When the referee blew the whistle three times, the Crimson Stadium was in an uproar. As they wished, they gave a victory as a gift to the departing Twain.
Only the Manchester United players and fans were dejected. They looked particularly lonely in this joyous environment.
Twain had wanted to shake hands with Mourinho after the game to complete the etiquette. He knew Mourinho was not a patient man. But he had just gotten up when he was hugged by David Kerslake next to him. The assistant manager did not say anything and just hugged him.
A group of reporters rushed up from the side and kept snapping away at them.
When Twain finally broke free from Kerslake's embrace and turned to look for Mourinho, he was surprised to find that the other party was still standing outside waiting for him!
Twain pushed the reporters aside and reached out to Mourinho.
"I thought you'd already left, Mr. Mourinho."
Mourinho, who had lost the championship title, did not look good. Clearly, he was also in a bad mood. He shook Tang En's outstretched hand and then let go.
"I just don't want you to write in your memoir that José Mourinho is a guy without manners and grace. I should go now. Congratulations on winning another race. I'm glad you retired today. "
Having said that, Mourinho did not care about the reactions of the people around him, let alone look at Twain's expression. He turned and neatly left the noisy stadium.
Twain was surrounded by reporters and looked at Mourinho's back as he left. For a moment, he had mixed feelings. He definitely did not feel the slightest joy that he had defeated this old opponent. On the contrary, he suddenly felt sorry for Mourinho.
The sky was getting dark, and the flashing lights around him pulled Twain back to reality. He looked at the reporters around him and ignored them. He walked straight to the field. In the middle of the field, his players were waiting for him.
And in the stands, 60,000 fans were shouting his name loudly.
"The game is over. Nottingham Forest has won, and Manchester United has lost their league title. But that's not important. What's important is that for us, a very important and special person is finally saying goodbye … "John Motson, who was in charge of the game's commentary, said emotionally.
He still remembered his first "encounter" with Twain. At the City Ground stadium, after a terrible first half, Tang En was knocked to the ground by his own players and left the field. He became the biggest joke in English football after the round of matches. He was in charge of commentating that match. At that time, he was laughing his head off in the commentator's seat, and his sarcasm was merciless.
He really did not expect that he would become friends with Tang En in the future, that he would commentate on England's matches with Tang En, that he would personally witness that young man step by step become one of the most successful managers in the world, and that he would become the godfather of Nottingham Forest.
Amidst the shouts of 60,000 people, Tang En walked into the middle of the stadium and gathered with his men.
"Boss, can we not go?" Gareth Bell asked with tears in his eyes.
Tang En only smiled and shook his head.
"I don't think there's anything wrong with your body, really. We can work together for a few more years, and then we can leave together, okay? "Bell continued to ask, unwilling to give up.
Twain reached out to touch the little monkey's head and said to him, "I felt the same way when I saw Demetrio off, but they still left. This is life, little monkey. You'll have to face parting eventually. It's no big deal. Besides, it's not like we'll be parting forever. "
Bell bit his lip and retreated to the side, not speaking anymore.
Balotelli looked at Tang En, wanting to say something several times, but stopped himself. Tang En saw through his thoughts and said to him, "You can stay or leave, it's fine. As long as you like it. You're a genius, Mario. But geniuses are not suitable for every situation. I'm leaving, you can walk your own path. "
Tang En patted Balotelli on the shoulder, then turned to Mitchell.
He looked up at Mitchell's face. The kid seemed to be making a face at him, wanting to cry and laugh at the same time.
"Aaron. I still have to say, you should strengthen your training in terms of strength. I want you to be more well-rounded … "At this point, he smiled a little. "Why am I still talking about this? Anyway, I won't be your coach next season. If you can't break through the blockade of those strong defenders, the person who should be worried is not me, ha!"
Tang En laughed, but Mitchell burst into tears.
Tang En ignored the tears and snot flowing down his face and patted Mitchell's waist hard. He turned around to look for the others.
He did not want his departure to look sorrowful. He was already over 50 years old, was there a need to do this?
So, he especially socialized with each player, said a few words to this person, and then went to talk to another person.
While he was doing this, the cheers in the stadium did not stop. None of the sixty thousand Nottingham Forest fans left the stadium. Most of the Manchester United fans followed the Manchester United team out of the stadium.
The two big screens in the stadium's stands were replaying Tang En's documentary.
The live television broadcast was still going on.
※ ※ ※
Shania was waiting to appear in the dressing room. This would be her last appearance on the runway, but now her mind was not on work. In her hand, there was a mobile phone, playing a scene from the television. It was the scene of Tang En's farewell at the Crimson Stadium.
Thanks to the ever-changing technology, she could still watch the live television broadcast here. In this way, she accompanied Uncle Tony on the last journey of his career.
The voice of the commentator on the mobile phone was very clear.
"I don't want to repeat Tony Twain's achievements here. I just want to enjoy the scene in front of me — more than 60,000 fans in the stands, unwilling to leave. Tang En is with his players, talking to them one by one … What does this remind me of? A general who is about to retire is reviewing his troops and officers for the last time. He shakes hands with them one by one, thanking them for their support and work over the years … "
Shania looked at the image on the mobile phone screen, lost in thought. Tang En was surrounded by the players in the center, and the reporters also surrounded them. The fans were at the outermost, singing and shouting the name of the main character.
The hairstylist was at the back, fiddling with her hair and doing the final preparations. There were other models in the dressing room, but Shania acted as if no one was around, not caring what others thought of her.
This scene should have been very sad, but Shania had a smile on her face, just like the man in the middle of the screen.
"It's done, dear." The hairstylist motioned for Shania to raise her head and look at the overall effect in the mirror.
The woman in the mirror did not look at all like she was almost 30 years old. She had a head of soft shoulder-length hair, the ends curled, looking youthful, beautiful, lively, and mischievous.
Shania made a face, then turned off the live television broadcast on her mobile phone.
It was time for her to appear.
※ ※ ※
Tang En walked in front of Wood. This was the last one.
Looking at his own captain, Tang En did not know what to say. Wood was sensible and obedient. Some things did not need to be repeated. What needed to be said had been said before.
What else was there to say now?
Looking at Tang En standing in front of him, Wood also did not know what to say. But it was not that he did not have anything to say. He just wanted to say too much, and did not know where to start.
When it came to the time of departure, he was always so clumsy.
Whether it was when facing Demetrio or when facing Tang En.
In the end, Tang En did not say anything. He just put his hand on Wood's shoulder and squeezed it hard.
After saying goodbye to the players, he also said goodbye to the coaches. Starting from the team doctor to the assistant coaches, he shook hands or hugged them one by one.
In the end, he hugged Freddy Eastwood and whispered in his ear, "Dunn will take over my position. He's an outstanding manager, but he needs an outstanding assistant. However, he needs an outstanding assistant. Why don't you stay and help him? "
Eastwood nodded and agreed.
Having gotten the promise, Tang En let go of him and turned to Kerslake.
"Whether you leave with me or stay here, it's your choice, David."
Kerslake looked at the people around him and said to Tang En, "I've changed my mind, Tony. Nottingham Forest is a good place. I want to stay here. "
Tang En laughed and patted him on the shoulder. "The right choice."
After doing all this, he said to the two assistant coaches, "I'm going to hold a press conference in a while, so I won't be going to the locker room. There will definitely be a lot of reporters waiting for me today. You don't have to wait for me to come back. Once the players are done packing, drive straight back to the hotel and dismiss on the spot. As for me, I'll go home myself. "
The two of them nodded at the same time. They had no objections to Tang En's arrangement.
Seeing that the two of them had agreed, Tang En walked out with a peace of mind. After taking two steps out, he turned back to look behind him. The players and coaches were still standing in the same spot, with no intention of leaving.
Tang En waved at them. "Go back. Don't catch a cold."
Then, he walked forward again. This time, he did not turn back.
Along the way, the fans' shouts were deafening. The flags and banners with his face on the stands waved non-stop. In the live broadcast, Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli sang at the top of their lungs, "… It's time to say goodbye …"
Tang En walked toward the entrance of the tunnel. Behind him were the players and colleagues who stood motionless. In front of him was a large group of reporters carrying cameras and cameras. They took pictures as they retreated. The flashes illuminated the path under his feet into a patch of white.
When he walked to the entrance of the tunnel, many fans on both sides of the stands suddenly scattered a lot of confetti. The fluttering confetti made Tang En raise his head. In the crowd, he saw a few familiar faces.
Michael Bernard, Fat John, Skinny Bill, and even the bar owner, Kenny Burns. When he saw Burns, his interest was suddenly piqued. He stopped in his tracks and went up to ask, "In all these years, you've only left the bar when the City Ground stadium was about to be demolished. Why are you here again today?"
Burns said to him, "The City Ground stadium has demolished an era. Your departure is the same, Tony."
Tang En did not say anything else. He waved at him and them, continuing to walk toward the tunnel amidst the fluttering confetti.
※ ※ ※
Joe Mattock sighed. "This is the last time I'll see the boss appear in front of me in this capacity …"
Wood stood at the front of the group. When he heard Mattock's words, he suddenly had the thought of rushing forward. But even when Tang En disappeared into the tunnel surrounded by the reporters, he did not put it into action.
He suddenly felt that he was very timid. He was not a man of steel.
He was a coward who could not brazenly show his feelings in front of a large crowd.
He could not compare to Mitchell, who was willing to cry in front of Tang En. He could not compare to Bale, who said to Tang En, "Can I not leave?"
As a captain, he really did not have the qualifications at this time …
Seeing Tang En completely disappear from sight, David Kerslake's voice rang out. David Kerslake's voice rang out, but this time, his loud voice sounded weak.
"Go back, guys. Go back, take a shower, change your clothes, and leave this place. Your vacation has begun. "
Some players began to walk down the field. Wood looked up and realized that the fans in the stands were also slowly leaving. But he knew that these people would still gather in the square outside the stadium. The departure of a special person would not end like this.
He pulled off the captain's armband and clutched it in his hands. Then, he walked down the field with his teammates.
※ ※ ※
After walking out of the stadium, Michael Bernard did not plan to stay. Even though many people had gathered in the square, they were still chanting Tang En's name. The scene was very enthusiastic.
"Let's go back to the bar for a drink, guys," Michael said to his companions.
"Not staying to send Tony off?" Skinny Bill was a little puzzled.
"We've already sent him off." Michael pointed in the direction of the door and said, "The Tony who walks out of this door later will not be the manager, Tony Twain. I want to go back for a drink. My mouth is dry after shouting for a game. "
Burns said next to him, "Me too."
The two men enjoyed a high reputation in the hearts of this group of fans. Since they had said so, there was no objection.
"Well, let's go back for a drink, for …" Fat John suddenly did not know what to say.
"Here's to the past 16 years. Say goodbye to the people and things in these 16 years." Michael raised his hand.
He waved goodbye to the Crimson Stadium.
※ ※ ※
Pierce Brosnan did not have time to stand on the side and pretend to sigh that "an era is over." From the final whistle until now, he had been busy. He was so busy that he could not stop to carefully reflect on it — this was Tony Twain's last game!
Like the others in the industry, he followed Tony Twain as the center and ran around the field, bidding farewell to the players and the fans. Then, they arrived at the press conference hall together. Now, watching Twain take his seat in front of a table piled with microphones, cell phones, recording pens, and interview machines, he finally had time to think about the half an hour that had just passed.
The Forest team had won the game against Manchester United, and Tony Twain maintained his undefeated record against Mourinho in his managerial career. These were not the main points. Now that he thought back to the time when Twain said goodbye to the players and coaches in the middle of the field, he felt that Twain's influence would not weaken with his departure. On the contrary, his influence here might even be stronger.
After Cruyff left Barcelona, he was still the godfather of Barcelona. He always published all kinds of articles and comments about Barcelona in the media. When Barcelona played well, he praised them. When Barcelona did not play well, he criticized them. He had the right to speak on matters like who to choose as the manager, which players to sell and which players to buy. His suggestions were always things that the Barcelona manager could not ignore.
But unlike the Flying Dutchman, Brosnan felt that Twain's influence would not be displayed through the above.
In fact, judging from Twain's behavior after his first retirement, he would not mention Nottingham Forest much after his retirement this time, as if the name "Nottingham Forest" had never appeared in his life. He would never interfere with the Forest team's policies, nor would he criticize the Forest team's personnel strategy. To him, whether the Forest team played well or not was someone else's business. He was just that strange, using such a cold way to express his feelings for the Forest team. It seemed that only the distance between them could make him feel that the feelings in his heart were still pure.
But even so, looking at today's scene, his position in the hearts of the Forest fans was still unshakable. He believed that it would still be the same in a few years. He did not need to say anything, and he did not need to do anything. But as long as someone mentioned his name, that invisible influence would begin to appear.
Robin Hood had been dead for more than 900 years, but his influence was still there. He was even repeatedly eulogized by people and written into literature, scripts, and games. Wasn't Tony Twain about the same treatment?
Brosnan, who was lost in thought, was woken up by the press officer's announcement that the press conference would now begin. The originally noisy room immediately quieted down. Everyone was looking forward to Twain's parting speech.
Mourinho had already left. While most of the reporters were still on the field, he accepted an interview from a few Manchester media outlets before leaving in a hurry. He left the huge stage to Twain alone.
What a considerate opponent …
Twain looked at the reporters below, brimming with anticipation, and cleared his throat. Just this action alone made those people sit up straight, stick their heads forward, and prick up their ears.
Twain chuckled.
※ ※ ※
The runway show had already ended. Shania had just walked out of the curtain call with the designer holding her hand. She was now standing in front of the background board, accepting interviews from the reporters.
"Yes, it's true that I want to retire from the modeling and entertainment world. I made this decision after serious consideration." For the first time, Shania personally admitted the truth that had long been hyped up in front of the media.
"It's a complete withdrawal, and I won't be coming back in the future."
Shania fiddled with her brown hair. With her makeup removed, her face was bare, and she was a completely different person from the icy beauty on the runway. Now, she had a gentle smile on her face, patiently and carefully answering every question from the reporters without the slightest hint of impatience.
"After the launch, I'll spend some time with my husband and daughter first, and then think about the future … Maybe I'll become a fashion designer."
But the reporters still wanted to pursue the real inside story. For them, the answers that could be seen in the media were all worthless. The real right answer was the one that you would never know.
"The real reason for your withdrawal?" Shania did not show any annoyance at the questioner of this question. Instead, she gave the young male reporter a smile that could make his heart stop for a second.
"It's very simple. I'm pregnant."
When Shania casually said this sentence, everyone present had yet to react. They had habitual expressions on their faces as they waited for the real answer to come out. None of them realized that the real answer had already appeared.
"Ah …" The reporter who asked the question was the quickest to react. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but he could only make this sound.
Shania looked at the silent reporters and winked mischievously. This scene was really interesting. She had indeed succeeded in frightening all the reporters.
※ ※ ※
"… I have nothing to say."
In the press hall of Nottingham's Crimson Stadium, Tang En said this to the expectant reporters.
"I know there are a lot of people who like me, and a lot of people who hate me. I've never thought of relying on something to change your opinion of me, even today. How you usually report about me, I'll report about me tomorrow. Anyway, I won't look at it. Anyway, I'm retiring tomorrow. "
Tang En spread his hands. He saw a lot of his enemies in the crowd. For example, Carl Spicer and Chris Beesley. Now, he would no longer bicker with these people. He no longer needed to hype up anything, nor did he need to attract the firepower of the media to reduce the pressure on his team members. From today onwards, he could finally completely unload the heavy burden on his shoulders and sleep like an ordinary person until the next morning.
"I just want to say goodbye to everyone."
After saying this, Tang En actually stood up. He was going to leave!
The reporters panicked. How could they let him leave just like that? They had prepared a stomach full of questions. Where were they going to ask them if he left? Outside the door, he would no longer be the Nottingham Forest manager. He would no longer be able to answer the reporters' questions.
A group of reporters got up from their seats and kicked over the chairs, wanting to stop Tang En from leaving.
"I still have a question, Mr. Tang!!" Chris Beesley raised the notebook in his hand and shouted. It was densely written with words. "You can't leave just like that. The press conference is not over yet!"
"I said it's over." Tang En smiled at the Liverpool Echo reporter who wished for him to die a horrible death.
"But we have the right to ask questions. You're a public figure …" Beesley was still making his final struggle.
"I also have the right to refuse to answer."
Tang En shrugged.
Carl Spicer had wanted to shout a few times, but after seeing Beesley's fate, he squirmed his lips a few times and no sound came out.
Tang En did not leave directly from the side door. He walked down the stage and walked from the middle of the reporters' seats to the main door, intending to leave directly from there — it was closer to the stadium's main door.
The reporters stood up one by one, but no one really dared to go up and hold him back to ask questions.
On the contrary, everyone, intentionally or unintentionally, made way for him.
Just as he was about to reach the door, Pierce Brosnan suddenly shouted, "Goodbye, Tony!"
He raised his hand in mid-air and wanted to wave goodbye to Tang En, only to remember that Tang En's back was facing him and could not see.
Hearing this, Tang En did not look back, nor did he stop. He just raised his right hand and waved behind him, then opened the door and walked out.
※ ※ ※
After passing through a short corridor, he reached the main hall of the stadium's main entrance. Tang En unexpectedly found a person there.
"Mr. Fasal? Aren't you supposed to be by Shania's side? "
The person standing in front of Tang En, grinning, was Shania's manager, Fasal. It was no wonder that Tang En found it strange and asked questions. As long as Shania was working outside, Fasal would almost never leave her side. Why would he appear in front of him now? Could it be that Shania had finished her work early and returned?
Thinking of this, Tang En tilted his head and looked behind Fasal, hoping to see that familiar figure.
"Don't look anymore, Mr. Tang En," Fasal said to him with a smile. "Shania is still in Paris. If there are no accidents, she should have just finished her last runway show."
"Then you …" Tang En was increasingly puzzled.
"I'm here to tell you a piece of good news. As Shania can't leave, she can only let me do it. I'm afraid you won't believe it if it was anyone else. "
Having said that, Fasal handed Tang En a piece of paper.
"The results of the hospital's examination."
Tang En took the item in puzzlement and glanced at it. In the column of examinees, he saw his wife's name.
Without waiting for him to continue reading, Fasal's voice rang out again. "Congratulations, Mr. Tang En. Your wife is pregnant. "
Tang En did not jerk his head up to stare at Fasal. Instead, he lowered his head and stood there in a daze. He could not believe the news he had heard.
"Shania went for a checkup two months ago. She's pregnant. But in order not to affect your work, she did not tell you. Instead, she kept it until now. Who wants to give it to you as a retirement gift? "
Fasal noticed that Tang En's hand was trembling as he held the checkup sheet. He suddenly remembered that the man in front of him had a heart attack before. What if he could not withstand the agitation and had a heart attack …
Fasal did not dare to think of such a thing. He hurriedly called out, "Mr. Tang En, are you alright?"
Only then did Tang En raise his head and look at Fasal. He opened his mouth and said, "I'm … fine … very well …"
After saying that, his anger subsided. "I'm fine. Thank you for telling me such good news, Mr. Fasal."
Fasal had thought that Tang En would say a lot more agitatedly. He did not expect Tang En to leave after saying that.
He instinctively asked, "Where are you going, Mr. Tang En?"
"Home."
Tang En said as he walked out of the hall.
※ ※ ※
"I think all the police officers in Nottingham are here!"
A fan who was blocked outside by the human wall formed by the police complained.
These people could not be blamed for their complaints. Originally, the fans had planned to get close to their idol. However, these police officers acted as if they were facing a formidable enemy. They forcibly separated the fans and opened up a five-meter-wide passageway from the stadium's main gate to the parking lot.
With John Lennon as a precedent, they could not guarantee that there would not be some radical, fanatical, and mentally disturbed fans who were unwilling to let Tang En leave and suddenly assassinate him to "stay" forever. This was not a joke. Therefore, the local police acted as if they were facing a formidable enemy. They were afraid that Mark David Chapman (Lennon's assassin) would appear among the fans.
When Tang En appeared in front of everyone, the fans in the square burst into loud cheers. They became restless. The police officers present were squeezed into a sorry state by the surging tide of people.
Tang En was not surprised to see this scene. He stood on the steps and waved to the excited fans. Then, he lowered his head and walked down the steps, walking out of the passageway that had become crooked.
BBC5 broadcast this scene to the world.
Amidst the cheers of tens of thousands of people, their king walked down the steps of the throne step by step and walked out of the palace on a red carpet. He left the crown on the throne. He did not feel the slightest nostalgia for the magnificent palace. He turned a deaf ear to the cries of his subjects.
In the turbulent red tide of people, he was so calm dressed in black. He folded the list in his hand and placed it in his inner pocket, patting it lightly. Then, he took out his sunglasses and put them on. He slowly walked through the excited crowd with his head held high.
The 16 championship trophies, the 16 years of ups and downs, the days when he was admired by thousands of people, and the endless debates surrounding him, were all left behind by him step by step.
More than a thousand years ago, he defeated the returning Roman conquerors.
He enjoyed the glory of victory and the heart-stirring parade.
There were trumpeters, musicians, and exotic beasts from the conquered lands in the team.
There were also carts full of treasures and captured weapons.
The conqueror rode in a triumphant chariot.
The prisoner of war sat in front of the chariot in chains.
His children, dressed in white robes, stood in the chariot with him, or rode with him.
A slave, holding a golden crown, stood behind the conqueror.
He whispered a warning in his ear:
All the glory was just a passing cloud.
※ ※ ※
PS: Today's first update. The second update will be released at six in the evening. The epilogue and epilogue will be released together. Once again, thank you for your support and company over the past two years. We are saying goodbye for now, just for a better reunion in the future.
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