DFA Highs and Lows

As the 2020 Fall season fast approaches, let us take another look back at each manager's highest and lowest moments. The GIMP can be an unforgiving place, but eternal be the spoils for those who can rise above adversity. For what good is the sweet, if one has no knowledge of the sour...

Thompson

HIGHS:

The DFA's current best manager has experienced more glory than most. But you never forget your first. That is why Bayern's Fall 2011 league title gets top billing here. The one that announced that there is a new DFA top dog.

Ian will tell you that slightly lower rated squads with obvious strength in key positions cannot win. His 2012 International Cup triumph with Ireland proves those tales to be nothing more than transparent attempts to deflect the pressure that comes with being the bookies' favorite. Just ask Kevin Doyle and Shane Long.

LOWS:

Not much to write about here, such is the consistency in Ian's successes. But Fall 2009 saw him lose to notorious bottler D. Burns all 3 times, conceding 8 goals in the process. Bayern finished with a -4 goal difference that season (still good enough for 4th place, mind).

 

Ingoglia

HIGHS:

The man who puts the I in GIMP has been here as long as anybody. His 2006 DFA Cup triumph in the pre-digital era proves it. This was Internazionale in their pomp, Adriano an absolute force of nature, strength and power, chaos and unpredictability.

In Fall of 2010, Inter lifted the League Cup this time after dispatching an oft-enraged Tommy H[REDACTED]. Ingo returns to Internazionale for a third time this season. He has won silverware each time he rocks up at San Siro. What medal will he packing with him in a few months' time as he inevitably seeks a new club next season? 

LOWS:

Spurs 0 - 10 Chelsea; and a tantrum to rival any previous or since. Pity, party of one?

Ingo's only foray outside of Italy (began and) ended in tears (see above) as his Tottenham side was relegated on only 17 points from 21 games. That paltry sum surely would have seen him rooted rock bottom; but for a disgraced Michaelos to spare him that indignity, ending his DFA career with -11 points (after a 27 point deduction and the DFA's only issued 'death penalty').

 

Burns

HIGHS:

An intentionally divisive figure, Burns' contentious Fall 2009 DFA Cup win over holders Liverpool stuck in the craws of many. Just the way he would want it. His second trophy, a Fall 2012 Champions Cup victory was his most personally satisfying piece of silverware yet, since he defeated long time rival, A. Tingle, 2-1 in the final. 

Burns is set to enter his 8th season as Chelsea boss. While no one has ever accused his always expensively-assembled squads of over-achieving, we hope that this season he can keep focused on what is occurring on the pitch rather than on the mic.

Did we mention that he also made Ingo quit the league? Oh we did? Carry on.

LOWS:

While he will tell you himself that he has reached the pinnacle of DFA success (he has not), he knows better than most what a catastrophic season looks like. Like Fall 2009 when he finished only 1 point above perennial punching bag, Murphy. Imagine leading the original oil club that ruined modern competitive football to 14 points out of 15 games. A terrifying thought in a myriad of ways.

Speaking of terrifying - the famous temper. Our little cauldron of boiling hot rage erupted most infamously with England that same 2009 season. He racked up 19 bookings in 4 games with the Three Lions; earning 0 points and a -20 goal difference.

Cushing

HIGHS:

From GIMP villain to GIMP hero. The DFA's most-loved manager rode a wave of goodwill to a thrilling Fall 2012 conclusion. After Serge Gnabry did him a favor, scoring the only goal in a penultimate day win over Arsenal; Cush marshalled PSG to a 7-3 win over the Gunners on the final day. Cush avoided relegation for the first time, staying up by a point, and Ingo's Sicilian adventure was over in one pathetic season.

LOWS:

The 2012 International Cup was a magical time. It was the first of its kind, a stand alone summer tournament, and unexpected results were commonplace. Unfortunately there was one predictable squad. In both qualifying and the group stage, the Netherlands did not win once, managed 1 draw (against Burns' England - probably down to Two Lions by then), and suffered 13 defeats (9 goals scored / 53 conceded). Yeeouch. 

 

Pruitt

HIGHS:

Every Premier League title is special. Even when you have 6 of them. But Fall 2012's 41-point unbeaten season with Liverpool will live long in the memory; and hopefully the record books. 

LOWS:

No one likes losing to England...especially on penalties...despite guessing the correct way to make the save...but that is just the kind of bitter pill Germany had to swallow in the Spring 2010 International Cup.