Godfather Of Champions

Michael came back to watch the game, which improved Twain’s lousy mood caused by Paul Gerrard’s retirement. What could be more delightful than the return of a former friend?

Although Michael was only back to watch the game, it was enough.

A day later, he left Nottingham with the entire team. Sent off happily by the fans, they left the UK and flew to Athens.

With two days until the final game, they would have a simple training in Athens, and then everyone would have a half-day break. It had become Twain’s habit to give the team half a day off to forget the game and relax before each major final game.

On the same day, Serie A powerhouse AC Milan arrived in Athens. They were warmly welcomed at the airport, as a large number of Italian fans had come due to the proximity. The last time in Istanbul, Turkey, the hardcore AC Milan fans had experienced a night of heartbreak. And now AC Milan was facing a team from England again, and they hoped their support would allow the team to beat Nottingham Forest and pick up the championship trophy.

There were more AC Milan fans welcoming the team at the airport than fans welcoming Nottingham Forest. They held up the banners and waved AC Milan’s flags and scarves which made the terminal look like it was filled with their people.

After all, the AC Milan team was the first to arrive according to flight times. It was understandable that they were so active. The Nottingham Forest fans who arrived at the airport early temporarily retreated as they coolly watched their opponents at the side. Only a handful of fans wearing Forest jerseys went up to the AC Milan fans to express their amicability. The scene was soon captured by the media, promoting that fans across the world were a family.

According to the time on the schedule, the flight from Milan would arrive on time at 10:30 A.M.. However, it was eleven o’clock, and there had been no sight of the plane yet. The arrival information of the flight on the monitor had changed to “delayed.”

The lively AC Milan fans gradually quieted down and put down the fluttering flags. Some people sat on the floor so as to preserve their energy for the big push.

Others called to inquire, and soon a message began to spread among them — due to the weather in Milan, the plane took off an hour later than scheduled and was now on its way. If there were no more surprises, they would arrive in Greece at 11:30 A.M..

Someone looked up at the large information monitor, where the flight information for all international flights was being constantly refreshed.

The flight information for the flight from Milan was still delayed.

Just below that line, the flight information for the plane from London was refreshed — 11:30 arrival time.

In the corner, the Forest fans cheered when they saw the news. Some of them also stood up, waved their flags and began to clap and sing.

The numerous media outlets, waiting for the flights at the airport, could not help but laugh when they saw the latest information.

They knew that the flight from Milan would be an hour late and arrive at the airport at 11:30, and the flight from London carrying Nottingham Forest would also arrive at 11:30. This was fantastic. The reporters got excited as the realization that they had a chance to watch a good show.

Everyone knew that Tony Twain was not on good terms with AC Milan. Last summer, both sides had launched a verbal war in the media over the offer price for Anelka. Twain publicly mocked AC Milan for being calculative and not having the bearing of a powerhouse club at all. They acted like they were a landlord shooing away a beggar when they made the offer to purchase Anelka from the Forest team. AC Milan had always attached great importance to the image of their club and did not tolerate Twain undisguised slander. Because of this, both sides had been at loggerheads ever since.

This was well-known throughout the whole of Europe. Now that the two arch rivals were about to arrive at the same time, how could there not be a good show based on Twain’s character?

The reporters, who had planned to take a break due to the delayed flight from Milan, sprang into action. The cameras and recording equipment were pointed at the exit, even though there was still half an hour before 11:30.

※※※

It was not a charter flight. Not all the passengers in the large Boeing plane were players and coaches from Nottingham Forest. There were also the other passengers going to Greece, and a large proportion of the passengers were media people.

The entire team was in the first-class cabin, separated from the back, while the media could only sit in the economy class. Only one reporter sat in first class with the team, and that was Pierce Brosnan, the reporter from Nottingham Evening Post.

There were some people in the sports journalists circle who joked that Nottingham Evening Post was quickly becoming Nottingham Forest Newsletter and Pierce Brosnan was the special correspondent for the Forest team.

But looking at the reporters sitting in the economy class, who could deny that the statement was borne of jealousy?

“This is really unfair. We’re all journalists. Why is it that a certain someone can talk and laugh in the first class with the interviewees, and we can only sit here and do nothing?” a reporter complained.

His companion next to him consoled him. “Come on, it’s already nice that we’re allowed to take the same flight as them. The guy from The Sun did not even have the right to board the same flight.”

“This is not fair. It’s not their charter flight, they don’t have the power to do that.”

“Sure, it’s not their charter. But Twain said that if he were to be on the same flight as The Sun reporter, then he would change to another flight.”

“Such self-important airs…” the first man grumbled.

“What can we do since he’s doing well now?”

“That’s strange. Why haven’t I seen the news reports on this? With The Sun’s usual way of working, it would have been blown wide open, wouldn’t it?”

The man next to him smiled. “The Sun has already filed the entire story on this matter, but now is not the time to push it out. Do you know? They have the exclusive right to cover Twain’s jump into the sea once he loses. They are just waiting to see Nottingham Forest lose, and then they will publish all the dirty details when they cover his jump into the sea, so that it will be sensational. They’ll say ‘look, this is the reason why Tony Twain is always losing!’ And then, there will be a barrage of criticism and bashing… anyway, it will be a good show.”

※※※

Pierce Brosnan did not simply sit in his seat. After the plane stabilized, he unbuckled his seat belt and scuttled back and forth between the seats. Time was precious, and once he reached Athens, he would not be in such close proximity to the Forest players. He wanted to take the opportunity to complete his first interview.

Twain looked back at him. “Mr. Reporter, don’t disturb my guys’ rest.”

“I know, I’m only looking for those people who look more spirited than I am.” Brosnan turned around to reply and changed his target again.

Dunn and Twain turned around at the same time and saw that very few players were resting. Most of them looked more energetic than Brosnan.

“Everyone is very excited,” Dunn said.

“I hope they don’t get too excited.” Twain muttered. He looked at Dunn next to him and suddenly remembered something.

“Oddly, there’s no annoying female Chinese reporter on this flight.”

“You mean Tang Jing?”

“Who else would it be? The list of media that hoped to be on the same flight submitted to us did not have her name, nor did it have the name of the company she represents.” Twain looked at Dunn. “Did she say anything to you about it?”

Dunn smiled. “Why? Got used to seeing her around?”

Twain grunted. “Don’t change the subject.”

“She went to Athens early. It’s as simple as that.”

“So boring. I thought she suddenly grew a conscience and decided not to pester us anymore.” Twain smirked.

“You’re disappointed. Looks like you’re not used to not having her around.” Dunn said.

Twain rolled his eyes and found a hole to poke at. “You even know her itinerary. To what extent has your relationship developed?”

Dunn’s face flushed, and he did not speak. Twain burst into laughter to show he won.

They were not afraid of being overheard as they used Mandarin to chat with each other.

The plane gave a jolt before the flight attendant’s gentle voice heard on the intercom. “Dear passengers, we have arrived over Athens and the plane is starting its descent. All passengers please return to your seats and fasten your seat belts.”

Brosnan quickly returned to his seat. His interview was over.

When Twain heard the flight attendant, he raised his hand to look at his watch. It was 11.20 A.M..

He out the window at the roofs of the buildings.

Athens, here we come.

※※※

The hall of the Airport Terminal 1 building was buzzing. Both AC Milan and Nottingham Forest fans all stood up and flocked toward the arrival point.

The monitor on the side displayed the latest flight arrival information:

The flight from Milan had landed.

The flight from London had landed.

The first song to be heard was Nottingham Forest’s, since the English fans were best at expressing their feelings with songs.

They attracted the attention of the media, and the cameras and recording equipment pointed at them.

Across from them, AC Milan fans were not willing to allow attention to be taken away by the English, so they also burst into song. More than half the media diverted toward AC Milan’s side.

The game had not yet begun, and the fans were already competing.

Well aware that the two teams would arrive on the same day, the airport was prepared with security. After all, the football hooligans from Italy and England were famous far and wide. When they saw fans of both teams excitedly burst into song, the Greek police tensed up as well. They stared intently at the fans like danger lurked in every corner.

“They’re just singing, sir.” The unit responsible for monitoring the Italian and English fans reported to the officer in charge of the security.

“No obscenities or glares at each other. They are only singing toward the pick-up point, sir!”

“They are not drunk. They are not doing anything other than singing. They did not even wave their fists, sir!”

The updates came in succession, which allowed the officer in charge of the security heave a sigh of relief.

The security for the football tournament was the biggest headache for him. With so many people, every aspect had to be taken care of. There could be serious consequences if an area was neglected, especially when both sides of the competition hailed from England and Italy.

The most famous stadium tragedy in European football happened between these teams in both countries — the Heysel Stadium disaster, in which the competition was between Liverpool and Juventus.

Twain was talking and laughing with people around him when he got off the plane, but as they headed for the exit, he suddenly felt something was off.

He could hear that it was noisy outside. In fact, it was extremely noisy. Furthermore, when he pricked his ears to listen carefully, he realized that in addition to English, there was another language he could not understand.

It made him wonder.

※※※

The AC Milan players had already appeared at the pick-up area. Their captain, Maldini, was the first to step out and the AC Milan fans’ singing completely drowned out the voices of Nottingham Forest fans all of a sudden. The media began to get into work, and momentarily, there were flashes everywhere. The pick-up area exploded in a shining bright light.

The emerging star players were used to such spectacles and hardly mind it. They smiled and waved at their supporters.

When they saw that the AC Milan team was the first to come out, the Nottingham Forest fans, not interested in singing for them, consciously shut their mouths one by one.

The AC Milan people were in the spotlight.

The AC Milan star players emerged from the exit aisle one by one and received the cheers and applause from the fans. But when Kaka appeared in front of the crowd, the cheers reached a climax.

“Kaka!!”

Countless female screams, mingled with the song and whistles, could be clearly identified.

※※※

Twain, who was walking along the hallway toward the exit, also heard the screams. He glanced at Dunn. “I think AC Milan has arrived. That’s odd. Weren’t they supposed to be an hour ahead of us?”

“Maybe their flight was late,” Dunn said.

“We really have a connection with AC Milan.” Twain chuckled. “Listen to the voices outside, I can imagine what a grand and warm welcome AC Milan has received.” He looked up at the sign with a right-turn arrow ten meters ahead of them to indicate the exit.

With that, he stopped in his tracks and looked back at the players who were strolling in the back.

“Guys, look alive. Are you soft in the legs from just a couple of hours on the plane?”

Everyone stopped and looked confused.

“It’s a coincidence that AC Milan is out there now, receiving a warm welcome. I don’t want them and their supporters to see us listless and I think we’re scared of them. Are you tired from your journey?”

Everyone immediately straightened their backs to show they were not tired at all.

Twain grinned. It was a special smile reserved for a prank about to be played.

“Very well, let’s go gatecrash now!”

※※※

Kaka received a frenzied welcome from the female fans at the exit. They swarmed around him and blocked the small exit. The people directly behind could not come out for a while.

Kaka turned around to apologize to his teammates, who made fun of him.

“You’re still so popular even though you’re married. I’m jealous, Kaka!”

The crowd laughed.

At the back, Carlo Ancelotti chatted with his assistant. He was used to seeing such scenes. AC Milan was a powerhouse club with all kinds of star players. It was normal to be popular. After he satisfied a few autograph and photo requests from fans, there would be security guards to clear the way for them.

It was at that moment that he heard a concentration of footsteps coming from the passage behind him. His face changed when he glanced behind.

Guess who he saw?

Tony Twain walked over with his large team in high spirits. Seeing Ancelotti, he happily waved. “Why, hello, Mr. Ancelotti! What a coincidence, we seem to bump into each other everywhere we go. There is a Chinese word means “predestined affinity.’ We really have an affinity!”

Not caring whether the other person could understand the English words or not, he prattled on.

Carlo Ancelotti certainly did not understand Twain’s English with his Nottingham country accent, but he knew it was not nice.

He did not plan to respond to Twain. He was aware that the more he reacted, the more outrageous he would be.

He turned his head and pretended not to see Twain.

Twain did not expect Ancelotti to come up and talk to him. They could not communicate at all when one spoke English and the other spoke Italian.

He passed Ancelotti with a smirk and squeezed into a spot with most people.

“Give way!” He raised his hands and shouted, and suddenly attracted everyone’s attention.

The female fans, who were asking Kaka for autographs and photos, discovered a stranger next to Kaka. They looked up, disgruntled, at the gatecrasher.

Most people gradually quieted down on the spot, confused. On the other side, the fans from Nottingham were very excited when they saw Twain. Some people got ready to shout but were stopped by their companions. They held up the “shh” signal but looked excited.

“Sir, there’s a situation.” A subordinate’s voice came through the headset.

“Have they started fighting?” The police officer sat straight up and was ready to run out to send the car.

“No, both teams have arrived and it’s a little chaotic here. And… the manager of Nottingham Forest is here.”

How could the man who was going to provide the convoy for this game not know who the managers of these two teams were? The police officer was relieved instead when he thought about it. “Just pay attention and be careful, it’s nothing. With him there, the Nottingham Forest fans will not make a fuss.”

He had done some research and knew a little bit about Twain. This manager was said to have a high prestige among the fan base in Nottingham Forest. If he was there on the scene, then the situation was not bad.

“I fully understand your desire to chase the stars!” Twain cleared his throat and spoke loudly, not caring whether people could understand his non-London English.

“But you should not block someone else’s way out, should you? We have been on the plane for a few hours from England to Greece and now we have to rush to the hotel to rest. You can’t just have everyone in the back wait because of one person.” He waved his hand toward the players from both sides behind him.

Ancelotti looked on from the back and a coach who knew English translated for him. He was surprised at Twain’s behavior. He had originally thought he was here to pick a fight. He did not expect him to become the person to maintain order.

Having said that, Twain turned his head and smiled at the Brazilian player, Kaka, to show his friendliness. Kaka looked at him in surprise. The media always described this man as the devil, or said he was neurotic. He did not expect him to appear refined in his manners within such close contact.

Twain finished and waited for the female fans in front of him to step aside, but no one moved.

He frowned and muttered, “don’t blame me for being inappropriate.” He reached out with his hand to open a narrow winding path. He took the lead, and Dunn followed behind with a smile as he apologized to the women who had been suddenly pushed aside. They were closely followed by the Forest players filing out, and the narrow path gradually became a boulevard.

Security guards came up in droves to separate the fanatical star chasers, and the exit finally cleared.

The Forest fans came to life the moment they saw Twain come out, like they had gotten a signal, but they did not sing.

There were about seventy or eighty fans. When they saw Twain walk over, they started shouting, “Hey, Tony!”

“Tony! Tony!”

They were no less vocal than the group of female fans chasing Kaka.

Eastwood watched the whole scene from the back and laughed hard. “The chief is not kindly helping us clear the way. I think he’s jealous of Kaka being more popular than he is. Haha!”

Whether Twain was jealous or not, he did enjoy the shouts of his fans. He smiled and waved to them.

“Oh, oh, oh!” The fans yelled even louder. “Give us a championship title, Tony!”

“You said before. You will jump into the sea if you don’t win the title!”

Initially, it had been AC Milan that had the upper hand in the terminal, but the leading character was immediately changed. Many reportera flocked around Twain and the group of fans opposite him, their flashbulbs going off endlessly.

Amidst the flashes, Twain gestured to make everyone calm down, and the group of fans dutifully quieted down. They looked at the team’s manager with a feverish glint in their eyes.

The policemen next to them could not help but marvel at it. Their officer was right. The English fans were not a problem with the arrival of this man.

During this brief silence, Twain raised his hands. “I guarantee and promise you that the championship title is ours! It’s ours, and no one’s going to take it away!”

He issued his own declaration to win the championship and completely disregarded AC Milan.

Ancelotti’s remaining trace of good opinion for this man vanished.

There was a huge burst of cheers in the Nottingham Forest fan base. They cheered as they sent Twain and his team off from the airport.

A crowd of people strutted out and left the Italians at the airport. Soon, the Forest fans also dispersed to follow their team.

The reporters who followed the Forest team on the flight witnessed the entire proceeding and everyone looked excitedly at each other. They knew that they had something to write for the next day’s articles, and that the news would be interesting.

The reporters who had complained about not being able to interview the players on the plane before, now laughed. The previous “unfair treatment” was nothing since they got to watch a good show!

There would also be meat for their stories as long as they followed Tony Twain.