**END Season 1 and Prep for Season 2** AFC Ajax under Hans Holmberg. A Career Mode Story

End of Season 1-Finished the season strong with a comeback in the Eredivise. After trailing the league leaders Feyenoord by 7 points in January, our squad caught fire and finished in fantastic form. The League Title was secured on the final day, up by 2 points over Feyenoord we actually faced them and won 2-1. Younes led the league with 22 goals scored, and had the all-important second goal against Feyenoord in the final game of the season. Dramatic finish for the ages!

The domestic double was reached with a 3-0 victory over NEC. In February we had the unlucky draw of Arsenal in the Europa League, where we were smashed 6-2 on aggregate. Overall a successful season, great growth in most individual players. Our key YA product, Niklas Axelsson, had several good games and we also got lucky with him receiving 4 star weak foot and 5 star skill moves (I’ve never had a prospect with 5 star skills. Won’t be adding many other super high potential YA players, mid-level ones will be signed though).

Personnel Changes and Ideas

Going into the offseason we have wage negotiations and a few players force their way out. Despite playing in the first team all season Schone requests a transfer b/c of playing time. Kenny Tete attempts to force a move, but an improved contract was accepting meaning we have at least one more season with the talented right back. Because Tete was unsettled throughout the season, Veltman did not get enough appearances to make him happy. Therefore he is also pushing for a move out of the Amsterdam Arena. A new contract will be offered, but a move for Jonas Svensson to replace him appears to be in the works.
Depth at CB is a need, as we expect to see Westerman leave, in addition to 1 more CB. Scouting is already complete for our top prospect at CB from Heerenveen, Jeremiah St. Juste. The other top prospects to monitor will be Coetzee, van Drongelen, Eder Balanta, Sanneh, Bednarek and Felipe Carvalho. A lot of options and I will strive to have at least 2 left footed center backs.

At fullback rumors are swirling around the Scandinavian pair of Ludwig Augustinsson at LB and Jonas Svensson at RB. They look to possess all the traits required; ability to play in attack and defense, with great physical abilities to compliment. Ludwig valued around $6m and Svensson $7.5, but deals likely to be struck underneath these asking prices.

At Striker we plan to replace Azzouzi with Carlos Strandberg. Valued at $3m, he possesses the perfect build up play combined with athleticism. His shooting and attacking position will be the focus of training to make a complete striker for the future.

The availability of Daley Blind is also being monitored as his playing time at ManUnited is limited. A return home to the Amsterdam Arena could be in the mix if one of our key midfielders in Ziyech or Klaasen depart. Bids from top clubs are coming in and appear hard to resist as we can recoup upwards of $60m Euros for the pair. Funds will not be directly attributed to transfers however as we other areas to distribute to including our youth facilities, youth scouts, 1st team scouts and player wage increases.

Finally at CM is the FC Utrecht midfielder Ayoub. Currently scouting and weighing up a $6m Euro deal. Also in the mix at CDM is Derrick Luckassen valued around $3.5m. Both midfielders impressed with great seasons in the Eredivise.

That's it for now. Negotiations ongoing in multiple positions, looking to fill our most important roles, add to squad depth and plan for the future with our world renown Youth Academy. We hope to keep as many key players as we can, but are resigned to the fact that we simply cannot. As we build for a run at European glory the players and staff are feeling very optimistic about next season. I'll be hitting the End Season button and starting the second season shortly. Can't wait to share what happens!

Thanks for reading, please let me know if you have any input/advice/constructive criticism. I'm aiming for the most authentic and realistic AFC Ajax career possible. My small twist is being a Swedish manager, which tends to bring in more Scandinavian players but still maintain a strong Dutch focus. Anyway, that's the aim. Cheers!