"Boss, so you're saying that it's true? You're leaving Inter Milan? "Juan Mata asked.
Li Ang grunted, "Yes, if there are no major changes …"
"Boss …" Mata was a little silent on the other end of the phone.
"I'm not leaving right away. There are still two games left," Li Ang comforted him.
"Boss, which club are you going to?" Mata asked. "Take me there."
Li Ang was touched by these words. He smiled and said, "There's no new job for the time being. I want to take a break for a while."
Hearing Li Ang say that he had not confirmed a new club and wanted to take a break for a while, Mata felt a lot better. The boss was not a traitor and was not tempted by other clubs to leave. He really wanted to take a break. The young man, who was a little depressed that Li Ang did not inform him in advance about taking him to a new club, immediately became happy.
"In the future, no matter which team you go to, don't forget to ask me to go with you," Mata said again in a serious tone.
"Little Mata …" Li Ang said, "You're a great player. You can create glory in any team and under any manager …"
Mata interrupted Li Ang's words and said seriously, "I've said it before, boss. From the moment I left Real Madrid for Sporting de Gijón, it was because you were my manager. As long as you coach again in the future, please take me there. I'm willing to play under you all the time! As long as you're still coaching, I'll keep playing for you until I can't play anymore and retire, boss … "
Mata's voice was getting lower and lower, and there was a whimper. The kid was crying. He could not bear to part with Li Ang. He was sad when he thought that the boss was going to leave Inter Milan.
Li Ang was silent. He did not expect little Mata to have such deep feelings for him. He was moved. He was not a cold-blooded animal. He also had feelings for these players. He had a special feeling for this little guy who had followed him since Real Madrid. As the media said, Mata was his "godson."
Li Ang nodded. "When I've rested enough, I'll come out to work again. You help me win the championship!"
"It's a deal, boss," Mata said happily.
*****
Although Li Ang and Inter Milan had both issued statements that the two sides had parted happily, and that Li Ang wanted to rest to accompany his family, the news that Li Ang would leave Inter Milan at the end of the season had a huge and far-reaching impact on Inter Milan.
Inter Milan's 35-year-old defender, Marco Materazzi, suddenly expressed his intention to retire at the end of the season in an interview with Milan Sport.
"I suddenly realized that I'm already 35 years old. For a defender, I might be able to play for another two years. But now I suddenly feel that it's time to say goodbye. If we can win two more championships this season, my career can be said to be perfect. So, I'm considering retiring at the end of the season."
Materazzi was already 35 years old and was no longer an important player on the competitive level of Inter Milan. Among Inter Milan's center backs, Samuels and Chivu were the starters. In addition, there was Burdisso and Bonucci. Materazzi's most important role in Inter Milan now was in the locker room. He was the vice-captain of the team appointed by Li Ang. Compared to the gentle Zanetti, the tough Materazzi had a different role in the locker room.
At the age of thirty-five, Materazzi had an important position in the locker room. As the player himself said, Materazzi could continue to play for two more years. Now that he suddenly announced that he would retire at the end of the season, it was indeed a surprise.
Although Materazzi said that if the team won the UEFA Champions League final and the Coppa Italia final, his glory would be complete, so he was considering retirement. However, considering the news that Li Ang would leave Inter Milan at the end of the season, it was difficult for people not to link the two things together.
Materazzi was Li Ang's favorite player. Among the original Inter Milan players, Materazzi was Li Ang's strongest supporter. Now, Li Ang was leaving Inter Milan, and Materazzi was going to retire.
Therefore, whether it was Milan Sport, Turin Sport, or Corriere dello Sport, all regarded Materazzi's retirement as one of the far-reaching effects of Li Ang's departure from Inter Milan.
"… Just as the UEFA Champions League final against Manchester United is about to arrive, Inter Milan is suddenly in turmoil … From Materazzi's retirement, it can be seen that Li Ang's departure has a huge impact on the team. This is only the impact that has been exposed. There are bigger and deeper effects that cannot be estimated now. It is really difficult to be optimistic about Inter Milan's performance in Moscow …"
*****
The entire Inter Milan team took a flight that afternoon and headed for the UEFA Champions League final, the Russian capital, Moscow.
However, the media was obviously not very optimistic about the future of the Nerazzurri in Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium.
The sudden news that Li Ang was going to "break up" with Inter Milan really hurt the morale.
Li Ang was the architect of this Nerazzurri team. He was the king of this team, the soul of this team!!!
To exaggerate, this Inter Milan team was Li Ang's Inter Milan. This statement could win the approval of many people.
Mata, Carlos, Modric, and Diego Milito were all discovered and groomed by Li Ang. They were his direct subordinates from Sporting de Gijón.
Samuels, Evra, Mai Kong, Agüero, Bonucci, and other players were all brought in by him. He led these players from unknown players to first-class and even top star players.
Adriano? This was Li Ang who saved him from decadence. Adriano regarded Li Ang as his "father."
Montari, Arshavin, Decaux, and the young Toni Kroos came because of Li Ang's name.
Even the "natives" of Inter Milan before, whether it was César, captain Zanetti, or other players, they all trusted Li Ang. They respected and even loved him.
It could be said that this team had been deeply branded with Li Ang's brand. All the players had deep feelings for him.
Moreover, Inter Milan had won the UEFA Champions League and three consecutive Serie A titles. This was a true team of champions. The players were true champions. It could even be said that some of the players were already arrogant. Only Li Ang could control them and make them accept wholeheartedly. Even if the training intensity was high, these players could grit their teeth and persevere. They did not dare to rebel.
This was the authority and aura that belonged to a top champion manager!
This was Li Ang's personal charm.
He was the soul of this team.
Now, Li Ang was leaving Inter Milan. How could the players not be affected?!!!
*****
On the flight to Moscow, Li Ang and the coaching staff sat in the front. His assistants were whispering to each other.
Obviously, the coaching staff also noticed the depressing atmosphere of the team.
"This won't do," Banderas said.
"Damn the Sun," Mirojevic said hatefully. Mihailovic said hatefully. He thought that it was all a conspiracy by the English media to disrupt Inter Milan's morale.
"That old man, Ferguson, must be very happy now," Stramaccioni said.
Stramaccioni used to be a football player and played as a defender. However, he retired early due to a serious knee injury. After that, he became a football coach. He coached at AZ Sports, Romureia, and Crotone at various levels. In the winter, he applied for the position of the head coach of Inter Milan's youth team. He was not successful, but fortunately, he was chosen by Li Ang and entered Li Ang's coaching staff. Although he mainly did some miscellaneous work of data collection, this was a very rare and precious opportunity for the 32-year-old Italian coach. Stramaccioni worshipped Li Ang madly. He even imitated some of Li Ang's movements when he spoke. This also became an interesting thing in the Pinenati training base.
When the assistants were talking about this, Li Ang did not speak. He was a little distracted.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
