yep it's really either you "tank" aka not really try to promote but slowly build a team that can compete through training... but not having a high salary roster so you make a ton of cash, train, and you can buy when your trainees are ready to compete or you can sell them ;p
Although in d4 I did train and compete at the same time, you just gotta know how to do it.
and if you're pushing to promote, try to make a team that will be at least slightly competitive in the next division too (unless you have enough cash to buy after you promote) so you just dont immediately relegate.
aye, love you guys ;p I miss USA's competitiveness.