Rating & Slating The Men Behind the Curtain This Season
Liverpool & Germany
How they finished:
League: Champions
Champions Cup: Runners-up
International Cup: Champions
DFA Cup: Runners-up
League Cup: Champions
Another three trophies for the DFA's most decorated manager. Coming off the unprecedented treble last season, anything less would have been disappointing. The optimist will surely see this season's slightly less illustrious haul as proof that DFA is more competitive. The pessimist may point to a disjointed and sporadic fixture list removing any hope of developing consistent form. Either way, the league benefits from Liverpool's hiccups, and a negative tone when referring to 'only' winning three pots and finishing second in the other two proves just how dominant they have been.
Manager Grade: A
Chelsea & England
How they finished:
League: Runners-up
Champions Cup: DNQ
International Cup: Runners-up
DFA Cup: Champions
League Cup: 3rdA definite improvement over what we've come to expect, Chelsea put their temper tantrums behind them (when things were going well) long enough to actually win games. Although they were out of the title race a month early, that was primarily due to Liverpool's rampancy rather than their inconsistency. Burns became the third manager to hoist the DFA Cup after what some would call a cakewalk of a campaign, all eyes on next season to see if he can defend this crown with similar ease. England again took it upon themselves to mar the International Cup, this time waiting until the final against Germany to implode. Petulance when things don't go their way is a hallmark of Burns' teams, and the only thing keeping him from garnering respect when things do.
Manager Grade: B+
Roma & Spain
How they finished:
League: 3rd
Champions Cup: Champions
International Cup: 3rd
DFA Cup: Semi-final Elimination
League Cup: 2nd Round EliminationA slow start early in the season cost Roma a shot at the league title but did not cause too much concern when chasing a top four finish. Totti eventually found his form, and when he excels, so do Roma. One must not look any further than their triumph in the Champions Cup for proof of that fact. Inexcusable performances in the International Cup (backing into the knockout rounds due to Greece's withdrawal) leave one to wonder if Crittenden can get the best out of a talented squad, as Spain's is hands down the finest ever assembled. If he does leave Roma, as rumored, one wonders if he will fare as well someplace without a solitary talisman such as Totti.
Manager Grade: B-
Bayern Munchen & Brazil
How they finished:
League: 4th
Champions Cup: DNQ
International Cup: Group Stage Elimination
DFA Cup: Semi-Final Elimination
League Cup: First Round EliminationAn impressive debut season for the DFA's new boy, Champions Cup qualification assured and two of the season's best performers call Munich home. Although a respectable league finish may mask some inconsistencies (and some downright awful) performances in the knockout tournaments, it has to be said that Thompson has proved himself to be no pushover, a term that more established managers have added to their resume this season. We shall see how he fares when faced with five competitions next season, and wait with baited breath to see which club he will enter the fray with.
Manager Grade: C+
Barcelona & Argentina
How they finished:
League: 5th
Champions Cup: DNQ
International Cup: Group Stage Elimination
DFA Cup: First Round Elimination
League Cup: First Round EliminationA sluggish start had most critics pounding their chest and saying, "I told you so." Flash forward several months and Barca are sitting comfortably in mid-table with several big named scalps upon his wall. A preseason favorite to become one of the first clubs ever to face relegation, Barcelona announced their intentions to stay put with a massive win against Manchester United (a result that places them in the record books with the all time most goals scored in a single game, 11). Avoiding relegation may be enough for this season, Gillman should set his sights on improving his squads' form in cup competitions next term. Three successive first round eliminations will impress no one.
Manager Grade: C
Arsenal & France
How they finished:
League: 6th
Champions Cup: Group Stage Elimination
International Cup: 4th
DFA Cup: First Round Elimination
League Cup: First Round EliminationA miserable affair at the best of times, but generally rotten. Leakiest goalkeeper/defense in the league coupled with the second most impotent offense makes for grim viewing. Don't let the whinge-fest coming from North London fool you, Arsenal's squad were plenty capable, they were just incredibly poor. The apathy-laden "performance" against Chelsea was a particularly low note, not just for Arsenal this season, but the integrity of the DFA as a whole. Narrowly avoiding relegation only leaves Tinman no easy escape route out of the Emirates, shall he don his golden-spun loincloth on a glory hunting escapade; or stay with the club he supports?
Manager Grade: D-
Tottenham & Italy
How they finished:
League: 7th
Champions Cup: 3rd
International Cup: Group Stage Elimination
DFA Cup: 3rd Round Elimination
League Cup: 2ndA curious season, starting with Ingoglia being named manager at 3 different clubs prior to a ball even being kicked. Such indecision should have been a blip on an otherwise successful season; it wasn't, it was a hallmark. In the rare occasion that Spurs or Italy would find themselves in the lead, their lack of tactical nous/discipline would result in their inevitable demise. The International Cup group stage finale being the most glaring example. Ingoglia's dire results have become ever more consistent since the switch from PES to FIFA. He must learn to adapt, and quickly, because his slide into DFA irrelevancy is accelerating.
Manager Grade: F
Manchester United & Greece
How they finished:
League: 8th
Champions Cup: DNQ
International Cup: DNF
DFA Cup: DNF
League Cup: 2nd Round EliminationManager Grade: I (Incomplete)
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