Godfather Of Champions

In fact, Chen Jian’s matter did not cause any sensation, not even the slightest ripple. A week later, after someone from the Nottingham Forest Football Club came in to help Chen Jian take care of all the procedures, he left the Tianjin Justice Jingguan School under the envious gazes of his classmates and embarked on the journey to his dream in Nottingham.

There was no domestic media coverage of the matter, as the Nottingham Forest Football Club was very low-key in the handling and did not inform any media outlet. Allan Adams had wanted to hype it up in China, so that the club could open up the Chinese market further. But Twain discouraged him and said it would not be too late to publicize when Chen Jian really made something of himself. It would not produce any effects even if it was publicized now. China’s market was vast, but it would not be opened to a young player whose future was unknown at the moment.

In actual fact, Twain did not want to put any heavy weight on Chen Jian’s shoulders. The pressure on him was already big and heavy enough.

Once he arrived in Nottingham, there was no special treatment other than a small family welcome dinner prepared for him by his landlord, Fat John. He still lived at John’s house and would take time out every week to attend a cultural class at the University of Nottingham. He was the same as the other young players in the youth team. Twain only met him once when he arrived in Nottingham and went to busy himself with the work for the First Team after he reiterated the reality that he had no way back. Twain did not say much and just wanted him to persevere. There was no press conference, welcoming crowd, and reporters in pursuit… Everything indicated that he was just an apprentice.

Greenwood made a small joke, “Chen, did you dribble the ball back from China?!”

“Yes, Manager Greenwood.” Chen Jian replied proudly.

Everything was business as usual.

At present, Chen Jian was no longer the youth who arrived here more than a year ago, filled with endless expectations and visions for the future. He understood the cruel reality and was also well aware of the gap between him and his dream. Instead of fantasizing and dreaming of achieving the day when he would be impressive all the time, it was better for him to be down-to-earth and diligently train. He did not think about whether he would realize the dream. He firmly believed that as long as he worked hard every day and stuck to it, one day he would dig through the mountain and open the path between the reality and the dream. No matter how long it took, no matter how high the price he had to pay, even if it was in blood, he would continue to dig forward!

※※※

The matter of recruiting Chen Jian as an apprentice was settled. But for Chen Jian, his story had only just begun. It might take a long time before Twain could see the third and fourth volumes, as well as the ending of the dream journal. However, he was not in a hurry. He had patience and would slowly wait to accompany the strong and tenacious kid to the end.

Now he had to shift his focus to the First Team.

During the interlude of Chen Jian’s pursuit of his dream, Nottingham Forest had already played another league game.

Nottingham Forest faced West Bromwich Albion on May 9th in the thirty-sixth round of the league tournament. Although Twain had officially begun to join the team’s day-to-day management work, the game was still directed by Dunn on the sidelines. Twain sat in the box and watched the game.

Perhaps knowing that the real boss was watching them high in the stands, the Nottingham Forest players did their utmost. They beat West Bromwich Albion by 3:0 in the away game to kick the opponent back to the EFL Championship two rounds ahead.

During the match, the television footage repeatedly swept to Tony Twain, who sat upright and still in the box. The commentator mentioned more than once that today’s Forest team was completely different from the last round of the league tournament for the simple reason that their king was coming back.

Nottingham Forest, which won the game, rose two spots to rank at the tenth spot in the league table with fifty-two points. With two rounds remaining before the season ended, they were seven points away from the sixth-placed Aston Villa and were inevitably unable to qualify for next season’s UEFA Europa League.

Could the season be declared as over in advance for them at this point?

Twain did not see it that way.

When they were back in Nottingham’s tactical session, Twain told his players, “… This is a great opportunity. You have the opportunity to prove that you are still men with balls with your own actions! Even if we came up empty-handed this season, we still have to end the season with three consecutive wins. It will be the most insignificant compensation we can make for our previous poor results! Let those home fans be comforted in the final round! Tell them that even if we don’t get anything this season, we’re not broken! Tell the opponents who are waiting to see us fail that Nottingham Forest will be back in the new season and no one will be able to stop us! Let the new season officially begin from this game!”

On May 16th, the thirty-seventh round of the league tournament, Nottingham Forest took on Stoke City.

Before the game, Nottingham Forest’s official website officially announced their “king” Tony Twain had returned to the team. Dunn handed over the command and Twain would personally sit in the technical area to direct the game. The team once again decisively won against Stoke City by 3:0 under his command in the away game.

After the game, this was what the BBC’s sports news said about the game—-

“The other managers in the Premier League need to be careful. That guy is back!”

※※※

Before the final round of the league tournament, the battle for the league title became clearer. Arsenal had to pay the price for trying to gain supremacy with a young squad. They were firmly positioned in the fourth place, with no danger of losing. However, they could not go any higher. Chelsea also slowly fell behind after their boundless prospects in the first half of the league tournament to finish third.

Instead, the two teams vying for the league title were Liverpool, which was previously thought to be unable to play in the league and the shrewd and ruthless Manchester United.

Both teams had the same points, but Manchester United was temporarily behind in the second place due to the goal difference. If they wanted to win the title, they must score at least three goals in their last game against Hull City and pray that Liverpool cannot win by a wide margin. In terms of the opponents, Manchester United’s was slightly more favorable. Hull City was ranked in the middle level and had no desire for more. Whereas Liverpool’s opponent, Tottenham Hotspur had to fight to stay in the league.

Such a form inevitably reminded people of last season’s final round of the battle for the title, when Manchester United was one of the main players for two seasons in a row. But their opponent was replaced. Nottingham Forest, which wiped out Manchester United to take the crown at Old Trafford last season, was ranked in the middle and bound to get nothing which was a shame.

Twain did not have the time to care about how people lamented for his team. He was just as busy even though Nottingham Forest did not have any specific goals at the moment.

The team’s training was all handed over to the coaching staff led by Dunn and Kerslake. He was busy talking to individual players to find out their inclination to determine the candidates on the purge list.

The first person he looked for was the team captain, George Wood.

Because when he had not yet returned to the team, the transfer rumors about this person had been flying around. Many clubs were interested in the midfielder who was rare in the world of football. He was willing to do the grunt work, did not ask for high wages, and was not emotional. AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus, Bayern Munich, Werder Bremen, FC Schalke 04, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Arsenal to name a few…

They were all the big boys club. Any one of them was a fatal temptation.

But Wood’s agent, Billy Woox remained unmoved.

After Nottingham Forest announced the official return of Twain, Billy Woox immediately announced that his player had never thought of leaving Nottingham Forest, that it was Nottingham Forest who had nurtured him and gave him his current achievements. He was willing to stay at Nottingham Forest unless the club chased him away.

Twain was unable to make sense of the old man’s intention, so he simply looked for George Wood to hear his own player’s thoughts.

“What Woox said is the truth.” Wood answered him, “I’ve never thought of leaving. Even if he wanted me to leave, I wouldn’t. Don’t I have to sign the contract myself in the end?”

Wood’s words reassured Twain. He was well-prepared to face the transfer crisis that would follow the summer. But George Wood absolutely could not leave because he was the real core of the team. If he wanted the Forest team to regain its glory, he could not be short of this person.

Not only that, George Wood also said something that greatly moved Twain, “I know the state of the team’s economic situation. If it really can’t manage, I’m willing to re-sign a contract with the club to reduce my current salary and some bonuses. Anyway, I think no matter how much more money I have, I’m fine as long as I have enough to use. Mr. Woox had made me a lot of money in other areas. I don’t even know how to use it…”

Twain almost laughed out. This silly boy actually grumbles about more money?

“Ah, your words are going to infuriate Woox. Your revenue also directly affects his income.”

Wood’s expression remained unchanged, and spoke with a straight face, “He has so much ‘money that he simply does not need me to help him make money. I’d fired him if he does not agree.”

Twain finally did not hold back this time, and guffawed. This boy’s heart is still with him ah… He was happy.

“You don’t need to take a pay cut, George. You just focus on playing with a peace of mind and hold the team together for me. Just set an example on the pitch and it will do. You don’t have to consider the financial side of things.”

After he sent George Wood away, Twain was calmer by half. Without taking a break, he began to talk to each player one by one. Under the pretense of “being gone for five months, everyone should deepen our connections and communicate with each other”, he observed and deliberated the players he could give up and need to let go with the right prices, and the ones he simply could not discard, and whom he was not willing to drop but the other parties might be determined to leave…

Van Nistelrooy was still recovering from his injury after he underwent the surgery. If he returned to play after he recovered from his injury, Twain would give him a contract of one year minimum no matter what. He did not want the veteran who had helped him rise to be bitterly disappointed. If he did not have a heart attack, he could have urged the club to offer a new contract in the first half of the year to the Dutchman, when van Nistelrooy was still undergoing his surgery.

Despite his body would not be as before, van Nistelrooy’s experience and role in the locker room were evident.

It went without saying that Eastwood must stay. The Romani himself also did not want to leave here.

As for Arshavin… he might leave or might not leave. He himself did not have a particularly strong desire. If Twain wanted him to stay, then he would most likely stay. Because Barcelona, where he wanted to go the most, clearly did not need him now.

Žigić’s performance at the Forest team had been average this season, with the occasional flashes of brilliance. But these brilliant flashes were too few as a player who was taken as Bendtner’s successor and number one center forward during van Nistelrooy’s injury. He was even once rated by the British media as the most “subpar foreign import” of the season. But Twain did not intend to give him up, because Twain knew that Žigić’s poor performance was not his problem, but the team as a whole. He still wanted to give Žigić a chance to prove himself again. In addition, he had the selfish motive of not wanting to readily admit that he had failed. Twain would not sell Nikola. Not to mention selling Žigić at this time could only be a loss-making deal. Only a fool would do it.

Van der Vaart’s situation was somewhat special. Real Madrid midfielder’s emergency was more than just the flanks. The middle was also short of players. Van der Vaart had long proven his talent and ability at Nottingham Forest. Real Madrid was interested in attracting him. Van der Vaart himself also wanted to play football in Spain. He did not care whether it was for Real Madrid or Barça. The Forest team might have to pay a high price if they wanted to keep him. Allan Adams was inclined to sell him quickly while he could still fetch a high price, but Twain was hesitant. Şahin’s performance was getting better, but he could take charge of the area alone. He needed van der Vaart to oversee and organize the offense.

Twain struck a question mark next to van der Vaart’s name,. He himself did not know if the Dutchman would still be on his squad list when the next season came.

He naturally wanted Şahin to stay in the team, and the man himself did not want to leave too.

Beckham would definitely leave the team. After the expiration of the two-year contract, it would be according to the original agreement and Twain would not urge him to stay. He was going to the United States with his wife to join the Major League Soccer’s LA Galaxy. Twain and he both knew, so they did not say anything to each other.

Aaron Lennon would not go as well. Twain would not relinquish, and he himself did not wish to leave. When Beckham was gone, he would be the main player on the right side of the field as expected—the Forest team certainly did not have the money to buy a lot of players to rotate this season, and they did not need to rotate because there were not too many games.

Martin Petrov was also like him. Ribéry had pressed on top of his head for the past few years, With Ribéry gone now, he could make it too. But Twain had not ruled out the possibility of selling Petrov to cash out. For in his view, Petrov’s position was not high, at the very least he was not comparable to Lennon, who was a promising young player. If a club were to offer the right price, he might consider letting him go and buying younger wingers from the transfer market without spending too much money.

Twain would also not drop Tiago Mendes. On the one hand, he was an all-rounder in the midfield and was able to play as a defensive midfielder. He could also play as a playmaker in the midfield. He was better at defense than van der Vaart and a little better at offense than George Wood. While he was not top-notch in any aspect, the team now needed a player with well-balanced abilities.

He would not give up Kris Commons either. Although he was very popular in the lower leagues, Twain wanted to be better prepared for the future “4+7”, “5+6” and “6+5” combinations. Such a local player was especially important since it was the player they had trained in their youth training system. There were opportunities to play in the EFL Cup and FA Cup. He could even receive appearances in some inconsequential league games and also help the team smoothly qualify for the Champions League.

Wes Morgan was like him. As the team’s third captain, Twain would not drop Morgan.

Roberto Ayala would not renew the contract with the club once his contract expired. He wanted to return to Argentina and Twain did not intend to keep him. Ayala was no longer in his plan anyway, and he would have to spend for one more player’s salary if he continue to stay.

Rafinha had attracted a few club’s interest for his outstanding performances at the Forest team and could be presented with offers from a number of clubs in the summer. At that time, Twain would carefully consider as to whether he would rebuff every one of the clubs or choose to accept some of the offers. However, if he was exchanged for money, there would be another vacancy for the right back position, and he would have to continue to have a headache in search of a right back.

With regards to Chimbonda… as he got older, fewer and fewer teams were interested in him, and it could be predicted that there would be few offers which could satisfy Twain this summer. Twain would have to keep Chimbonda for at least another season.

Surprisingly, when he had the fight with Bendtner, Twain wanted to drive out Chimbonda and keep Bendtner. In the end, Bendtner, whom Twain was reluctant to give up, was actually the one to leave, leaving behind Chimbonda, whom he did not want to keep. It was really a case of the people who should have come did not come, but the people who should go did not leave…

Sun Jihai wanted to continue to stay in Nottingham Forest until he retired. It was not hard to understand his thinking—he had entered the twilight of his career and there was nothing else he could ask for. What more could he ask for other than to be able to play in a team that had won the UEFA Champions League title for two seasons in a row until he retired? He had been glorious before and made enough money too. Anyway, if the Forest team did not want him, he would never go back to China. Twain was now hesitating whether to purge Sun Jihai. Because his contribution to the team was lessening. But Sun Jihai had not been popular in the Premier League. If a team wanted to buy him, it could only be the EFL Championship level team. How much could they pay?

Like him, there were mid-to-lower level teams interested in Leighton Baines. But Twain would not sell. The player was one of the safeguards to stabilize the team’s rear defensive line. He was not as good on offense as Bale but had done very well defensively. Where would Twain go and find a second one if he gave up such a stable player?

The three players, Gareth Bale, Vincent Kompany and Pepe had all received a number of transfer offers. But Twain was not going to let go of any one of them. There was no room for discussion. These three men, George Wood plus Eastwood were treated like the same—not for sale.

Woodgate had only been with the team for a year. He did not want to leave, and Twain was happy to oblige.

Van der Sar intended to retire at the Forest team, but he would give up his place as the main goalkeeper next season. Starting with the friendly matches, Twain planned to promote Akinfeev. After two seasons with the Forest team, he was finally going to become the team’s main goalkeeper.

Dale Roberts would also be the team’s third goalkeeper. But if he wanted to leave and there was a team which wanted him, Twain would release him, and then draw up a goalkeeper from the youth team or reserve to team.

Going through the names, Twain discovered that the so-called purge actually did not have many people … He hated to part with these guys who had fought with him for years…

Everyone had prospered all together and partook in the successes as one. They competed across the world without limits. Why did they have to go on their separate ways in the face of the imminent catastrophe?

If there was a team to pay Bale, Pepe, Kompany tens of millions of dollars in price, would he be able to ward them off and keep them from leaving? Would those loyal players who simply did not want to leave the team in the first place be forced to leave because they had to pay for the club’s poor financial management?

He did not want his team to turn out like Lazio. He also did not want his players to be the second, third, fourth… “Nesta.”

They were the seedlings of Nottingham Forest’s resurgence. He would safeguard them no matter what!