After England was eliminated, they could still comfort themselves by saying, "We were eliminated by the champions!"
The hosts, Brazil, finally clinched their cups in front of their own door, and Kaka could be considered to have fulfilled a World Cup dream — like Ronaldo in the past, he was only a peripheral figure in the Brazil team when he first won the World Cup. This time, he relied on his own efforts, as the core of the Brazil team, and finally led the team to win the championship, which was more valuable to him.
If he had to be asked what regrets he had in this World Cup, he would most likely choose not to beat George Wood in his best form. This made him feel that the value of the championship trophy was a little lacking …
Just before the end of the World Cup, there was already news of a change of manager in the England team.
Capello's contract with the English Football Association originally expired after the World Cup, coupled with England's unsatisfactory results in this World Cup, the Football Association would not take the initiative to renew his contract. Therefore, after the expiration, Capello ended his work in England, returned to Italy, and officially announced his retirement.
Next, the Football Association would begin the selection of a new manager.
The media came up with a list of possible candidates. This list was not officially recognized, and was fabricated by the media based on their own experience.
Tony Twain, who had just resigned, was impressively on the list, but he was the least likely. The reason was simple. When he was still the Nottingham Forest manager, he caused a lot of trouble for the Football Association. In the hearts of the Football Association officials, Tony Twain was a thorn that was difficult to discipline, and they would not use him if they could. Another reason was that there were rumors that Manchester United and Twain were in private contact, and the two sides may have reached a preliminary agreement.
Motson, who had finished his World Cup commentary work, also asked about this matter, mainly to ask if Manchester United really invited Twain to coach. Twain nodded. He did receive a call from the Manchester United executives, but he refused. He did not want to take Martin O 'Neill's job, and as he said to Allan, he could not accept the fact that he was playing against the Forest team as an opponent.
"What about the England team?"
Twain shrugged, "The Football Association did not look for me. Don't stop the list of candidates in the media, it's all made up by them."
Motson laughed, "How about this, you might as well come to work at our BBC5, commentate on the game or open a special program. With your eloquence and influence, there is no need to worry about the ratings."
Twain declined Motson's kind invitation. "I just want to be with my wife."
Motson did not quite believe it. "Come on, I know you can't live without football."
Twain touched his nose and asked curiously, "Why?"
"It's very simple. I can't imagine what you can do without football … "Motson pursed his lips. "Work is over. Let's go relax?"
"I have to reunite with my wife." Twain smiled apologetically.
"You …" Motson pointed at Twain and shook his head helplessly. "Forget it!"
Tang En did not return to England with the people from the BBC. Instead, he left São Paulo for Rio de Janeiro to continue accompanying his lovely wife.
Although he still took Motson's words to heart, after being separated from Shania for more than 20 days, he wished he could grow wings and fly directly to his wife's side.
Tony Twain, who had returned to Shania's side, seemed to be even more passionate than before the World Cup. This made Shania a little surprised, but then she just took it as "absence makes the heart grow fonder".
Only Twain knew that he was going to use practical actions to refute Motson's words and deny the idea that was stirring in his heart …
※ ※ ※
This mansion in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, was worth 15 million US dollars. It was the joint property of Shania and Tony Twain. When Tony Twain and Shania decided to buy it a few years ago, it was during the financial crisis that ravaged the world. 15 million US dollars was 4.5 million less than its original price. Even so, it was still very expensive …
Twain did not want to live in such a mansion. He did not have the habit of hiring nannies, servants, or housekeepers. So, no matter how big the house was, there was only him and Shania in it, occasionally using it to entertain friends from both sides. However, the only reason why Twain was willing to buy this mansion was not because it was big enough, but because it was backed by the Pacific Ocean.
Standing on his own balcony, he could enjoy the magnificent sea and also had a private beach. With such an environment, spending 15 million was not in vain.
Twain liked this kind of open environment, especially the sea. As a person born inland, he had never really seen the sea in his previous life. So, in this life, he wanted to make up for this regret.
The house also had another advantage — it was very close to the Beverly Hills mansion of his old friends, the Beckhams. It was less than 15 minutes' walk there. They could be considered neighbors.
Tonight, Twain and Shania were going to invite the Beckhams, Tom Cruise and some other Hollywood stars to a banquet here.
It was their second day in Hollywood from Brazil.
Shania, who was tired from the journey, was still in bed. Twain had already finished his morning exercise on the beach behind the house. He sat directly on the beach, letting the sea constantly wash over his body. He was lost in thought as he stared at the sea.
The sea, which had slept all night, gently rippled in front of him, bringing with it a little fishy smell. He sniffed a little greedily.
It felt good not to wake up in the morning and think about how to command today's game.
Twain thought so in his heart.
There was a rustling sound behind him. Twain looked back and was startled. Shania walked out of the bathroom in her bikini, her eyes still a little sleepy. She was holding something in her hand.
"It's so noisy, I can't sleep at all … I've called five times …" Shania handed the thing in her hand to Twain, then sat down next to him with a pout, leaning her head on Twain's shoulder.
"Go back, don't catch a cold." Twain pushed her, then looked at the unresponsive phone. "Isn't it not here yet?"
"It's so hot, it's so cool here," Shania said coquettishly. "I promise there'll be another one in less than five minutes."
As soon as he finished speaking, the phone in Twain's hand rang.
"Look!" Shania made a face at Twain and continued to nap on his shoulder.
"Hello, this is Tony Twain." Twain realized that the phone number was unfamiliar. It had never been recorded in his phone book. "But I don't care who you are. Do you know what time it is in Los Angeles? Seven in the morning! "He was unhappy that this damn phone call had disturbed his wife's sweet dreams. Since it was a stranger, there was no need to be polite.
"Ah, I'm sorry, Mr. Twain. I didn't know you were in Los Angeles, I thought you were in Brazil. "It was a man on the phone. His voice was low and hoarse. Even though he was apologizing, it was neither servile nor overbearing. "I'm Shaun Barclays. I believe you must know who I am? "The voice laughed.
Twain was no stranger to this name, because it was the current English Football Association executive. Twain's anger was immediately reduced by half because this person's call was too unexpected. Why did he call him?
"It's like this, Mr. Twain. I have a plan here, I don't know if you'll be interested. "
Twain's eyes turned, he had already guessed why Barclays called him. But he did not say it, he waited quietly for the other party to say it. As a successful manager, he had to be reserved. But in his heart, the answer was already very clear.
"You know, Capello's contract with us has expired."
"Yes."
"We are now looking for the next manager of the England team. I think you'll be the most suitable one. "
Twain pretended to be surprised, "Why? I think I'm very far away from this position. "Although the surprise was fake, it was the truth. Twain knew what his impression was at the Football Association. Would the Football Association find such a disobedient manager to manage the England team? At least before this phone call, he felt that it was uncertain.
The number one figure in the English football world laughed, "Champions. You led the Forest team to win 12 championship trophies, is that not enough to prove your qualifications? "
Twain snickered in his heart. This Mr. Barclays did not use this tone when talking about himself in the past.
Not long after Shaun Barclays took over, he was once asked his opinion of Tony Twain at a party. He rubbed his temples and replied with a pained expression, "If he can control his mouth, I'll be thankful."
Later on, Twain did not stop criticizing the Football Association for being unfair, so he was often given tickets by the Football Association. Barclays also firmly remembered his name in his mind. It was said that someone in the Football Association asked Barclays what his impression of Twain was, and he even showed his humor, "Are you talking about the name that is always written on the tickets?"
It could be seen that the Football Association's head did not have a good impression of Twain.
Although Mr. Barclays' attitude towards him was unprecedentedly good today, Twain did not want to accept it. He said, "But you know, the nature of the club and the national team are completely different, Mr. Executive. Success in the club does not mean success in the national team … "
The old fox Barclays heard between the lines of Twain's words. He did not show any disappointment or any other emotions, he just said calmly, "Don't be in a hurry to reject, Mr. Twain. You can seriously consider it. The people and I think that the next manager of the England team should be an Englishman. "
Since the other party gave him face, Twain did not need to make enemies for the Forest team and attract all the firepower to himself. So he also gave face to the other party, "Okay, I'll think about it."
After saying that, he hung up the phone and looked down at his wife who was still leaning on his shoulder.
"You actually did not reject it directly." Shania's words made Twain's heart jump. He was about to defend himself, but Shania continued to speak. "Don't worry about me, the key is what you want to do."
She rubbed her head against Twain's shoulder.
Twain gently stroked her hair, "I won't agree. I just don't want to embarrass Mr. Barclays too much. "
Shania burst into laughter. "Since when did 'Mad Dog Tony' become so gentle?"
"Who gave you this nickname?" Twain stared.
"Marca. They still hate you. "Shania looked up with a grin.
Twain noticed that she was crossing her arms, so he hugged her and walked into the house. "Be careful not to catch a cold." As for what Marca said, he did not care.
※ ※ ※
Although Twain thought that he had rejected the English Football Association, the English media did not think so. Barclays personally admitted in an interview with the English media that the Football Association had contacted Tony Twain, which pushed Twain, who had previously disappeared from the media, to the forefront again.
Within a day, the English media began to wildly hype the news that Tony Twain might take over the England national team's manager position.
Twain did not change his phone, so he received a call from Pierce Brosnan. Brosnan wanted to ask him if it was true. Twain admitted that Barclays had called him, but he did not agree to be the manager. This made Brosnan a little disappointed — knowing that Tony Twain had left that circle, he only knew how lonely he was.
"Actually, I think you can seriously consider it, Tony …"
"Why?"
"I think you should be a football coach … I can't think of you not doing this."
This was the second time Twain heard someone say this to him.
"Haven't you seen it now?" Twain snorted and then hurriedly hung up the phone.
Damn it, why does everyone say that? I just want to be with my wife …
※ ※ ※
The evening banquet was held as scheduled. Hollywood celebrities from all walks of life carefully dressed themselves and brought their partners to the banquet. Shania was quite popular in this circle. Many of the people who came were big stars that Twain usually only saw in the movies.
Reporters from the United States and Britain gathered outside the mansion. Most of them were entertainment reporters, but there were also some sports reporters. The sports reporters were obviously here to pay attention to Tony Twain. Beckham had long retired …
For this banquet, the Twains specially hired a team to be in charge. From the chef to the people serving the plates, they did not need to worry about anything. The two of them only needed to entertain the guests.
The banquet was very lively, but Twain's mood was affected by the incident in the morning. On this day, the words "England national team manager" always appeared in his mind and troubled him.
Beckham saw that Twain had something on his mind and went forward to tease him, "What's wrong, Tony? Are you jealous seeing Shania become the main character? "
Twain glanced at Shania, who was surrounded by people and handled things with ease. He shook his head, "Why would I be jealous of her …" Looking at his good friend in front of him, the only person who had a common language with him among the many guests here, his heart suddenly moved. Maybe I can ask David?
"You look like you have something on your mind. What's wrong?" Before he could speak, Beckham had already taken the initiative to ask.
"I, uh … David. I received a call from the Football Association this morning. "
"The English Football Association?" Beckham asked in return, but he was not surprised.
Twain nodded.
The heartthrob opposite him laughed, "As expected."
This time it was Twain's turn to be puzzled, "Why do you say that?"
"If I were an official from the Football Association, I would also call you, Tony. Now they're looking for a new manager all over the world. How could they miss you? "
"But I've decided to leave football and only accompany Shania."
Beckham looked at Twain from the corner of his eyes.
"You don't believe me?" Twain asked in return.
"Do you think anyone will believe this, Tony?"
Twain wanted to directly refute, "Why not?" But he suddenly remembered that Shania, Motson, and Brosnan had all expressed varying degrees of doubt about this idea of his. And compared to the two outsiders, Motson and Brosnan, the worst thing was that he did not even believe in his wife, whom he slept with every day. This was a serious problem.
"Tony, I don't doubt your feelings for Shania. But I also don't doubt your feelings for football. You were born for football. I can't think of how you'll live without football. "Beckham put his hand on Twain's shoulder and said to him very seriously.
"But I'm still alive and well." Twain spread his hands.
Beckham smiled until his eyes were squinted.
"You don't believe me again?"
Beckham patted his shoulder and retracted his hand. "Well, don't think about that. Enjoy this night. I'll introduce you to some new friends …"
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