Godfather Of Champions

They had gotten past the most excruciating part of the match schedule. Currently, Nottingham Forest had two rounds of matches remaining, against Charlton and Birmingham City in turn. If anyone thought the two matches were merely about going through the motions, they would be making a big mistake. While the Forest team was left with two rounds in the League, Everton still had three. The two teams had a difference of four points. If Forest were to lose both rounds with Everton winning all, Forest would still end up losing the qualification rights to the Champions League.

Tang En made sure to prevent falling into such an avoidable mistake. He reminded the players not to give Everton any opportunities, and not to underestimate their next two opponents.

On May 7, the Premier League’s 37th round, Nottingham Forest challenged Charlton as an away team.

In the match, Forest appeared utterly unaffected by their loss to Arsenal in the previous away match. This was despite the match similarly being held in London with the same setting as an away match. In The Valley, Forest took down the match with a decisive win of 2:0. At the same time, on Everton’s home grounds, Goodison Park, Moyes’ team won a tough battle against Bolton Wanderers with a score of 3:2. In that way, they managed to keep the uncertainty alive.

※※※

May 12. Forest Team had no scheduled match. Everton was to head to London to proceed with a rescheduled match against Arsenal.

The match would take place in the afternoon. As a result, Tang En decided to cancel double training for the day. After the end of morning training, he holed himself up at home with Dunn and prepared to watch the match.

Dunn noticed Tang En grabbing a can of cool beer from the fridge before the match. After seeing him place it on the table, he asked, “Do you need peanuts?”

Tang En was momentarily startled by Dunn’s question. Then he laughed. “I’m used to it. When I’m watching football in the country, alcohol’s my companion. It’s a combustion aid for my inspiration.”

Dunn turned back to the television, mumbling to himself, “You wouldn’t say that if you were burnt silly by it…”

Tang En shrugged and stooped on the chair. “Hey, Dunn. What do you guess the result of the match would be?”

“I don’t ever guess the scores or who the winner or loser will be before a match.”

“Pfft. What a bore. Tell me about your situation at the Youth Team, then… Have you already been promoted to assistant manager?”

Dunn nodded in response but was unwilling to continue discussing the matter. He pointed at the screen and said, “The match has started.”

The two stopped chatting and focused all their attention on the match.

After 20 minutes, Tang En downed the beer he was holding in a breath and let out a sigh. “I don’t think there’s any need to watch this further. This is how this match is going to go.”

“It’s only 2:0. Everton still has a chance,” Dunn said, his gaze fixed resolutely on the screen.

Tang En shook his head and stood from the chair. “It’s the end. It’s the end for Everton. We’ve won. The qualification to enter the Champions League belongs to us now.”

Hearing Tang En’s words, Dunn looked back at him. “You’re unhappy?”

“No, it’s just… after achieving any goal, there’s always a feeling of emptiness. Are you still watching? I’m going out for a walk.”

Dunn nodded, indicating that he was going to continue. Tang En stuffed both his hands into his pockets and headed out.

※※※

Even though there was still a round of League matches left, Tang En already regarded today as the end of the season. No matter how they performed in the final match, it would not affect their results.

Qualifying for the UEFA Champions League.

The Champions League; tyrants, glory, money, stars… Just two weeks earlier, the thought of any of that would have excited him. But now that it had turned into reality, he could not seem to muster up any excitement. Although no one would believe him, a feeling of “Oh, that’s it,” of the situation being a given, arose in Tang En’s heart when he saw Everton being completely decimated by Arsenal in Highbury, losing two balls within just 20 minutes and showing signs of further losses.

When everything came together in an expected manner, the jubilance naturally lessened. In reading novels, comics, or watching movies, he always hoped for more dramatics, always more. However, when he himself was in the same position, it felt better to be in a safe position. Otherwise, his heart would not be able to withstand it.

Tang En touched his chest. It had already experienced countless moments of overexcitement. The work of a manager was said to be one with a high risk of heart attacks; that was doubtlessly the truth. Experiencing instantaneous leaps between exhilarated highs and sorrowful lows was something common among managers.

Tang En, whose mind was brimming with a mess of thoughts, had unknowingly walked himself to a place with a familiar sign. Although he had no set destination, his legs had, out of habit, brought him to the front of the Forest Bar.

Ever since Forest had begun their spurt towards attaining the qualification to participate in the Champions League next season, he had not stepped foot into this bar. Standing outside it now, he could hear the din coming from within.

“Brilliant job! Arsenal!”

“Another one! Score another one!”

The group of people was watching the match too. Hearing such yells, Tang En laughed to himself. Although it was not Forest’s match they were watching, this match would end up deciding if Forest’s goal for the next season would be the Europa League or the Champions League. The fans’ attention to the match was, in fact, the same as the attention given to their own team.

Tang En stood at the door of the bar. He felt a little thirsty and was attracted by the fragrance of the spirits emanating from the gap in the doors. As his hands landed on the door handle, hesitation overtook him and he gave up on the idea of entering.

At that point, he did not want to become surrounded by people bombarding him with questions about how he planned to play in the next season.

He wanted to sit alone somewhere, quietly.

Glancing back at the noisy bar behind him, he donned his sunglasses and turned around. He had thought of a place he should visit.

※※※

On the green field next to the small forest, a group of children was happily playing football. Within the cemetery, however, it was still as quiet as ever.

The headstone had a layer of dust accumulated on it. Tang En had almost forgotten the place, forgotten this corner of his heart. Today, he returned. He took out some tissues and wiped away the dust on the headstone. Kneeling, he blankly stared at the words carved on the stone.

The person lying there was the beloved son of Michael Bernard and Fiona Bernard; Nottingham Forest’s most loyal fan; George Wood’s eternal supporter. Gavin Bernard.

Each time he attained success, Tang En would have thoughts of Gavin, wondering what his expression would be if he saw Forest with such remarkable results.

Hey, Gavin. Back when you declared yourself George Wood’s loyal fan outside the Youth Training Grounds, did you ever think he would become as famous as he is now? He’s a football star now. Not just a football player, a football star. A celebrity. His first signature must be incredibly valuable now…

Tang En sat down and leaned back on the headstone. He looked up, gazing at the blue skies through the lush green leaves.

If Gavin was still here, if Michael and everyone else was; just like when he had first arrived in Nottingham, would he feel a greater sense of achievement today?

What damn nonsense are you sprouting, Mr. Tony? Of course, we’ll like victory. We even like returning to the Premier League after this season, and most of all, we like becoming next season’s champions of the Premier League! The season after the next, we’ll be the Kings of Europe!

Although it’s a little late, we have not strayed from our path. Michael, can you really get used to your days without football?

Manager Tony Twain, are you intending on becoming the headlines for The Sun for terrorizing children?

That’s why I admire him, because he defeated me! I have decided to become his fan!

Sign for him. George, he’s your first fan. You can’t treat him so coldly. Kneel and give him your signature!

Even if I have no money to buy a new jersey, I won’t sell it off!

Knocking over an innocent child and then stepping over his body… this is the honor you speak of? This is your godd**n honor?! Do you think you are great? Do you think you are the hero of this team? You… you bastards!

Like a movie, scenes of the past resurfaced before Tang En’s eyes, replaying themselves against the backdrop of the sky.

From January 2003 to May 2005, the period of two and a half years passed by in a blink. Him… Tang En or Tony Twain had completed the transition from an average football fan who had somehow transmigrated here into a professional football manager. But, of those who had walked with him on his journey… how many were left?

Michael was gone, Gavin was gone, Walker and Bowyer were all gone. Even “Boss” was gone… And those footballers, the ones he had encouraged, severely scolded, and those he fought shoulder-to-shoulder with. The Forest of today was completely different from the Forest team of two and a half years ago. Like an iron-casted barracks, its soldiers came and went.

A ringing tune sounded from his pocket, scattering the images before him into the wind. Tang En took out his cell phone and pressed on the button to receive the call.

“Uncle Tony!” Shania’s happy voice drifted into Tang En’s ears.

“Shania?” Tang En asked, surprised.

“Congratulations, Uncle Tony!”

“Congratulations? What are you congratulating me for?” Tang En’s mind had yet to catch up, still trying to process the surprise from Shania’s abrupt call.

“Didn’t Forest Team qualify to participate in next season’s UEFA Champions League? Arsenal has just defeated Everton… Guess what the score was?”

“It’s over?” Tang En dipped his head to look at his watch. “I can’t guess.”

“7:0! Isn’t that amazing?”

“Wow, that’s incredible!”

In truth, Tang En was not at all surprised. He understood this to be a normal result. The difference between Arsenal’s and Everton’s abilities was not as simplistic as ranking second and fifth in the League. Just 11 minutes into the match, Arsenal had already gotten two goals. Tang En immediately knew it would not be of any surprise if the score turned out this high. He had noticed Everton’s players beginning to lose their direction and focus. With their broken dreams of attaining the Champions League, perhaps the Europa League was also a good option. In the previous season, Everton could not even participate in the UEFA Europa League.

To have lost their fighting spirit and goal, what else would there be to watch for this match? That was why Tang En chose to leave so early.

But to keep Shania from being disappointed, he pretended to be surprised. As expected, her laughter drifted in from the other end.