On the morning of January 1st, Tang En announced at Nottingham City Stadium that Forest would be free to bring in David Beckham next season. The news caused a sensation in both Spain and England. Previously, everyone had speculated that Beckham would definitely go to Los Angeles after leaving Bernabéu because his wife loved the colorful world of Hollywood. Unexpectedly, Beckham, who had always been very obedient to Victoria, went against his wife's wishes and insisted on staying in Europe, in the center of the football world.
Just a minute after the press conference ended, the front page of Nottingham Forest's official website published the news about Beckham joining for free.
At the same time, in the Nottingham Forest merchandise store near the City Ground stadium, the number 24 jersey with Beckham's name on it were all put on the shelves and snapped up by the Forest fans within half a day.
This was all prepared a long time ago. Tang En still remembered that after Beckham went to the Los Angeles Galaxy, the Galaxy could not wait to sell Beckham's jersey in advance. Therefore, he suggested to Allan if he could try to sell the Forest jerseys with Beckham's name in advance. Anyway, after half a season, Beckham will definitely be one of us. It doesn't matter if we sell the jerseys earlier or later. We can still earn half a season's worth of money if we sell the jerseys half a season earlier.
Ellen thought it a very good idea, and did so. The sales figures after the morning made him beam with joy.
On the day van Nistelrooy joined, 720 jerseys were sold.
After announcing the news of Beckham joining the team, 1,300 sets were sold in just half a day.
It was almost twice as many jerseys as van Nistelrooy. If Allan Adams had not deliberately controlled the number of jerseys, it would probably have been more.
※ ※ ※
Tang En received two calls in the afternoon. The first was from Manchester United, and the person who called him was Manchester United's manager, Ferguson.
"Tony, you stole my people again." Although he said that, Tang En did not hear the slightest hint of anger in his tone.
Therefore, he replied with a grin, "Could it be that Manchester United is also secretly contacting Beckham's agent?"
"That's impossible. We don't need a thirty-one-year-old Beckham." Ferguson's words were a little heartless, but it was in line with his usual style. Those who were old and could not keep up with the needs of the team had to be eliminated. He only considered the issue of replacement from the team's point of view.
Tang En whistled at the phone. What a straightforward answer.
"I just have a question, and I hope you can answer it. I know that Beckham refused to return to England because of his feelings for Manchester United. He once said that he would not come back because he did not want to be enemies with Manchester United. How did you convince him? " Ferguson admitted that he was very surprised when he found out that Beckham had chosen to return to England to join Nottingham Forest. His interest in Tony Twain grew, so he could not wait to call him.
"It's very simple. I told him that when Nottingham Forest plays against Manchester United, he doesn't have to be on the squad list. This condition can be written into the contract. "
Ferguson let out an "ah". The answer was similar to what he had guessed. However, this clause was usually used more often in the Spanish league, and Beckham's current team, Real Madrid, was a "veteran" in using this clause. In fact, doing so went against the principle of "fair competition" because it was equivalent to weakening the opponent's strength. Therefore, Pablo Garcia, the Uruguayan defensive midfielder who was abandoned by Real Madrid, said that it was a "sh * t clause."
Twain was willing to do this because he wanted to win Beckham over by hook or by crook.
"But he refused." Twain continued, surprising Ferguson.
"Refused?"
"He didn't accept this condition. Do you know what he told me, Sir Alex? "
"Let's hear it," Ferguson said after a moment of silence.
"I'm a professional player. Since I agreed to sign with the Forest team, I'm a member of the Forest team. It goes against professional ethics to refuse to play because of my feelings for Manchester United. Those were his exact words. "
This time, Ferguson's silence was even longer, to the point that Twain thought the line had been disconnected.
After a while, Twain heard a faint sigh come from the other end of the line.
"I'm still curious. How did you convince him to go against that woman, Victoria?"
Ferguson's dislike of Victoria was well known. Someone once asked Ferguson at a gathering, "If you were given a pistol and a bullet, who would you shoot? Wenger or Victoria? "Ferguson laughed and said," Can you give me two? "It showed how much he loathed Victoria. So, Twain was not surprised at all.
"I don't think I convinced him to go against Victoria. I didn't even try to persuade Beckham to do so. He loves his wife very much. I can see that."
A snort came from the other end of the line. "Hmph."
Twain was indifferent. "It's David. He convinced himself, and then he convinced Victoria."
"Convinced himself?"
Twain closed his eyes and remembered when he was still a fan. He knew everything that happened at Real Madrid that season like the back of his hand. It was almost like a thrilling, suspenseful movie. His only regret was not seeing the ending of the movie, because he had transmigrated before the season ended. But he saw the turning point in the movie that changed the ending and the return of the key character. It was not hard to guess what the ending was.
"Ever since he left Manchester United, Beckham's career has not been smooth. Even though he's earning more and more money, he's won zero glory on the football field. "
Ferguson continued, "I've said it before. If it weren't for that woman, Victoria, he could have achieved much more than he has now. But he didn't listen. He loved that woman … That bastard who was blinded by love. "
Twain quietly waited for Ferguson to finish venting before he continued, "But his first few seasons at Real Madrid were still so-so. His huge commercial value gave him an unshakable position in the team. He … was almost never excluded from the starting list. But this season, after that guy Capello went to Real Madrid, everything changed. Beckham found himself no longer valued. Even the club that had always supported him had plans to get rid of him. The media said he was the main culprit for Real Madrid's lack of success in the past three seasons. The fans vented their anger on every player because of the team's terrible results, including Beckham. The team has formed its own cliques, the locker room atmosphere is a mess, the manager's distrust, frequent injuries, the World Cup's fiasco, and being excluded from the national team's roster … He's on the verge of being finished. "
This time, Ferguson did not say anything. He waited quietly for Twain to continue.
"He's only 31 years old, and he has to go to a broken place like America to spend the last few years of his career. I don't think there's any difference in essence between going to America and going to Qatar — they're both deserts. In fact, I didn't say anything. My persuasion was a failure. As soon as he used his family as a shield, I couldn't continue to persuade him. But I believe Beckham must be very unhappy with the current situation. "
What situation? He was almost abandoned by the whole world — everyone could strut around in front of him and sentence him to death. Many faces were staring at him with a gloating smile, waiting for him to make a mistake, waiting for him to be unlucky, waiting for him to fall into the abyss of hell beyond redemption … That kind of feeling was very uncomfortable.
In a desperate situation, Beckham instead saw clearly what he really needed — money? He had earned enough, and he would continue to earn more. He did not lack money. Honor? A professional player had won almost all the championships that could be won in a club. At his age, the World Cup was not much to look forward to. He did not lack honor.
So what did he lack?
"… What he lacked was respect. It was not respect for him, the world's number one entertainment star player, or any heartthrob. It was respect as a professional player. Most people would only think of him as a weakling who relied on his face and his wife to make money. His playing skills were mediocre, but he could be doted on by thousands of people just because he was beautiful. Didn't the Spanish media say what a player needed to be successful? First, he needed a beautiful face. Then, he needed to work hard to improve his playing skills. His face was the most important. As for his legs … he did not care. You see, everyone thought so. Beckham was unhappy. He wanted to prove once again that he was still a qualified professional player. His feet were more important than his face. But if he went to America, it would completely confirm everyone's view of him, and he would not even have a chance to fight back. So, he couldn't go. He had to stay in Europe and prove to those who doubted him and looked down on him that he, David Beckham, was first and foremost a good player. "
"So, he chose Nottingham Forest, which was willing to give him a chance to prove himself again," Ferguson continued.
Tang En laughed on the other end of the phone. "You could say that. I just told David that as long as he did not announce his retirement, he would still be a professional player and nothing else. "
Ferguson had watched Beckham grow up, and Sir Alex believed that Tang En's words made sense.
"If he had listened to me earlier and stayed away from that woman, he would not have ended up like this today …" Ferguson still said with some anger.
Tang En laughed. "Sir Jue, something like love is not rational. Who can say for sure?"
"As a bachelor, you're quite knowledgeable, huh?"
"That's how romance novels are written, haha!"
Hearing Tang En say that, Ferguson also laughed. "Don't be happy too early, Tony. After Beckham comes, that woman, Victoria, will have you suffer. When is your birthday? I'll send you a gun and a bullet as a gift. "
"Can you send me a few more clips?" He did not expect Tang En to ask in return.
"Why do you want so many?"
"Because I have too many enemies." Tang En shrugged.
※ ※ ※
It was understandable for Ferguson to call, but Tang En did not expect the second person to call.
"I'm here to congratulate you. Why does your voice sound so cold, Mr. Tang?" Billy Woox asked over the phone with his unique strange accent. The owner of the voice did not put Tang En in a good mood at all.
"Why are you calling me to congratulate Beckham's transfer?" Tang En replied coldly, not at all grateful.
"Aren't we in the same boat?" Woox's strange accent became even more pronounced. Tang En shuddered.
"Who's in the same boat as you?"
"Ah, it's all that kid Wood's fault. He's always telling me about loyalty to the club. I'm sick of hearing it. Now, Wood is your player, and I'm his agent. Aren't we in the same boat? If Nottingham Forest does well and becomes famous, my Wood's future will be guaranteed. "
"Your Wood?" Tang En snorted. What he was most unhappy about was that ever since Woox appeared, the relationship between him and Wood seemed to drift apart. He did not know if it was instigated by Woox.
"Our Wood, Mr. Tang En." Woox hurriedly corrected himself.
However, Woox's attitude today was rather strange. He was not as tough as before.
Tang En felt that there must be something behind it. It was definitely not as simple as a congratulation. Suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind.
"Mr. Woox, you're not here to talk to me about Wood's salary again, are you?"
Woox laughed. Hearing his laughter, Tang En felt goosebumps all over his body. "You're so smart, Mr. Tang En. Ah, but … I'm just here to remind you. I'm not really going to negotiate with you. After all, Wood and his mother are against me coming to talk to you about money again. I'm just reminding you that if you want to restructure the team's salary structure in the future, you must remember George Wood, who has done so much for you. "
"How strange. Even an insatiable wolf has a time to shut up?" Tang En mocked.
"Oh, it's even stranger. Could it be that the stubborn Mr. Tang En is going to take the initiative to talk to me about Wood's salary? To be honest, I think 75,000 is still too low … "He did not expect Woox to turn the tables on him, leaving Tang En speechless.
"No, I have no intention of talking to you." Tang En gritted his teeth. This person was even more shameless than himself. Given a bamboo pole, he dared to take advantage of it without the slightest consideration of what would happen if he fell.
Having made Tang En suffer a loss with his words, Woox laughed happily on the other end of the phone. "But I think Beckham will be a good teacher for Wood, so I still have to congratulate you, Mr. Tang En."
"Beckham is the right midfielder, and George Wood is the defensive midfielder. Mr. Woox, you don't understand football."
"Who said they have a teacher-student relationship on the football field? Don't you think that with Beckham here, he can help George, this block of wood, better open the doors of entertainment and fashion? "
Hearing Woox's words, Tang En was truly stunned. He had indeed not considered the impact that Beckham's arrival would have on the others outside the field.
"So I have to thank you, Mr. Tang En. You've done me a great favor. I was just worrying that there was no one to speak to George personally, to tell him how wonderful the other world is. "Laughing, Woox hung up the phone.
Tang En, on the other hand, held the phone that had ended the call in his office.
At the moment, George Wood was still a qualified professional player. However, if it was really like what Woox said, he had no idea what would happen after the commercial superstar Beckham came. He could do nothing now but pray that George Wood was like his name, a block of wood through and through. Other than football, he was not interested in anything else and did not think about anything.
※ ※ ※
Just as Tang En was on the phone with Ferguson and Woox, in Spain, during the regular press conference at Real Madrid's training, Capello also gave his own response to the matter. Just as Tang En knew, the old man announced that Beckham's days at Real Madrid were over, because it was a complete betrayal.
"When you still have a contract with a team that you have to fulfill, how can you publicly announce that you're going to play for another team after half a season? Doing so is the greatest disrespect to the team you're playing for. Since he thinks he's no longer a member of Real Madrid, then I'm happy to oblige. For the next half a season, he won't play for Real Madrid for a single minute! " The Italian manager said with a livid face. After the above words, besides Beckham and Tang En, there was an uproar.
There had been many instances of discord between coaches and players in the world of football, but Capello was probably the first to go so far and publicly announce it.
What did it mean to not play for half a season? His form could not be guaranteed, and no one knew what kind of Beckham Nottingham Forest would buy. As a result, the English media analyzed that Capello was taking revenge on Nottingham Forest. He wanted them to spend a high salary to support an "old" player whose form could not be guaranteed and who was already 31 years old.
The Spanish media believed that it was not Capello's decision alone. It was more likely that it was an order from the club's top brass, and Capello was just carrying it out. Because the team needed to do a big cleansing, then the most famous Beckham would be the perfect negative example. It could intimidate the players and also show Real Madrid's determination to welcome a new life.
What a great strategy.
After Tang En saw the news, he gave Beckham a call and learned that David was not affected. It was all within his expectations, and Tang En breathed a sigh of relief. It looked like some things might change, but some things would never change.
The media, on the other hand, were very excited. They played up Capello's declaration as a provocation against Nottingham Forest, and eagerly anticipated how Tony Twain, the manager, would respond to Capello, who was also full of character.
As a result, a lot of media surrounded Wilford the next day. At the team's regular press conference, the reporters did not care about the Forest team's recent results and training. They only asked Tang En what he thought of Capello's words.
Everyone thought that Tang En would hit the table and curse, or use the sarcasm he was good at to ridicule Real Madrid.
Unexpectedly, Tang En's reaction to this disappointed everyone.
He did not target Real Madrid and Capello, but the media that hyped up the matter.
"I'm very curious. I'm not the Real Madrid manager, nor am I their club chairman. Why would that club come to me for a decision? Do you think I know some inside story? Then let me tell you, I know as much as you do, or even less. From Capello's point of view, I understand that. But I also believe that Mr. Capello will see the qualities in David that can move him, just like David moved me back then. It won't be long, ladies and gentlemen. I promise, it will be in this half of the season. "
It was not that Tang En had foreseen the future in advance that he said that. It was only because at this moment, Tang En deeply understood how strong Beckham's faith and determination were that he dared to guarantee it in front of so many media outlets.
After all, no matter how familiar the future was, it could change, but a person's character would not. It determined a person's words and actions, and these words and actions determined his fate.
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