For the Sporting de Gijón fans, this night was destined to be special.
They had just defended their Copa del Rey title. They were the first team in Spanish football history to win the Treble. At the same time, they had lost the manager who had led the team forward.
"Now, we have the latest news that we have received …"
The Copa del Rey final was played at Sporting de Gijón's Mestalla Stadium. Many fans did not get tickets and could only stay in Gijón to watch the game in the bar.
Even the fans who were there to watch the game left the Mestalla Stadium after seeing the team pick up the trophy. They went to the bar outside the stadium to have a good drink to celebrate the championship.
At this time, Harvey Gradero, Bader Kurey, and their friends were drinking in the bar, constantly raising their glasses to celebrate the championship.
The television was still showing the gold commentator Dagestino and the guests' post-match commentary. Suddenly, the picture changed again and a piece of news was broadcast.
It was the news from the press conference.
Harvey Gradero, who was drinking with his head tilted back, was stunned. The beer flowed down his neck. He was stunned.
The other Sporting de Gijón fans were equally shocked.
They had just been enjoying the joy of the championship, but now, a bucket of cold water was poured over their heads. The manager of the team, the creator of the Treble, Li Ang, announced that he was leaving Sporting de Gijón?!
*****
The fans were stunned. At first, they thought the news was wrong and the reporter had misheard.
But the truth was cruel. Perhaps the news was too shocking. The television showed the scene of the press conference for the second time. "I still have a one-year contract with Sporting de Gijón. However, after communicating with Mr. Manuel Arango, we have chosen to part ways amicably. I do not need to continue the next year of the contract, and the club will not renew my contract. After today's game, I will step down as the manager of Sporting de Gijón … "
Everyone was stunned.
One person had misheard, but it was impossible for everyone to have misheard. Everyone was stunned. This was a fact: Li Ang was leaving Sporting de Gijón!
This was too cruel for the Sporting de Gijón fans.
"Why? Why is Li leaving Xi Hong?! "Someone exclaimed.
Yes, why?!
Why?!
This was something that no one could understand.
The team had just won the Treble and was at its peak. Why did Li Ang want to leave at this time?!
"I don't believe it, it must be false," cried Bader Kurey, his eyes red.
*****
In the news that followed, Li Ang only said that he and Sporting de Gijón had parted ways amicably and that there was no conflict between the two parties.
However, regardless of whether it was the reporters or the fans, they all caught one word in Li Ang's words: Different ideals!
He and the club's owner, Manuel Arango, had different ideals!
Li Ang did not attack the old Arango. He was still relatively gentle and did not push the blame to the club. However, he did not want to be the scapegoat and did not want the fans to see him as a "traitor," so he more or less revealed the truth of his departure. This was indeed the truth, this was the real reason for his departure. Even the old Arango could not say that Li Ang had dug a hole for him.
What different ideals?!
How was it different?!
This was the biggest question in the minds of all the Sporting de Gijón fans at this moment!
The news of Sporting de Gijón defending the Copa del Rey and crowning the Treble was immediately dominated by the news of Li Ang's departure from Sporting de Gijón!
This matter was hyped up on television. Many so-called experts and reporters came out to speak, as if swearing to get to the bottom of this matter.
The Sporting de Gijón fans were shocked, confused, and angry.
They were the most innocent, but when they were the happiest, it was as if they had been thrown into the abyss.
No matter when, the fans were passive, they were the last to hear the news.
The fans began to gather at the Malaio training ground. They needed a statement, they needed an explanation.
*****
When the Sporting de Gijón side was in a mess, countless reporters wanted to interview Li Ang, but no one could get through to the new Treble coach's mobile phone.
Because he had turned off his phone.
Li Ang knew very well that his departure from Sporting de Gijón would be explosive news. He knew that now, whether it was Sporting de Gijón or himself, they were in the middle of a storm of public opinion. It was inappropriate for him to say anything at this time. He did not want to completely fall out with Sporting de Gijón, nor did he want to deceive the fans. Therefore, it was better to just stay silent!
Silence!
Let time fade away all of this.
As for the team, the Copa del Rey final was Sporting de Gijón's last game of the season. Li Ang had already announced that the team could be disbanded. The team would naturally have a manager to make the arrangements. The players could return to Sporting de Gijón with the team, or they could disband on the spot. They could go on vacation or do whatever they wanted.
Then there was a long transfer period. The players could make their own decisions on whether to stay in Sporting de Gijón or go to other teams. This had nothing to do with Li Ang. Even if he wanted to interfere, he could not.
Yes, this Treble winning team that he had single-handedly built had nothing to do with him just like that.
Even if the players were willing to stay in Sporting de Gijón, they only needed to wait for the team's notification. When the time came, they would report to the training ground on time and start training for the new season. Of course, that was the notification issued by the new Sporting de Gijón manager. It had nothing to do with him.
Li Ang went into hiding. He closed himself off. He had not really started to enjoy the joy of winning the Treble. He told himself that now was the time to be happy, but his mood had been very depressed.
Fortunately, there was still Alice by his side. The beautiful girl used her gentleness and understanding to appease this extremely conflicted man.
*****
The storm of public opinion in Sporting de Gijón, and even the whole of Spain, was paying attention to the news of Li Ang leaving Sporting de Gijón.
It had been two or three days, but the heat of public opinion had not died down.
There was already a piece of breaking news in the media.
The ABC newspaper got the news from a certain Sporting de Gijón staff member who did not want to be named. He pointed out the reason for Li Ang's departure from Sporting de Gijón and unveiled the so-called 'ideological differences'. The final conclusion was that Li Ang was a very ambitious manager. He would not be satisfied with this season's success. He wanted to maintain Sporting de Gijón's strength this season and continue to create glory. This meant that Sporting de Gijón needed to maintain the current championship team and would also need to invest money to continue to bring in strong players. Sporting de Gijón's boss, Mr. Manuel Arango, did not have such a big appetite. Arango Sr. believed that Sporting de Gijón was strong enough and intended to push some of the players into the transfer market in exchange for money.
At the same time, the ABC newspaper once again revealed that during the winter transfer, Arango Sr. intended to push Franck Ribéry into the transfer market, which caused strong opposition from Li Ang. The two men had a conflict at that time …
Well, the revelation from the Sporting de Gijón staff member who did not want to be named cleared up all the fog.
At the very least, some fans who had misunderstood Li Ang and were dissatisfied with Li Ang's sudden departure did not continue to abuse and blame the team's former manager.
Some people began to point their spears at the club's boss, Manuel Arango.
*****
Surprisingly, the reporter from the Voice of Gijón, Mitra, who was regarded as Li Ang's henchman and mouthpiece, suddenly published a commentary at this time. Mitra objectively laid out the facts and reasoned. His final conclusion was that Li Ang's departure from Sporting de Gijón was not right or wrong. If one really wanted to say something, it was that Sporting de Gijón's stage was too small to accommodate Li Ang.
In the end, Mitra emotionally pointed out that Sporting de Gijón should be proud of these two seasons. They should be proud that the team was Li Ang's first team. Leaving at the moment of the treble, leaving behind the best memories, was the most suitable moment for Li Ang and Sporting de Gijón.
"He left the most youthful and proudest memories of his career in Gijón. He does not owe Sporting de Gijón anything. He left, leaving behind a legend that all the people of Gijón are proud of. All we can do is pray for him and wish him all the best in the future …"
Mitra was indeed Li Ang's number one mouthpiece. When this commentary article came out, the criticism of the team's boss, old Li Ang, lessened. Mitra cleverly played the emotional card, guiding the fans' resentment into gratitude and blessings for Li Ang. This was very effective. As Mitra said, Li Ang did not owe Sporting de Gijón anything. On the contrary, Sporting de Gijón should thank Li Ang. The fans should thank Li Ang and wish him well.
The power and appeal of emotions was strong. The Gijón media, which had been arguing endlessly, finally quieted down a little. What began to fill the air was sad farewells and feelings of gratitude.
At this time, many Spanish and European media, after hyping the news of Li Ang's departure from Sporting de Gijón for a few days, suddenly began to change the topic and focus on one thing:
Li Ang, who was now without a contract, the new treble winner, where was his next home?!
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