You can have the best players in the world, but if the fans aren’t happy, morale is low, or the players aren’t fit, they will never become the European champions.

I can think of several examples in both the Euro cup and World cup. Can you?

As an ‘Eleven manager,’ you need to consider this too. You can only become a champion if everything is perfect. On the contrary, I definitely recommend just letting all the bad stuff happen. Just for once. Just for fun. It makes up a good story. Great to tell your fellow players. You need to be able to complain once in a while, don’t you?

Here are some examples of things you would be able to say to your friends:

“Oh no! My striker got a red card again! He started a row on the pitch. Now he is suspended for two weeks! What a ………!”

“No way, my players don’t listen to my coach anymore! Total anarchy! I can’t use any tactics!”

“My fans say I don’t listen to them! They told us we’re playing in an empty stadium next match! But I do care for them! I just think they are all glory hunters!”

I’ve always been a fan of a good story. Of course, I’d like to win, but if the story is good, I don’t mind losing, as long as I’m responsible for it.

In Eleven, you create a story. Your story. After you play the game, you can tell the story of the season as if it really happened. I think it is an amazing experience.

***

Decision day in group A. I think Italy is the well-deserved winner of the group. For me, Turkey is the disappointment of the tournament. I really think they could do so much better—unfortunately, a well-earned 4th place. Wales and Switzerland are two equal teams. I can live with this final table.

Yesterday I talked about the bad stuff that can happen to your club if you take things too lightly in Eleven. You’ve got to control team spirit (morale), popularity, form, and income. Of course, you can take the actions needed to keep these stats up. Unfortunately, you are not the boss at the club. There is a board that makes important decisions as well. They have a meeting each week. If I were you, I would try to attend those meetings and tell those board men and women what you think. Maybe they will listen and don’t mess up.

For example: Playing a friendly match for a sponsor will bring you income but will lower the team’s form. What do you think is wise? Do you think we should play the match? If you don’t convince them, the board will make the decision for you.

It’s important to have the right people on your board. Some see your club as a company and will do anything to earn money. Others have a good relationship with the fans and will do anything to make them happy. And some just want to have the best team in the world.
Who do you want to hire?

Decisions, decisions…

Thomas Jansen is the designer of Eleven: the football manager game. Ignacy Trzewiczek is the developer of the game. They both will share their thoughts about EuroCup 2021 and also talk about the design or development of Eleven. Be with them every day during Euro! If you like football and board games, please, share the news about Eleven!

You can learn more about Eleven HERE!