Godfather Of Champions

“America!” Tang En exclaimed in shock, making Beckham jump on the other side of the phone. Even with the landing and taking-off of planes at the airport, he could not help but pull the cell phone away from his ears.

“What’s the matter, Tony?”

Tang En who realized his loss of composure hurriedly coughed. “I’m just… just surprised. Aren’t you in Spain? Why did you suddenly go to America?”

“I recently got injured, so I can’t play in matches. Coincidentally, I had to come to America for a contract discussion.” Beckham explained.

Tang En’s heart jumped again.

“A transfer contract?” he jokingly asked.

Beckham laughter drifted over from the other end, “How is that possible? It’s only a normal business contract.”

Tang En breathed a small sigh of relief.

“That’s right. Why are you looking for me, Tony?” Beckham asked.

“Uh, I’m calling to greet you for Christmas…”

“It’s only the 10th now.” Beckham laughed in amusement again.

“I’m calling earl- early to do the greetings. I know you’re very busy. Then, I won’t disturb you anymore. Enjoy your trip in America.”

“Thank you, Tony. Then, I’ll wish you an early merry Christmas too.”

Finishing up the call, Beckham’s brows furrowed. Victoria looked back at him. “What’s the matter, David?”

“It’s Tony. Tony Twain’s call.”

“Shania’s friend?” Victoria recalled.

Beckham nodded.

“Was he looking for you about something?”

Beckham laughed. “What else could it be? He wants me to return to England to play there.”

“To play at Nottingham Forest?”

“Yeah.”

As the two spoke, they walked out to the airport’s corridors. The football fans and reporters waiting outside started a commotion when they saw Beckham and his wife finally appearing.

Beckham stopped the discussion with his wife and lifted his hand to wave at those waiting here. He was beaming with a smile as bright as California’s sunshine in America, prompting a wave of shrieks from the females.

“Then, what are your thoughts about it, David?”

As if he did not hear the question from his wife, Beckham only continued the show in front of the cameras and in public.

※※※

The next day, Tang En took note of news concerning Beckham’s trip to The States. The news of Beckham using his recuperation time to visit America were mentioned on newspapers, television and the internet. However, he only attended a press conference in New York for the publicity of his own brand.

There was no news about him and LA Galaxy, or of any interactions with personnel from the Major League Soccer.

Tang En finally relaxed. It seemed like it was really a normal business meeting.

The adverse effect of this piece of news was that Beckham fell a step further out of favor in Capello’s heart. The tough Italian manager felt that his actions of privately going out to take part in business activities were not a show of professional conduct that a professional footballer should have; that it was a public challenge of his authority. Beckham being iced on the bench became something even more certain…

On the same day, Allan Adams excitedly found his way to Tang En.

“Tony, I’ve heard that you are friends with Beckham?” Allan loudly exclaimed as he stepped into the main manager’s office.

Tang En happened to be reading news on the internet. Hearing Allan’s voice, he immediately closed the webpage and looked up at him. “That’s right. We even had a meal together.”

“This would go well then. You do know that Beckham hasn’t been very happy at Real Madrid lately, don’t you?”

Tang En could guess at Allan’s intentions and shook his head. “It’s no use, Allan. I’ve already asked him earlier in the season if he wanted to return to England to play soccer, but he rejected the idea without any hesitation.”

Allan was not at all deterred. “That’s at the beginning of the season. At that time, Beckham was surely filled with expectations and illusory ideas of his new manager. Now, it’s different. Didn’t you see the recent news? Capello is extremely unhappy about Beckham taking a trip to America on his own.”

“Beckham said he had gotten the agreement of the club’s higher management.”

Allan waved his hands. “It’s hard to know this sort of matter. But that isn’t what we should be concerned about. Now, the whole world knows that he is unhappy at Real Madrid. Many clubs are fighting for him to join them. You must know, he’ll be a free agent after this Christmas. There won’t be a need to spend a penny on the transfer fee.” It was as if Allan had already seen a shiny future of gold.

“Beckham. Do you know what he represents in the commercial market, Tony?” His pitch was a little high with his agitated emotions.

Tang En nodded. “Of course, I know.”

“That’s good. That’s good. What kind of advantage does Forest Team have over the other teams?” Allan pointed to Tang En and said, “You’re his friend. This matter would be a breeze. You can persuade him to join Nottingham Forest, not with your identity as Nottingham Forest’s main manager, but as his friend, like you’re having a heart-to-heart. When he is still lost about his future and in the painful situation he is in, you give him a call and have a soulful discussion with him in the cold winter night…”

Allan was so engrossed he completely ignored Tang En by the side as he described the picture in his mind, gesturing wildly at the same time.

Tang En leaned back on his own chair and watched Allan’s performance with a cocked head.

Thanks to Beckham’s immense commercial value, this person had become slightly disoriented…

Tang En waited for Allan to finish speaking. He propped his hands up to hold his chin as he asked, “Allan, I have to admit that your thoughts are great, but it’s a bit too much of wishful thinking on your part. Do you know how deep the affection David has for Manchester United?”

Allan was stumped hearing Tang En’s question. He had not, indeed, given thought to the issue from the perspective of playing football. All he had said earlier stemmed from thoughts of the number of jerseys Beckham could help Forest Team sell, the help he could lend in Forest Team expanding their international influence, of the many new big-name sponsors he could attract for Forest Team, if he joined them.

Seeing Allan’s face clouded with uncertainty, Tang En hastily waved his hands with a laugh. “I’m not rebuking you, Allan. I think your idea is good although it has only been considered from the perspective of a business operation. But, isn’t that precisely your job? Things about football, that’s my consideration. However, I feel that we should put together everyone’s opinions of this. You’ve spoken your mind earlier. Do you want to hear mine?”

Allan made a gesture of invitation.

So, Tang En related his discussion with Beckham, when they had a meal together the other time, to Allan.

Hearing this, Allan was momentarily stunned. “He really said that?”

Tang En nodded.

Allan fell silent and sat on the sofa scratching his head. Tang En understood all too well Allan’s feelings about this.

For a man who was trying to come up with all means and ways to excavate the gold from the gigantic gold mountain he saw, what kind of feeling would it be to suddenly hear that the gold mountain was only an illusion? That it was something that couldn’t be excavated? It probably wasn’t an exaggeration to describe it as having 10 thousand ants crawling over his heart.

“I don’t want to be enemies with Manchester United, so I won’t return to England.”

Tang En’s ears once again rang with what Beckham had said to himself back then. He casted his gaze out to the blue sky beyond the windows.

Even until now, do you still think the same way, David?

As Tang En was looking at the blue sky outside the windows, out of sorts, Allan Adam stood up from behind him.

“Although he said that, I still think we should try working at it.”

Tang En looked back in surprise at Allan.

“It’s just that I think we might as well try to convince his wife rather than David Beckham himself.” Allan continued, saying, “Victoria is the only person who can influence him.”

“But I have no way of convincing Victoria too…” Tang En said, opening his palms up in a show of helplessness.

“No, you do.” Allan said without hesitation. “Have you forgotten how you got to know Beckham?”

A thought suddenly flashed through Tang En’s mind.

Shania and Victoria were friends; that was how he became friends with Beckham…

“Alright, I’ll try. But I can’t promise anything.” Tang En was also thinking about reaching out to Beckham for a discussion again. Without needing Allan’s additional input, he knew how great his commercial value was. Even from a sporting perspective, Beckham was a player that he very much hoped to get.

A player with outstanding passing ability, he could play both as a side midfielder or defensive midfielder. His energetic running and professionalism were also a good example for the younger players in the team. While he was slightly old, it was just perfect for him to play a few more years before giving a hand to the ones coming in to succeed him, stably transiting to a new era. How nice would that be?

※※※

“… David Beckham is in big trouble, but is it any lesser than the ones he was in when in Spain? Ever since his transfer to Real Madrid, he has been entangled in all sorts of trouble; on the field, off the field, and with his family. Now, his time with this century-old powerhouse is finally coming to an end.”

A huge LCD television was showing the latest sports news. During the press conference regarding the team’s line-up, Capello expressed strong unhappiness about Beckham’s private trip to America when answering related questions from the reporters.

“… He is a professional football player. He should know what it means to abandon his team and to go to such a place at this time…”

With a cut in the scenes, Beckham appeared amid a ring of reporters. “… I have gotten permission from the club’s higher management.” Saying so, he slipped into the car and left.

“Beep-” The screen turned dark; the television had been switched off.

“Don’t watch that anymore.” Beckham stood behind Victoria in his sleepwear with the television remote in his hands.

Victoria turned to look at him with a smile. “It’s time to consider about the future, David. America is a pretty good place, or more precisely, Los Angeles.”

Beckham furrowed his brows and fell silent. Recently, there were fewer and fewer smiles on his face. Unless he was in front of the media or the public eye, he had this expression most of the time.

“I’ve grown weary of Real Madrid’s attitude.” Victoria continued. “It’s obvious that they don’t want to renew the contract with you. Everyone here treats you as some kind of pain. Leaving is the best solution.”

Beckham rounded over and sat down. “Of course, leaving is the best option. But where do we go after leaving?”

“David, have you already forgotten about the development plan I drew out for you?”

Beckham shook his head lightly.

“Los Angeles is very good. Everyone there hopes for you to go. You will be treated much better there than over here. And then we can…”

Victoria had not finished her words before being interrupted by Beckham. “But, it’s a football desert over there.”

“David-” Victoria said, dragging his name out. “You should really consider about your life after retirement. You’re no longer young.”

“I’m old at 31?” Beckham smiled, looking at his wife.

He had to admit. The development plans his wife had designed for him were rather good. Going to Los Angeles in the US to play football symbolically for a few years, and then naturally developing into the entertainment circle; even if he retired from the world of football, he could continue his career in other aspects. There were also other footballers who went into filming after retiring. From England, there was one – Vinnie Jones. He played football in Wimbledon. Later, he retired in Queens Park Ranger and went to Hollywood for further development. Now, he could already be considered as a stable B-List film star.

However, in all honesty, Beckham did not feel that he had the talent to act. When the film crew for the movie “Goal! The Dream Begins” came to Real Madrid for the shooting and needed them to be actors, he felt particularly awkward. It was a world of difference from how he felt on the field…

His wife though was very keen on such things.

At times, he felt that he owed Victoria too much. To take care of himself, who was playing in Madrid, Spain, she sacrificed her career in England and followed him to Madrid, a place that was not included within the fashion entertainment circle.

“Look at your legs.” Victoria pointed to Beckham’s legs. “It’s all battered. I don’t wish to be pushing you in a wheelchair when we go out for a walk in the future, David.”

From her words, Beckham could feel his wife’s concern for him. Beckham stretched out his arm to wrap around her shoulders. “It’s not as scary as that, is it? There are many retired players but only a few in wheelchairs.”

As the atmosphere developed into one suitable for a beautiful night life with his wife, the handphone he placed on the table started ringing.

Beckham felt helpless hearing the ringtone that disrupted the atmosphere. He smiled at his own wife and let go of his arm around Victoria. Standing up, he walked over to pick up the call.

“Hello, Tony?”

It was a call from Tang En.

“Hello, David.”

“Are you wishing me an early Merry Christmas again?” Beckham asked with a laugh.

“Ah. Not this time. Shania would be in Madrid for a fashion show a few days later. She won’t be in England this Christmas, so I’m thinking of going over to accompany her for a day. And then at the same time, I want to treat you and Victoria to a meal. You treated me the last time in London, so I should return the treat this time around.”

Of course, Beckham knew that returning the treat was an excuse. It seemed like the main manager of Forest was “especially fond” of him. Since the other party invited him so warmly, he had no reason to refuse.

“Alright, sure. Let’s set a time and I’ll see you then.”

After hanging up the phone, Victoria looked over to him from her position splayed out over the backrest of the sofa. “Is it just a simple meal?”

Beckham smiled. “Clearly not.”‘

“Hey, David. Do you wish to return to England?” Victoria suddenly asked.

Just like the time at the airport, Beckham was stunned for a moment. However, this time, he was unable to avoid answering by waving and smiling to his fans.

Victoria looked at him, awaiting his answer.

Beckham fell silent for a while and shook his head. “I don’t know.”

Back then, he had firmly shaken his head in denial of the possibility of returning to England. Yet, it had now turned into an “I don’t know”…