Forest's red bus stopped at the designated spot. When Tang En led the players down, he realized that the surrounding fans were all Forest fans in red jerseys. They had come here specifically to support their team. Even though they had only received about 2,000 tickets for this match.
Tang En spotted Michael at a glance. He had not seen this guy since the FA Cup match. He put his hand to his mouth and made a shushing gesture at Michael. Michael kept a straight face and pretended not to see him. Tang En laughed heartily as he followed the players into the side door of the stadium. Behind him, the fans' shouts rang out, "Forest! Forest！ NottinghamForest！！”
Amidst the shouts and songs of the fans from both sides, the team entered the locker room to change and prepare for warm-ups. Because Tang En was banned from playing, he could not step into the stadium. So, he could only stay in the locker room for the team's warm-ups.
"You only have 20 minutes!" Walker chased the players out of the locker room like a shepherd. He turned back to look at Tang En, who was deep in thought in front of the tactical board, before closing the door and leaving.
Hearing the sound of the door closing, Tang En snapped out of his deep thoughts. Walker must have thought that he was thinking about tactics just now. In reality, his thoughts had nothing to do with the match. Too many things had happened in the past half a month, one after another. It was like a roaring train coming at him, giving him no time to calm down and sort it all out. Now that there was no one in the locker room, he could properly think about the situation he was facing and his future.
But at that moment, the door opened again. It was Ian Bowyer. Tang En was a little surprised by his appearance in the locker room. Clearly, he was not back to look for something.
"I have something to say to you, Tony."
"I have something to say to you, Ian."
The two immediately realized that they were thinking of the same thing. Tang En smiled and signaled for Bowyer to speak first.
"It's like this. I've decided to leave the team after this season ends." Bowyer's first words gave Tang En a shock.
"What?"
"Hereford United invited me to coach, and I've already agreed."
Tang En's jaw dropped. He looked at Bowyer in surprise. "When did this happen?"
"A week ago."
Hearing this, Tang En suddenly stood up from his seat. "Ian, you can't do this … The team needs you!" He had wanted the old man to assist him, but he did not expect to hear such bad news. "Your experience can lead them forward …"
Boyd shook his head. "Wrong. The one who can lead them is you, not me."
"Uh, are you still angry about that?" Tang En asked carefully.
The man laughed. "Tony, you really broke your head."
"Ah?"
"Do you know who I have the best relationship with in the team?"
"Who?"
"Paul, Paul Hart."
Twain looked at Bowyer like he was looking at an alien.
"Paul often mentions you in front of me. He really thinks highly of you. But as for the decision to let you take over as the manager of the First Team after the New Year, I had a huge disagreement with him. "Bowyer spoke tirelessly, but Tang En seemed to be listening to a story. "I have to admit that I really want to be the manager of this team, and I also think I have the ability. But the most important reason is that I don't think you're ready. I know you very well. This is something that even that little guy, Des, doesn't know. To be honest, if it was you before the New Year, I would have strongly opposed it. I don't think you're qualified to be the manager of this team. Your performance in the first match was really clumsy. "
Tang En thought back to the scene where he was knocked to the ground by Johansson. Thinking about it afterward, he felt embarrassed.
"But … your performance after that opened my eyes." Tang En knew that Bowyer was referring to the halftime and second half of the FA Cup match. "Maybe letting you fall to the ground was God's plan. He gave us a Tony Twain who is completely different from before. In that halftime, I saw your qualities to be an outstanding manager. You know, Paul always has a good eye for people. Whether it's a player or a colleague, he thinks you can become an outstanding manager. I've always been dismissive of this. Now I believe it. You really can. "
"But, Ian …" No matter how much Bowyer flattered himself, Tang En could not bear to let him go. Having a capable assistant by his side was always better than being a commander without an army. Walker had just retired from being a player. He could not be at ease as a manager. He still had a long way to go to become a qualified manager. Thinking about the first half against West Ham, his performance was not good.
It could be said that he had just arrived at an unfamiliar place. Such an experience made him feel insecure. And Bowyer just happened to be able to give him that sense of security. He needed someone by his side to remind him, teach him, and maybe even criticize him. In short, if he wanted to become a real professional manager and not be a substitute for a leopard, he needed someone like Bowyer.
Bowyer was a very intelligent person. "I know what you're worried about, Tony. Don't worry. I'll wait until the end of this season before leaving the team. Before that, we still have half a season. Also, Des has a lot of experience. He can effectively help you mediate the atmosphere in the locker room — even though I think you're already an expert in mediating the atmosphere. "
Tang En looked at Bowyer without saying a word.
"Even though I've played for the team for a long time, even though I'm respected by them … the current me might not be suitable for the current Forest Team. Des is closer to them, and their relationship will be more harmonious. I can't keep up with the times … and you and Des are the ones who can lead them. Also, Helford gave me a chance to be a manager. I also really want to return to the Edgar Streit Stadium. "
Tang En still did not say a word.
"Alright, do you have anything to say to me?"
Tang En sighed. "I originally wanted you to stay … but there's no need to say it now."
"It's not that bad. At least we still have half a season." Bowyer patted Tang En's shoulder, then turned and walked out.
Looking at Bowyer's back as he left, Tang En muttered, "What a bastard. Who knows if I'll still be here after half a season …"
Twenty minutes later, the team returned to prepare for the next match. The tactical arrangements before the match were still presided over by Walker, with Bowyer helping from the side. Tang En was silent. Bowyer glanced at Tang En, thinking that he was still unhappy about his departure.
Little did he know that Tang En was just using this opportunity to quietly learn. He had already told Walker everything he needed to say, and Walker would tell these things to the team. One day, when Tang En felt that it was enough, he would replace Walker himself and become the real manager. But not now.
After the coaching staff studied their opponents, they decided not to make any special arrangements for the match. They would play with the team's usual tactical line-up. After listening to this arrangement, Tang En did not say anything, tacitly agreeing to the coaching staff's work. In reality, he did not know what he should say. The members of the coaching staff were professional managers, after all. What was he?
He decided to do as he did in the match against West Ham United. He would first observe the first half of the match and then make adjustments during the break. From that match, Tang En not only gained a lot of confidence, but he also discovered one of his strengths. Compared to the pre-match arrangements, he was better at giving on-the-spot instructions. He liked the feeling of catching the opponent off guard.
The pre-match preparation time quickly passed. Walker hoped that Tang En, as the manager, would say a few last words. He had good intentions, to let the players know who the real boss was. However, Tang En was a little dumbfounded as he looked at the pairs of expectant eyes. What should he say?
He suddenly thought of the match on the fourth, the overwhelming and enthusiastic atmosphere in the stadium, and the fighting spirit the players displayed on the field.
"Do you still remember the last FA Cup match?"
The players all smiled and nodded. Some of them even clenched their fists.
Tang En opened his arms. "What else do I need to say? Just go and compete like that! "
After the players ran out of the locker room, Tang En was the last to walk out. As soon as he walked out, he saw two well-dressed men standing at the door. "Is this Mr. Tang?"
"Ah, it's me." Tang En was a little puzzled.
"We're from the English Football Association's disciplinary committee …"
Hearing the other party report such a long list of names, Tang En moved his head closer. "There's such an organization?" Seeing the other party's unfriendly expression, he hurriedly laughed. "I'm just joking! Of course I know there's such an organization! Why are you looking for me? "
The other party was also stunned by the question. Tang En quickly laughed again. "I'm joking. Of course I know why you're looking for me! I don't intend to go to the stadium with them … "Tang En said as he pointed to the players running out.
The two men nodded. "We're in charge of supervising the implementation of your ban, so I'm sorry, but you'll have to watch this match with us."
Tang En let out a strange cry. "Don't the disciplinary committee have beautiful women?" He thought of Faria Aram. Although he did not think that woman was very beautiful at the time, she was at least better than the two men now. "Of course, this is also a joke. I'll be with you guys … "
He patted the two men's shoulders, indicating that he was quite friendly and that there was no need to be overly nervous. "Let's go."
"First, sir. You'll need to switch off your cell phone and all other communication devices. "
Tang En took out his cell phone and simply removed the battery. Then, he showed it to the two men until they nodded.
"Pager?"
"Bro, it's the 21st century now." Tang En shook his head impatiently.
"Walkie-Talkie?"
"Listen, buddy. I'm a football coach, not James Bond. If you still want to ask me if there's a wireless Bluetooth walkie-talkie, pinhole microphone, phone disguised as a collar clip, sunglasses that are actually microcomputers, leather shoes that can be used as handguns, or a fountain pen … whatever, my answer is: I don't f * cking have any of those! " Tang En was angered by the other party's stern attitude. He shook off the two men from the Football Association and walked straight to the stands of the stadium.
The two 'black-shirted' staff members looked at each other, then shrugged their shoulders and quickly followed behind.
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