In Nottingham Forest's last two rounds of the league tournament, Tang En dealt with it with half of the main force and half of the substitutes. On one hand, he had to keep the players in match condition, and on the other hand, he had to be careful not to have any injuries. At the same time, he had to win.
In the match against Middlesbrough, Tang En brought on Sun Jihai, Lennon, Commons, and the others for rotation. George Wood did not need to participate in the Champions League finals, so he did not need to rest. At the same time, in consideration of the Champions League finals, Tang En let Albertini appear in the final moments of the game to familiarize himself with the pace of the game and regain the feeling of his body.
Tang En was satisfied with the score. The team defeated Middlesbrough 2: 1 in the away game.
Even though Manchester United also won, the two sides were still separated by a point. This point seemed as insurmountable as a natural chasm.
Following that, in the final round of the league tournament, Nottingham Forest headed north to challenge Sunderland.
Everything went as Tang En had predicted. Sunderland did not pose any threat to the high-spirited Forest team and lost 0: 3.
Tang En treated the game as a warm-up match for the Champions League finals, observing the players' condition and experimenting with the new lineup. George Wood did not start. Tang En lined up Albertini and Arteta in the midfield. Albertini was slightly more defensive and spent most of his time in the backfield, relying only on his long passes and distribution of the ball to participate in the offense. Arteta was responsible for the specific organization of the offense.
He wanted to see the effect of this midfield pairing.
In the end, Sunderland was too weak and could not put any pressure on the two. Under the leadership of the two center midfielders, Forest's offense was like a tidal wave, ending Sunderland's embarrassing Premier League journey with three goals.
In the last 15 minutes of the game, Tang En brought on George Wood to replace Albertini. He brought on Sun Jihai to replace Chimbonda. He brought on Eastwood to replace Anelka. This was not a tactical adjustment. It was just a method to keep more players in shape.
After the game ended, the 05-06 English Premier League season also came to an end.
Everything was settled.
Chelsea defended the league title with an absolute advantage. This season, Mourinho's team was almost invincible. They were in good condition in all aspects, except for the regret in the Champions League.
Nottingham Forest continued their excellent performance from last season and went even higher, finishing second in the league. At the end of the season, the experts could not help but mention them when they commented on the season. Even when they recalled the season years later, everyone could not ignore the existence of Nottingham Forest. The resurgence of this team broke the inherent pattern of the English Premier League, and the traditional top four became the top five. The topic that people were concerned about now was whether Nottingham Forest's emergence would be like a meteor streaking across the sky and disappearing, or would it continue to shine like a star and have an impact on the future direction of the league.
No one knew the answer, not even Tang En himself.
Of course, as his competitors, few people wanted to see the Forest team continue to perform so well, right?
Third place in the league tournament was won by Ferguson's Manchester United. Their form had fluctuated greatly over the past two seasons, and the team was at a critical juncture of replacing the old with the new. The only thing that pleased Ferguson was the maturity of Rooney, Cristiano, and Ronaldo. He believed that as long as they continued to perform like this, the new Manchester United they represented would return to the top in the future.
The fourth place in the league belonged to Arsenal. They did not perform well in the first half of the season, but they started to show their strength towards the end. Initially, Wenger had hoped to make a breakthrough in the Champions League, but they lost to Nottingham Forest on penalties in the semi-finals and ended up empty-handed in the league tournament and the Champions League.
Liverpool was perhaps the biggest victim of Nottingham Forest's resurgence. The original Premier League's traditional top four were Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Chelsea. These four teams basically monopolized the qualification to participate in the Champions League every season. But with the Forest team's sudden emergence, the previous Champions League winner, Liverpool, was squeezed out of the top four. They could only participate in the UEFA Europa League next season, and Benítez's days were not going to be easy …
Coincidentally, it seemed that the Forest team's rise would definitely hurt Liverpool. During the Brian Clough era, Nottingham Forest had defeated Liverpool three times in a year during its most glorious period. Liverpool had become the Forest team's stepping stone in the league tournament, EFL Cup, and UEFA Champions League. It was the Forest team that interrupted the Reds' dream of dominating the domestic league and UEFA Champions League.
But at the same time, the Forest team's decline was bound to have something to do with Liverpool. The Forest team broke Liverpool's monopoly on the title, and Liverpool subsequently pulled the Forest team down from the altar that they had yet to sit firmly on — their unbeaten record of forty-two rounds in the league tournament ended with Liverpool.
The Liverpool team's feelings for Nottingham Forest also changed from the initial fondness to later fear and hatred — the earliest Liverpool fans liked the Forest team because both teams' jerseys were red, and the Forest team's style of play was somewhat similar to Liverpool's. Later, as the Forest team defeated Liverpool and snatched away their league title and Champions League title, the Liverpool team's feelings for the Forest team changed.
The two teams were entangled in this way and could not be separated in many ways. Even a tragedy like the Hillsborough tragedy happened during a match between Liverpool and the Forest team.
Putting aside the Forest team and Liverpool's history for the time being, the focus returned to the Champions League.
※ ※ ※
As soon as the league tournament ended, the Forest team shifted all the focus to the Champions League final. This was the most important thing for the Forest team this season. Nothing could surpass the Champions League final in people's hearts.
Evan Doughty had been very busy recently because there were many media outlets who wanted to interview him, but he still found time to go to the training ground to announce the bonus plan. Because the Forest team had advanced to the Champions League final, they could reap quite a lot from the television broadcast fees alone. Evan decided to take out a portion to reward the three armies.
As long as the team could win the Champions League title, everyone would receive an additional reward of at least 10,000 pounds, and the main players would receive 30,000 pounds. In addition, even if they did not win the Champions League, everyone would receive a reward of 5,000 to 10,000 pounds.
For the Forest team, which did not have the backing of a Russian tycoon, this reward was already very good. After all, the team was not rich.
After this plan was announced, it brought a great boost to the team's morale. Who did not want to earn more money?
Of course, this reward could not be compared to clubs like Chelsea and Real Madrid, but it was still a token of the club's appreciation and showed the club's concern for the team.
Tang En, on the other hand, put all his energy into the training of the new tactics. Because of George Wood's absence, the team had to make adjustments to the tactics they had been using for more than a season. Pairing Albertini and Arteta was, in fact, a more offensive style of play. In the final round of the league tournament, Tang En had already used Sunderland as a test subject. Unfortunately, Sunderland was too weak and could not pose any threat to the Forest team's rear defensive line. So, Tang En was not sure if this new set of tactics would be able to withstand Barcelona's offense.
George Wood did not need to participate in the final, but he was still training with the team. He was as diligent and serious as ever, or rather, more diligent and serious than before.
The media thought this was Wood venting his frustrations from not being able to participate in the final, but only Tang En knew that it must be the words he had said to Wood in the bar that night that had taken effect.
You only have a year's time, George.
For the current Tony Tang En, he only had 10 days' time.
※ ※ ※
Of course, Tang En could not put all his attention on the team's preparations for the match. He still had some other things to do. For example, sending tickets to his former friends. Durswood, the first person in his coaching career who had truly brought him into this circle and given him countless help. Ian Bowyer, the old man who he had once misunderstood but had loyally supported him.
He could not forget Michael Bernard, who had already gone to America. He was his first friend here and his closest friend. Tang En did not know how Michael was living in America, whether he had already extricated himself from the grief of losing his son in his middle age, nor did he know if he had changed his promise to "never watch or touch football again." But he still had to send the tickets. Regardless of whether he came to watch or not, this was the promise he had once made to Michael. He wanted Michael to know that he had never forgotten and had already fulfilled it.
In addition, he went to Gavin's grave and burned the tickets for him. He burned two, one for him to watch and one for him to keep as a souvenir.
There was another important person, Shania.
"Shania, where will you be on May 17th?" Tang En asked the little girl during their weekly call.
Shania rolled her eyes. She did not answer immediately, but instead asked, "What's the matter, Uncle Tony?"
"Hmm … I want you to watch my match."
"I'm in Paris." Shania smiled.
This answer surprised Tang En. "Really? That's great! The finals will be held in Paris … That's great! You'll be going, right, Shania? "
Shania deliberately dragged out her words. "Well, it depends on whether I'm free at that time."
Tang En was a little disappointed to hear Shania say that.
"I'm kidding! I'll definitely go. I can push off work and take it in the future. Uncle Tony, you only have one Champions League final … "
Tang En coughed twice. "There'll be more in the future!"
Shania's giggling came from the other end of the phone.
"Then it's settled. We'll see you in Paris, Shania."
"See you then, Uncle Tony!"
※ ※ ※
Everything was going according to plan. In the last few days, Tang En asked Wilford to be closed off and not receive any media. The team needed a quiet environment for their sprint. This decision would, of course, cause the media's dissatisfaction. Tang En did not care. The media did not give him money. He had no obligation to serve the media.
The day before the team left for Paris, training continued as usual. Tang En, who was at the side of the training ground, received a call from the guard, Ian McDonald. "Tony, someone wants to see you."
"Ian, didn't I say it before? Close off Wilford. No one can come in. I won't see anyone! "The approaching battle made Tang En a little nervous. His tone had unknowingly soared.
"But …" The old guard was a little hesitant.
"What's wrong?" Then, Tang En heard a vague voice coming from the other end of the phone. Soon, a clear female voice said, "Mr. Tang, even if your friend comes, you won't see him?"
The voice was very familiar. Tang En froze for a moment. "It's you?"
He knew who it was.
Five minutes later, Tang En, who had rushed from the training ground to the main gate, saw this "old friend" — Chris Gloria.
This fashionably dressed modern lady was completely different from the professional image Tang En had first seen. She was wearing a sexy and seductive low-cut halter top and a miniskirt. She wore a pair of huge sunglasses and leaned against a red BMW sports car. Beside her, the old guard, Ian McDonald, stood awkwardly at the door.
"Hello, Mr. Tang En." Gloria took the initiative to wave and greet him.
"Hello, Miss Gloria. I didn't expect to meet you for the third time so soon. "Tang En walked up. "What are you here to film this time?" He looked at Gloria, who was almost unrecognizable, and was a little surprised.
"No, I came alone. I didn't bring a team." Gloria took off her sunglasses and spread her hands. "And my current identity is also an independent producer. I don't work for the UEFA."
"Let's go in and talk …" He motioned for McDonald to open the door.
He did not expect Gloria to shake her head and refuse the invitation. "No need. I just came to give you something on the way. I'll be leaving soon."
Tang En looked surprised.
"Aren't you supposed to be very busy now? How can you have time to accompany me in for tea and chat?" Gloria smiled and lowered her head to take out a disc from her handbag. "That interview … is different from what you see on TV. This is another version that hasn't been broadcast. I'll leave it for you as a souvenir. I hope you like it."
Tang En took the disc and said politely, "Thank you for your gift, but there's no need to be in such a hurry. There's always time to say a few words."
"Can't bear for me to go?" Gloria grinned and winked at Tang En.
Tang En never knew how to deal with this kind of open and shrewish woman. He was a little embarrassed. "What should I say …"
Gloria smiled happily. "By the way, the trouble I brought you that time … Have you resolved it? Have you seen her? "
She was referring to the time in Italy.
"Yes, it's been resolved. She later went to the stadium to watch the game between the Forest team and Inter Milan. "
"Mind letting me know who she is?"
Tang En hesitated for a moment but nodded. "I don't know if you know her. She's a model called Judy Shania Jordana. "
When Tang En reported the name, Gloria was also surprised. "It's her!"
"You know her?"
"How many people in the media don't know her? She's one of the most popular models this year. Everyone is optimistic about her future on the runway. " After a brief introduction, Gloria looked at Tang En with interest. "You actually have such a good relationship with her … You're making me more and more confused, Mr. Tang En."
"Uh, it's a long story …" Tang En was not in a position to tell her these unknown stories.
Gloria nodded and smiled in understanding. She looked down at her watch. "It's almost time. I have to go. I'm sorry I can't go to watch your game live, but I still want to wish you victory. "
"Thank you. Where are you going? You look like you're in a hurry … "
"America."
The answer was really unexpected to Tang En.
"Los Angeles, Hollywood. I'm going to talk about a movie collaboration." Seeing the doubt in Tang En's eyes, Gloria simply explained it herself.
"Aren't you a host?"
"I'm an independent producer. Hosting a show is just my hobby." Gloria smiled a little proudly. She put her sunglasses back on.
"Goodbye, Mr. Tang En. I hope the next time we meet, you've become a European champion. "She opened the car door and got in. She then stuck her head out and waved at Tang En.
"Thank you. Goodbye, Miss Gloria. "Tang En stood at the door and watched the red sports car leave.
He turned around and saw the amused expression on MacDonald's face. Only then did Tang En realize that there was a third person there.
"Uh, Ian, her and I are not what you think."
The old man smiled happily. "I know, Tony. We're just friends. "
Tang En knew the old man would not believe him, but he did not want to explain. The more he explained, the messier it would get.
He touched his jacket pocket.
"Originally, I wanted to give you a surprise after the training was over. But it's the same now. Ian, you're retiring after the Champions League final, right?"
Unsure of what Tang En was going to say, MacDonald just nodded. "Yes."
"You see, I don't have a gift to give you. I only have this." He took out an envelope from his pocket and handed it to MacDonald. "Chairman Doughty and I both express our gratitude for your 14 years of loyal service to the club."
MacDonald took the envelope and opened it. It turned out to be three round-trip plane tickets from London to Paris on May 17, as well as three tickets to the Champions League final!
"When you arrive in Paris, the club will pay for your food and accommodation."
MacDonald's hand trembled as he held the envelope. "Actually, you don't have to do this. I'm already very satisfied that the team can make it to the final again."
Tang En smiled. "Ever since you came to the club, it has been the darkest days for the team. Relegation and promotion, promotion and relegation. I hope before you leave, you can see some of the things you once wanted to see the most. Thank you, Ian. Thank you for everything you've done for the team and the club for the past 14 years. "
MacDonald lowered his head and looked at the tickets with the UEFA logo. "The person who should say thank you is me, Tony. I'm just a gatekeeper."
Tang En patted him on the shoulder and motioned for him to stop. "Haven't you not been to a live game for a long time? When the time comes, bring your family and children to watch the game live. "
Old Ian nodded his head vigorously.
(To be continued, if you wish to know what happened next, please log on to WWW. CMFU. com. More chapters. Support the author. Support original reading!)
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