Hearing Li Ang's words, Michael Pihra's eyes widened. He looked at the new First Team manager in front of him with an expression of disbelief.
"Mr. Manager." Michael Pihra laughed bitterly. At the same time, he was a little angry. "Please don't joke around."
He thought Li Ang was joking with him. This made the simple and honest veteran a little angry.
"Joke? No, no, no. " Li Ang was surprised. He glanced at McGul, and then at Assistant Coach Scott. He somewhat understood. It was very likely that Scott had misunderstood the meaning of his call for McGul, and had then conveyed the meaning to Li Ang.
"I'm not joking." Li Ang said seriously, "Michael, can I call you that?"
"Of course." Michael Pihra looked at Li Ang. He was still a little dizzy and did not understand the situation.
"Very well, let's talk about this slowly." Li Ang said, "First of all, I called you here to ask, what do you think about changing your position to play?"
"Change my position to play?" Michael Pihra asked in surprise. At the same time, he finally understood the manager's meaning. He did not want to terminate his contract, but wanted him to change his position to play?!
What did that mean? He had always played as an attacking midfielder. Change his position? Play as a defensive midfielder?
"Mr. Manager, there have been managers who have asked me to try as a defensive midfielder before, but —" Michael Pihra said honestly. He did not intend to hide anything.
"Defensive midfielder? No, no, no. " Li Ang patted Michael Pihra's shoulder. "What I mean is, you don't play as a midfielder anymore. Your position is forward. To be exact, you're playing as a center forward!"
It was a very interesting scene. The 27-year-old Li Ang patted the 35-year-old Michael Pihra's shoulder and spoke earnestly.
"Play as a striker?" Michael Pihra was stunned. "Sir, I've also tried to play as a striker, but my footwork is not good. I can't dribble the ball or break through."
Hearing the other party's honesty, Li Ang glanced at Michael and thought to himself, This is really an honest and simple player.
*****
"It's a center forward! Not the vanguard! " Li Ang said. In Spain, the striker that many people talked about referred to the type who could rush and shoot. His footwork was very good and he could play tricks in the penalty area.
"Does he play like Vieri?" Maikel Pihela asked.
At this time, when the Spanish fans mentioned a center forward, the first name that came to mind was Christian Vieri. When the Italian was at Atletico Madrid, he made people realize how terrifying a heavy tank in the penalty area was.
"You can understand it that way," said Li Ang. "However, to be more precise, you are a player in the penalty area! What you need to do is to head the ball that your teammates pass to you into the goal. Yes, use your head! "
Vieri was not only a threat in the penalty area. When he dribbled the ball and charged, he was like a tank that the defenders could not stop.
Therefore, Li Ang needed a special explanation. It was not like Vieri's, but something more special. It was only in the restricted area!
Maikel Pihela understood at this time. The coach meant for him to be fixed in the penalty area and then his task was to use his header ability to head the ball.
This time, he was even more confused.
"Coach, my header is very ordinary. I never knew that I had an outstanding header. No one has asked me to go up and head the ball specifically, "said Maikel Pihela.
Li Ang thought to himself, That's because you have not met me. You have not met someone who has discovered your talent!
*****
"I think you have an outstanding ability to snatch the ball, especially your header ability!" Li Ang said, looking at Maikel Pihela with a very serious expression. "If you are willing to listen to my advice and change your position —"
"I am willing!" Without waiting for Li Ang to finish speaking, Maikel Pihela replied.
Li Ang thought that he would have to spend a lot of time persuading him. Maikel Pihela was not Carlos. Carlos was grateful to Li Ang. Moreover, it was easier to persuade a young person to change his position. However, Maikel Pihela was different. He was already 35 years old. People at this age were very opinionated.
He did not expect Maikel Pihela to agree so readily. Li Ang was a little surprised.
"Well, Maikel … You can think about it for a few minutes. I can give you a few minutes to think about it!" said Li Ang.
Maikel Pihela smiled. He smiled happily. "There's no need to think about it, coach. I agree."
"Why? You believe in what I say so much? I'm asking you to play a position that you have never played before. Aren't you worried at all? "asked Li Ang.
"For a person who is likely to be terminated, these are not important. I am very satisfied to be able to play," said Maikel Pihela.
Li Ang was silent. He had forgotten about this. From Michael Pihra's point of view, it was indeed so. Seeing that his contract was about to be terminated by the team, his dream would be completely shattered. At this time, Li Ang reckoned that Michael Pihra would eventually agree to let him play as a defender, let alone as a striker.
Wearing the Sporting de Gijón jersey and playing in the El Molinon Stadium was a kind of belief for Maikel Pihela. For this belief, he was willing to do anything. Not to mention just changing his position to play.
*****
Maikel Pihela agreed to play as a center forward. Li Ang breathed a sigh of relief, but he was still a little worried.
"Maikel." Li Ang looked at the veteran. "I can understand how you feel, but I want to say that the reason I asked you to play as a center forward and let you stay in the team is definitely not because I sympathize with you or pity you!"
Li Ang's tone was very serious.
Maikel Pihela looked at Li Ang. He was very surprised. He really thought that Li Ang was pitying him. Switching him to play as a center forward was just an excuse to give him a reason to stay in the team. When the time came, letting him play in a certain game and wander around the penalty area for a few minutes during the game's garbage time would not affect the team's midfield operations, nor would it cause trouble for the team's defense. This was the best way to deal with it.
To put it bluntly, Li Ang pitied him and gave him a chance to play for the team while trying to avoid a threat to the team's goal.
"In my team, any player that I choose to play is carefully selected by me. I think they can contribute to the team! Especially when the team is facing a determined mission to avoid relegation, I will seriously consider every minute on the field. There is no such thing as changing players during garbage time! "Li Ang said seriously.
"You're a useful player! I believe you can provide help to the team! "Li Ang said." I think you can contribute to the team's survival! That's why I chose to keep you! "
"I asked you to play as a center forward because I think that position suits you. You can contribute to the team in that position! You can score goals! "
"You're a useful player!"
"I think you can contribute to the team's survival!"
"You can score goals!"
Listening to Li Ang's words, Michael Pihra's emotions changed. Every word that Li Ang said was like a drum beating on his heart. He felt a surge of emotion in his chest. He suddenly looked up and looked at Li Ang.
"So, Michael, if I send you on the field, it means that the team needs you to attack the city!" Li Ang said. "So, I hope you can maintain a strong fighting spirit. I don't doubt your love for this team. I hope you can transform your love for the team for more than 20 years and your anticipation for more than 20 years into your strength!"
Michael Pihra had been silent. His fists were clenched tightly.
Li Ang patted Michael Pihra's shoulder again. "I believe in my judgment! You should have heard that I have a good eye for people! I think Marcos and Carlos are very accurate! I think you're also very accurate! "
Finally, Michael Pihra, a simple 35-year-old veteran, looked at Li Ang. His eyes were red as he suppressed his emotions. "Sir, you're the first person to say that I'm useful to the team! I'm very happy to hear that you say that I'm useful to Sporting de Gijón! I'm very happy, very happy. Thank you, sir. "
As he spoke, Michael Pihra bowed slightly to Li Ang.
"Sir, I don't know how you judged that I can play as a center forward, but I believe in you. I'll work hard to play this position well! "Michael Pihra said.
Li Ang could not help but ask, "You really believe in me?"
Michael Pihra nodded vigorously. "Sir, I'm not young anymore. I've met a lot of people. My eyes are sharp. I can see that you're sincere! I believe in you because you believe in me! "
The last sentence was very awkward, but it contained all his emotions. Li Ang could understand the meaning behind Michael Pihra's words. He was the first person to be so sincere and trust Michael Pihra. He said that he was useful to Sporting de Gijón!
*****
"I'll arrange for Mr. Scottley to provide you with a new contract." Li Ang said, "Your original contract expires at the end of the season. I hope to extend it for another year. Is there a problem?"
"No problem." Michael Pihra said firmly.
"Do you have any requirements for the salary?"
"The salary is not important. As long as you let me play …"
"Remember, McGuire. You are a player that I value highly. The players that I value are all very good players. You have to realize your own value. " Li Ang reprimanded him. Then, Li Ang glanced at assistant manager Scottley, who was stunned at the side. "Jesús, I'll leave it to you to work on Michael's contract."
The latter hurriedly nodded. At the same time, Scottley's mind was full of questions to ask Li Ang.
Then, Li Ang realized that he had reprimanded Michael Pihra too harshly just now. He smiled a little embarrassedly. "Sorry, Michael, I just —"
"Sir, you're the manager. I'm the player," Michael Pihra said.
Ha, Li Ang was happy. He liked players like this. They were definitely professional players. With this attitude, any manager would like them. In fact, Li Ang was very satisfied with Michael Pihra. He trained hard and had perseverance. It could be said that there was no player in the Sporting de Gijón team who was not tougher than him. Now, his attitude was very upright. He did not think that the manager was young just because he was older.
The more Li Ang looked at this veteran, the more he liked him.
In fact, there was also a problem with this. Li Ang was used to it. He knew Macgul's ability and appreciated him. However, Macgul didn't know that for this old general, Li Ang had given him a new lease of life.
Just based on the fact that Li Ang let him stay in the team, gave him a chance, and even gave him a contract extension, with Michael Pihra's temper, he would definitely be loyal to Li Ang.
"Oh right, don't call me sir. You can call me manager or boss." At this point, Li Ang himself was stunned. Given Michael Pihra's age, for him to call him 'boss' …
"Yes, boss," Megul Pihra replied without hesitation.
Li Ang was stunned, then smiled. Boss it was. Although it felt a little strange for a veteran to call him that, it was quite a sense of accomplishment.
"Michael Pihra!" Li Ang stretched out his right hand again. "Welcome back to the team!"
The 35-year-old veteran shook hands with the manager. When he heard this, he almost burst into tears.
March 1, 2004. This day was unforgettable for Michael Pihra.
PS: Third update.
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