Luís Machado, a player at Feirense and one of the great assets Feirense have to show off.
He came through the youth ranks at União Sport Clube de Paredes, also had spells at Freamunde and Tondela, and currently plays for Clube Desportivo Feirense, where he's a regular fixture in the team, both in real life and in Football Manager.
The years go by, but the 'bug' for Football Manager just keeps growing!
POP: How did this passion for CM/FM come about?
L.M: It was in the summer of 2002, with the legendary CM 01/02! My brother bought the game, and since I was always by his side watching him play, I ended up catching the 'bug' too and asked him to let me manage a team… And the truth is it went from a 'bug' to an addiction! (laughs): that same summer, my cousin ended up joining in too, and we spent those months on that save!
POP: Do you usually buy yourself or interact with your 'player'?
L.M: I'm the 'Plan A' if needed (laughs). Since I like doing saves with mid/low-level teams, depending on what I need for the team, I decide whether to 'sign myself' or not. As for interacting with him, when he's not at the team I'm managing, I don't usually interact with him.
POP: And when you're managing yourself, do you give your 'player' any special treatment?
L.M: I try to do training focused on his position and specific movements, depending on the tactic I'll be using. For example: if I want him to play on the left and regularly make inside runs, I train those specific details so he adapts quickly to the tactic I'm using.
POP: Do you like how you're portrayed in Football Manager, or would you changeanything?
L.M: Generally speaking, yes, I like how I'm described. I just think one or two things could be improved (like slightly raising technique and crossing).
POP: And as a manager, what appeals to you more: starting straight away on the big European stages and winning everything there is to win, or starting at a club in a low division and building your team up to become Champions League?
L.Mwinners? : I find it more challenging to start with mid/low-level teams and try to develop them as much as possible, since it feels more realistic and motivating. In the save I spent the most time on this year, in the 3rd season, I managed to reach the Quarter-Finals of the Europa League with Feirense, which was really exciting!
POP: Do you prefer to organise the whole club structure yourself (scouting, B team and U19 squad management, medical staff, …) or do you delegate all of this to the Director of Football?
L.M: I always make a point of hiring specific staff to develop the coaching and medical departments. As the season goes on, the time I spend on this early setup becomes a real asset.
POP: Do you usually play with colleagues from your profession? Can you drop any names?
L.M: When I was younger I played a lot with Jaime Poulson, who played for Famalicão last season. Since we were neighbours, we spent a lot of time at my house playing!
POP: What new features would you most like to see added in future editions?
L.M: Develop the training side more. There should be more options for specifying drills, as well as schedule management to balance players' workloads.
POP: Any funny story you have to tell us that's 'FM's fault'?
L.M: This was a few years back… I was still a 'kid', playing FM together with my cousin and my brother. We were so focused and excited about the game that before we knew it, our parents were waking up to go to work. The result? We were all grounded for a week, no computer games allowed! It cost me… (laughs)
Quick questions
First edition you played?
CM 01/02
Favourite edition?
FM 2015
Favourite league to play in?
EFL Championship
Favourite team to play as?
Besides Feirense, I also play with teams from other leagues, but none in particular!
Favourite players you've ever had in any edition?
Julius Aghahowa (Shakhtar): a brilliant winger for assists with a real nose for goal (as well as playing several attacking positions).
Mark Kerr (Falkirk/Dundee): an absolute machine in any midfield!
Biggest win?
I don't remember a specific one, but when I had Tó Madeira and Tsigalko I lost count of the matches where I put teams to the sword! (laughs)
Best club you've seen your player transfer to (without any influence from you)?
Toulouse.
At the club he's at, and with the talent he has, this player of ours has everything he needs to fly even higher. We wish him an excellent 2018/2019 season!
Some of Luís Machado's best moments
