Cameron is on one hell of a road-trip, all the way across Russia! Check out ‘From East to West’ below, and give Cameron a follow on Twitter – @Cameron_FM_
#29 – SEASON 16 – RUSSIA & BALTIKA KALININGRAD
3rd July 2038 Off I set upon another international adventure, swapping out the mild weather in Kaliningrad for the unpredictable climate of South Africa. I learned on our flight down that the climate can vary in South Africa due to the degree angle from the equator and its location between the Atlantic and Indian oceans. … Continue reading #29 – SEASON 16 – RUSSIA & BALTIKA KALININGRAD
#28 – SEASON 15 – BALTIKA KALININGRAD & RUSSIA
Daniil knew that Baltika was beginning to go places. The Russian oblast was becoming more recognisable across Europe, and domestic rivals knew they had a new competitor on the scene. After finishing 21 points behind league winners Dinamo Moscow, Daniil knew that recruitment was going to be key this summer as he looked to build … Continue reading #28 – SEASON 15 – BALTIKA KALININGRAD & RUSSIA
#27 – SEASON 14 – RUSSIA & BALTIKA KALININGRAD
After signing up for international duties, Daniil had no time for himself throughout the summer. After drawing 1-1 with Dinamo Moscow on the 24th May 2036, Daniil had a couple of days to himself before addressing the national team for their EUROs warmups. It was a hectic schedule, but Daniil was determined to make his … Continue reading #27 – SEASON 14 – RUSSIA & BALTIKA KALININGRAD
#26 – SEASON 13 – BALTIKA KALININGRAD
After hitting an impressive 8th-placed finish, and falling just short of Baltika’s highest ever league finish of 7th, Daniil knew that the foundations were taking shape and that he would be able to take Baltika further. In financial disarray, he knew the importance of European football, and that was the goal he was striving for. … Continue reading #26 – SEASON 13 – BALTIKA KALININGRAD
#25 – SEASON 12 – BALTIKA KALININGRAD
Daniil was coming into this pre-season knowing he had a job on his hands. Baltika was struggling at both ends of the park, and that was telling in their performances during the season and their final position. With both Carlos António and Denis Lipkin coming into his plans, Daniil knew that he had improved the … Continue reading #25 – SEASON 12 – BALTIKA KALININGRAD
#24 – SEASON 11 – BALTIKA KALININGRAD
Daniil had landed the Baltika job and had officially travelled 4,571 air miles from his home in Vladivostok to the Kaliningrad Arena. But there wasn’t time for Daniil to admire his journey as a manager. He had a job at hand, starting with CSKA Moscow 2 days into his reign as manager. Daniil was happy … Continue reading #24 – SEASON 11 – BALTIKA KALININGRAD
#23 – A NEW CHAPTER…
In the aftermath of a treble-winning season, Kazan partied for weeks to come. Paraded around as legends, the full team took the chance to soak in the atmosphere and their accomplishments. It wasn’t pretty, but it was a historic season. Daniil was enjoying the celebrations, but he couldn’t help but overthink the situation at hand. … Continue reading #23 – A NEW CHAPTER…
#22 – SEASON 10 – FC RUBIN KAZAN
Interest was heating up in Russia’s newest formidable force, as Europe’s elite were chasing some of Kazan’s younger talents. With attraction growing in Gajović and Guevara, Daniil had to ensure that capable replacements were going to come in and hit the ground running. First out the door was Serbian Jakša Jevtović, who had found his … Continue reading #22 – SEASON 10 – FC RUBIN KAZAN
#21 – SEASON 10 WINTER BREAK – FC RUBIN KAZAN
With a World Cup to scout, Daniil knew that his patience was going to be tested by some of the European giants for his talented players. But this competition also gave Daniil a new opportunity. He was able to scout potential transfers to see how they would adapt away from their respective clubs and if … Continue reading #21 – SEASON 10 WINTER BREAK – FC RUBIN KAZAN
#20 – SEASON 9 – FC RUBIN KAZAN
With the winter transfer window well upon Daniil, he wasn’t looking to make drastic changes to his squad. Hopeful of keeping his prized attacking talents, Daniil knew that he needed to add depth behind the front lines, depending on transfer activity. Interest was heating up in defenders Sven Botman & Alexandr Silyanov, with CSKA lodging … Continue reading #20 – SEASON 9 – FC RUBIN KAZAN
#19 – SEASON 9 WINTER BREAK – FC RUBIN KAZAN
With the previous season’s highs and lows now firmly in the past, it was time for Daniil to shift his focus to the present. Yet another summer transfer window approached, and with a Champions League debut on the cards, Daniil’s recruitment was going to be vital. Daniil was notified of the board’s intentions to reach … Continue reading #19 – SEASON 9 WINTER BREAK – FC RUBIN KAZAN
#18 – SEASON 8 – FC RUBIN KAZAN
A huge second half of the season awaited Daniil. The Russian media were beginning to write off the young Russian’s dreams for the season; “too inexperienced for the task at hand” many were writing. Perhaps they were right. Daniil himself knew that he was swimming with the sharks in the shape of Dinamo Moscow and … Continue reading #18 – SEASON 8 – FC RUBIN KAZAN
#17 – MID-SEASON 8 – FC RUBIN KAZAN
After improving Kazan’s performances, Daniil knew that his first summer window was going to be massive for the future of Kazan. Bringing in a handful of more Russian players would give Daniil a bit more freedom when it comes to squad selections for the league, as he is limited to 8 foreigners in the starting … Continue reading #17 – MID-SEASON 8 – FC RUBIN KAZAN
#16.1 – SEASON 7 – RUBIN KAZAN
Taking over any side halfway through a season is difficult, never mind taking over a top-flight side competing for a European space consistently. Daniil knew that he had to come in and make an everlasting impression and pick up from where Yury Krasnozhan left off. Rubin Kazan occupied the second last European spot – a … Continue reading #16.1 – SEASON 7 – RUBIN KAZAN
#16 – CHANGE IS… GOOD?
As previously mentioned in #2 – Getting My Bering Strait, I had a clear pathway for Daniil Murayvoy to follow on his journey from Vladivostok to Kaliningrad. However, due to circumstances involving certain teams, one opportunity presented itself that proved to be good to turn down. My concern surrounding turning it down was the issue … Continue reading #16 – CHANGE IS… GOOD?
#15 – SEASON 6 – FC CHITA
A huge summer awaited Daniil as he let go several fringe players to improve the position of the wage bill and allow for a couple of players to come into the team. A few loanees returned to their parent clubs, with Sergey Gilyazutdinov extending his loan till the end of the new season – a … Continue reading #15 – SEASON 6 – FC CHITA
#14 – SEASON 5 – FC CHITA
Upon his arrival at Chita, Daniil immediately got his limited staff working on pulling through the performance data for the team from the start of the season till now. This would then give him an idea of what the team was good at, what they were lacking in and how he could make subtle changes … Continue reading #14 – SEASON 5 – FC CHITA
#13 – UNEMPLOYMENT CAN BE LONELY…
Daniil was still in his flat in Khabarovsk further enhancing his football knowledge through reading and watching the sport. Continuously keeping tabs on the results across Russia to keep himself informed on club situations, Daniil was starting to miss being away from the dugout and feeling the raw passion from the crowds. He was feeling … Continue reading #13 – UNEMPLOYMENT CAN BE LONELY…
#12 – THE END OF A CHAPTER
Before Daniil could send his players off for a break he had four games to prepare his boys for; Lokomotiv and Dinamo to round off the three consecutive matches against Moscow opposition, before facing Akhmat and Zenit. Knowing not to expect too much from these games, Daniil was instructing his players to make the most … Continue reading #12 – THE END OF A CHAPTER
#11 – SKA KHABAROVSK – MID-SEASON 4 REVIEW
Once the celebrations had come to pass, Daniil had to try and refocus on the task at hand. Knowing that they won the league, unexpectedly, it was now all about getting the recruitment and tactical philosophies spot on. Daniil knew that if he did well in these areas, then Khabarovsk would give themselves as good … Continue reading #11 – SKA KHABAROVSK – MID-SEASON 4 REVIEW
#10 – SKA KHABAROVSK – SEASON 3 REVIEW
Another post-season break draws to an end for the players. Yet for Daniil, he had little time off. Knowing what his players were capable of if he could get them firing, he knew he needed that final bit of quality added to the squad to make a real push for glory in the new season. … Continue reading #10 – SKA KHABAROVSK – SEASON 3 REVIEW
THE ENGANCHE
After discussing all things FM with a friend over the weekend, I was brought right up to date with his Deportivo de La Coruña save, and the concept gripped my interest. I watched a lot of WorkTheSpace’s Park to Primera during the summer, and with the league restructure, I fancied starting a non-blog save with Racing Santander … Continue reading THE ENGANCHE
#9 – SKA KHABAROVSK – SEASON 2 – SEASON REVIEW
After a rollercoaster of emotions in November, Daniil made it to the end of the season with SKA Khabarovsk and was looking forward to switching off over the summer break. It had been a tough 6 months for everyone involved at the club, but Daniil was really feeling the pressures of being in a bigger … Continue reading #9 – SKA KHABAROVSK – SEASON 2 – SEASON REVIEW
#8 – CONTROVERSY STRIKES
November 2022 The season so far had been filled with so many ups and downs, but yet Daniil felt uneasy about his current predicament. Did he deserve better? It wasn’t a feeling that had just sprung upon him overnight. Not at all. In fact, it was just last week that Daniil had sneaked off from … Continue reading #8 – CONTROVERSY STRIKES
#7 – DINAMO VLADIVOSTOK – SEASON 2 – FIRST HALF
Daniil knew that with last season’s successes, expectations of him would rise with the unexpected title win. Partying the month of May and early June away, it was time to re-board the footballing brain express and lay down the foundations for remaining in the First Division. Silently, the board were confident that Daniil could lead … Continue reading #7 – DINAMO VLADIVOSTOK – SEASON 2 – FIRST HALF
#6 – DINAMO VLADIVOSTOK – SEASON 1 FINALE
15th November 2021 Daniil had just completed his first-ever round of fixtures at a professional level, as he and the players began preparations to wind down over the winter period. It had been a difficult two month period, with the colder winter weather beginning to kick in, pitches were becoming more and more of a … Continue reading #6 – DINAMO VLADIVOSTOK – SEASON 1 FINALE
#5 – DINAMO VLADIVOSTOK – SEASON 1 – FIRST HALF
Daniil knew that he had to get the players onside fairly quickly, as the new season was upon them come the start of July; 3 friendlies in place against Chaika Yubileiny (amateur outfit), SKA Khabarovsk (Russian First Division) and Dinamo Moscow (Premier League) meant that match fitness was the important factor. Given that Daniil was … Continue reading #5 – DINAMO VLADIVOSTOK – SEASON 1 – FIRST HALF
#4 – A NEW BEGINNING
14th June 2021 – 07:30 (GMT+10) Daniil eagerly jumped out of bed at the sound of his alarm; today was the big day. Making the executive decision to skip his university lectures for one day, and one day only, Daniil had a potentially life-changing interview to prepare for. It had only been a week since … Continue reading #4 – A NEW BEGINNING
#3 – ANCESTRAL GUIDANCE
In the middle of Vladivostok, a monument overlooks the Zolotoy Rog Bay; the old foundations of the city’s military outpost centuries ago. The monument was erected to honour one of Russia’s most prominent statesmen, who was vital in Russia’s Far East history. Nikolay Muravyov has his own monument in his own park in Vladivostok, but … Continue reading #3 – ANCESTRAL GUIDANCE
#2 – GETTING MY BERING STRAIT
With FM22 beta now officially launched, I am getting more and more excited to get this journey across Russia started. However, in the meantime, it is about time to announce the 11 clubs that I will be looking to manage here. Vladivostok FC Dynamo Vladivostok A recently recreated club in 2021 following the cancellation of … Continue reading #2 – GETTING MY BERING STRAIT
#1 – PUTIN A PLAN IN MOTION
25th August 2019. A day that a handful of hardcore Russian fans will never forget supporting their beloved FC Luch Vladivostok. We have all been there ourselves, preparing for a long away day to watch our club, but nothing as extreme as this. The fans faced a 13-hour flight (providing it was a direct flight) … Continue reading #1 – PUTIN A PLAN IN MOTION
On the Break 