As the loser, there was nothing much to say about the situation after the game. It was just that the club chairman, Evan Doughty, went to the hotel where the team was staying after the game to cash in the promised bonus on the spot, which brought some smiles to the disappointed players.
Tang En did not go to collect his bonus. He shut himself in his room.
Perhaps in the eyes of others, he was still angry about losing the game, angry about the referee. In reality, that was just the impression he gave others. He was blaming himself for his mistakes.
He always thought that he would be very, very awesome if he knew the future in advance, and that he could rely on it to roam the world and make a name for himself. This was his little secret, a secret that no one would know no matter how close he was. He used it to dig up a star player who would become famous in the future in advance, paving the way for his own start.
He thought everything was fine.
He did not expect that in the Champions League final, he would be shackled by the memories of the past and be overcautious. His mind was filled with what the game was like. It was a game that happened in another time and space, and had nothing to do with today's final!
He could think that he was fooled, but who was fooling him? Was it fate? No, it was himself.
So, Tang En shut himself in his room and switched off his phone. No one could disturb him. In such an enclosed space, he began to reflect on everything he had done in the past.
He had transmigrated in April 2007. The memories of the past that were ahead of this era would expire in another year. What would he do then?
Without the memories of the past, would he not be able to make a name for himself? In that case, could it be that he had earned his results in the past two seasons by relying on what he had earned?
Did he not carefully study the coaching notes that Dunn had left at home, read countless theoretical books, studied match videos, and secretly learn from the coaches around him at any time and place? He had never thought that he could survive in this cruel world of fame and fortune with his four and a half years of memories from the past.
This was not a game like Champion Football Manager, nor was it the FM produced by his club's partner, SI. Life would not give him the chance to load the file and start over if he made a mistake or lost a game. He also could not use a rogue trick like adding a manager to get the results he wanted.
Losing to Barcelona in the Champions League final became a catalyst in Tang En's heart.
He needed to completely throw away the memories of the past, throw away the rope that bound him. He wanted to see if he could continue working in this position even if he lost his memories of the future, his cheat finger, and his editor.
When he first became famous in the English League One and was interviewed, he told Dr. Constantine that he was a "born manager." Now, he wanted to prove the validity of this statement. Did he really deserve to sit in that position? Did he get lucky and rely on transmigration to possess the body of an unlucky person who was originally the acting head coach to get this position, or did he really rely on his own ability to walk step by step to where he was today?
He hoped to use his own actions to find the answer after this final.
※ ※ ※
After losing the game, no one felt good. Even though Manager Tang En did not announce what time to turn off the lights and sleep, most of the Forest players still returned to their rooms and closed their doors.
The club's chairman, Evan Doughty, and Allan Adams came to the door of Tang En's room after distributing the bonuses.
"Is he still inside?" Allen asked assistant coach David Kerslake.
Kerslake nodded. "Yes, he has been locked in his room since he got off the bus."
"Did he say anything to you?" Allen continued to ask.
"No, he didn't say anything. I saw that his face was always dark, so I didn't dare to ask … "
Allen recalled the scene that happened at the award ceremony.
"This Tony … is still like a child." He could only shake his head helplessly.
"Do you need me to call the attendant to open the door?" Kerslake asked.
Evan Doughty raised his hand and rejected the suggestion. "No, let him rest well. Don't disturb him. He is under more pressure than any of us. It's understandable for him to vent and throw a tantrum. Let's go. You rest early too, David. "
"I will, Mr. Chairman. Have a good night. "
The two bid farewell to the team's assistant coaches and walked to the elevator.
"Evan, sometimes I think you give him too much free rein." Allen was clearly still brooding over the incident at the award ceremony today. Why would he be brooding over it? Of course, it was because Tang En's impulsiveness had destroyed the good cooperation and image that Allen had painstakingly built with the UEFA. Did anyone think that the UEFA paid so much attention to the Forest team and even found someone to film a documentary was only because of the Forest team's outstanding results? Without Allen's activities behind the scenes, how could all of this be possible?
The two stopped and waited for the elevator. Evan Doughty smiled. "Of course I know."
"Then why …"
"As a manager, Allen, you need to adopt different management methods according to the different characteristics of your subordinates. I know very well what kind of person Tony is. I treat him differently from others. He needs you to give him absolute trust and support, and then he will repay you with very, very generous benefits. It's not like he'll be able to make a lot of money just by investing a little. It's not like he's going to make a huge profit with a small capital. " At that moment, Evan Doughty did not look like what he said at all. He was a man who had good luck and relied on the help of others to achieve what he had. "You've seen the results under his leadership. I don't think we can find a second manager who is more suitable for the Forest team. He has brought us many victories and glory. Therefore, as a price, we have to put up with his terrible temper, and sometimes even have to clean up after him."
Evan turned his head and smiled at his old partner. Allen looked at him, and the two stared at each other until the elevator bell rang.
"I got it. I'll try to repair the relationship with the UEFA." Allen sighed.
"I knew you were the most trustworthy, Allen."
"Don't flatter me!" Allen glared at Evan Doughty. "Evan, I have to remind you. Tony is a strong horse. He runs very fast, and he has a lot of talent. He can inspire the team to charge with him and bring us a lot of benefits and glory. But you'd better find a strong enough rope to wrap around his neck. If there comes a day when you feel that he has exceeded the limits you can tolerate, then tighten it. "
When he made the motion to retract it, he realized that Evan Doughty was not beside him. Instead, he was standing in the elevator, reminding him, "If you don't come in, you'll have to close the door, Allen."
Allen froze for a moment. Seeing the closing door, he hurriedly ducked in.
※ ※ ※
Tang En did not know how he fell asleep. He remembered that after he lost the game, he locked himself in his room to reflect on himself when he returned to the hotel. He did not even have the chance to take a shower, nor did he take off his clothes. He just laid on the bed to reflect on himself. As he thought about it … after a busy day, he slowly fell asleep due to the immense mental pressure.
When he woke up again, it was already the next day. It was still dark outside the window, and he couldn't see anything.
Today was the day the team flew out of Paris. They would return to Nottingham and announce their disbandment there. Today was the start of a new holiday.
After a good night's sleep, his spirit was much better than yesterday, and the pressure had also disappeared. However, the frustration from the loss was still there, and it did not lessen by much. People always remember the things they have lost, and are full of longing for the things they have not obtained. Tang En still felt disappointed and regretful when he thought of how close he was to becoming the European champion.
However, what was lost was lost. No matter how much he regretted it, it would be useless even if his intestines turned green. What was lost would not come back. One had to look ahead.
Tang En jumped off the bed. Instead of washing up, he walked straight to the window and pulled open the curtains. He looked at the dark night outside. It was so dark that not even the stars could be seen.
Was this the legendary … darkness before dawn?
After standing in front of the window in a daze for a while, Tang En walked back. He remembered that his cell phone was not switched on, so he picked it up from beside his pillow.
Just as he turned it on, he received a dozen text messages at once.
Most of them were comforting and encouraging.
Of course, there were exceptions.
Christina and Gloria were very interested in Tang En's shocking move at the award ceremony and sent a text message to express their surprise and inquiry.
Seeing this text message, Tang En only remembered what he had done at the scene yesterday. After calming down and thinking about it again, he also understood how out of line it was. In front of the 80,000 live audience and countless television viewers, he had given away the silver medal that the UEFA had just awarded him. Although the medal was already his and he had the right to dispose of it as he pleased. However, on that occasion, at that time, and in that context, it could easily be seen as a provocation and mockery of the UEFA — even though that was exactly what he meant.
He knew he had caused trouble for the club again. He did not care about the fine. It was worth it to spend some money to vent on that kind of big occasion. He was worried that he would be banned by the UEFA, which would be very detrimental to the team's Champions League campaign next season.
Perhaps he should ask Gloria to use her connections and influence in this circle to put in a good word for him?
Tang En placed his finger on the reply button but did not press it in the end.
He could not do something like pleading with a woman.
Dunn's text message was very simple. He did not express comfort or regret. He only told him that the entire game had been recorded and that he would study it properly when he got home.
Otherwise, how could the two of them be said to have a tacit understanding? While Tang En was still reflecting on his mistakes in the game, Dunn had already recorded the entire game and was waiting for Tang En to study and reflect on it together when he got home. Having someone with such chemistry as an assistant next season made Tang En even more confident that he could stage a comeback and make a comeback.
The dozen or so text messages did not actually mean that there were a dozen or so people who sent it. This phone number was relatively private, so not many people knew about it.
Apart from a few people, the remaining few text messages were all from one person — Shania.
Obviously, Shania was very worried about turning off his phone. Tang En could clearly see the changes in Shania's emotions from the extremely short intervals between the messages she sent — from consolation to encouragement, then to doubt, anxiety, and threats …
"It's nothing. There are always winners and losers in a football match, Uncle Tony."
"There's still a chance in the future. This is definitely not Uncle Tony's only Champions League final experience!"
"Turned off? Why did you turn it off? "
"Turn it on, Uncle Tony!"
"Hey, what are you doing? It can't be. It's just a game! Is it necessary? Reply to me! "
"Bastard uncle, if you don't reply, I'll ignore you in the future!"
"Alright, I surrender! I'll still talk to you in the future. You can rest assured and turn it on now … "
The text messages only expressed one thing — worry.
As Tang En read and read, his originally gloomy mood gradually improved.
He had wanted to directly call Shania to apologize, but when he thought of the time, he was afraid of waking the girl from her sleep. He could only compose a text message and send it over.
"I'm fine. I'm fine. Everything's okay. Thank you for your concern. I'm sorry for making you worry. "
※ ※ ※
When the Nottingham Forest players woke up one after another, washed up, and went downstairs for breakfast, they were surprised to find their boss already sitting by the window, reading the newspaper under the bright morning sun.
"Boss …" Ribéry called out.
Hearing someone call him, Tang En looked up. "Yo, Franck. Just nice, help me read the newspaper. I don't understand these French words. "He pointed to the newspaper in his hand.
Ribéry wanted to roll his eyes. You looked so focused just now, but it turns out you don't understand a single word …
He walked over and took the newspaper. After a simple glance, his expression changed.
"What's wrong?" Tang En sat on the chair and looked up at him.
"Uh … Nothing much. It's just about a small episode at yesterday's award ceremony …"
Tang En nodded. "Oh, oh, I know that. I want to hear their comments. "
"They … They said you're arrogant, eccentric, impulsive, irritable, bad-tempered, and lacking in poise … In short, they're not good words, boss."
Tang En laughed. "What do you think of yesterday's incident?"
"I felt quite relieved at that time …"
"Haha, that's good. Let's go eat. "Tang En took the newspaper again and indicated that Ribéry could leave.
The Frenchman did not leave immediately. He stood there and asked, "Boss, this isn't our last Champions League final, is it?"
Tang En nodded.
Only then did Ribéry turn around and go to the dining room to eat, satisfied.
The players came down one after another and greeted Tang En before they were chased to the dining room by Tang En. It was not until the assistant manager, David Kerslake, walked out of the elevator that Tang En took the initiative to greet him.
"Here, David." He waved for Kerslake to come over.
"You're awake, Tony."
"Yeah, I woke up very early … Regarding yesterday's incident in the locker room, I have to apologize to you," Tang En said very sincerely. "I'm really sorry for getting angry at you. You know, I wasn't targeting you … "
"Of course I know." Kerslake raised his hand to indicate that Tang En did not need to continue. "Your pressure is greater than ours. It's fine to let you vent. I know very well that losing a match doesn't feel good. It's good to let it out. It's not good to keep it bottled up in your heart. "
Looking at the assistant who understood him, Tang En nodded lightly. "Thank you, David."
"We're partners, after all. We still have to work hard next season. Forest's future depends on you, Tony! We didn't win the championship this time. Let's try again next time! "
The two of them shook hands tightly.
※ ※ ※
In the afternoon, Forest's plane arrived at London Heathrow Airport. When the exhausted and dejected players got off the plane with their heads lowered, they were surprised to see many people welcoming them.
Among the welcoming crowd, there was a huge banner that was very eye-catching:
You are our heroes! Thank you!
Tang En stood on the plane's gangway and waved to the crowd below.
This was a new starting point …
(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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