FGN Sports – Introducing Trevor with an Exclusive Interview Featuring Batriel Gabistuta

Hello everyone, and welcome to FGN Sports! My name is Trevor, and I’ll be your on-field reporter, bringing you exclusive interviews with managers, players, and even league commissioners.

Trevor: Who do we have with us today? None other than one of the most talked-about and successful managers on the transfer market in the FGN leagues @Batriel-Gabistuta This man has been making waves, shattering records, and dominating headlines. Currently he is the manager of Sporting CP.

He holds the record for the highest player sale on the regular market and recently set an all-time high in one of the auctions for Brunner. Today, he adds another accolade to his list as the first manager ever interviewed on FGN Sports.

@Batriel-Gabistuta, these are exciting times for you! How has the journey been so far in the FGN leagues?

Thank you, Trevor, for the warm welcome. It’s an honor to be here. It has been a very exciting journey so far. You know, football is always full of challenges, but what I’ve found most rewarding is how quickly we’ve come together as a team. Building a cohesive squad takes time, but with a clear plan and the right mentality, we’ve been able to create something that is progressing well, even though it’s still early in the season. Of course, we must keep working, stay focused, and aim to improve every day.

Trevor: Speaking of exciting yourneys, let’s talk about Mamadou Fall. You made headlines with a staggering 50-million sale, plus an additional 5 million worth of players after an intense bidding war between @scarycaravan and some discord pookeynoodle. This deal didn’t just set records, some even say it forced the League Commission to rewrite transfer rules.

How does it feel to pull off a deal like that?

Ah, yes… Mamadou. That was quite a significant moment for us, I must admit. The negotiations were intense, and naturally, there was a lot of attention on it, especially with the League Commission getting involved. But I always believe in transparency, and we had nothing to hide. We were confident that everything we did was in the best interest of the club. Mamadou is a very talented player, and while the rumors that circulated were unfortunate, the reality was simple, he needed a new challenge in his career, and we supported that. You cannot hold a player back if his heart is set on a different path. As for the transfer itself, of course, it felt good, it’s always satisfying to complete such a significant deal. It not only provided us with a financial boost, but it also allowed us to bring in new faces, like Ayling and Bonfanti, to strengthen the squad.

Trevor: Let’s move to another record breaking move, the auction for P. Brunner. You stunned the league with a 56-million bid, nearly 20 million more than runner-up @Roc.

What stood out about Brunner that made you go all-in for him?

Paris is someone we’ve followed closely for quite some time. Even before I joined the club, I noticed his talent. Watching him perform in the U17 European Championship and World Cup, and then seeing his prolific scoring in the U17 Bundesliga, it was clear to me that he was a player with incredible potential. We had many discussions with the Chairman about him—he was a project we had identified long before the auction, and when the opportunity came to bring him in, we knew we had to act decisively. We don’t just invest financially; we invest in the future of the club. Paris is someone we believe will have a huge impact for years to come, and that’s why we didn’t hesitate.

Trevor: Some critics suggest your willingness to spend big on Brunner was fueled by the 55-million windfall from the Mamadou Fall deal. What’s your take on that?

Yes, there is some truth to that. The funds from Mamadou’s sale certainly gave us the financial flexibility to pursue a player like Brunner. But I want to emphasize that the decision wasn’t purely about the money. We had already laid out a vision for the team and identified areas where we needed to strengthen. The financial boost simply allowed us to make the move for Paris at the right moment. We always try to take a long-term approach, everything we do is to ensure the team’s growth, both in the short term and in the future.

Let’s talk about a player already making waves on your team—A. Matusiwa. His recent performances in ratio games have been phenomenal. We’ve even got a highlight reel to showcase his brilliance. Let’s watch!

Ah, Azor. He’s been excellent. You know, there’s an old saying in football: “Show me your defensive midfielder, and I’ll show you how good your team is.” Azor embodies that philosophy. His ability to control the game, break up attacks, and distribute the ball—he is the engine of our midfield. As for his goals, it’s difficult to pick just one, but his goal in the second friendly against Phoenix was a particular standout. It wasn’t just the technique or the timing; it was the intelligence to know when and where to strike. It’s a perfect example of what he brings to the table. I hope we will see many more moments like that from him this season.

Trevor: There’s been a lot of buzz about Matusiwa, with rumors of interest from several top managers. By naming him your designated player, are you signaling that he’s off the market?

Yes, there has been interest in Azor, but I can tell you that he is very happy with us, and we are equally pleased with him. He’s a key player for our team, and his future with us is clear. We want him to be a central figure in our squad for many years to come. So, for now, I don’t see any reason why he should leave. He is part of our plans, and we’re focused on continuing to build together. I believe he shares that same commitment to the project.

Trevor: Let’s talk results. You recently pulled off three victories and one draw in your league matches matches. Should we be calling you a title contender, or is it too soon to say?

While those victories were certainly important, I think it’s still very early in the season. There is no point in getting carried away. Football is a long journey, and we are only at the beginning of it. The matches where all very tough, and we were fortunate to come out on top. We have one of the smallest budgets in the league, but we’re competitive. What’s important is that we remain focused on our goals, continue to improve, and push forward. It’s too early to talk about titles—we must focus on each game, and the results will follow. But I’m confident that if we stay true to our principles and our work ethic, we can achieve great things.

Trevor: Finally, what are your thoughts on auction day? Do you have any plans for how you’ll spend your cash, or is there a particular player you’re hoping to see up for auction?

Auction day is always a thrilling event! There’s a lot of excitement surrounding it, and we’re certainly looking forward to seeing how things unfold. Right now, we are toping the table and hold the best offense by a large margin, so we’re in a very strong position as a team. We’re happy with the squad we’ve built, but of course, we remain open to adding the right player, especially if they fit into our long-term plans. 

One player I’m hoping to see in the auctions is Balotelli. I’ve heard he could be up for grabs, and I think he’d be an ideal fit for us. With his experience and skill, he could really complement Khazri up front and add more firepower to our attack. It would be a perfect pairing, and I’d love to see him in the auction pool.

As for other moves, outside of auctions we’ve been trying to negotiate for Hlozek, but @LTAssassN is holding firm despite the fact that Hlozek has made it clear to those close to him that he’s eager to join Sporting CP. If that deal doesn’t come through, then Ballotelli would be a great alternative to strengthen our squad.

Ultimately, we’ll go into auction day with a clear strategy, but we’ll see what opportunities arise and act accordingly if the right player is available.

Thank you @Batriel-Gabistuta for your time and answers and also a big thank you to @scarycaravan for making Trevor our first ever reporter on FGN. See you all in the next one.