In fact, Li Ang received a call from Barcelona when the media broke out this explosive news.
The call was from Barcelona's president, Laporta.
When Li Ang learned that the call was from Barcelona's president, Laporta, he was very surprised. It was not that Laporta's status was very prestigious. With Li Ang's current fame and status, it was possible for him to receive a call from the new UEFA president, Platini. He was surprised because he did not think that he had anything to do with Barcelona.
Sure enough, Laporta went straight to the point. He wanted to invite him to Barcelona at the end of the season to officially coach Barcelona.
Li Ang was shocked by this invitation. He almost thought that he had misheard. "Mr. Laporta, if I didn't hear wrong, you mean that you want me to coach Barcelona?"
"Yes. Mr. Li. In my opinion, you are currently the best coach in Europe. Most importantly, you are the one who is most suitable for Barcelona's football philosophy! "Laporta said.
The first thought in Li Ang's mind was a little absurd. Barcelona actually invited him to coach, thinking that he was the most suitable for Barcelona's football philosophy. Then, the question was, what about Guardiola? He had read some reports about Guardiola in his previous life. It was not that Guardiola had been groomed by Barcelona and was internally decided to be the manager of Barcelona. Moreover, according to the track of history, Guardiola replaced the fired Rijkaard at the end of this season and became the manager of Barcelona.
*****
Li Ang was in a good mood after being praised by Laporta. However, this did not mean that he agreed.
"I'm very sorry, Mr. Laporta. My current job at Inter Milan is very good. I have no intention of changing jobs for the time being. I can only say sorry about your invitation," Li Ang said.
"Mr. Li, please don't be in a hurry to refuse. We chose you after careful consideration. We are very sincere. You have achieved great success at Inter Milan. This season, Inter Milan may continue to achieve great success. You have won everything in Italy. Don't you want to consider a change of environment? Barcelona is a great stage. A great manager is a great stage. "Laporta tried to persuade him.
Li Ang smiled. He had to admit that Laporta was right. With his success at Inter Milan, if he successfully defended his title this season, it would be three consecutive Serie A titles. If he could dominate Europe in the UEFA Champions League again, he had indeed won everything at Inter Milan. If he continued to coach Inter Milan, he might face the problem of lacking motivation. This was an unavoidable problem for him and the players. This was the inherent law of a dynasty. This was also the reason why so many successful managers chose to retire after achieving success.
However, Li Ang still had no feelings for Barcelona. This was not because he did not like Barcelona, but because he knew that Barcelona could not give him what he needed.
Li Ang was silent for a moment. In Laporta's opinion, his words had moved Li Ang. The Barcelona president continued to persuade, "Mr. Li, we are very sincere. Barcelona can provide you with everything you need. The rights and demands you obtained at Inter Milan can be fulfilled here! You have the final say in the team's locker room. The power to transfer can also be given to you. "
When Li Ang heard this, he almost laughed out loud. Perhaps Laporta's words were more sincere, but he knew that Laporta could not fulfill the promises he made. Unlike Inter Milan, which was Moratti's team, Barcelona had a membership system with many directors. Barcelona could be said to have many factions within the club. In addition, Barcelona's locker room was also filled with factions. This was almost a chronic problem. Li Ang's Inter Milan was also divided into factions, but in the locker room, Li Ang had the absolute right to speak. This was the team he had built. Those disobedient players were cruelly purged by him. When Li Ang first came to Inter Milan, he purged as many as 17 players, which shocked the whole of Europe. Of course, Li Ang did not like these players, or they were not suitable for his tactics. However, there was also a deeper reason, which was that there was no construction without destruction. After the purge, order was re-established!
*****
Li Ang could completely build the team according to his intentions in Inter Milan. Moratti had completely let go of the power and fulfilled his promise to Li Ang. Li Ang could do things without any scruples. However, in Barcelona, it was obviously impossible for him to do so. In order to secure the position of manager in Barcelona, it was not enough to achieve results on the field. Of course, the internal complexity of Barcelona's arch-rival, Real Madrid, was no less than that of Barcelona.
However, Real Madrid was better than Barcelona in one aspect, and that was that Real Madrid did not have a retired emperor jumping up and down from time to time.
Yes, it was a retired emperor!
Barcelona had a retired emperor. His words were even more influential and effective than Barcelona's president.
This "retired emperor" was Barcelona's godfather, Cruyff!
Some football clubs also had so-called "retired emperors," but their retired emperors were more often a symbol, a mascot. However, they rarely spoke out and would not frequently interfere with the club's work. However, Cruyff was obviously not a mascot. He constantly announced his existence: Barcelona was his territory, and he was the godfather here!
Cruyff liked to talk about Barcelona's "public opinion environment." He always criticized those who liked to express their views on Barcelona for not being objective enough. However, in fact, the person who liked to express his views on Barcelona the most was Cruyff himself. The former Barcelona player, coach of Barcelona's "Dream Team," and the godfather of Barcelona, in addition to his weekly column on Catalonia's media, he also talked about Barcelona on Catalonia's Radio Catalonia from time to time, mostly in a condescending and critical manner.
The "Barcelona's godfather" also criticized Ronaldinho without naming him. "Only with fighting spirit can there be motivation. The so-called injury is not an excuse. Sometimes it is just a psychological problem. Overcome it and it will be over. The players should reflect on themselves. If you really want to play, you can play no matter what."
As Barcelona's manager, Rijkaard was certainly not happy with Cruyff's words. However, he could only endure his displeasure because that was Cruyff, the godfather of Barcelona!
If Li Ang was Barcelona's manager, he would not care if he was the godfather or the retired emperor. He would still say, "What right do you have to criticize my players? Who do you think you are? An outdated old man should know his place! Remember, this is my territory now! "
It was conceivable that with Li Ang's temper, he would definitely do so. He would not care about the old man's status and face.
*****
The most important and annoying thing was that the retired emperor would jump out to speak almost every week. It would be a miracle if he did not jump out to criticize Barcelona every week.
For example, before the match between Barcelona and Valencia started, Cruyff criticized some of the Barça players in an interview with the television station. "When the team has an important match and an important award to compete for, some players are like cowards who are trembling in fear.
Of course, when Barcelona performed well, Cruyff might not come out to criticize them. However, he would imply that these were the results of his football philosophy in Barcelona. The success of these dregs is because of the seeds that were planted. Then he would nitpick and say that there were still some imperfections, and what should be done. Anyway, no one was more capable than him.
At the team level, every time Barcelona did not perform well, Cruyff would criticize Harvey, Iniesta, and other midfielders. For example, after the draw with Sevilla in the last round, the "Godfather" attacked Barça's midfield again. "Barça is still making the same mistakes on the field. Week after week, Barça falls into the same mistakes. The key is in the midfield. Whether it is good or bad depends on the midfield. The midfielders' positions are different, the speed of the ball is different, and the way the team plays is different. From controlling the game to collapsing, it is the same players. In the first half, Barcelona's midfielders' positions were accurate, but in the second half, the midfielders' positions were not accurate. The distance between the three lines was very large. This mistake has been made countless times. "
In fact, Cruyff's criticism of Barcelona's players made the Barcelona locker room feel very uncomfortable. This situation happened almost every week. Some Barcelona players thought that Cruyff's criticism was mostly "belated advice," and his snobbish views made the Barcelona players feel that their efforts were not respected. Whether it was Ronaldinho, Iniesta, or Harvey, they all felt that Cruyff was very "cruel." The "Godfather" of Barcelona always ignored the players' contributions and magnified the players' shortcomings.
There were many factions in Barcelona's locker room, and the opinions of the small groups were often not the same. But now, they all agreed on one thing: Cruyff's incessant chatter outside the club had a very bad effect on the team. They collectively expressed their dislike of Cruyff. After Ronaldinho was repeatedly criticized by Cruyff, many players stood up for Ronaldinho. Iniesta said that Ronaldinho's professionalism should not be doubted. Even Eto 'o, who did not get along with Ronaldinho, stood up and said that Ronaldinho's professionalism was indisputable. Li Ang could not help but admire Cruyff for being able to unite the Barcelona team, which had a fierce internal struggle, on one thing.
In addition, what the Barcelona players were most tired of and unhappy about was that Cruyff had said many times last season that Barcelona's current lineup had reached the end of its cycle and that the team should have a major overhaul. It was like always hearing someone say in your ear, "You can't do it, you can't do it, you're going to be finished, you can't do it." Anyone would be disgusted by it.
In fact, in these two seasons, it was difficult to hear Cruyff praise Barcelona. As everyone knew, Cruyff's influence on Barcelona's top management was huge. Laporta had to listen to Cruyff's opinion whether it was changing the manager or recruiting players. It could be said that no one could stir up the Barcelona club more than Cruyff.
*****
"I'm sorry, Mr. Laporta. I still don't think I'm up to the job." Li Ang still firmly refused. He heard Laporta on the other end of the phone wanting to persuade him. Li Ang simply gave a subtle hint. "Mr. Rijkaard is a very good coach. Besides, his temper is much better than mine."
Laporta was stunned. What was this? What did he mean?
However, Laporta was also ambitious to make a name for himself in the political arena. He was also very smart. He immediately understood the hidden meaning of Li Ang's words.
He remembered the most troublesome thing in the past two days. Cruyff's sex life seemed to be disharmonious this week. He was particularly angry. Ronaldinho, Eto'o, Harvey, and even the captain, Puyol, were all scolded by him. Rijkaard was also routinely criticized. This caused a backlash in the Barcelona locker room.
Hiss ~
Laporta gritted his teeth. As Li Ang "hinted," with this man's character and temper, if the "retired emperor" dared to unscrupulously criticize Li Ang's players and Li Ang, the Chinese people would never swallow it. Laporta even suspected that Li Ang would directly scold Cruyff until he vomited blood. No, it was not a suspicion. This guy would definitely do that. Cruyff was Barcelona's godfather, the retired emperor. However, Li Ang would definitely not care about this, let alone give him any face.
Laporta had a headache thinking about such a special existence like Cruyff. In fact, Laporta had to take Cruyff's attitude into consideration. Cruyff was still actively involved in Barcelona's important affairs, even decision-making matters. Cruyff would often take the initiative to invite Bekiristain to hold a meeting with him to discuss the team's situation. Cruyff might not have the right to vote, but his voice could be taken seriously by the club. His influence on Barça was considerable. Although the Barça players and even Laporta were dissatisfied with Cruyff's incessant chatter, they had no way to shut the mouth of the "retired emperor." This was a "retired emperor" with great influence.
Laporta felt that he somewhat understood why Li Ang kept a respectful distance from Barcelona. He had a headache. The existence of the "retired emperor" was something that even he was wary of.
"I hope Mr. Li will reconsider my invitation. Barcelona and I are very sincere." Laporta could only helplessly say in the end, trying to make a final effort.
"Thank you, Mr. Laporta. It's a pity that I can't work with you, but I still want to thank you for your invitation." Li Ang firmly refused, not even bothering to politely say that he would consider it.
Laporta hung up the phone, feeling helpless and depressed.
He looked at the television in the living room, which happened to be broadcasting the sports news. It was outside Camp Nou. After the game between Barcelona and Sevilla ended, hundreds of fans shouted, "I want Barça, I don't want Laporta."
Angry fans, banners, swearing, police, police, police shields, flashing police lights, shoving, and abuse.
The whole scene could be said to be a mess.
*****
Li Ang hung up the phone, deep in thought. Alice asked him, "What's the matter?"
"Barcelona's president, Laporta, called and invited me to coach Barcelona," Li Ang said.
"Ah?" Alice exclaimed. As a Spanish girl, she knew best what Barcelona's invitation meant. Then she asked, "You agreed?"
"Of course not." Li Ang shook his head. "I refused."
"Why?"
"I don't like people at the top!" Li Ang smiled and said.
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