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!

Top Performers and Underachievers in Season 25

Top 100 Season 25 Six Match Review

Six matches into Season 25, the highly competitive Top 100 game world is already offering plenty of intrigue. It's still early in the 38-game campaign (current in-game date Thu 1 May 2025), but comparing the action to pre-season expectations (including "Malcolm's Stats" by Sevilla manager Mister TRX, 8th historically), historical manager performance, and last season's trophy winners reveals some fascinating early narratives. Here’s an overview of who’s hitting the ground running, who’s stumbling, and potential reasons why.

Division 1: São Paulo Lead; Reigning Champs Verona Off Pace

Fittingly, the game world's top-ranked manager historically, Scott Mckenzie, has São Paulo leading (16 pts), though he acknowledged needing more despite staying unbeaten after a 2-2 draw at Sporting. Just behind are kevin mcgregor's Juventus (15 pts, 39th historically), last season's Top 100 Shield winners, who suffered their first loss 1-2 at home against Doug Earle's impressive Leicester (6th). McGregor admitted he "would of bitten your hand off if said this was the start I was going to get," showing perspective despite the setback. Adam's Barcelona (5th, 40th historically, S24 Super Cup winners) also look dangerous, spearheaded by the sensational G. Rodrygo (leading D1 with 5 goals and 6 assists). Manager Adam noted his key attackers are "getting amongst the goals more... hope they can keep it going."

The biggest divergence from Malcolm's Stats is the form of Dario Saviano's Dortmund (17th, 28th historically) and, more surprisingly, Luís André Libras-Boas's Hellas Verona (12th, 5th historically). Predicted as title contenders, their struggles are stark – especially for Verona as reigning Division 1 champions. It suggests either the pre-season analysis overrated their readiness or established managers are finding the tactical battles tougher this term. Even James Mckenzie (2nd historically, S24 SMFA Shield winner) finds Chelsea slightly off pace in 8th. Fellow S24 trophy winners André Guerra (Porto, SMFA Champions Cup - 10th) also sit mid-table.

How are last season's promoted sides adapting? Last season's D2 champions Aston Villa (David Inglis, 18th historically) are currently 14th. D2 play-off winners Tottenham (Pedro Vilar, 67th) are exceeding early expectations in 11th after beating Espanyol 3-2, a result Mullan (Espanyol) felt robbed by. Regan Thompson's Hertha BSC (44th historically), S24 Top 100 Cup winners, are currently 18th.

At the bottom, Gursimran Brar (11th historically) sees Köln last as forecast, while Espanyol and Hertha join them. Espanyol's Mullan expressed frustration after the Spurs loss, citing hitting the post multiple times and injuries.

Division 2: Leverkusen Deliver, West Brom Flounder, Schick Flies

Marco G's Leverkusen (1st, 16 pts, 59th historically) are impressively living up to their favourites tag from the predictions, dispatching Udinese 4-1 with Koopmeiners (7 goals) instrumental. Behind them are Standard Liège (2nd, 12 pts), managed by Attilio Bonnici (69th historically), who are performing well after winning the D3 title last season, despite a shock 1-0 loss at Genoa. For 3rd place Hamburger SV, manager David Marsden (41st historically) felt they "Totally dominated a strong Stoke side" but needed a late Casemiro goal for a 1-1 draw. Atlético (Gav Harmer) and Stoke (Andrew Kelly, 4th historically) are also in the mix.

The season's biggest shock remains paddy d's West Brom (16th historically). Tipped for glory by the stats, now rooted in 20th. This drastic underperformance raises questions about their high-profile recruitment strategy. Conversely, RJ Alston's Southampton (8th, 24th historically) and Jamie Alldridge's Schalke (12th, 35th) are comfortably mid-table, defying predictions of a relegation scrap. Man Utd (Dan Wallace, 25th) are struggling near the bottom (17th) as expected during their rebuild phase.

Last season's D3 play-off winners Udinese Calcio (6th), managed by Neil Frankland (23rd historically), are also competing effectively in the top half after promotion.

Individuals: Benfica's Patrik Schick is the standout scorer across all divisions with 9 goals, while Southampton's Houssem Aouar leads D2 assists with 8.

Division 3: CSKA & Flamengo Top; Dnipro Still Surprise

Newer manager Chris Meida (71st) has CSKA leading (1st, 15 pts), alongside Carl Martin's Flamengo (55th historically), though Flamengo stumbled with a shock 3-0 loss at Saint-Etienne, with Martin citing key player absences. Mike Scallotti (10th historically) has Everton (3rd, 13 pts) well-placed, fulfilling their predicted potential.

The remarkable story is Everton Luiz's Dnipro (5th, 11 pts, 81st historically). Tipped for relegation by Malcolm's Stats, their strong start suggests effective tactics or perhaps being underestimated. Fiorentina's D. Mota leads scoring (6 goals) but his team (15th) underwhelms. Predicted promotion candidates Anderlecht (Walter Gogh, 27th) and PSG (Josh McMillan, 21st) need improvement.

How are last season's promoted teams settling into D3? Zenit Saint Petersburg (4th), managed by Christian RC 1914 (82nd) after winning D4 last year, have adapted excellently. AS Saint-Etienne (13th), under Carlos Miranda (77th) and promoted via D4 play-off, showed their potential by beating Flamengo.

At the bottom, Chris Mackenzie's Basel (52nd historically) struggle as predicted, joined by Hoffenheim and Shakhtar.

Division 4: Predictions in Disarray as New Leaders Emerge

This division completely contradicts the pre-season forecast. ruts66 (7th historically) leads with Feyenoord (14 pts), alongside Stuart Monteith's Montpellier (14 pts, 56th historically). Dynamo Moskva (Paul Rimmer, 59th) are 3rd, performing as predicted for a playoff spot. Córdoba, Salah, and Blanco share the goals lead (5).

The biggest head-scratchers are Mister TRX's Sevilla (8th historically, now 17th) and Hugo Costa's Celtic (50th historically, now 14th). Despite TRX crafting the very stats predicting his team for the title, he admits "things haven't really gone to plan." Are the established managers/squads struggling tactically, or were they simply overrated? Conversely, Melvin Udall's Werder Bremen (5th, relatively new, 91st) are defying their relegation prediction admirably.

Two teams promoted from D5 last season are now competing here: Last season's D5 winners Beşiktaş JK (yamil Mc02, 74th) are finding their feet in 15th. D5 play-off winners Olympiacos (Ricardo Ferreira, 66th) have started well and sit 7th after hitting four goals last night.

At the bottom, Murilo's Celta Vigo (new, 90th) are last, as their expected struggles materialise, joined by Sassuolo and Crystal Palace.

Division 5: Partizan Lead Tight Pack Chasing Promotion

Relative newcomer Marc Ques (79th historically) has Partizan setting the early pace (15 pts), followed closely by Bruno Neto^^'s Lyon (14 pts, 83rd). The managers predicted to dominate, Gianluca Ghio (Independiente, 5th, 57th historically) and Ignazio Barraco (Marseille, 7th, 34th), find themselves in the chasing pack but haven't asserted dominance yet. Independiente possess the division's top scorer in Trincão (7 goals). Nick Wheels' Spartak Moskva (3rd, 48th) are meeting their playoff prediction, with João Mário leading assists (6).

Perhaps most interestingly, the relegation picture defies Malcolm's Stats. Predicted strugglers Atalanta (Chris Taylor, 80th), Chievo (Carlos Azevedo, 86th), and Athletic Club (Wayne Bullough, 45th) are currently safe. Instead, Santos (Paolo Everland, 84th), Bordeaux (Sheene Ralspunsky, 81st - actively signing players), and PSV (Chris East, 57th) find themselves unexpectedly in the bottom three.

Overall Conclusion (Early Stages)

After just six games, Season 25 is proving highly competitive and often unpredictable, challenging many pre-season expectations based on Malcolm's Stats and even historical manager performance. While some favourites like Leverkusen are delivering, others like West Brom, Sevilla, Dortmund, and reigning D1 champions Hellas Verona are significantly underperforming. Standout individuals like Rodrygo (D1), Schick (D2), and Trincão (D5) are lighting up their divisions. Teams like Dnipro and Werder Bremen are providing early surprise packages. With 32 games still to play, there's ample time for fortunes to change, but the initial phase has certainly provided plenty of talking points and suggests that reputation and predictions count for little once the whistle blows.