Nicholas Marjan, known as Niels, was an Asian football-obsessed loner in the modern world. A master of FIFA Career Mode, addicted to YouTube tactics videos, and followed every twist of the transfer window like it was life or death, he lived the beautiful game from behind a screen.
Until the day he died.
And woke up in the late 2000s, in the body of a once-promising young player at a lower-league English club. A player whose career had been cut short by a brutal ACL injury. With his playing career over before it could truly begin, his second life offers no glory on the pitch.
But Niels still has one weapon: his mind.
Armed with future knowledge of football's evolution, and guided by a mysterious, almost cheat-like instinct for scouting raw talent, Niels steps into the world of coaching. As an assistant at a struggling lower-league club, he begins to reshape the team from within challenging outdated tactics, unearthing hidden gems, and reigniting hope in the dressing room.
His methods are unorthodox. His instincts, uncanny. And soon, whispers about the "young coach with a gift" begin to spread.
This isn’t the story of a player chasing glory. It’s about someone reborn to change the game from the sidelines. From forgotten training grounds to Europe’s biggest stages, Niels is on a mission, 
not just to win, but to rewrite what it means to lead.
He once dreamed of lifting trophies as a player.
Now, he'll do it as a coach.

Wednesday, April 7 - Saturday, April 17, 2010


The FA Cup semifinal against Aston Villa at Wembley on April 18 was massive—but Crawley had work to do before then. 


Two tough league games loomed: Bournemouth on April 7, then Torquay United on April 11. 


With a tight schedule, players were beginning to feel the strain, and only nine league matches remained to secure a top-three finish and promotion. 


For Niels, the challenge was clear: keep the FA Cup dream alive without losing focus on the league. 


Dean Court buzzed under April's dusk. 8,000 home fans roared, but the 2,000 Crawley supporters in the away end were a wall of red scarves raised, voices defiant.


Second-placed Bournemouth, five points ahead in the table, played with flair, their wingers a constant storm. 


Niels, managing legs before Wembley, rested Nate again. Dev Patel started, his pace a spark on the counter.


Chapter 69 - Clash Before Wembley