FMAddict

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6 days ago

Wonderkid Factory | Part 21 | Gunma’s First Asian Footballer of the Year Thespakusatsu Gunma racked up a record four consecutive Japanese titles, taking them to five in total, with a new league record 97 points in 2045. However, it was the end of an era in July as a special homegrown talent, Atsushi Shimizu, departed the club after 13 years to claim a payday in Saudi at the age of 29. And this was likely to be the final season at the club for manager Robaato Rasamu, now 62 and heading into his 21st season at the club.

#FM26 #WonderkidFactory Part 21: Gunma's First Asian Footballer of the Year. Robaato Rasamu ends his time at @OfficialThespa on a high as they take on the world's elite, chase 5 successive titles and seek a 2nd @TheAFCCL.

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FMAddict

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1 week ago

Wonderkid Factory | Part 20 | “Special One” Rasamu Establishes Thespa Gunma Dynasty Thespakusatsu Gunma bagged consecutive Japanese titles and became world champions with a famous 3-0 victory over the mighty FC Barcelona in 2043. That success saw the club rise up the world rankings, becoming the 15th most reputable club in the world - 18 years on from lingering in J3 League mediocrity. Less than a year on from moving into the new Thespakusatsu Gunma Stadium, the club was immediatelyheading back to its former home.

#FM26 #WonderkidFactory Part 20: "Special One" Rasamu Establishes Thespa Gunma Dynasty. @OfficialThespa seize control in Japan, racking up a record league run and a new points record. But they taste familiar Saudi pain in continental matters.

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FMAddict

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2 weeks ago

Wonderkid Factory | Part 19 | Continental Conquests The streets of the Gunma Prefecture witnessed one of the wildest parties this part of Japan had ever seen as the homegrown heroes of Thespakusatsu Gunma paraded the J1 League, AFC Champions League and Emperor's Cup trophies.

#FM26 #WonderkidFactory Part 19: Continental Conquests. @OfficialThespa's first Asian title sends them into an exciting continental journey that ends with a thrilling clash with the mighty #FCBarcelona. And they mount another #JLeague challenge.

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FMAddict

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3 weeks ago

Wonderkid Factory | Part 18 | Celebrating Our Greatest Ever Wonderkid Factory Our fourth iteration of the Wonderkid Factory may well be our best yet as, 17 years into Wonderkid Factory IV, our homegrown Thespakusatsu Gunma squad won a second J1 League title, their first domestic cup and became Champions of Asia in 2042. Furthermore, 12 of the homegrown players are in the current Japan squad.

#FM26 #WonderkidFactory Part 18: We take a moment to celebrate arguably our greatest ever Wonderkid Factory, fresh from @OfficialThespa securing a historic J1 League, AFC Champions League and Emperor's Cup treble! #ThespaGunma

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FMAddict

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3 weeks ago

Wonderkid Factory | Part 17 | Gunma Chase A Historic Treble Supporters of Thespakusatsu Gunma were becoming all too accustomed to the feeling of being second best. They saw their side finish 2nd in J1 League for the fifth time in nine seasons in 2041, which, in fairness, they probably couldn't have dreamed of before manager Robaato Rasamu arrived at the club 16 years ago.

#FM26 #WonderkidFactory Part 17: Gunma Chase A Historic Treble. A tactical shift works wonders as @OfficialThespa end a continental hoodoo and chase down their rivals aiming for a second #J1League title.

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FMAddict

@footballmanageraddict.com

1 month ago

Wonderkid Factory | Part 16 | Familiar Outcomes in 10th J1 League Season Robaato Rasamu passed 15 years in charge of Thespakusatsu Gunma, fresh from leading the club to a fourth 2nd-place finish and a sixth top-four finish in J1 League. In those 15 years, Rasamu had led Gunma into battle 680 times, winning 332, drawing 163 and losing 185 en route to leading the club out of the third tier and competing with Japan's elite. And, ultimately, they achieved the pinnacle as Gunma secured their maiden J1 League title in 2038.

#FM26 #WonderkidFactory Part 16: Familiar Outcomes in 10th J1 League Season. Robaato Rasamu celebrates 15 years at @OfficialThespa with another title battle that goes to the final day and a repeat result as they return to @TheeAFCCL.

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FMAddict

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1 month ago

Wonderkid Factory | Part 15 | Back In Title Contention Thespakusatsu Gunma's first J1 League title defence didn't exactly go to plan as they suffered a slow start but recovered to the board's expected top-half finish in 2039. And manager Robaato Rasamu recognised it was time to shake things up a little.

#FM26 #WonderkidFactory Part 15: Back In Title Contention. Robaato Rasamu leads @OfficialThespa back into the fight for the #J1League title but a lack of goals sees them fall just short. And a Colombian prospect becomes their best player yet.

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FMAddict

@footballmanageraddict.com

1 month ago

Wonderkid Factory | Part 14 | The Slow-Burn Okamoto Project The streets of Gunma Prefecture hosted the biggest party the region had ever seen in June 2038 as Robaato Rasamu and his team of homegrown stars were treated to an open-top bus parade. They showed off the Emperor's Cup and the J1 League trophies as they celebrated not only winning the club's first major honour but also an unexpected double.

#FM26 #WonderkidFactory Part 14: The Slow-Burn Okamoto Project. @OfficialThespa's maiden title defence doesn't exactly go to plan as Olympics call-ups see them suffer a slow start before their young squad gradually recovers.

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FMAddict

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1 month ago

Wonderkid Factory | Part 13 | Gunma’s First Trophy Thespakusatsu Gunma finished 2nd in J1 League for the third time in five years as Robaato Rasamu's exciting youngsters excelled again in 2036/37. But, after 12 years in charge of Gunma, Rasamu was keen to take the next step and secure the club's first major silverware.

#FM26 #WonderkidFactory Part 13: Gunma's First Trophy. Rabaato Rasamu's exciting young @OfficialThespa side continue to compete at the top of #J1League. They win a maiden trophy in the #EmperorsCup before taking the title race to the final day.

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FMAddict

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2 months ago

Wonderkid Factory | Part 12 | Gunma’s Champions League Return An improved season saw Thespakusatsu Gunma compete for the Japanese title for the second time in four seasons, two years on from a relegation battle. That improvement saw the club qualify for the Asian Champions League for the second time. Last season's record-breaking sales of star academy talents left Gunma in a very strong financial position, with £26m in the bank, £32m in the transfer budget and £37k spare in the £73k weekly wage budget.

#WonderkidFactory Part 12: Gunma's Champions League Return. @OfficialThespa manage #J1League and #ChampionsLeague football better than their previous attempt. However, a fixture backlog sees the 36/37 season finish with a whimper.

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FMAddict

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2 months ago

Wonderkid Factory | Part 11 | Massive Academy Star Sales Thespa Gunma put their relegation battle behind them to record a top-half finish in J League in 2035, while star academy product Yusuke Ishii became the club's first graduate to play for Japan. The summer of 2035 saw big moves as Gunma's all-time record goalscorer Masaya Nishi, who scored 133 in 334 games for the club but had dropped off in the last two seasons, and midfielder Shota Asada, who'd dropped out of favour last season, went to Saudi side Al-Tai for club-record fees of £2.5m, before Rasamu was forced to sell midfielder Mamadou Diallo to UAE side Ajman for £1.3m.

#FM26 #WonderkidFactory Part 11: Massive Academy Star Sales. Robaato Rasamu cashes in on his star youth players as he refreshes his @OfficialThespa squad. And a new bunch of exciting youngsters lead the club into another #Jleague title fight.

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FMAddict

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2 months ago

Wonderkid Factory | Part 10 | Gunma’s First Japan International After enjoying several seasons of success, Thespakusatsu Gunma and Robaato Rasamu came down to earth with a thump as they got drawn into a J1 League relegation battle in 2034. But, 12 months on from a title challenge, they finished the season well to maintain their top-flight status.

#FM26 #WonderkidFactory Part 10: Gunma's First Japan International. @OfficialThespa enjoy a much better season as they push for a top 8 finish. And Yusuke Ishii becomes their first academy international... then decides he wants out!

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FMAddict

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2 months ago

Wonderkid Factory | Part 9 | Gunma’s First Misfire Thespakusatsu Gunma recorded a fifth successive record high finish under the tutelage of Robaato Rasamu, who led the club into the Asian Champions League for the first time by finishing 2nd in J1 League in 2033. However, Rasamu was a little concerned about how well his youthful homegrown team would cope with domestic and continental matters.

#FM26 #WonderkidFactory Part 9: Gunma's First Misfire. After several seasons of success, Gunma get a taste of reality as stepping up to the Asian Champions League proves a step too far. And a young squad gets drawn into a relegation battle.

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FMAddict

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3 months ago

Wonderkid Factory | Part 8 | Surprise J1 League Title Bid Thespakusatsu Gunma upset all the odds to not only avoid relegation but finish 7th in their first-ever season in the Japanese top tier. Robaato Rasamu was excited about the potential at the club as his promising youngsters continued to deliver.

#FM26 #WonderkidFactory Part 8: Surprise J1 League Title Bid. Robaato Rasamu's exciting young @OfficialThespa squad continue to overperform, as they push towards the top of @J_League_En. And there's a huge surprise maiden champion of Japan.

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FMAddict

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3 months ago

Wonderkid Factory | Part 7 | A Gunma Golden Generation A narrow victory saw Thespakusatsu Gunma end their playoff hoodoo to earn their first ever promotion to the top tier of Japanese football in 2031. Now the hard work began for Robaato Rasamu to build a side capable of survival.

#WonderkidFactory Part 7: A Gunma Golden Generation. @OfficialThespa step up to @J_League for the first time and a young squad upset quite a few of Japan's elite. While the season ends with an exciting youth intake. #ThespaGunma #JLeague

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FMAddict

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3 months ago

Wonderkid Factory | Part 6 | Surviving Board Interventions for Another Playoff Shot For the second time in 12 months, Thespakusatsu Gunma suffered promotion playoff heartache fresh from recording the best position in club history in 2030. Their overachievement saw manager Robaato Rasamu interviewed by relegated J1 League side Cerezo Osaka, but he remained committed to the Gunma cause.

#FM26 #WonderkidFactory Part 6: Surviving Board Interventions for Another Playoff Shot. The @OfficialThespa board wade in on sales, but loyalty prevails before a 3rd successive best ever finish. But could they break the playoff hoodoo?

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FMAddict

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3 months ago

Wonderkid Factory | Part 5 | Cruel Penalty Pain Just six minutes separated Thespa Gunma from a surprise promotion to the Japanese top tier. However, the J2 League's silly rule that the home side gets promoted if a playoff final is drawn meant they missed out, which, in hindsight, was probably for the best given they'd just recorded the club's record high finish.

#WonderkidFactory Part 5: Cruel Penalty Pain. @OfficialThespa's #J2League promotion hopes come down to a final day showdown amid a real drop in form at the end of the season.

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FMAddict

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3 months ago

Wonderkid Factory | Part 4 | Transfer Errors Before Gunma Hit J2 Flying The unfancied youthful side of Thespa Gunma were the surprise package of Japan's J3 League as they snuck into the playoffs and put in two huge performances to seal promotion to the second tier.

#FM26 #WonderkidFactory Part 4: Transfer Errors Before Gunma Hit J2 Flying. Robaato Rasamu makes a Brazilian transfer fail ahead of @OfficialThespa's return to #J2League. And his young side push for consecutive playoff finishes.

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FMAddict

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3 months ago

Wonderkid Factory | Part 3 | Takeover Precedes Gunma Playoff Push Thespa Gunma's young stars achieved a solid top-half finish in the longest football season known to man, as a 16-month J3 League campaign finally ended in May. That overperformance saw managed Robaato Rasamu field interview requests from multiple J2 sides.

#FM26 #WonderkidFactory Part 3: Takeover Precedes Gunma Playoff Push. @OfficialThespa undergo a board takeover and see off interest in most of their hot prospects, before mounting a push for the #J3League playoff places.

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FMAddict

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4 months ago

Wonderkid Factory | Part 2 | Young Stars Shine Despite Long First Season in Japan Robaato Rasamu found himself in the midst of a 16-month second season in Japan, relying on an extremely inexperienced squad. After enduring a painful J2/J3 Special Tournament, the rookie Japanese manager was slowly starting to get improved performances out of his young Thespa Gunma side.

#FM26 #WonderkidFactory Part 2: Young Stars Shine Despite Long First Season in Japan. A long slog in Japan sees @OfficialThespa's youngsters deliver, including striker Masaya Nishi scoring 19 goals in 60 matches.

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FMAddict

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4 months ago

Wonderkid Factory | Part 1 | Wonderkid Factory Comes To J3 League The more he watched football, the more Rasamu became obsessed with the idea of developing young players to maximise their talent - largely fuelled by the Class of 92 being at the heart of Manchester United conquering England and Europe under Sir Alex Ferguson.

#FM26 #WonderkidFactory Part 1: Wonderkid Factory Comes To J3 League. A brand new series begins now as we head for Japan. Our protagonist takes control of #J3League side @OfficialThespa and is forced into a huge early rebuild.

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FMAddict

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1 year ago

Wonderkid Factory | Part 17 | Bundesliga Battle Built On Defence The homegrown stars of 1. FSV Mainz racked up consecutive Bundesliga titles and showed their ability to compete with Europe's best in an exciting 2038/39 campaign. Now, Roberto Lazaró was looking to make it three in a row as he mulled over this being his final season in football management.

#FM24 #WonderkidFactory Part 17: #Bundesliga Battle Built On Defence. We wrap up this latest series with #Mainz05's rock-solid defence leading a 3rd consecutive title and another run to the #ChampionsLeague semis.

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FMAddict

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1 year ago

Wonderkid Factory | Part 16 | The Jürgen Klopp Park Era Begins The small city of Mainz, on the outskirts of Frankfurt in western Germany, wasn't accustomed to throwing huge parties. But you wouldn't have known it as seemingly the entirety of its 220,000 population took to the streets to celebrate their heroes lifting 1. FSV Mainz's maiden Bundesliga title in 2038. The city's streets flowed with Pilsner and the parties went on for what felt like weeks.

#FM24 #WonderkidFactory Part 16: The Jürgen Klopp Park Era Begins. Exciting times at #Mainz05 as the club moves into a brand new stadium, defends its maiden #Bundesliga title and gets its first taste of the #ChampionsLeague.

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FMAddict

@footballmanageraddict.com

1 year ago

Wonderkid Factory | Part 15 | Mainz’s First Bundesliga Title Race The exciting youngsters of 1. FSV Mainz came minutes away from consecutive European titles and edged close to the Bundesliga title race in Roberto Lazaró's fifth season at the club. The next step, in their manager's mind, was to become more competitive against Germany's big boys as they headed into their final season at the council-owned MEWA Arena.

#FM24 #WonderkidFactory Part 15: Mainz's First Bundesliga Title Race. Roberto Lazaró and his rapidly improving @1FSVMainz05 young starlets take on Germany's big boys as they seek to win the club's maiden #Bundesliga title.

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FMAddict

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1 year ago

Wonderkid Factory | Part 14 | Consecutive European Finals The streets of Mainz were painted red and white in the summer of 2036 as fans of 1. FSV Mainz 05 launched the biggest party in the city's history, celebrating their heroes winning their first major trophy. Roberto Lazaró, club legend Brajan Gruda and captain José Bertazzi led an open-top bus tour and spilled in and out of the Mainz beer houses parading the Europa Conference League trophy and posing for photos with thousands of jubilant fans.

#FM24 #WonderkidFactory Part 14: Consecutive European Finals. #Mainz05's exciting young side edge closer to the #Bundesliga title race and perform well in the step up to #EuropaLeague, facing Atalanta in the Final.

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FMAddict

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1 year ago

Wonderkid Factory | Part 13 | Mainz Legend, Brajan Gruda Huge relegation favourites 1. FSV Mainz 05 surprised Bundesliga to finish 7th and secure European qualification. However, the lack of an out-and-out goalscorer was worrying Roberto Lazaró heading into the summer of 2035.

#FM24 #WonderkidFactory Part 13: Mainz Legend, Brajan Gruda. The impressive rise of #Mainz05 continues as they start #Bundesliga well. But a stellar European run sees league form fall away, leading to a huge moment for a club legend.

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FMAddict

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1 year ago

Wonderkid Factory | Part 12 | Great At Home, Terrible Away! Mainz survived with relative ease in their first season back in Bundesliga. But the big challenge now facing Roberto Lazaró, moving into his third season in Germany, was to continue developing his young squad - some of whom were one year away from obtaining homegrown status.

#WonderkidFactory Part 12: Great At Home, Terrible Away! @1FSVMainz05 punch above their weight as a young side have the 5th-best home record and 5th-worst away record. And they finish 4 points behind Bayern in a fight for European football.

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FMAddict

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1 year ago

Wonderkid Factory | Part 11 | Stepping Up To Bundesliga Roberto Lazaró led a young but exciting Mainz side to an expected automatic promotion despite a firesale of 26 players for £119m in his first season in Germany. Now the pressure was on Lazaró, who was already listed in Mainz fans' favoured personnel, and his inexperienced side to survive back in Bundesliga. But the longer-term aim, of course, is to lead Mainz to their first-ever Bundesliga title with a fully homegrown team.

#FM24 #WonderkidFactory Part 11: Stepping Up To #Bundelsiga. Roberto Lazaró leads #FSVMainz back into Germany's top tier and big wins against fellow relegation battlers lead them well clear of any trouble.

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FMAddict

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1 year ago

Wonderkid Factory | Part 10 | Finding A New Wonderkid Factory After leading Valencia CF to Champions League and LaLiga glory with a fully homegrown team over the last two seasons, Roberto Lazaró decided it was time for a change.

#FM24 #WonderkidFactory Part 10: Finding A New Wonderkid Factory. After success at Valencia, Roberto Lazaró decides it's time for a change and ends up in Germany with Mainz. He raids South America and leads his new club into a title race.

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FMAddict

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1 year ago

Wonderkid Factory | Part 9 | Valencia’s Best Title Shot So Far Roberto Lazaró joined in the Champions League celebrations for a few days before returning to work to start plotting how to close the gap to the mighty Real Madrid and Barcelona, who'd shared the last 7 Spanish titles.

#FM24 #WonderkidFactory Part 9: @ValenciaCF's Best Title Shot So Far. The homegrown European Champions turn their attention to domestic matters. And, despite Real winning their first 21 matches, #ValenciaCF's young stars keep pace.

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