manager appointments and division allocations can be viewed by clicking here or on the image below.

We also need to vote on starting squad cap and transfer rules. All clubs will start with their real life player rosters. Many of the top clubs already have several top class youth talents, and one complaint about Top 100 has always been that the 50 player squad cap is too high. I propose, therefore, a radical 25 player squad cap for D1 clubs, who should still be able to field a competitive senior team AND compete in the Youth Cup. The other divisions could also be a 25 squad cap, or we can have a bigger caps as we go down the divisions, e.g., D2 30, D3 35, D4 40, D5 50.

On starting transfer rules, I propose a block on teams buying from external clubs (including new players) until they are within their squad cap. This will encourage D1 teams to sell to external (and do some internal deals) and give everyone else a chance to compete for the best of the external talent that becomes available to level up.

You can vote on our new Discord server, so please join if you haven't already.

I plan to create the new game world next week.

Overview: Top 100 Regen Manager Appointments

Welcome to the official breakdown of the manager allocation process. To ensure fairness and create an engaging experience for everyone, two separate applications have been developed: one to perform the allocation itself, and one for everyone to view the final results. This document explains what each app does and, most importantly, the exact logic used to assign managers to clubs.

1. The Main Allocation App (The “Admin Tool”)

  • Purpose: This is the primary tool used by the gw admin to generate the one, official set of manager and club allocations for the season start. Its job is to take the raw data and run the allocation process from start to finish.

  • Key Features:

    • Data Input: Allows for uploading the Opta Team Ranking stat and the Manager Status and Team Preferences data.
    • Processing: Contains the core logic that performs the allocation.
    • Results Generation: Produces the final, canonical list of 100 manager-club pairings, which is then used to create the public-facing “Results Viewer” app.

The Allocation Logic: A Transparent, Step-by-Step Guide

To ensure fairness, the allocation is performed according to a strict set of rules, processed in the following order:

Step 1: Manager Prioritisation Before any assignments are made, all eligible managers are sorted into a priority queue based on their status. This ensures that managers with a higher status get preference in the allocation rounds. The order is:

  1. Current Top 100/120 managers
  2. Former Top 100/120 managers
  3. New managers

Step 2: Preference Allocation Rounds (Status by Status) The app now tries to assign managers based on their stated club preferences, respecting the priority order from Step 1. It processes all “Current” managers first, then all “Former,” and finally all “New” managers.

For each status group (e.g., for all “Current” managers):

  • A. Bidding Round: The system initiates a “bidding round.” In this round, every unassigned manager in the current status group looks at their list of preferred clubs (1st, 2nd, 3rd choice) and “bids” for the one they want most that is still available.

  • B. Resolving Bids:

    • No Contest: If a manager is the only one who bids for a particular club in that round, they are immediately assigned that club.
    • Tie-Breaking (The Random Element): If multiple managers in the same status group bid for the same club in the same round, a winner is chosen completely at random. This is the key element of randomness that ensures fairness when there are contested clubs. The managers who lost the random tie-break remain unassigned and get to try again in the next round with their next available preference.

  • C. Repeat: The app repeats these bidding rounds until no more managers in the current status group can be assigned a preferred club (either because their preferences are all taken or they have been assigned). The system then moves to the next status group (e.g., from “Current” to “Former”) and repeats the process.

Step 3: Fallback Allocation (For Managers Without a Preferred Club) Any of the 100 managers who could not be assigned a club through the preference rounds are handled next. To ensure they still get the best possible assignment, they are allocated in their original priority order (Current > Former > New) to the highest Opta-ranked club that is still available.

Step 4: Division Assignment Once all 100 managers have been assigned to a club, the system takes these 100 clubs and sorts them strictly by their Opta Rank. They are then grouped into five divisions of 20 clubs each to create the final league structure.

2. The Github App (The “Results Viewer”)

  • Purpose: This is the public-facing app that is linked above on the blog. Its only job is to display the final, official allocation results that were generated by the Main Allocation App. This ensures that every manager and viewer sees the exact same, consistent results.

  • Key Features:

    • Pre-loaded Data: The app starts with the final allocation data already embedded. It does not re-run the allocation process.
    • Manager Reveal Cards: A fun, one-by-one reveal feature for the livestream, allowing you to announce each manager’s new club individually.
    • Search Function: A search bar allowing anyone to quickly find a specific manager or club to see their allocation without having to go through all 100 reveals.
    • Full Sorted List: A complete table of all 100 allocations, neatly organized by division and then by club rank.
    • Theme & Branding: The app is styled with the official Top 100 logo and includes a theme tune that plays during the reveals to enhance the experience.

If you're name is not on the full list then I'm sorry that you haven't been chosen on this occasion. We had 120 managers for 100 clubs. However, you will be on my standby list of managers to step in to replace managers who drop out, or don't take their club, or who quit later on. Make sure you are registered on the Top 100 Game Worlds Discord community server or on our FB or WhatsApp channels.

I hope to create the game world next week.

Secure Your Club in Top 100 Regen: Act Now!

We have 79 managers registered so far for the new Top 100 Regen gw. We need just 21 more to have a full house and be ready to get started. Actually, it would be good to have a few more in case of drop outs and uncontactable new managers - if you're a new manager and you've registered, please message David Marsden in-game, or via our social channels (Facebook, WhatsApp, Discord), where you saw the gw advertised.

I'm also thinking it would be good to get the gw started sooner rather than later. I don't really want a new gw starting at the same time as Top 100's season ends in August, as I originally planned. Plus with all the interest it's best to keep the momentum going. So as soon as I have 100+ managers I'll do the draw for allocating teams and create the gw. Hopefully later this month!

In the meantime , I ran a simulation of team allocations using AI, based on priority to current Top 100/120 managers over former and new managers, and order of preferences. Unless you choose less popular 2nd and 3rd preference teams, almost half of you are likely to be allocated a team you didn't choose at random. And it won't necessarily be the same managers listed here in this test simulation.

This is just a test and not the actual allocation. Its purpose is to highlight what might happen and why it’s better to choose your preferred clubs wisely. If you want to resubmit your preferences, you can do so here.

Based on the specified hierarchy of manager status and preference round, with timestamps used as the tie-breaker, the clubs for the “Top 100 Regen” game world have been allocated.

The allocation process was conducted by processing nine priority groups in sequence, starting with the first preferences of current managers and ending with the third preferences of new managers.

Managers Allocated a Club

The following 49 managers have been successfully allocated a club:

Manager Name Manager Status Allocated Club Allocation Group
David Marsden Current Watford Current - 1st Pref
James mckenzie Current Real Madrid Current - 1st Pref
Chris Meida Current New England Revolution Current - 1st Pref
Steve Allington Current Liverpool Current - 1st Pref
Marco G Current Paris Saint-Germain Current - 1st Pref
dynamitedave Current Club Brugge Current - 1st Pref
Neil Frankland Current Burnley Current - 1st Pref
Chris Taylor Current Manchester United Current - 1st Pref
Glen Mullan Current Chelsea Current - 1st Pref
Carl Martin Current Newcastle United Current - 1st Pref
⚽ The FM ⚽ Current Arsenal Current - 1st Pref
Alessandro Ioli Current Barcelona Current - 1st Pref
David Inglis Current Aston Villa Current - 1st Pref
Carlos Azevedo Current SL Benfica Current - 1st Pref
Pedro vilar Current FC Porto Current - 1st Pref
Walter Gogh Current Borussia Dortmund Current - 1st Pref
Nuno Marques Current Sporting CP Current - 1st Pref
Landucci Current Juventus Current - 1st Pref
Regan Thompson Current Athletic Bilbao Current - 1st Pref
Paul Rimmer Current Manchester City Current - 1st Pref
RJ Alston Current Everton Current - 1st Pref
Bharath Raj Current AC Milan Current - 1st Pref
Bojan H Current Bayern Munich Current - 1st Pref
Robert Ryan Current Napoli Current - 1st Pref
Marc Ques Current RB Leipzig Current - 1st Pref
Gianluca Ghio Current Nottingham Forest Current - 1st Pref
Ricardo Alexandre Current Brighton Current - 1st Pref
Zé Quim Current Nice Current - 1st Pref
Tozé Trapattoni Current Feyenoord Current - 1st Pref
Lee Reynolds Former Crystal Palace Former - 1st Pref
Bozzfordy New Bristol Rovers New - 1st Pref
Mohammed Ajmal New Tottenham Hotspur New - 1st Pref
Chris Buchan New Rangers New - 1st Pref
Carl Richardson New Eintracht Frankfurt New - 1st Pref
Pedro Oliveira New Sporting de Braga New - 1st Pref
Okeeno Grant New Inter Milan New - 1st Pref
Paul Stuart New Celtic New - 1st Pref
Armando Pierone New Bologna New - 1st Pref
Carlos Miranda Current Palmeiras Current - 2nd Pref
Chris Baggio Current Lazio Current - 2nd Pref
Patrick Dunn Current Atletico Madrid Current - 2nd Pref
Simon Thomas Current Bournemouth Current - 2nd Pref
Ash L Current Monaco Current - 2nd Pref
Anthony Guardiola Current River Plate Current - 2nd Pref
Sirgrumps New Sunderland New - 2nd Pref
Thomas Askew New Como New - 2nd Pref
Patrik Breznický Current Ajax Current - 3rd Pref
Attilio Bonnici Current Roma Current - 3rd Pref
unstabledave New Leyton Orient New - 3rd Pref

Managers Without a Club

The following 30 managers were not allocated a club as their preferences were taken by others with higher priority.

Current Managers:

  • Adam
  • André Guerra
  • Andrew Kelly
  • Beddows
  • Chris East
  • Chris Mackenzie
  • Dan Wallace
  • Dave Oz Osborne
  • Feargal A Hickey
  • Golden bear
  • Heath Brown
  • Hugo Costa
  • João Alves
  • Jonathan Raine
  • Kevin mcgregor
  • MISTER TRX
  • Mike Scallotti
  • Paul Masters
  • Pedro Martínez
  • Ricardo Ferreira
  • Salvatore Zerbo
  • Sampson Gyekye
  • Scott Mckenzie
  • Shashi P
  • The Strongest
  • Yamil mc02

Former Managers:

  • Joe Pound
  • Pharaoh Atem
  • Pane Trifunov

New Managers:

  • Jonesy

This is just a test and not the actual allocation. Its purpose is to highlight what might happen and why it’s better to choose your preferred clubs wisely. If you want to resubmit your preferences, you can do so here.

S25 Youth Cup: Last Day Qualification Scenarios

With the final round of the S25 Youth Cup group stage set for this Saturday, June 7th, the path to the knockout rounds is clear for some, but for many, it all comes down to one last game. Several groups hang in the balance, with dramatic final-day battles set to decide the fate of many teams. Here’s your definitive guide to what’s at stake.

Who's In and Who's Out?

The picture is already clear in many groups, with several teams having already secured their spot in the next round based on their strong performances to date.

  • Already Qualified: The dominant forces in Group A (Barcelona & Bayern Munich), Group F (Manchester United & Arsenal), Group G (Manchester City & Crystal Palace), Group K (CR Flamengo & Dortmund), and Group L (Hertha BSC & Atlético Madrid) have all secured their spots. Also confirmed for the knockouts are Hamburger SV (Group E), Tottenham Hotspur (Group H), and Cruzeiro (Group I).
  • Confirmed for the Youth Shield: In those same groups, Sevilla, Valencia, Lyon, Dynamo Kyiv, Dynamo Moskva, Chievo Verona, Borussia Mönchengladbach, VfL Wolfsburg, Beşiktaş, and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim will proceed to the Youth Shield competition.

Final Day Deciders: The Matches to Watch

All eyes will be on the groups where qualification is still on the line. Here are the crucial scenarios to watch.

Group H: CSKA With a Golden Opportunity

With former Shield holders Tottenham Hotspur already through, the second spot is there for the taking. CSKA Moskva will join Spurs in the knockouts if they can secure a victory against the pointless Atalanta in their final game. This presents a fantastic opportunity for the Moscow side to seal their place.

Group J: Stoke City in the Hot Seat

The final day presents a complex scenario in Group J. Group winners Chelsea will host second-place Stoke City. To be absolutely certain of qualification, Stoke must win. If they fail to beat the group leaders, the door is open for five-time Youth Cup winners Levante UD, who could overtake them with a victory against Celtic. This sets up a tense finale where Stoke's fate may depend on the result of the other match.

Group I: A Bizarre Finish on the Cards?

With Cruzeiro safely through as group winners, the race for second is complicated. In a highly unusual situation, FC Schalke 04 could potentially qualify by default if Everton and Sunderland fail to play their final game. This will be a situation to monitor closely for administrative updates on the final day.

The Outsiders with a Slim Hope

For a few teams, qualification is still mathematically possible, but they'll need results elsewhere to go their way in spectacular fashion.

  • Group B: With leaders RCD Espanyol and São Paulo FC facing each other, a defeat for Sao Paulo could open the door. Benfica could sneak into the second spot if they beat bottom club Olympiacos and other results go their way.
  • Group C: CA Independiente II have a tough path to the knockouts. They require a big win over last-placed West Brom and must also hope that leaders Juventus crush second-place Feyenoord.
  • Group D: Sampdoria are in a similar position, needing a massive turnaround to leapfrog SC Internacional. Their hopes may rest on group leaders and reigning champions Leicester City, who are averaging almost five goals a game, potentially inflicting a heavy defeat on Internacional that could swing the goal difference.

Group E: Anderlecht's Clear Path

With Hamburger SV having already secured their passage to the knockouts, the second spot is up for grabs. Former Shield winners RSC Anderlecht will qualify alongside them if they can secure a win against a Bayer Leverkusen side noted for being "draw specialists."

Fifty Managers Needed For Top 100 Regen

[googleapps domain=“docs” dir=“forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf34EZGlMZfZ6fK9ma85g-hnqQ2Y4_rQIuD-Fb3iyu6B0VCIA/viewform” query=“embedded=true” width=“640” height=“1763” /]

Barcelona is the most frequently chosen club so far, appearing 10 times across all preferences.

Bayern Munich and Arsenal are tied for the second most popular clubs, each chosen 6 times.

Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund follow closely, each selected 5 times.

I would strongly advise choosing less obviously popular clubs, certainly as second or third preferences. You can edit your choices if you still have the form in your browser, or submit a new form - we'll use your latest submission only.

Where more than one manager wants the same club we'll have a public random draw to decide who gets allocated to these jobs. If you miss out you'll move to your second preference and so on, but remember that someone who has your second or third preference as their first preference will get priority over you.

We we will also prioritise current managers over former and new managers.

In the interests of transparency, here's the form responses spreadsheet.

[googleapps domain=“docs” dir=“spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vTfGV6MfpqvK8z46V8CFWQh2Fw8si5Luh8mnrknQCyGuuZIZoXS4E30n2oqs0sAgch9sLRg1NihornU/pubhtml” query=“widget=true&headers=false” /]

We need another fifty or so managers , so please share and invite any managers who are interested or you recommend.

Match Recap: Palace Stun City & Barça's Epic Comeback

The S25 Youth Cup served up another electrifying round of action on Saturday, May 17th, with young talents across Europe battling for glory. Fans were treated to stunning comebacks, dominant displays by tournament favourites, and the unfortunate drama of forfeits significantly impacting group standings. Here’s your roundup of a memorable night under the lights!

HEADLINE CLASHES: GOAL-FESTS AND LAST-GASP HEROICS!

SEVEN-GOAL THRILLER SEES PALACE STUN CITY! Spiten-Nysaeter's Late Double Downs 10-Man Sky Blues

In what was arguably the match of the round and echoing yesterday's real life FA Cup Final result, Crystal Palace (78 rating) edged out three-time Youth Cup champions Manchester City (82 rating) 4-3 in a pulsating Group G encounter that had everything. The lead changed hands multiple times in a true end-to-end battle.

City's Anderson Duarte was a constant threat, opening the scoring in the 14th minute and adding a second with a dipping shot in the 31st. However, Palace hit back each time, first through Kaio César (15') who coolly side-footed home. The second half saw Ola Spiten-Nysaeter level for Palace with a dipping shot of his own (48'), before Victor Gabriel unleashed a hopeful long-range effort that sailed over City keeper Ilić to put Palace ahead 3-2 (68').

City looked to have salvaged a point when Vukašin Djukanović slotted home in the 85th minute to make it 3-3. But the drama wasn't over. Spiten-Nysaeter became the hero for the Eagles, grabbing his second and the match-winner in the 88th minute from a free-kick delivery. City's night ended in further frustration as two-goal star Duarte saw red in the 89th minute. Despite the loss, Man City remain top of Group G on goal difference ahead of Dynamo Moskva and Crystal Palace, who all sit on six points.

Manager of Crystal Palace was undoubtedly thrilled, while the City camp will rue the late red card and missed opportunity.

BARÇA ROAR BACK! Aghehowa Brace Seals Stunning Comeback Against Bayern in Youth Cup Epic

Two giants of youth football, FC Barcelona (85 rating) and Bayern München (79 rating), delivered a Group A classic, with the Catalans ultimately triumphing 4-3 to maintain their perfect start to the S25 Youth Cup. The match was a rollercoaster, with former S5 champions Barcelona having to dig deep after trailing three times.

Bayern, themselves S6 Youth Cup winners, started brightly with Bilal El Khannouss finding the top corner in just the 3rd minute. Djeidi Gassama equalised for Barça (20'), only for Fallou Diouf to restore Bayern's lead with a powerful long shot (27'). Joel Ordóñez then hit a long-range stunner for Barcelona (38') to level things again. Just before the break, Assane Diao put Bayern 3-2 ahead (44') with a well-taken dipping shot.

The second half, however, belonged to Barcelona's Samuel Aghehowa. He first smashed home a powerful strike (68') and then, with just over ten minutes remaining, fired home the winner (79'), both goals assisted by the influential Lamine Yamal. Fallou Diouf picked up a yellow card for Bayern in a match where Barcelona dominated possession and shots. The win cements Barcelona's top spot in Group A with a perfect nine points, as confirmed by their delighted manager Adam post-match, who praised the "end to end stuff" and noted it was "3 wins in a row." Bayern's manager, Bojan H, was gracious, admitting his team fought hard against a higher-rated opponent.

AROUND THE GROUNDS: DOMINANT DISPLAYS & KEY VICTORIES

Reigning Champions & Favourites Flex Their Muscles

Leicester City (84 rating), the reigning two-time Youth Cup champions, continued their imperious title defence with a crushing 5-1 victory over SC Internacional in Group D, signaling their intent for a historic third consecutive trophy.

Elsewhere, S9 Youth Cup winners and reigning S24 Youth Shield holders CR Flamengo (82 rating) were in devastating form, dispatching VfL Wolfsburg 5-1 away in Group K to maintain their perfect record. Manchester United manager Dan Wallace was in buoyant mood after his side’s 5-0 demolition of Dynamo Kyiv in Group F, humorously declaring his team had them "for dinner" as they cemented their "pole position."

Three-time Youth Cup winners Juventus (84 rating) also showcased their class, defeating Feyenoord 4-1 in Group C to keep their 100% record intact.

Former Winners Secure Important Wins

Arsenal (80 rating), S16 Youth Cup victors, overcame Olympique Lyonnais 5-3 in a high-scoring Group F affair. Manager Heath Brown was pleased with the "Great win" amidst a packed schedule for his youngsters.

Inaugural Youth Cup winners (S1) Atlético Madrid (81 rating) enjoyed a "comfortable 4-0 win" over TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in Group L, as per their manager Gav Harmer, who was optimistic about the club's future talents.

Former S4 champions Chelsea (82 rating) maintained their Group J lead with a solid 2-0 win at Stoke City. Pedro Vilar, manager of Tottenham Hotspur (82 rating), praised his team's "Great win" as they beat former Shield winners AC Milan 2-0, with Bahoya named Man of the Match.

S18 Youth Cup winners SL Benfica (80 rating) also recorded a comfortable 3-0 win against Olympiacos in Group B.

Forfeit Controversy Hits Round 3

Two matches on Saturday were decided by forfeits, both recorded as 3-0 victories:

  • In Group E, HAMBURGER SV were awarded a 3-0 win after Internazionale forfeited. This result significantly helps the former S13 Youth Shield winners.
  • In Group J, Celtic received a 3-0 win as five-time Youth Cup winners Levante UD forfeited. Levante manager Salvatore Zerbo publicly apologised, stating, "we forgot to field the youth team... we lost the match."

Other Notable Results from Saturday 17th May:

  • FC Schalke 04 0-2 Cruzeiro: A key win for Cruzeiro in the tightly contested Group I.
  • RSC Anderlecht 1-1 Bayer Leverkusen: Points shared in Group E between two teams with Youth Shield (Anderlecht S11) and Youth Cup (Leverkusen S3) history.
  • Sevilla 2-1 Valencia CF: Former S6 Shield winners Sevilla edged out S5 Cup champions Valencia in Group A.
  • Sunderland 1-2 Everton: Everton picked up a crucial win in Group I.
  • Dynamo Moskva 3-1 Chievo Verona: An important victory for Dynamo Moskva in the competitive Group G.
  • Borussia Mönchengladbach 0-3 Borussia Dortmund: Dortmund strong in Group K.
  • Atalanta BC 1-4 CSKA Moskva: CSKA Moskva with a convincing win in Group H.
  • Beşiktaş JK 0-4 Hertha BSC: Former S18 Shield winners Hertha continue their perfect run in Group L.
  • São Paulo FC 1-0 RCD Espanyol: A significant win for São Paulo against the highly-rated Espanyol in Group B.
  • Udinese Calcio 1-2 Sampdoria: A "Wow!!!" win for Sampdoria, according to their manager Sir Stephen Beddows, keeping their hopes alive in Group D.
  • West Bromwich Albion 1-3 Independiente: Independiente secure the points in Group C.

The S25 Youth Cup continues to deliver excitement and drama. With three rounds played, the path to the knockout stages is starting to take shape, but plenty of twists and turns surely await!

Welcome to Top 100!

Probably the best custom Game World in Soccer Manager Worlds...

About Top 100

Top 100 is a long-running, elite Soccer Manager game world with 100 top clubs from Europe and South America in 5 competitive divisions. Founded in 2015 by Frank Hirst, and currently owned by David Marsden since 2023, it’s known for its skilled managers, strict rules, and dynamic structure—promotion, relegation, sackings, and fair play all play a part. Alongside league play, there are multiple friendly cup competitions and a strong online community.

Learn more

Join Top 100 / Top 100 Regen

Top 100 is in its tenth year and 25th season and it's always full. The best way to get involved is to join our feeder game world Top 120 100 Regen where we also have 100 active managers, some of whom are waiting for a vacancy in Top 100. If you're a returning Top 100 manager we know and trust you may be able to fast track your return directly. Just contact game world owner David Marsden in-game.

Top Soccer Managers: Unique Philosophies Revealed

Inside the Dugout: Diverse Philosophies from Top 100 Managers

Published: May 4, 2025 | By: Top 100 Blog Team

Ever wondered what makes some of the Top 100's most intriguing managers tick? Our very own Toni Pinto recently sat down with three distinct personalities shaping the game world: Chris Baggio (Dynamo Kyiv), Chris Meida (CSKA MoskvaTexas), and Glen Mullan (Espanyol). Their interviews reveal fascinatingly diverse approaches to Soccer Manager success.

Chris Baggio (Dynamo Kyiv): The Passionate Rebuilder

Hailing from Greece and an SM veteran since 2009, Baggio is on a clear mission: restore Dynamo Kyiv to Division Four. He describes management as "tough work" but thrives on learning about real-world players through the game and interacting with fellow managers. His philosophy centers on team chemistry, bringing back Ukrainian players who'll "give everything," and employing fast, attacking football.

Chris Meida (CSKA MoskvaTexas): The Candid American Dreamer

The "new sheriff in town," Meida manages the recently promoted CSKA MoskvaTexas with a blend of Zen-like wisdom and passionate intensity. He rejoined SM during the pandemic and loves discovering unknown players. While focused on building a united team and enjoying the journey, he's refreshingly candid, even criticizing the game's rating system. His tactical approach is pragmatic, leveraging key strengths to compete against tougher opposition.

Glen Mullan (Espanyol): The Enigmatic Gem Polisher

Described as a "Diamond In The Rough," Blackburn's Glen Mullan is a master scout obsessed with unearthing young talent for Espanyol, a club he sees as his ultimate long-term project. Known for his shrewdness and speed in the transfer market ("be decisive," he advises), Mullan balances his focus on youth development with a clear understanding that ratings and tactical nous win games now. His current large, young squad is both a weakness and a strength for the future.

Common Threads, Different Paths

While Baggio seeks chemistry, Meida emphasizes the journey, and Mullan focuses on long-term development through scouting, common themes emerge. All share a deep passion for the game and player discovery. Youth development is key, though integration strategies vary. The transfer market is crucial, demanding different negotiation styles – from Baggio's caution after mistakes to Mullan's rapid-fire approach.

These interviews paint a vivid picture of the dedication, strategic thinking, and diverse personalities that make the Top 100 Gameworld so compelling. It's clear there's more than one way to build a legacy in Soccer Manager!

Full and original interviews.

S25 Youth Cup: Goal-Filled Matches and Admin Drama!

YOUTH CUP GOAL FEST! Roster Blunders Spark ADMIN CRACKDOWN in S25 Opener!

By Our Man with the Notepad, Sideline Sid
SOUTHALL, ENGLAND - Sunday Morning

BANG! The S25 Youth Cup roared into life last night, serving up a feast of goals, dazzling performances, and enough off-pitch drama to make your head spin – even the Game World Administrator had to step in after some major squad sheet slip-ups! Strap yourselves in!

GOAL GLUT! BARCA & ESPANYOL RUN RIOT!

Where do we even start?! How about Barcelona, eh? Young Samu Aghehowa put Sevilla to the SWORD in a stunning 5-1 demolition! The Spanish sensation bagged TWO goals and laid on THREE assists! Boss Adam called him MOTM – no arguments here! "Glad to start with a win," beamed the boss!

Not to be outdone, Glen Mullan's Espanyol lads absolutely pulverised Olympiacos 5-0! Endrick nabbed a brace, but Facundo Bounanotte was the star – a goal AND three assists! "One way traffic!" hailed the gaffer, "extremely pleased!"

Elsewhere, Juventus dished out a 5-1 hiding to West Brom away, Bayern Munich whacked Valencia 5-0, Leicester smashed Udinese 4-0, and Man City & Dynamo Moskva both bagged tidy 3-0 wins! Talk about laying down a marker!

SPURS EDGE EIGHT-GOAL THRILLER!

Hold onto your hats! Pedro Vilar's Tottenham kids went to Atalanta and won a crazy 5-3 goal-fest! "Great start... massive winning!" declared the happy Spurs boss. What a match!

ADMIN CRACKDOWN! Marsden Reveals Roster Rule-Breakers!

RED FACES & RULE REMINDERS! Drama off the pitch as FIVE clubs – Independiente, West Brom, Crystal Palace, Chievo, and Everton – were caught out by eligibility rules! It seems simple squad selection errors were likely to blame – managers forgetting the crucial step of swapping senior players out for their designated youth cup squads! An easy mistake to make, but a costly one!

PRIZE DRAW PAIN! The gaffers of the five teams, due to the eligibility breach, have FORFEITED their chance to win the coveted end-of-season new player prize draw! A sharp reminder from the top brass to double-check those team sheets before hitting submit!

We already saw Independiente's match defaulted 0-3 after their boss admitted the error. It looks like the other teams avoided score changes this time, but couldn't escape the Admin's sharp eye when it came to the prize draw rules! Tough, but fair!

GAFFERS SOUND OFF!

Sir Stephen Beddows (Sampdoria): Hailed "Super Samp" after their 2-1 win and blooding a 15-year-old debutant! One for the future!

Dan Wallace (Man Utd): So chuffed with his U21s cruising 3-0 past Lyon, he might throw 'em in against Leverkusen TONIGHT! Gutsy!

Chris Meida (CSKA): Gutted with a 1-1 draw vs Milan despite a "strong display". That Konate penalty was their only reward.

David Marsden (Hamburger SV): (Speaking as manager this time!) Delighted with a "great team effort" seeing off Leverkusen 3-2 with a late winner! A good day at the office for him both on and off the virtual pitch!

TABLES TELL A TALE!

After the goal frenzy, Bayern edge Barca on goal difference in A, Espanyol lead B, Juve pip Feyenoord in C. And the teams caught by the Admin's ruling? Palace, Chievo, Everton prop up their groups pointless after 0-3 defeats, while West Brom also lick their wounds after that 5-1 loss. A double blow after the admin errors!

FINAL WHISTLE!

Phew! What a start! Goals, drama, and the Admin already busy laying down the law while also celebrating a win! The S25 Youth Cup has it ALL! Check those team sheets, gaffers – Big Brother Marsden is watching! Don't take your eyes off this space!