Football Feast, Starting From the Acquisition of European Clubs

   Chapter 15 Bought a Captain

   "Mr. Chen, frankly speaking, your plan is very attractive. But Middlesbrough Club has treated me well, and I am still the captain of the team. So I'm sorry, I'm afraid I can't agree to your invitation."

   "Mr. Southgate, don't make such a quick decision, don't you want to hear about my plan for you?"

   "Well. I have to admit, I'm a little curious."

   "Mr. Southgate, you are now 33 years old. It is undeniable that you have entered the end of your career. Have you ever imagined your plan after retirement?"

   "Maybe I'll be a coach."

"Bingo! You think the same way as I do. My assumption is that after you join Crystal Palace, you will be the team captain and assistant coach. You can play football and accumulate coaching experience at the same time, so that your future coaching road will be smooth. Many. What do you think of this arrangement?"

   "Mr. Chen, I am dissatisfied with your saying, in fact, this is exactly what I want."

   Southgate's eyes lit up when he heard it. Chen Ran's arrangement allowed him to switch seamlessly from player to coach. It can be said that it completely spoke to his heart.

"If you join Crystal Palace, I can sign a three-year contract with you, and the salary will be based on your current standard without a pay cut. By then, you will be 36 years old, and it is up to you to decide whether to continue playing football or retire as a coach. Are you satisfied with this condition?"

   Hearing this, Southgate couldn't help but be moved, the Chinese in front of him was really sincere to him.

   For a 33-year-old veteran, few clubs would give a three-year deal at once.

  It is usually a one-year sign, and a two-year sign is generous.

   And Chen Ran also promised not to take a pay cut, Southgate had to admit that he was tempted.

  Although Middlesbrough is a Premier League club and Crystal Palace is only a Championship club, Southgate knows that Middlesbrough cannot give him such conditions.

   And Middlesbrough is only a middle and lower Premier League team, and it is unlikely to win any championship honors there.

  Comparing the two, Southgate's inner balance has begun to tilt towards Chen Ran at this moment.

   "Mr. Chen, thank you for your attention to me. However, I am now Middlesbrough's main centre-back and captain of the team. I am afraid the club will not agree to let me leave."

   "Mr. Southgate, you don't have to worry about this. This is a matter between Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough. As long as you agree to the transfer, we will handle the rest."

   "Well then, I'm willing to go back to Crystal Palace."

   "Looking forward to your joining, Mr. Captain."

After    secured Southgate, Chen Ran went to Middlesbrough.

   Middlesbrough Club is of course unwilling to sell the captain and main central defender, Chen Ran is not long-winded, and directly throws money at it.

   Middlesbrough bought Southgate from Aston Villa for £6.5m two years ago.

   Now, Chen Ran offers 6 million euros.

   And, in the face of the chairman of the Middlesbrough Club who received him in person, Chen Ran only said two words:

   "Mr. Chairman, Southgate is very good, but he is 33 years old. If you miss this opportunity, I believe you will never be able to sell at this price again."

   "Also, football may mean a lot to players and coaches and even fans. But for you and me, football is just a business."

   Cold, ruthless, but very real.

The chairman of    Middlesbrough was a little surprised, and looked at Chen Ran carefully again, the Crystal Palace boss in front of him was too young to be envious.

   "I didn't expect Mr. Chen to see so thoroughly at a young age. It seems that those people outside look down on you."

  So, Chen Ran took Southgate like this.

  Old rule, two-year installment, 3 million euros per year.

After    left Middlesbrough, Chen Ran went to Birmingham, a city in central England, to buy Crouch, who was being sold everywhere.

   This guy scored 6 goals in two seasons at Aston Villa, no wonder he was cleared.

  1 million euros to buy a substitute for Tony, which is a good deal.

When    Chen Ran returned to London, Luis also sent back news from Brazil.

   Thiago Silva and Maicon have both been found, and the little fat man patted his chest and promised to win it within three days.

  The Figueres family is worthy of being a big player in Brazilian football, and the efficiency is high.

   "Stephen, it's time to meet our head coach. You inform Daowei and ask him to come to my office in the afternoon."

   "Chen, what are you going to do with Daowei? I heard from Louis that your original replacement was not negotiated, right?"

   "Yes, that Klopp rejected me. Let's see Dawe's performance in a while. If he is honest and obedient, he will stay temporarily; if he has any dissatisfaction, let him go."

   "If you fire him, who are you going to use as head coach? Chen, I have to remind you that the 30 million euros in the loan are almost exhausted by you."

  This money is really worthless.

   Actually, Chen Ran knew it well, and he remembered every expense system clearly.

   "Stephen, don't worry. After Luis buys those two players in Brazil, this transfer period for Crystal Palace will end."

   "That's good. But what about the head coach? The money left is not enough to hire a famous coach."

   "Don't we have three players and coaches?"

   "What do you mean? You mean Guardiola, Simeone and Southgate? At least a UEFA A-level coaching certificate is required to coach a Championship team. Do they have this qualification?"

   "They don't, but I do."

   "I know this, you were constantly researching when you were in school. Wait. Chen, do you mean you came to be the head coach yourself?"

   Stephen was so shocked that his mouth could not be closed, and now he finally realized how Louis felt.

  Chen Ran is really not playing cards according to common sense!

"That's right. After taking so many certifications, I used to be able to lead the youth team, but now I can finally try my hand at the professional team. And with this coaching opportunity, I can also pass the UEFA professional coaching certification. Perfect!"

   "Well, okay, you are the boss and you have the final say, as long as you're not afraid of ruining the team."

   "Don't worry, Stephen. This is just a backup option. Maybe Daowei is very obedient, so I will continue to use him as the head coach."

   Actually, Chen Ran's real thought in his heart was to see if he had the talent to be a head coach.

  If he can, maybe one day in the future, he will be able to command the Chinese players he has trained to rush into the World Cup.

  Dream still has to be, in case it comes true.

  In the afternoon, Chen Ran rarely appeared in the office of the chairman of the Crystal Palace Club.

   He sat down for five minutes before Daowei came.

  Chen Ran glanced meaningfully at Stephen beside him, it seems that this Daowei has a lot of eyeliner in the club, brother.

  Stephen understood what Chen Ran meant and nodded with a sullen face.

   "Mr. Chairman, what do you think of the recruiting list I gave you last time? How many are the clubs going to introduce?"

After the    greeting, Dao Wei couldn't wait to ask about the recruitment.

   "Mr. Daowei, I went to the European continent this time and bought a lot of players."

   "Unfortunately, I didn't buy any of the players on that list."

   (end of this chapter)