Kerslake was right on the mark. Evan Doughty and Tony Twain met at Wilford Alley between the youth team training base in the north and the First Team training base in the south.
Seeing Twain walking towards him, Evan asked loudly, "Did you go to look for me, Tony?"
Almost at the same time, Twain also asked, "Did you go to look for me, Evan?"
The two were stunned, then laughed together.
"That's great. Look, Tony. The two of us have great chemistry. We'll definitely work well together in the future. "Evan stood in front of Twain and smiled.
Twain shook his head lightly. "Evan, do we work well together?"
"Of course not now, but … maybe in the future. What are you looking for me for, Tony? "
"What are you looking for me for, Evan?"
"Looks like we both have the same goal. Let's go, we'll talk as we walk." Evan patted Twain on the shoulder.
Twain did not move. He pointed at the guidebook and then pointed north. "Which way?"
Evan looked up at the path covered with withered leaves in front of him. "Just walk along this path."
It was late autumn. In the summer, this path was once hidden by the dense shade of the trees. Twain had once been uncertain about his future here, feeling indecisive. Now, the narrow path was covered with a thick layer of fallen leaves. Stepping on it made a "pu pu" sound, it was as soft as walking on a carpet. Half a year passed in the blink of an eye …
"Tony, what do you think of Collymore as a manager?" Evan asked with his head lowered as he stepped on the fallen leaves.
"He's light years behind as a player," Twain replied.
"Well, I can see that too. He's not suitable to be a manager, at least not now … "
"Then why did you choose him in the first place?"
"This … I can't tell you, Tony. But I can tell you something else. "Evan shook his head.
"Hmm?"
"Get ready." Evan stopped and looked at Twain.
"Get ready for what?" Twain spread his hands.
Looking at Twain's innocent expression, Evan smiled. "Tony, do you really want me to say everything?"
"Okay, okay, I understand." Twain raised his hand to indicate that he knew what Evan meant. "But can you tell me when exactly?"
"I can't. Because I don't even know myself. But … "Evan looked up at the sky." It should be soon. "
Tang En had originally wanted to look for Evan to take the blame for Wood and Collymore's incident. If Evan insisted on firing Wood, then he would resign and leave as well. He did not expect to receive such great news — that's right, I'll be returning to the City Ground Stadium soon! Return to the position that should have been mine!
Just as Twain was secretly happy, Evan poured cold water on him. "Oh, I forgot, there's one more thing … Maybe it's better to let you know in advance."
Tang En could smell something bad in Evan's tone. He looked at Evan and waited quietly for him to finish.
"Maybe you … need to choose a new captain, Tony."
"What?" Twain understood the meaning of Evan's roundabout words. "Dawson is leaving the team?!"
Evan nodded.
The news shocked Tang En. It was not just the pillar of the team that was leaving. He remembered that Michael Dawson left the Forest team in January 2005. There was still more than a year to go!
"How could this be …" Tang En murmured.
"Dawson is very disappointed with my decision to let Collymore be the manager. The team has not won in a row, and he has also lost confidence in the team. And, you know, for young players, a super team is obviously more attractive, "Evan explained at the side. He did not shirk his responsibility.
"Which team?"
"Ah?"
"Which team is Dawson going to?"
"Tottenham Hotspur."
As expected … Tang En suddenly thought of another person. He asked, "Other than Dawson, who else is leaving?"
Evan looked at Tang En with some surprise. "How do you know someone else is leaving? That's right. Reid is going to Tottenham Hotspur with Dawson. "
Other than the time, nothing else had changed … The players involved in the transfer, the destination of the transfer, etc. There was still one more question to be confirmed.
"How much did Tottenham Hotspur pay for the two of them?"
"Eight million."
"Pounds?" Tang En asked.
"Pounds." Evan nodded.
The transfer fee was the same.
Seeing Tony Tang En lower his head in silence, Evan thought he was dissatisfied with the deal, so he explained, "Tony, you know … for Forest Team, which has just experienced a transfer crisis, eight million is not a small sum. We have no reason to reject this offer."
Tang En shook his head lightly. "I understand … I understand. Eight million, eight million … But, Evan, let me ask you a question. Let me ask you a question. Please answer me seriously. "
"Go ahead, Tony."
"Why did you abandon your business in America and promise your inflexible father to return to England and take over this club that is in deep crisis? What is it for? You're a businessman! Please don't tell me things like filial piety to your father and love for Forest Team! "
Hearing Tang En's question, Evan was silent for a long time. Tang En did not rush him to answer his question. He just stood at the side, waiting for him to speak.
"Tony … If I say it's to earn money, do you believe me?" Do you believe it? "Evan looked at Tang En.
Tang En also looked at him. From his expression and eyes, he could determine if he was lying. "I believe you. But do you know that there are countless football clubs in the world? How many of them have earned money? "
"We have our own plans for this, Tony. I'm the chairman of the club's board of directors. I'm in charge of running the team. Naturally, I don't want her to make me lose money. Didn't Manchester United Football Club earn money for the Edwards family? "
Tang En did not know much about running a club. He did not want to get entangled with Evan in an area he was not familiar with. So, he changed his direction. "Very well, you have your own plans. Do you know how many sources a football club's financial income comes from? "
"Of course." Evan nodded. "Television broadcasting, various sponsors, player transfers, ticket revenue, and the commercial development of other related products and facilities."
"Ha, looks like you've really put in a lot of effort, Evan. Well, take Manchester United as an example, or perhaps a goal … Let me tell you how to earn money from my professional point of view. " Tang En extended a finger. "Television broadcasting fees are the main source of income. The more times your team's matches are broadcasted by the television station, the more broadcasting fees you can get. You must be very clear on this point. "
"Yes." Evan nodded.
"Then, which do you think is more in League One's broadcasting fees or the English Premier League's broadcasting fees?"
"Of course it's the English Premier League …"
"Very good. Then, how many times do you think a lousy team in League One can get? We're in League One now. Did we get a high television broadcasting fee? Didn't we experience an economic disaster like all the other teams? "
"Tony, the situation is very complicated. If Independent Digital did not go bankrupt, we wouldn't have to work so hard …"
"Okay, I know. Then, let's talk about sponsors. What kind of team can attract more world-class companies to sponsor? Vodafone, Nike, Adidas, Opel, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Fly` Emirates … Wait, what kind of team can attract them? Can a lousy team in League One do it? "
Evan was not stupid. He already knew what Tang En was going to say.
"I know you want to earn money, Evan, but what is the basis for attracting capital? The team must have good results and be able to rise to a higher level of league, win the championship, and be honored! Attract the attention of the world! Then, we can talk about other things … You know this better than me. What is the basis for winning the championship and honor? Outstanding players, a stable team! Now, you've sold the team's captain and main left midfielder just for that damn eight million pounds! " Tang En paced in front of Evan, waving his arms in agitation. "If you wait a few more years, you can sell them for 18 million, or even 38 million! Why? Because we can rise to the English Premier League and win the championship. They can be selected for the national team! When that time comes, their value will rise, and countless clubs will rush to negotiate with you for their transfer fees. You can raise the price and demand an exorbitant price … it's all up to you! "
Tang En paused, and his tone softened. "Evan, I understand your difficulties. The club needs money … You want to earn money, I want honor. We both have very ambitious goals. But a team that only sells its main players and rising stars is destined to have no future. If you trust me, I can lay a solid foundation for your money-making plan. I can't help you earn money, but I can help you win. Do you trust me, Evan? "
He looked at Evan, and Evan looked back at him.
"I trust you, Tony."
Tang En nodded. "You're right, Evan. We have a tacit understanding. We'll work well together. Alright, Dawson and Reed are in the past now. Let's not talk about them anymore. Has the club's debt been settled? "
"Yes, ten million pounds … That's not a small amount."
"It's a total of ten million for the next few years, right?"
Evan chuckled. "That's right. My dad has already paid off some of it. After I took over, I paid off all the debt. When you come back, it will be a completely healthy and debt-free Nottingham Forest!"
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