Godfather Of Champions

The away loss to Fulham was seen by Nottingham’s media as an upset. The media elsewhere, especially the media in London, didn’t see it that way. They argued that the gap in strength between Fulham and Nottingham Forest wasn’t big enough to be termed an upset. However, they also admitted that Fulham’s victory over Nottingham Forest had not been expected before the game.

A day after Twain’s team lost the game, Manchester United also beat Watford in the away game 2:1. So far, they were the only team to win all three games of the league tournament. Therefore, they naturally continued to sit firmly in the league’s top spot.

Tony Twain still hadn’t gotten a taste of being the first in the league after all…

After losing this game, the Forest team’s ranking also fell from second to fifth. Even teams like Portsmouth and Aston Villa ranked above them. The only thing Twain felt grateful for was that they were still ahead of Chelsea.

As for Dunn, the only good thing that had happened this week was that the Chinese television station’s production crew was finally gone, and his private life could return to normal. But now that he had already moved out of Twain’s place, there was no reason for him to move back.

In fact, this was also rather nice. Everyone had their own private space. Even when they had lived under the same roof, there was no exception. If Shania were to visit Twain, even if the two of them didn’t think anything was wrong, Dunn wouldn’t be uncomfortable anymore as the third wheel.

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As September came around, Nottingham Forest beat the Blackburn Rovers at home 2:1 in the fourth game of the league. With their three wins and one loss, they ranked fourth with nine points and continued to press Chelsea down.

It looked like everything was normal except for one small setback.

The results of the Champions League group stage draw had been released, and it was time to focus on the Champions League.

Twain also had to go to this draw ceremony. The situation was not the same as a year before.

A year before, Twain had been a nobody on the UEFA Champions League tournament and sat alone in the corner, with only a few English managers coming over to say hello. Neither the press nor the managers of other countries paid attention to this somewhat gloomy young man.

And this time? As soon as he got out of the car, he was caught in a frenzy with the media who had waited a long time. There was a burst of flashes, almost turning the area in front of the hotel entrance from nighttime to daytime.

The AC Milan manager, Carlo Ancelotti, closely followed behind Twain and was also startled by this scene, even though he was used to all sorts of big events. The chubby manager thought something big had happened. When it was clear that it was just a disturbance caused by Twain in front of him, he pursed his lips and went around him.

Twain looked sideways at Ancelotti, then waved to the media as he walked in.

After entering the conference room, his hope for a quiet rest was in vain. There was a constant stream of managers coming over to talk to him. Whether he knew them or not, they would come up for a chat. Twain also enjoyed the feeling of being a central figure among managers.

Evidently, most of the people who came over were the managers of non-powerhouse teams. The powerhouse teams also had manners befitting their status. For example, the managers of the two Milanese teams did not intend to maintain friendly ties with Twain, especially the Inter Milan manager, Mancini. As the person who had been eliminated by the Forest team last season, he didn’t have any good thoughts when he saw Twain looking pleased as punch.

Another man who did not find Twain objectionable was the Barcelona manager, Rijkaard. Everyone still recalled the scene after last season’s Champions League final. Although on the face of it, when Twain gave his silver medal to the ball boy it was seen as disrespect to the UEFA, in fact, Barcelona had been implicated as the champion of the victory over the Forest team. Twain had shown attitude to the UEFA and Barcelona at the same time.

During an interview, Rijkaard was unrestrained in his criticism of Twain. He said that he “had never seen such an ungracious manager,””Britain always claims to produce gentlemen. Don’t tell me this is a gentleman’s behavior,” and “if my opponent had won instead, all I would do is say congratulations. I would never have done such a disgraceful thing.” One could see that he was furious.

Rijkaard certainly had reason to be angry. Twain’s behavior had made it seem like Barcelona was unfit to be the champion. It was an insult to Barcelona. Not only Rijkaard was upset, but the top echelon of the Barcelona football club and the ordinary fans, too—who do you think you are? How dare you make us look bad? If you lose, you lose. If you’re going to be a sore loser, then don’t play!

Therefore, at this draw ceremony, Barcelona manager Rijkaard and Nottingham Forest manager Tony Twain did not greet each other.

Initially, these were the highlights of this draw ceremony. Unfortunately, the two men didn’t have an incident at the venue, so the media were somewhat disappointed.

Before the draw, there was another thing to watch. Due to the fact that Tony Twain had given attitude to the UEFA after the Champions League final, would the UEFA secretly retaliate against his team in the new season? Needless to say, the UEFA would never admit that there would be retaliation, but would anyone believe what they said? They had stated that the draw was fair, impartial, and open. In that case, why would Chelsea, led by Mourinho, whom the UEFA saw as dangerous, run into Barcelona repeatedly?

And currently there was another figure seen as dangerous and unruly by the UEFA—Tony Twain and his Nottingham Forest team.

Johansson would certainly complain. Why had such a troublemaker come from England?

But other than England’s soccer environment, which gave its managers a lot of power, it was really unlikely that this kind of self-centered manager would come from elsewhere.

The media speculated that the UEFA secretly had means to put Nottingham Forest in the “group of death” so that they couldn’t advance past the group stage. After all, even though the Forest team had been the runner-up the season before, they were not a seeded team. They were placed among the third-tier teams so that there was a high probability of being in the “group of death.”

Even the club chairman, Evan Doughty, reminded Twain to be prepared for the worst.

“Didn’t Allan already smooth things over?” Twain was baffled.

“Public relations isn’t that simple. You have to know it’s not easy to deal with those people. It’s quite difficult,” snapped Evan as he looked at the UEFA officials sitting on the table. “So, no matter how well Allan did over there, you still have to prepare for the worst.”

Twain stared at the group of officials who had already been dubbed “politicians” and nodded his head. “I understand.”

The two men didn’t speak again, both with a load on their minds as they quietly looked at those fateful hands fiddling with the small balls in the box.

When the results of the draw were announced, everyone was taken aback, including Twain and Evan.

If Mourinho’s Chelsea and its nemesis, Barcelona being openly grouped together by the UEFA this time, in Group A, and causing a hubbub in the venue was the first good show today, then what happened next was even more astonishing to everyone.

Nottingham Forest had actually been sent to an incredibly weak group!

“Group C: PSV Eindhoven, Girondins de Bordeaux, Nottingham Forest, Galatasaray S.K.”

Not just the media that followed the draw, but even the various team managers there hadn’t expected this result.

Before every draw, each team’s manager was bound to selfishly hope to avoid strong opponents and battle with the weak teams so that they could smoothly advance. There were a number of people who wanted the troublesome Nottingham Forest to be put into the group of death and then clash with a strong team. No matter which one of the last two teams would advance, both sides would suffer.

Unexpectedly… Instead of secretly punishing Nottingham Forest, the UEFA had done Tony Twain a huge favor!

The strength of this group could almost be counted as the weakest out of the eight groups. If there were no other mishaps, Nottingham Forest would not have a problem advancing.

How could this happen? The same man who gave the UEFA a headache and secretly crushed Mourinho had received an advantage instead.

Everyone turned their doubtful gazes towards the UEFA president, Johansson, at the table, but no one could get the answer they wanted from that plump, smiling face.

“Looks like Allan succeeded,” Twain said to Evan next to him with a smile.

Although he felt like something was fishy, Evan responded with a smile, “That’s good. We don’t have to spend too much energy in the group stage.”

“I have to thank him well when we get back.”

“Don’t cause him any more trouble, and he will thank the heavens.” Evan smiled helplessly.

Twain chortled, his laughter was very loud. He didn’t hide his smugness and excitement at all, regardless of how the people around him viewed him.

“The draw ceremony for the Champions League group stage is now over. I don’t think anyone’s going to disagree when I say that the biggest winner in this draw is, without a doubt, the Nottingham Forest manager, Tony Twain. His team drew a spot that was too good to be true, in the weak Group C. The prospect of Nottingham Forest advancing from the group stage looks bright.” Most of the sports news reported this news this way, with the image of Twain laughing brilliantly at the venue.

Now that you’re riding high, Mr. Twain, please be sure to grab hold of the reins…

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With an overwhelming victory at the Champions League draw, Nottingham Forest seemed to try to prove to the world that they had the ability to compete for the Champions League title this season. In the first game of the Champions League group stage, Nottingham Forest defeated the strongest team in the group, Eindhoven, by 1:0 in the away game.

They didn’t play beautifully in the game, but it fit with Twain’s consistent principle of “only pursue goals, do not seek a good spectacle.”

Eindhoven was depressed after they lost. Looking at the game, they’d had the same number of opportunities as the Forest team, but had just failed to grasp them. And Van Nistelrooy had a total of three shots in the entire game and scored a goal.

Perhaps in connection with Twain’s declaration before the season, the Nottingham Forest players didn’t require Twain to motivate them in the Champions League game. They were particularly driven.

There were no problems with the players’ conditions, the team’s stamina, or coaching tactics. Twain was full of confidence for their prospects in the Champions League.

Having done well in the Champions League and now back at the league tournament, the esteemed Nottingham Forest would host this season’s newly promoted team, Reading.

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Before his reincarnation, Twain had known little about Reading until after a famous game, when Reading’s name had been engraved in his mind and impossible to forget.

Because he had been a Chelsea fan for a time, Twain still had a favorable impression of Chelsea—of course, now that he was a manager, he had already tossed his fan mentality to Timbuktu. Chelsea was now his opponent.

In that famous game, Reading had ousted two Chelsea goalkeepers, one after another. Five minutes after the game started, the main goalkeeper, Čech, suffered a fractured skull when Reading player Stephen Hunt’s knee collided with him and he was struck unconscious. Even Mourinho worried about whether he would survive. Later, a minute before the end of the game, the substitute goalkeeper, Carlo Cudicini, was also knocked unconscious by the Reading full-back, Ibrahima Sonko. Having no other choice, Mourinho could only use the team captain, John Terry, who put on a goalkeeper jersey, as the stand-in goalkeeper.

This game caused a stir in the international football circles. The violence in England’s soccer stadium was once again known in the world.

Twain, who was still an ordinary Chinese fan at that time, firmly remembered Reading, and their blue-striped jersey that looked similar to a prisoner’s garb.

Twain didn’t know the impact his reincarnation would bring to the game. In any case, after it, his team had played against Reading many times. He had even had a personal feud with the manager. It was almost impossible for tomorrow’s game to be played amiably. He understood Steve Coppell. This man wouldn’t let go of any chance to take revenge against him. It would be perfect for Coppell if he could beat the Forest team at their home ground.

Twain had this worry when he considered this. According to his memory, that game between Reading and Chelsea would happen this season. In that case, would the current risk be passed on to the Forest team now? After all, Reading and Chelsea didn’t have a grudge. Would Čech and Cudicini escape their fate because of this?

Twain was currently unclear on these matters. There was only one thing he knew: Reading’s rough playing style had not changed as a result of his reincarnation. When they played against each other in the Football League First Division, Twain had already fully understood Reading’s style. Now, after they had been promoted to the Premier League, their style had intensified in order to survive in this brutal league.

Now that the league tournament had already had four games, the newly promoted Reading had given a full picture to everyone of what kind of soccer they played—they had already had a player sent off with a red card in the league’s first four matches.

Twain was very concerned about this. Now that his team was no longer in the Football League First Division, they were no longer that small team who wasn’t afraid of taking their gloves off, rolling up their sleeves, and fighting to the death with any opponent without any regard for the consequences. The rash Reading team could risk it all. They were not afraid of anything, and there was nothing to lose. Nottingham Forest, which needed to compete in a number of tournaments, only had twenty-three players in the First Team. They couldn’t risk it all.

With one player hurt, it would mean less fighting power.

During training a day before the game, Twain kept frowning, which made everyone think he was unhappy with the training situation.

He was actually worried about what Reading would do in this game. Had he not known about Reading’s game against Chelsea ahead of time, he might not have thought about things that had not happened. Now that he knew, it wasn’t the same. There was always a hint of worry in his heart.

However, he couldn’t tell anyone else, even Dunn, who was closest to him. He couldn’t mention that he knew about those things in advance, even in the hopes that everyone would pay attention to their own safety.

Would he make everyone give up their positive attitude for the game due to safety? Twain couldn’t say that, either, because it would make the players and the coaches feel weird—why would Twain, who never gave up, suddenly be afraid of a newly promoted team?

After thinking about it for nearly a day, Twain figured it out. It was not a good habit to worry about that hadn’t happened yet, but it wasn’t right to not do anything and wait for something bad to happen.

Consequently, when he announced the next day’s lineup, Eastwood, who was in good shape, failed to be chosen.

Eastwood had three surgeries on his leg and Twain was reluctant to let him get an operation for the fourth time. It was a form of protection for Eastwood, but would the players appreciate it?

After Eastwood learned that he wouldn’t need to play the next day, he just shrugged his shoulders and looked like everything was fine.

Twain felt relieved in his heart. However, he still had to have a talk with Eastwood, so as to avoid repeating the same mistake as Anelka.

“Freddy, after training is over, you stay back for a bit. As for the others, you’re dismissed!”

The teammates looked at Twain and Eastwood in puzzlement as they left the training ground. When the coaching staff were gone too, there was only Twain and Eastwood left on the field.

“Do you think it was strange that I didn’t put you on the list?” Twain asked with a smile, trying to soften the mood.

“It is strange. But I think, Chief, you must have considered this arrangement.” Twain was moved by Eastwood’s thoughtful answer.

“Well, I did think about it… You know Reading is a team that plays rough and I don’t want you to take that risk.”

“That’s it?”

“That’s it.”

Eastwood looked at Twain and was quiet for a moment before he said, “If other people knew about this, they would think I’ve run away, wouldn’t they?”

Twain swore in his heart. He forgot that Eastwood was a man with a strong self-esteem.

“It’s not that simple, Freddy.” Twain hurriedly explained, “No one will think you’re a deserter. It’s also a normal tactic to protect important players before an important game.”

“An important game?”

“The sixth round of the league tournament. We’ll be challenging Arsenal in the away game,” said Twain.

This was indeed a compelling reason, and Eastwood was silent for a moment before he nodded. “I understand, Chief.”

Twain’s nervous expression finally relaxed. He laughed and patted Eastwood on the shoulder. “Do you still remember what I said to you? I’m going to be a legendary manager, and you’re going to be a legendary striker. Our legend has just begun. I don’t want you to take any risks in a game like this. An opponent like Reading isn’t worthy for our strongest squad to deal with. Haha!”

Eastwood laughed too, for he was certainly aware of an opponent like Reading, who he had played against in the Football League First Division many times. They hadn’t won against Nottingham Forest once. No matter how arrogantly Mr. Coppell acted, Reading would eventually be the loser.

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Appendix:

The groups for the 2006-07 Champions League season:

Group A: Barcelona, Chelsea, Werder Bremen, PFC Levski Sofia

Group B: Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, Sporting Lisbon, FC Spartak Moscow

Group C: PSV Eindhoven, Girondins de Bordeaux, Nottingham Forest, Galatasaray S.K.

Group D: A.S. Roma, Valencia CF, FC Shakhtar Donetsk, Olympiacos F.C.

Group E: Real Madrid, Olympique Lyonnais, Fotbal Club Steaua București, FC Dynamo Kyiv

Group F: Manchester United, Celtic F.C., Sport Lisboa e Benfica, F.C. Copenhagen

Group G: Arsenal, FC Porto, CSKA Moscow, Hamburger SV

Group H: AC Milan, Lille Olympique Sporting Club, AEK Athens F.C., R.S.C. Anderlecht