"There are still people asking for tickets at this time …" In the camera lens, there were many Forest fans standing outside the Crimson Stadium holding up signs saying "I need tickets."
"This really feels like a World Cup final."
"Just to see Tony Twain return, and it's hard to get a ticket … Although he left the Forest team for more than four years, Twain's popularity still hasn't fallen."
"If it wasn't for the Forest team's terrible results in recent years, maybe there wouldn't be so many people who miss him."
"You sound a little bitter. Think about it this way. If it wasn't for his departure, Nottingham Forest would never have become a big joke in the English Premier League. He is the guarantee of the championship and the trophy. That's why we chose this game for a national broadcast. With him around, there will be ratings. "
Two BBC television staff members were sitting in the broadcast van, looking at the monitor and chatting.
In front of them was a wall of monitors, with more than a dozen monitor windows showing every corner of the stadium. In the monitors that showed the entrance of the stadium and the square, people asking for tickets could be seen everywhere.
Inside the stadium, fans had already entered more than an hour in advance. They were hanging signs in the Robin Hood stands, ready for the game later.
※ ※ ※
Pierce Brosnan noticed a situation.
Since he became a sports reporter for the Nottingham Evening Post, he had not missed a single Nottingham Forest home game. But today's situation still made him feel special, because he saw many white-haired old fans among the fans who entered the stadium. Most of these fans were old guys who had followed the Forest team for decades. They had witnessed the Forest team's most glorious years and also its darkest days.
But as they grew older, they rarely came to watch the game live in recent years. Although they bought tickets for every season, they really did not have the energy to go to the stadium. That kind of place full of noise and passion was the enemy of the health of the elderly.
But today, he saw so many white-haired fans at the entrance.
A media from London was conducting an interview at the door, and they had clearly noticed the white-haired fans who had come in groups.
"At your age, it should be better to watch the game at home, right?" A young female reporter pulled a few of the old men and handed the microphone over.
The few old fellows looked at each other and grinned, revealing their chipped teeth.
"We're here to see an old friend," the tallest old man replied.
"Old friend?" The female reporter found it strange. She was not from Nottingham and could not understand the feelings the Nottingham Forest fans had for Tang En.
Seeing her confused look, a short and fat old fan smiled at her and said, "Beautiful lady, you're not a local, are you?"
The female reporter shook her head. "I'm from London …"
"You must not be a Nottingham Forest fan either, ha! Who else could the old friend of the Nottingham Forest fans other than Tony? "
Looking at the female reporter's expression of sudden realization, the few old fellows hugged each other's shoulders and joined the other fans around them in singing the song that the Nottingham Forest fans wrote for Tony Twain as they walked into the tunnel.
"… We have a robot man with a nuclear-powered heart! He doesn't know fatigue and never admits defeat … He's very hateful, but we love him! Because he can bring us the championship, our enemies hate him, they all hate him! … Tony, Tony! The bastard that people love and hate, hahaha! "
"This song sounds really weird …" The female reporter frowned and muttered. "There's no tune at all, just roaring it out …"
"It's always like that." A man beside her answered her question. "It's just something the fans roared out from the stands, with a little melody added. The fans think there's no melody that's worthy of Tony, so they simply use the simplest way to express their feelings. "
The female reporter looked at the uninvited guest in confusion.
The other party generously extended his hand to the female reporter's puzzled gaze. "Pierce Brosnan. A reporter from the Nottingham Evening Post is the person in the media who understands Tony Twain the best. Nice to meet you, beautiful lady. "
※ ※ ※
If Twain knew that Brosnan was using his name to pick up girls, the expression on his face would be very interesting.
But now, he was not in the mood to think about others. The only thing on his mind was his own home game.
Was he feeling nervous? No, but his heart was beating a little fast. But that was because of excitement.
It was like a wanderer who had been away from his hometown for decades and was finally going home. This was his first time directing a game at the Crimson Stadium as the Nottingham Forest manager. He had previously played at the Crimson Stadium as the England team's manager. Although the fans gave him a lot of support at that time, that feeling was different after all.
The England team only occasionally borrowed the Crimson Stadium. The real home was the new Wembley Stadium.
Now the Crimson Stadium was his home. It was his home.
In the beginning, he tightened his belt for several years for the sake of this stadium. He raked in cheap players from all over the world, and then he had to sell the excellent players he had painstakingly cultivated in exchange for funds for the club. But when the new stadium was built, he did not lead the Forest team to play a game here. It had to be said that it was a pity.
Now this regret was about to be made up for. He would lead the team and coach in this stadium that was soaked in a lot of his blood and sweat until the end of the season.
"It's time for us to go, Boss." Eastwood stood next to Twain and called out. He noticed that Twain had been in a state of trance since the beginning. What did he think of?
"Ah? Oh … The players have all come down? "Twain looked up at the assistant manager in front of him, Eastwood.
"Yes, they're all on the bus."
Twain stood up and put on his coat.
"Let's go, Freddy."
※ ※ ※
"Tony Twain has already boarded the bus. The bus slowly drove out of the hotel … It's driving towards the Crimson Stadium … We will continue to follow up for the audience … "The television reporter waiting outside the hotel said excitedly to the camera. Behind him was the red bus that was leaving the hotel. It was Nottingham Forest's bus.
It was less than ten kilometers from the hotel to the stadium, but there were police cars clearing the way along the way. There were also reporters' cars following and filming around. Such a scene was something that the Forest players had not seen for several years. They also knew who the focus of these reporters was.
Twain, sitting in the front seat of the bus, was chatting with Kerslake and Eastwood in a low voice.
Through the window on the left, they could already see the red roof of the Crimson Stadium.
"Welcome home, boss!" Eastwood said to Twain as he pointed to the Crimson Stadium in front.
Kerslake, who was next to him, also chuckled. He was finally home.
When the red bus drove into the stadium, it caused a commotion. The police responsible for maintaining order at the scene were almost overwhelmed by the impact. The fans who had not yet entered the stadium and were still waiting for their tickets flocked to the Nottingham Forest bus. They shouted Tony Twain's name at the top of their lungs.
"Tony! Tony! Tony! Tony!! "
"Welcome back, Tony!!"
"Is it better to go home? Tony?! "
"Tony, I love you!!"
…
"It's been a long time since we've seen this craziness …" Eastwood murmured as he looked at the excited fans outside.
Thiago Silva looked at the fans outside the window with a gloomy expression. He was considered a popular star player in the Forest team, but his appearances had never been comparable to this one.
He remembered that some time ago, when the old players talked about Twain, they often referred to him as "His Majesty." At that time, he scoffed at it, thinking that it was just Twain flaunting himself and that this man liked to create hype.
But looking at the scene today, the expressions on the fans' faces … this was only a small portion of the people outside the stadium. More fans had long entered the stadium and were waiting there.
Could he really go against this man? Could he really wait for that kind of opportunity?
He had a trace of doubt about his previous thoughts.
No!
Soon, he regained his composure. The more these fans adored him, the more they liked him. Once he lost the game at home, the more they would be hurt, and the more disappointed they would be with Twain. This was a symbiotic relationship between heaven and hell. They could let him go to heaven, but they could also let him go to hell.
Although Silva did not understand Chinese and knew nothing about Chinese culture, he knew the principle of "water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it." It was not easy.
※ ※ ※
The bus stopped at the entrance, and the players filed off. They were surrounded by reporters and fans. The police were working hard to stop the overly excited fans and reporters. Twain was on the bus and waited for everyone to get off before leaving. If he was the first to go down, then the players behind him could forget about leaving. The scene would be chaotic.
That was the situation now. Twain squeezed through the crowd to the entrance of the passageway under the escort of four police officers. Along the way, there were constantly people extending microphones, mobile phones, recording pens, and interview devices to him. There were also people patting his body with their hands.
It was only a short ten meters, but Twain walked in an unusually wretched manner …
"How does it feel to be home, Tony!" Tony! "When he finally reached the entrance of the tunnel, a shout came from behind him.
He did not look back. He just raised his right hand and gave a thumbs up. Then, under the urging of the police, he squeezed in.
"How crazy … It's like a rock star came here to hold a concert …" The beautiful young female reporter looked at the scene in front of her and could not help but exclaim.
Standing next to her, Brosnan smiled and said with a little pride, "The most successful manager in the history of English football is home. Of course, his family has to welcome him."
The female reporter looked back at him.
"But you can't imagine how down and out such a successful manager was in the beginning. Ha!" Brosnan laughed. "When he first appeared, there were only boos and middle fingers."
The female reporter shook her head gently. "It's hard to imagine …"
Brosnan pointed to the fans who were still unwilling to disperse and said, "For them, Tony is synonymous with an entire era. From 2003 to 2018, 15 years of memories are in here."
Brosnan, who said this, was also immersed in his own memories. Back then, he was still a rash intern reporter, a young man who had just graduated from university at the age of 24. He did not know anything and had no experience. He was ridiculed and ridiculed by Tony Twain at the press conference. It seemed that they should have become enemies. Who would have thought that he would be ghostwriting an autobiography for this man in the future?
The female reporter looked back at the middle-aged man. His gaze was cast into the distance, but there was no focus. There was a faint smile on his lips.
"It also includes your memories, right, Mr. Brosnan?"
Brosnan retracted his gaze and looked at the young intern reporter who had just graduated from university like himself. He nodded.
"Yes, Miss Alina. Memories of youth. "
※ ※ ※
"Defensive counterattack, guys!!" Tang En clenched his fists in the locker room. He seized the time to repeat to his players the important parts of yesterday's tactical meeting. "Long passes and charging! Don't care how the laymen criticize. You know what we need the most right now. It's not good-looking offensive coordination, nor is it a gorgeous back-heel pass. It's a goal and victory! Middlesbrough will press us hard in the midfield, especially George. You'll be the focus of their attention … "Tang En pointed to Wood, who was changing his clothes.
Wood nodded and continued to put on his jersey.
"So, I'm asking you not to hold onto the ball too much in the midfield. There's a great risk in passing more than three passes in the midfield. I don't want to see a scene where you go back and forth in the midfield and send the football to the opponent's feet for them to counterattack on the spot. Whether it's George or Fernando (Gago), you have to defend the backfield in this game. Don't easily cross the center line and use long passes to organize the attack. The two flanks … "
He pointed to the two side midfielders, Chris Cohen and Wijnaldum, who were in the starting lineup today.
"Your task today is the most important. You need to keep sprinting back and forth. You must press forward when attacking and retreat when defending. If you can't do it, I'll bring you off! Anyway, I have a lot of people here who want to play. "
There was a burst of laughter in the locker room.
Tang En also laughed. The atmosphere was very harmonious with the music, and there was not the slightest sense of tension. This was the atmosphere he wanted before the game.
"The two strikers …" This time, the people who stopped what they were doing and looked at Tang En were Mitchell and Balotelli. They were the starting strikers for this game. "Aaron, you have to try to push the opponent's defensive line forward and press them to the front of the goal to create enough space for Mario."
Tang En did not lie to Balotelli. In this game, he did give Balotelli enough trust and the corresponding responsibility.
"Mario, thanks to the ups and downs of your form in the past few seasons, our opponents won't be too strict with you …" Hearing his words, some people were worried that Balotelli would be unhappy, but what surprised them was that in the face of Twain's teasing, Balotelli also laughed along with him, not caring about what Twain had said before. This scene was too rare. One must know that Balotelli was very sensitive, and he cared a lot about other people's evaluation of him. If anyone dared to say that he was not good enough and was a fake, he would definitely make the other party suffer. But looking at the situation now, it seemed that the boss had already dealt with the troublemaker in the locker room … "And they think that you will habitually move around on the right side. This game is your chance to prove yourself again, man. We all know you are a genius, but the people outside don't think so. Show them what you're made of! You are 'Super Mario'! "
Finally, they talked about the rear defensive line.
"Guys, you are the starting defenders for this game. You are the key to this game." Tang En stood in front of the four starting defenders. They were the left back Joe Mattock, the right back Koulou, and the center backs Sakho and Jorgensen.
"I want you to strictly defend your own defensive zone. The full backs are not allowed to go forward to assist. Other than in place kicks, you are not allowed to use the opposite position to defend. But when defending in the backfield, you also have to pay attention to one thing — you can't blindly clear with your feet. Defense is the source of offense, and all offense comes from defense. It can be said that you are not only the defenders who can only destroy the opponent's offense, you are also the first stop of the offense. So, I don't want you to lose any opportunity to attack. After you intercept the ball, pass the football to the midfielders and let them organize the offense. "
"No problem, boss." Mattock answered on behalf of all the defenders.
Tang En clapped his hands and said, "That's all I need to say. If I say more, you will definitely think that I am too long-winded. Finally, I want you to know that although we lost in the last round of the league tournament, that is not a reason for us to give up in this round of the league tournament. No matter what the situation is, my request for you is very simple — I want nothing but victory. "
※ ※ ※
When Tang En finished saying what he needed to say, there were still more than ten minutes before the start of the game. He let the players rest. But he was called out by someone.
The person who called him out was not a staff member, but the club's chairman, Evan Doughty.
Next to him stood a young man who seemed to be less than thirty years old.
"My son, Bob. Come and meet your idol — Tony Twain. "Evan pulled the young man beside him and pointed to Tang En.
"Hello, hello! Mr. Twain, I'm your admirer … "The young man hurriedly stepped forward and held Tang En's hand.
"Ah … Ha, hello, Bob …" Tang En was not used to the chairman's son being so enthusiastic to him.
Evan also seemed to see that Tang En was a little embarrassed. He hurriedly pulled his son away and said, "If you want an autograph, wait until the game is over. You go up first, I still have something to do. "
Bob seemed to be afraid to disobey his father. He turned around and walked out reluctantly.
"It was also your father who introduced you to me back then. His behavior was completely different from yours." Tang En looked at Bob's back before returning to normal. He smiled and talked about the past. Fifteen years ago, Evan Doughty could not even distinguish between "manager" and "coach." His understanding of football was almost zero. And now, Bob Doughty was a fanatical fan …
In addition, when Nigel Doughty introduced Evan to Tang En, he already had the intention of retiring from the first team and letting his son take over. Now he was playing the same old trick and introducing his son to Tang En. It was also to show Tang En that his son would take over in the future. But …
Why did he introduce him to him and not to the new manager for the next season? Did he still think that he could help his son?
"He fell in love with football because of you, Tony. Ever since you became Forest's manager, he followed me to watch a few Forest matches and fell in love with the sport. "
Tang En chuckled. "You didn't call me out of the changing room just to introduce your precious son to me, did you, Evan?"
"Of course not. In fact, I was looking for you for something else, but he found out and insisted on coming along … It's like this, Tony. You don't have to enter the stadium with the team. You can go out now. "
Tang En was a little puzzled. "Why? It's still early before the match starts … "
"We've prepared a special welcome ceremony for you. You have to go out alone, Tony." Evan looked at Tang En with a smile.
"What ceremony?"
"You'll know when you get there, Tony. Let's go. Everyone's waiting for you. "
Tang En looked at the changing room, turned around and walked over to open the door. He gave a few instructions to the assistant manager, David Kerslake, who was standing at the door, to gather the team and prepare to go out. Only then did he follow Evan Doughty to the tunnel that led to the stadium.
Just as he left, the players also came out of the changing room under Kerslake's urging. They walked toward the tunnel and prepared to line up and wait to enter the stadium.
※ ※ ※
When Tang En walked to the entrance of the tunnel, there were only three referees waiting there. When they saw Tang En walking over, one of them even extended his hand to shake Tang En's.
No matter what, Tang En was the manager who led England to win the World Cup. In terms of results alone, he was still very worthy of respect.
Tang En shook the referee's hand and realized that Evan was still by his side. He turned around and asked, "This can't be the 'special welcome ceremony' that you mentioned, right?"
Evan shook his head and patted Tang En's shoulder. "You'll know when you get out. You'll have to walk this distance yourself, Tony. I'm sorry that I can't accompany you … "
Tang En turned around to look at Evan Doughty. Doughty gestured for him to walk forward, so he walked out, puzzled. Of course, he did not forget to shrink his neck — he was afraid that someone would splash water on him from the stands …
That was the only special welcoming ceremony he could think of in his poor brain …
But there was no water, no ribbons. As he walked out, Tang En shrunk his neck and looked at the stands on both sides. He only saw the passionate and familiar fans.
At the same time, the music that was originally playing in the live broadcast came to an abrupt stop. A slightly aged voice shouted with passion, "Now! Let us welcome … His Majesty the King!! "
As if it was a signal flare, before his voice had even faded, loud cheers rang out in the Crimson Stadium. All the fans in the stadium stood up and faced the entrance. They stretched out their hands in a kneeling position and shouted, "Long live His Majesty!!"
Tang En looked back in surprise and found that Evan, who was in the tunnel, was actually doing the exact same action as the fans.
"Long live His Majesty!!!"
The cheers grew louder and louder.
This was indeed a special welcome ceremony …
Tang En returned to normal. He naturally waved to the fans in the stands and strode into the stadium with his head held high.
Following his footsteps, the cheers continued without a break.
In the face of such cheers, he did not pretentiously and humbly refuse them. Instead, he accepted them calmly. He was worthy of such a title. He was also worthy of the fans' cheers because he was indeed the King here!
When Tang En walked to the center of the field, the cheers continued. The players had just arrived at the entrance of the tunnel. They had already heard the fans' cheers and saw their boss in the middle of the field. The old players were not surprised by such cheers. Instead, they gathered together and giggled as they pointed at Tang En. As for the players who had never played under Tang En, they were completely shocked once.
At this time, above the Robin Hood grandstand, a huge banner was hung down. On the red curtain was a sentence that warmed Tang En's heart.
Welcome home, Your Majesty!
"This is really a dream journey …" the television commentator exclaimed. He felt as if he was in a dream. How could such a scene happen on a football field? In this day and age where football was becoming more and more commercial, how many people could enjoy such a sincere greeting?
"This game is the focal point of this round's Premier League, and Tony Tang is the focal point of the focal point!" Amidst the loud cheers, the commentator had to raise his voice, as if someone from the home team had just scored a goal.
"I have a feeling that if Tony Tang announced that he was going to run for British Prime Minister, he could get more than half of the votes in Nottingham and not have to canvass for votes at all!"
"Even if the Queen came, I'm afraid there's no way to steal the limelight from him … No, even if the Pope came, it wouldn't work."
"Do you remember the night of the coronation ten years ago? 'His Majesty the King' is definitely not a title he gave himself, nor is it a meaningless hype by the media. This is a fact. He is indeed the King here! "
"Although a lot of people hate him, he still enjoys the treatment of a king here. It's right to return, Tony! Look at how many people still love you. Retirement is not a life you should be living, ha! "John Motson laughed.
Tang En stood in the middle of the field and spun in place, waving to the Forest fans in the stands on all four sides. To thank them for preparing this "special welcome ceremony." To be honest, he was very touched. Although he had been away from here for more than four years, his subjects still loved him, and this love was the main reason why he finally decided to end his retirement and return to the Forest team.
People have feelings. Even if Evan Doughty and Allan Adams had hurt him, these fans were innocent, and the Forest team was innocent. His return was not for Evan Doughty, nor was it for money. He just could not bear to see those who used to loudly say to him in the stands, "Hey, Tony! Bring back another championship trophy! "The fans were just sad. He had a clear conscience about this decision.
Therefore, in the face of these fans' crazy cheers, he accepted it as a matter of course.
Among the cheering crowd, there were Fat John and Skinny Bill's group that Tang En was familiar with, as well as the white-haired old guys that Brosnan had seen before. There were even some Middlesbrough fans who followed the Forest fans in kneeling. In the hearts of all the English fans, this guy should probably be "His Majesty the King."
The deafening cheers lasted for five or six minutes, and could be heard clearly outside the stadium.
The fans in the square who could not enter the stadium also followed the people inside and shouted, "Long live His Majesty!!" Causing the other passersby to pay their respects to them.
The cheers only slowly stopped after Tang En walked to the visiting team's technical area and shook hands with the visiting team manager, Tony Mowbray, until they disappeared.
After the game, a curious reporter went to ask Mowbray what he thought of the scene before the game. Mowbray shook his head and smiled. "There's only one 'Tony' today, but it's not me."
He was right. He was a complete supporting character today, even though he had wanted to be the main character before the game. But when he saw this scene, he didn't have that thought anymore.
In the game that followed, the entire Nottingham Forest team was clearly affected by this scene. The entire team cast aside their usual low spirits and radiated a surprising and fearsome fighting spirit. With Tang En's long passes and unexpected tactical arrangements, they exploded with a huge fighting spirit.
Coupled with the loud noise created by the 60,000 fans.
Middlesbrough resisted for 17 minutes in an environment that was like a jet plane taking off before they raised their hands and surrendered.
They were completely defeated by Nottingham Forest with a score of 0: 3 in the first and second halves of the reborn Nottingham Forest team.
After the game, the media joked that to be able to experience the return of His Majesty Tang En, even if they lost, they would be able to leave their name in history. In the future, when discussing the classics of the English Premier League, there would definitely be scenes of Middlesbrough.
Pierce Brosnan even excitedly used such a headline after the game:
"I'm back, I've seen, I've conquered."
No one objected to this, because that was the truth.
All the doubts about Tony Twain and the arguments of "Tang En is outdated" and "Tang En can't do it anymore" all disappeared. All that was left in the national media was a uniform chorus of praises and eulogies. The big and small media outlets, commentators, and experts all expressed that the most dominant Tony Twain and Nottingham Forest had returned. Under their iron hooves, their opponents could only cry and beg for mercy. Middlesbrough, unfortunately, was honored to be the first sacrifice, used by Twain as a sacrifice to the flag.
Even though Nottingham Forest had won this game and was still ranked 16th, even the team at the top of the table felt a chill behind their backs.
There was no longer anyone who would laugh and say that they would definitely win when facing Forest. Because the pack of wolves lurking in the forest had flashed their fangs again. Tony Twain and his Nottingham Forest were no longer a joke. On the contrary, those who had once confidently looked down on them had now become the biggest joke. However, Tang En did not retaliate against those who had previously mocked him in the media.
The return of the king was greeted from all sides.
However, Tang En smiled calmly.
In fact, with his current status, it would be too degrading for him to personally roll up his sleeves and go into battle to slap people.
※ ※ ※
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.
