Kamatamare Sanuki were again defying all expectations as they sat safely in mid-table halfway through the J2 League 2-25 campaign. The massive relegation favourites looked to be avoiding any concerns at the bottom of the table, and even had the playoffs in their sights on the back of an eight-game unbeaten streak.
The streets of Takamatsu were painted blue as the fans of Kamatamare Sanuki celebrated an unexpected promotion and J3 League title win in 2024. The supporters were united in thinking there was only one man to thank for this success, their fledgling manager Robaato Rasamu, who was instilled as a fans' favourite alongside the mighty Himan "He-Man" Morimoto.
Despite only losing once in the first half of the 2028/29 Serie A campaign, Empoli FC found themselves trailing leaders Napoli by five points. But there were certainly shoots of optimism at the young side's improving fortunes against Italy's traditional big boys.
Football management was supposed to be a really challenging job, but Robaato Rasamu was absolutely loving life as manager of Japanese J3 League side Kamatamare Sanuki. His first half-season had been a bit of a challenge, but season two had been a flying success to date.
The old FM24 goalkeeper injury curse hit Empoli FC hard and curtailed their push for a maiden Serie A title in 2027/28. But that disappointment aside, we'd built an exciting young squad in Tuscany and the club was very much on the up.
Fledgling manager Robaato Rasamu had made a lively start to life in his first role at Kamatamare Sanuki, averaging four goals per match in his first 20 career games. But he was also a manager keen to make progress, as proven by bagging his first coaching badge, the National C License, in January 2024.
Robaato Rasamu was a little taken aback at how quickly he'd managed to fall into a job in football management. He'd only spent 13 days as an unemployed and inexperienced Football Manager yet Japanese third-tier side Kamatamare Sanuki had deemed him the ideal option for their vacant managerial role.
Rasamu wasted no time in applying for vacancies that were available on 3 July, including a couple of roles in his native Japan and clubs in South Africa, Indonesia and Malaysia. Six days later, he attended his very first Football Manager interview with Malaysian club Melaka FC then two more interviews with Japanese side Kamatamare Sanuki and South African side Black Leopards.
"These days, it seems like every man and his dog thinks he's capable of being the next Pep Guardiola." That was the opening line from the thesis that Robaato Rasamu (ใญใใผใ ใฉใตใ ) had proudly presented to the advisory board at The University of Tokyo Sports Science Initiative a few months ago.
The good people of Empoli painted the streets blue with gallons of Nastro Azzurro, Chianti, limoncello and Negronis flowing freely as they celebrated the greatest day in the history of Empoli FC. Our young side defied all the odds to win the Europa League and record the highest-ever finish in club history.
Football Manager Addict 