Even though, well actually, it is.
Wednesday, 5th October 2021, North-East England - relative newcomers to the Golden League, gateshead head hunters had removed their original manager, Aceman38uk, after nearly 4 seasons following consecutive 5-0 defeats that made the hierarchy realise that change was needed.
The unveiling of the new manager was low-key, unlike the return of UKsNo1 to the game just 6 months earlier, but like that unveiling, this was a manager with some success previously, who had 'taken a break' but was ready to go again with a new challenge.
DJSweaty, formerly of Athletico Tring for just over 40 seasons and nearly 12 years, had finally sorted out his off-field distractions and decided to come back to the Golden League to go again.
"It's good to be back, albeit not in an ideal location. The head hunters ground is called the pitz and I can see why, and I don't just mean the ground."
So why now, and why here?
"When I was removed from Athletico, quite rightly, in July 2019, I was struggling to deal with looking after the team with my business activities taking up more and more of my time. I tried to keep things ticking over, but when access gets restricted you know things are only going to end up one way."
"I'm pleased to see Athletico still doing okay, maintaining the levels I had achieved in my time there, even following their move from Tring, and hope to emulate the success I had there, here, although I can see it taking longer to do."
"head hunters were in need of a new direction. They had a decent first season, then it has been meh, meh and less than meh since then. It's a start from the bottom and rebuild, and with some funds available, they seemed like a perfect team for me to come in and see if I've still got it."
And plans for the club?
"Well, we're not staying here, that's for sure. Athletico's manager PankreasPorFavor has relocated them to Croatia, and changed the name, so we're looking to take this lot, or a few of them, back down south and reboot the club."
"The club was player-heavy, so we've started a cull, and some new youngsters are being brought in or through to build the club up again. Those that have been here under the previous management have pre-season and maybe 2 or 3 more weeks to show me they should stay, but if I'm honest, I'd imagine an all-new squad by the end of the season."
What about expectations for the season?
"Looking at the league competition, promotion, plain and simple. My managerial ranking is low, very low in fact, but still higher than the others, and mine is falsely low, so I hope to negotiate the league and develop the youngsters along the way."
"I also want 3rd round of the cup as a minimum. Head hunters made it to the 2nd round in the last 2 of their 4 seasons, so beating that is the first objective. Anything after that would be a bonus as our ranking will get us games against the big guns fairly quickly."
"But I've talked the big talk now, so guess I'd better go walk the walk."
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