Playing FM in League One

After transmigrating into the role of head coach at Derby County, a century-old English First Division club, Lin Xiaotian was dumbfounded. His only golden finger was the ability to bring the tactical screen from the Football Manager game into the real world.

When “long-ball midfielders” and “defenders who defend with their eyes” showed up at Pride Park Stadium, everyone laughed at this rookie from the East.

That is, until he led the team to a comeback promotion to the top flight. The fans went wild: was he playing a game, or saving this legendary club?