After sorting out Guardiola, Simeone, and Southgate, Chen Ran took his new coaching staff to meet the players.
It was right in the middle of pre-season preparations, the head coach had suddenly been replaced, and the new head coach was their own club owner.
The current mood of the Crystal Palace players could only be described as utterly bewildered and at a total loss.
After introducing each assistant coach, Chen Ran stood before the players, looking with great interest at the complex expressions on everyone’s faces.
He figured he probably wouldn’t be seeing many of these guys much longer.
“Hello everyone, we meet again.
However, I am now not just the club chairman, but also your head coach.
Is it very surprising?”
“Yes…” came a sparse, scattered reply.
“Alright, I know you all have bellies full of questions.
I can answer them face-to-face now.
Ask whatever you want.”
“Boss, are you serious about being the head coach?” “Of course, otherwise why would I have taken the coaching license exams?”
“Boss, the newspapers say this is your first time managing a professional team, is that true?” “Yes, they’re telling the truth about that.
But everyone has a first time, right?”
“Boss, didn’t you say you wanted to create a football dynasty?” “Yeah, and aren’t I in the process of creating it right now?
Let me tell you some good news: I’ve brought in a lot of new players this time.
The competition among you from now on will be extremely brutal.”
“…”
Damn it, is that supposed to be good news?!
A bunch of players cursed silently in their heads.
“Alright, it seems you lack confidence in me.
That’s fine, I can understand.
If anyone wants to transfer, you can go directly to Stephen to register.
I won’t stop you; let’s part on good terms.”
Having said his piece, Chen Ran turned and left with the coaching staff, leaving the players gathering in small groups to discuss their futures.
“Boss, are you really going to let them all transfer?” Southgate couldn’t help but chase after him and ask.
“I evaluated the abilities of these players according to Premier League standards.
Aside from a rare few who could play in the Premier League, all the rest fail completely.
So tell me, why should I keep them?”
“Premier League standards?
Boss, Crystal Palace is only a Championship team.
Aren’t your standards a bit too high?” Southgate silently grumbled; if these players had Premier League ability, would Crystal Palace still be stuck in the Championship?
“Gareth, my standards aren’t too high.
My goal is to create a football dynasty.
If you judge by that standard, do you still think it’s too high?”
“Well…
that’s indeed not high…”
Now, not only did Southgate fall silent, but even Guardiola and Simeone, who had been hesitating to speak, also went quiet.
So the boss wasn’t just shouting slogans?
Could the boss be playing for real?
“Don’t worry, I won’t let them all go.
At most, half will leave.
After all, we still need substitutes, and we need people to fill the homegrown player quotas.”
“However, I’ve brought in over a dozen new signings this time, essentially rebuilding the entire team.
I’m giving the three of you a task: each of you must design a tactical system based on the new players.”
“I must remind you, this is your first test.
I will score each of you.
When the season ends, the person with the highest total score will be the team’s head coach next season.”
As soon as Chen Ran finished speaking, the three men, who had been relatively relaxed, instantly tensed up.
They hastily bid farewell to Chen Ran and ran off to find Stephen for the player profiles.
“Little guys, thought I couldn’t handle you?” Chen Ran smugly hummed a little tune.
Guardiola: Future manager of La Liga, Bundesliga, and Premier League champions, plus Champions League winner.
Simeone: Future manager of La Liga and Europa League champions.
Southgate: Future manager of the England national team.
Except for Southgate, who hadn’t won many major trophies, the other two were top-tier coaches who would dominate world football for over a decade in the future.
Although they were all rookies in the coaching world right now, with their talents, shining brightly was only a matter of time.
As the saying goes, three cobblers equal a mastermind (Zhuge Liang).
What if you had three masterminds?
Besides, if that still wasn’t enough, the Youth Academy Director, Tuchel, could step in at any time.
Thinking of this, Chen Ran was instantly filled with anticipation for the new season.
Three days flew by.
On this day, nearly every single English media outlet that covered football was present at Crystal Palace’s press conference without exception.
Even Sky Sports sent an SNG (Satellite News Gathering) truck for a live broadcast.
You have to realize, this was just a press conference, and a press conference for a Championship team at that.
Usually, only the few Premier League giants enjoyed this kind of treatment.
At this moment, one had to admit: Chen Ran’s hype plan was a massive success.
“Hey, did you guys hear?
Crystal Palace brought in a lot of new players this time.” “I heard, seems like over a dozen.” “Many came, but even more left.
I heard Crystal Palace is now peddling their original players everywhere.” “Really?
That’s a massive blood transfusion then.” “Exactly.
It seems that Chinese man isn’t just all talk; he’s playing for real.” “Over a dozen players?
Wonder if there are any stars among them.” “Probably impossible.
The loan was only 30 million euros in total.
That Portuguese kid Ronaldo took up 10 million.
The remaining dozen or so people cost 20 million at most, averaging less than 2 million per person.” “That’s true.
What does a Chinese man know about football?
He was probably swindled by those agents and just found a bunch of cheap bargains to make up the numbers.” “That is definitely a possibility.
It’s rare for a fat sheep who knows nothing to come along; those guys probably made a fortune off him this time.” “Who cares about all that?
If he wants to throw his money away, let him.
As long as the news is explosive enough for me, that’s all that matters.”
The bustling press conference hall was filled with the chatter of reporters.
Some were mocking, some sarcastic, some ridiculing, and some anticipating.
Under the spotlight of thousands, Chen Ran made his entrance.
Standing at 1.85 meters, with a handsome face, immaculately styled hair, a perfectly tailored crisp suit, and leather shoes so polished you could see your reflection in them, he strode confidently toward the podium.
“Good afternoon everyone, I am Chen Ran.”
“Thank you all for coming to Crystal Palace Football Club’s press conference.”
“Today, I am honored to introduce to you the new players joining Crystal Palace for this season.”
“First, please give a warm round of applause to welcome the captain who led Crystal Palace to the English First Division championship in 1993—Gareth Southgate!”
“Gareth, welcome home!”
Clap clap clap!
Perhaps to give Chen Ran some face, or perhaps because Southgate was an active England international, the applause in the room was quite enthusiastic.
“I didn’t expect this.
This Chinese man bought back Crystal Palace’s old captain.
It seems he’s not entirely clueless about football.” “True.
But Southgate is an active international.
Buying him probably cost Crystal Palace a lot of money.” “That’s a given.
You know how Middlesbrough’s owner is; he only sees money.
If someone was willing to take a 33-year-old Southgate, he definitely butchered them for a hefty price.” “Regardless, this opening is a bit beyond my expectations.
I’m slightly looking forward to seeing what surprises this Chinese man will bring us now.” “Hmph, whether it’s a surprise or a shock is yet to be determined.”
(END CHAPTER)
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