Qatar, Doha, Pearl Kempinski Hotel.
In this luxurious hotel, Li Ang met his target this time, the former Real Madrid captain, Fernando Hierro. Hierro's agent, Vicico, accompanied him.
Hierro's contract with Qatar's Rayyan team had expired, and he was now hesitating whether to renew his contract with the Qatari team. Of course, according to Li Ang's knowledge of the future, Hierro had also received an invitation from the English Premier League's Bolton Wanderers. In the end, the Spanish veteran chose to go to Bolton Wanderers to contribute.
This showed that Hierro was considering returning to the mainstream leagues. Hierro was now a free agent, so signing this experienced veteran did not require a transfer fee. This was one of the important reasons why Li Ang had set Hierro as his target.
In addition, for Sporting de Gijón, who had been away from Spain's top league for too long, the team really needed an experienced veteran. Was there anyone more suitable than the former Real Madrid captain?
"Fernando, I'm sure Mr. Vicico has already told you my intentions for coming to Qatar this time. Please believe in my and Sporting de Gijón's sincerity. I believe that during this year in Qatar, you will miss the La Liga game very much. "Li Ang began to use his silver tongue, hoping to move Hierro.
Before he came to Qatar, he had communicated with Hierro's agent, Vicico. He believed that Hierro had already told Hierro about Sporting de Gijón's situation. Therefore, Li Ang did not say anything about Sporting de Gijón being able to play in the UEFA Europa League. Moreover, for the Real Madrid captain, who had led them to the Champions League trophy twice, the UEFA Europa League was really not worth mentioning.
What he needed to do now was to move Hierro with sincerity.
*****
"Sporting de Gijón is a young team. The players are young, and their manager is also very young," Li Ang said as he pointed to himself. This made Hierro and his agent, Vicico, smile knowingly.
"Such a young team needs a veteran to hold the fort. It needs a true leader." Li Ang continued, "And Fernando, you're the person I want to invite to the team."
When Hierro heard this, he couldn't help but laugh again. Sporting de Gijón's manager was very frank and frank about everything.
"But I'm really old," Hierro said. "I've already left the Europa League for more than a year …"
"No, no, no!" Li Ang thought that Fernando had misunderstood him and said that Fernando was old, so he said anxiously, "In my opinion, Fernando, you still have ambition in your chest. I can feel it."
"There are some words that I might be presumptuous to say, but they are from the bottom of my heart," Li Ang said sincerely.
Hierro nodded, indicating that there was no harm in speaking.
"I'm sure Mr. Vicico has told you about my situation." Li Ang said as he glanced at his agent, who nodded in response. Then he continued, "I have a similar background as you. I used to be the manager of Real Madrid, but I was kicked out in the end. However, I thought that my work there was very good. This kind of experience made me suffer. Speaking of which, I have a grudge against Real Madrid."
Hierro glanced at Li Ang but didn't say anything. He just listened in silence.
*****
"When I left Real Madrid, I said that I would make Real Madrid regret it." Li Ang took a sip of water and was a little emotional. "Then, in the Copa del Rey, I successfully took my revenge. At Bernabéu, I stole the Copa del Rey trophy from Real Madrid!"
Hierro seemed a little absent-minded when he heard this. The name Bernabéu was not as simple as a noun to Hierro. The white shirt and the stadium had already become part of his blood and soul.
"I watched that game." Hierro came back to his senses and said, "You guys played very well. Real Madrid …"
At this point, Hierro paused and didn't continue. No matter what, seeing his beloved Real Madrid get robbed of the championship trophy by a Segunda División team in the Bernabéu stadium made this veteran, one of the greatest captains in the history of Real Madrid, a little sad.
"I don't know what you're thinking." Li Ang spoke with assurance. "However, I do have an idea. I hope that you can come to my team and return to La Liga. Let that gentleman see how wrong his decision was! I hope to see you lead a group of young people and set off a storm in La Liga … "Li Ang himself seemed to be immersed in this wonderful vision." That would be beautiful. "
Hierro frowned.
Li Ang, on the other hand, was startled. He was thinking if it was a little inappropriate for him to say this. He knew Hierro's feelings for Real Madrid.
However, Li Ang chased away this bad feeling. He was telling the truth. In front of a veteran like Hierro who was used to all kinds of storms and situations, the only thing he could do was to show his honesty.
He said what he could say and did his best. As for the rest, who cares?
Moreover, to be honest, Li Ang didn't believe that Hierro wouldn't have any grudge against Florentino after being treated so ruthlessly. Although Hierro had remained silent after leaving Real Madrid and had never said anything bad about his beloved team, it was impossible that he didn't have any resentment towards Florentino.
In Hierro's heart, Florentino was Florentino and Real Madrid was Real Madrid.
*****
After saying all that, Li Ang didn't continue to invite Hierro to Sporting de Gijón.
He had said what he needed to say. The rest was up to Hierro's choice.
Then, the three of them started to enjoy dinner and chat.
They talked about Spanish football, the UEFA European Championship, and Hierro's year in Qatar.
It could be said that both the host and the guest enjoyed themselves to the fullest.
After sending Hierro and Vichico off, Li Ang returned to the luxurious hotel room alone. He was a little lost in thought as he looked at the bustling scene outside through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
He was a little nervous. He really hoped that he could persuade Hierro. The more Li Ang thought about it, the more he felt that the former Real Madrid captain was a player that Sporting de Gijón desperately needed.
Hierro's experience was an asset that the team needed.
In addition, in his memory, Hierro's performance in the season that he played at Bolton Wanderers was quite good. In other words, although he had left the mainstream European league for a season, Hierro's competitive condition was still quite good. This was why Li Ang was very confident in Hierro.
*****
The next morning, Li Ang received a call from Hierro's agent, Vichico.
On the phone, the agent told him about Hierro's decision.
"Manager Li Ang," Vichico said, "Now, I think we have a chance to work together."
Li Ang was almost ecstatic. He understood the meaning of this sentence. Hierro agreed to go to Sporting de Gijón.
"Thank you, Mr. Vichico. Please convey my gratitude to Fernando for choosing Sporting de Gijón."
"I should be the one thanking you." Vichico said with emotion, "I know that Fernando has been unhappy since he left Madrid. Now he has a chance to return to Spain. Now he has a chance to tell Florentino that his decision was extremely wrong."
"This is also what I want to see." Li Ang said with a smile, "A captain with such a meritorious service should not be treated like that. Real Madrid owes him an explanation."
"Thank you for your fair words for Fernando," Vichico said at last.
Li Ang was stunned. Then he understood. Vichico was referring to when Li Ang criticized Real Madrid's Zidane and Pavin policy before the Copa del Rey final between Sporting de Gijón and Real Madrid. He also criticized Florentino's treatment of Hierro as wrong. At that time, Li Ang's goal was to anger Florentino. He did not think too much about it. Now it seemed that 'good people have good karma'. It seemed that Hierro's decision to go to Sporting de Gijón this time was influenced by his fair words.
At noon that day, Li Ang represented Sporting de Gijón and officially signed the contract with Sporting de Gijón.
Hierro and Sporting de Gijón signed a one-plus-one contract. Hierro signed with Sporting de Gijón for one season. At the end of the season, if both parties felt that the cooperation was good, and Hierro's physical condition and competitive condition allowed, the contract would automatically be renewed for another year.
Taking Sporting de Gijón's financial situation into consideration, Hierro did not ask for a high salary. His annual salary was one million euros! This was much less than the salary he received in Qatar.
Of course, one million euros per year was the highest salary in Sporting de Gijón. With such a salary, although the amount was not high, it showed Hierro's position in Sporting de Gijón to a certain extent. Just as Li Ang had said before, Hierro would be the leader of Sporting de Gijón!
*****
Two days later, Sporting de Gijón's official website announced a piece of news that shocked the Spanish football world.
"We are pleased to announce that the team is honored to have reached an agreement with the famous Spanish player, Fernando Hierro, to join the team. Both parties have signed a one-year contract. In the last year of the contract, we will discuss whether to renew the contract for another year based on Hierro's personal wishes and the team's wishes."
Hierro's return shocked the entire Spanish football world.
AS, which had always had a grudge with Li Ang, used the headline on their front page: Forever Number Four, Goodbye to the White Shirt!
This time, the Spanish media, which did not get along with Li Ang, did not speak ill of Li Ang for the first time. Even the Real Madrid fans, who had been angry with Li Ang because Sporting de Gijón had snatched away Real Madrid's Copa del Rey trophy and those outrageous words, were silent this time. Their beloved captain was back, but …
The news on Sporting de Gijón's official website showed a photo of the former Real Madrid captain, Fernando Hierro, and Li Ang standing together, holding the Gijón team jersey.
The jersey number was the same as Hierro's former number in Real Madrid — four. The only difference was that it was no longer the white shirt of Real Madrid, but the red and white shirt of Sporting de Gijón.
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.
