"The treatment in the youth team is not good. But you have to know that even Rooney's salary in the youth team is only 80 pounds a week, the same as yours. "
"Who's Rooney?" Wood looked confused.
Only then did Tang En realize he had made a mistake. Wood was not a football fan. If he did not care about football, he would not have heard of the name of the Premier League's new genius player. On August 17, 2002, the 16-year-old Rooney made his debut in the Premier League for Everton. Then on October 19, he scored the only goal of the game against Arsenal. That was the first league goal of his career. It ended the Gunners' previous unbeaten record of 30 league games and shocked the English football world. Coincidentally, two years later, on October 25, 2004, Rooney, who had just turned 19, scored the winning goal in a game against Arsenal. That was the first league goal he had scored after joining Manchester United. This time, he ended the Gunners' unbeaten streak of 49 league games in England's top flight.
"Uh, it's the Everton genius who is hot right now. He's bound to join a powerhouse team in the future and earn a lot of money. He's the same age as you." Tang En felt that if he told Wood this, he would be able to link himself to Rooney. "Do you know how much he can earn in a week now?"
Of course, Wood did not know.
"I don't know either." Tang En grinned. "Do you know how much he can earn in a week in the future?"
Wood shook his head.
Tang En thought of a joke he had seen on the Internet. The background was that Rooney had just renewed his contract with Manchester United. A Chinese consortium had offered 850 million pounds to buy Manchester United. Of course, in reality, Manchester United's boss, Glazer, had rejected the offer. The joke was what would happen if the Chinese consortium succeeded in buying Manchester United: Rooney was worried about whether the 120,000 pounds he had asked for could be fulfilled, so he went to the China consortium's boss on his own. The boss sat on a chair with a Zhongnanhai in his mouth and said to Rooney, "You have two choices now. You can either take 120,000 pounds a week or 1.2 million RMB. Think about it. "Rooney used his little brain to calculate for a long time and finally chose 1.2 million RMB. From then on, Rooney had to pay attention to the appreciation of the RMB every day. He no longer watched striptease shows or hung out in bars. He paid attention to the China stock market every day, afraid that it would affect his weekly salary. When Ferguson saw that Rooney had become so well-behaved, he slapped his head in regret. "If I had known this would happen, I would have paid Beckham's salary in RMB. That way, he wouldn't have had time to chase after hot girls."
Of course, this was a joke, but Tang En remembered the number: 120,000.
So he held out his hands to Wood, one hand one, the other two. "One hundred and twenty thousand … pounds."
Wood's eyes widened. "How did you know?"
"Good guess." Of course, Tang En could not say that he came from China four and a half years in the future. At that time, he could easily find out the weekly salary of a superstar like Rooney with a simple search on the internet. "But kid, I'm just letting you know how much you might get in the future. You'll train hard in the youth team, play hard, and gradually grow into a star player. Then, you'll be noticed by the big clubs. When that time comes, they'll naturally come looking for you with their cheques waving. They'll then find a good agent to help you sign an endorsement deal with some world-renowned brands. Let me tell you, just the income from the advertisements will be much more than your annual salary. "
Tang En did not know what kind of player George Wood would become in the end. Perhaps he could not become a professional player at all. But that was not important. Right now, he needed to give the young man a little encouragement and hope. He needed to let him see a bright future and then fight for it. What happened next … would depend on each person's luck.
"Do you plan to accept the youth contract at 80 pounds a week now, then train in the youth team and work hard to become a big star player in the future? Or do you continue to work as a porter and earn 200 pounds a week? Maybe you'll work until you can't move anymore. Or maybe you'll lose this job halfway. You choose, kid. " After saying that, Tang En turned around to watch the First Team's match, leaving a cool view of his back for Wood.
A moment of silence fell between the two of them. There were only Walker's occasional whistles and the players' reminders to each other, as well as the banging sounds of the football hitting each other.
Tang En did not care what Wood chose. He gave Wood a chance, a chance to choose. If Wood did not choose to stay and instead continued to work as a porter. Then, he would only feel pity for that beautiful mother in his heart and sympathize with her a little. Maybe a week later, he would no longer remember that mother and son, because he himself would have to face the challenges of life and fate. He was not a compassionate person who would take out all the money he had on him the moment he saw a beggar. He was not like that in the past, and he was not like that now.
After a moment, Wood's voice rang out from behind him. "Take me to the youth team."
Tang En turned around to look at him. "This is your final choice. You won't go back on it midway, will you?"
Wood shook his head.
Tang En was still worried, so he tried to scare him. "We'll sign the contract. If you break it, you'll have to pay compensation. "
Wood nodded. "I know."
"That's good. Go back to the changing room and change out of these clothes, then follow me. "
Tang En took George Wood through the First Team's training base and went straight to the youth team's training base. To be honest, although Tang En had started out as the youth team's manager, it was his first time here. Compared to the First Team's, the youth team's training base felt newer and more modern. Even the main door was electrically operated. The guards were also uniformed security guards, not enthusiastic old football fans.
The youth team's training base was the same as the First Team's. It was surrounded by rows of green trees, and the surroundings were spacious. There were no tall buildings nearby, so the view was excellent. Further north, beyond the forest was Nottingham's mother river, the Trent River.
After Tang En left the youth team, the manager here was changed to his former assistant manager, David Kerslake. Since they were old partners, there was no need for polite greetings. Tang En directly brought Wood in front of Kerslake.
"George Wood." Tang En pointed at Wood and introduced him to Kerslake. "This kid's physical fitness is pretty good. Let him train with you and see what he can do."
Kerslake sized him up and agreed with Tang En's evaluation of the kid: his physical fitness is pretty good. Looking at his shoulders and legs, they were as thick as a horse's, strong and powerful.
He waved for Wood to come over. "Kid, how old are you?"
"Seventeen."
"What position do you like to play?"
"Forward." Because a forward could score goals, it was easier for him to become famous. There were also goal awards and other miscellaneous things. In short, Wood's poor football knowledge made him think that being a forward would be very "profitable."
"Very good. Go to the changing room and change, then come to training!" Kerslake noticed Tang En giving him a look, so he simply dismissed Wood and asked, "Tony, what's the matter?"
"Uh … I'd like to remind you that he's a complete football rookie."
"Rookie?"
"In terms of football skills, he might not even be as good as those students who only come into contact with football during physical education classes in secondary school."
Kerslake looked at Tang En's expression. It did not look like he was joking at all. He suddenly felt a headache coming on. "Tony …"
"Uh, because his family situation is very complicated, and he's relatively poor. Coincidentally, he helped me once. I've decided to give him a chance and let him try out in the youth team. Maybe he can become a professional player, maybe he can't. Anyway, take care of him a little. Whether he can train or not, it's up to him. " After seeing Wood's miserable performance for 20 minutes, Tang En was also unwilling to bring more trouble to his old partner.
Kerslake sighed. "I understand. I'll do my best. But his physical qualities are indeed very good. It's just that as a beginner, his age is really … "
Tang En nodded. "There are always exceptions to everything. What if this kid becomes an exception?"
Kerslake continued to sigh. "It's too slim. To bet all his youth and energy on such a slim possibility … Forest's youth training system is very outstanding, but how many Jermaine Jenas can they produce? "
"David, that lad has just made a very important choice in his life. It's not a matter of gambling or not. He didn't have much hope in the first place …" Tang En thought of his life in the slums. "If he wants to have hope, he has to do this. The only thing we can do is give him a chance. "
Kerslake nodded. "Don't worry, Tony. I'll do my best to teach him. "
Tang En smiled and patted Kerslake. "We were both brought up by Paul. I believe in your ability." The two of them were once Paul Hart's assistants in the youth team.
As they spoke, Wood had already run out in his youth team training uniform. Tang En stopped him, intending to give him a few final words of advice. He had to focus on the affairs of the First Team in the future and would have very little time to come here.
Kerslake cleverly chose to avoid it. He returned to the training field and continued his work.
"George." When there was no one else around, Tang En said to Wood, "I know your situation very well. I believe you know it better than me. But I still say the same thing: Don't look down on professional football, or it will punish you. Don't think about anything here. Just bury your head in training. If you have any difficulties, come to me. Your mother is a good person. Don't let her down. "
Wood nodded vigorously.
"Go. Go to training!"
George Wood turned around and ran to the training ground. There were teammates who were about the same age as him, as well as a future that belonged to him, which was still hazy at the moment. Tang En had no idea what kind of kick this kid could pull out.
Looking at Wood's back, Tang En sighed like Kerslake. Do your best and leave your fate to fate. Kid, it's up to you …
Then he turned and walked in the opposite direction from Wood, leaving the youth team training base.
Returning to the First Team training field, Tang En was informed by Walker that the chairman and his son had just come to the training field to introduce his son to everyone. He also told him to go to the chairman's office after he returned.
Tang En muttered to himself when he heard the news. The old man was angry? Just because he introduced his son and he was not here, he was angry. It was clearly not in line with the standards a chairman should have.
"He didn't say anything?" Tang En asked Walker.
Walker shook his head. Tang En took a step and was about to leave when he heard Walker add, "But the chairman's expression was very grim."
Tang En's heart skipped a beat. Although the team had lost in the FA Cup, he could tell it was not related to the results from the chairman's special call to congratulate him. Could it be about the changing room? Tang En knew that English football was full of traditions, but he did not expect a chairman to care so much about tradition.
He rushed to the chairman's office anxiously. It was one floor above his manager's office, directly above.
He knocked on the door and immediately saw the chairman, Nigel Doughty, sitting behind the wide office desk. The boss's desk in front of him was much bigger than the one in his office. There were only two people in the room. One was Nigel Doughty, and the other was his son, Evan Doughty.
Tang En did not expect the "American" Englishman to be here. He was slightly startled, but he quickly piled a smile on his face.
"Mr. Chairman, Mr. Evan."
After the greetings, Nigel stood up from his chair, holding a piece of paper in his hand, and walked towards Tang En.
Tang En looked nervously at the paper in Nigel Doughty's hand. It couldn't be a dismissal letter, could it? The first job he found after graduating from university was fired after only three months. At that time, the manager had given Tang En a salary slip to sign and leave.
He had just helped a poor teenager find hope in life, and now he had no hope … What could he do after losing his job as a coach? He did not know anything!
The chairman spoke, "This is a fax from the Football Association …"
What? Tang En thought he had heard wrongly. What did his dismissal have to do with the Football Association?
"They want you to attend a hearing in London tomorrow."
Tang En reacted. "Is it about my comments after that match?"
Nigel nodded.
Although it was not a dismissal letter, Tang En's mood did not improve. He had caused so much trouble for the club. According to China's tradition, he could not escape the fate of being dismissed from the team.
But Nigel's following words made Tang En feel like his life was suddenly filled with sunshine.
"The club will fully support you. We have already sorted out the video of that match and submitted it to the Football Association. There were no problems with those two goals. "
Tang En looked up at Nigel again. The chairman smiled at him and said, "Get ready. My son will go to London with you tomorrow."
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.
