“Upon returning to Crystal Palace, Gareth will continue to serve as the team’s captain, while also simultaneously taking on the role of assistant coach for the first team.”
As soon as Chen Ran finished this sentence, it sparked another wave of discussion among the reporters below.
“Tsk tsk, this Chinese man actually has some brains.
Bringing in Southgate to assist him means that at the very least, there won’t be any major issues in the dressing room.” “Makes sense, that was a beautiful move.” “Looking at it this way, did we underestimate this Chinese guy?” “Don’t jump to conclusions yet.
This is just the beginning.
Let’s see what else he does first.”
“Next, I will introduce a genius from Portugal—Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro.”
Following Chen Ran’s words, C.
Ronaldo walked out from backstage.
The young man was handsome and energetic; apart from being a little green, he was practically the perfect idol-type player.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I’m sure you are all very interested in the fact that I spent 10 million euros to bring in Ronaldo.”
“The reason I was willing to spend heavily to snatch Ronaldo away from numerous giant clubs is that I firmly believe that, given time, our Ronaldo will certainly be able to reach, or even surpass, the great Brazilian genius who shares his name.”
“OMG!” “What exactly is he saying?” “Is this guy crazy?” “He really is a megalomaniac.” “It seems this Chinese man truly is a fantasist.” “I think Mr.
Chen needs a psychiatrist.”
Above and below the stage, everyone, including C.
Ronaldo himself, was absolutely stunned by Chen Ran’s bold declarations.
Ronaldo was on the verge of tears.
Boss, even I don’t have that much confidence in myself, where did you get it?
Besides, couldn’t we have just said this in private?
Did you have to say it in front of the entire English media?
I’m still young; my small shoulders can’t carry this much weight!
Chen Ran looked at the boiling press conference and curled his lip inwardly, thinking, This is nothing, you English blokes really haven’t seen the world.
After finally waiting for the scene to calm down, Chen Ran was able to continue introducing the next player.
“Next, let us welcome the famous Spanish player, Josep Guardiola.”
Clatter, clatter.
The applause was rather sparse.
As a star who had been famous for years, it stood to reason that the reporters would give Guardiola enough courtesy.
Unfortunately, sitting below were football media reporters; there wasn’t a single person who didn’t know about Guardiola’s positive doping test.
“Does this Chinese man have a brain?
Buying a player who’s about to be suspended?” “Why are you worrying blindly?
He has too much money and doesn’t care.” “Bullshit ‘too much money’, that’s all a bank loan.” “Could it be that he doesn’t know about Guardiola’s situation?” “It’s possible.
As a Chinese man who doesn’t understand football, how would he know these things?
He was probably scammed by the agent.” “Sigh, I almost feel a bit sympathetic for him now.” “Put away your fake sympathy, you’re the one who scolds him the harshest in the papers.”
Guardiola on stage couldn’t help but notice the reporters’ reactions below, and his face looked a bit grim.
“Ladies and gentlemen, after joining the team, Josep, like Gareth, will also simultaneously serve as an assistant coach.”
“I have absolute faith in Josep’s coaching abilities.”
“I believe that in the near future, Josep will be fully capable of leading the team as head coach to win the Premier League title, the Champions League title, and even more trophies.”
“OMG!” “Here he goes again!
He’s at it again!” “I’m certain now; this Chinese man has delusions.” “Quick, call an ambulance.” “Calm down, do mental hospitals even have ambulances?” “I don’t know.
All I know is, I’m going crazy myself.” “This is too outrageous!
Premier League champions?
Champions League champions?
Does Guardiola even have a coaching license right now?” “Alright, alright, calm down.
He’s just hyping up his own players; did you actually take him seriously?” “But you don’t hype them up like that, right?
It’s too exaggerated.” “Maybe it’s a Chinese custom?” “Who cares?
My head is starting to hurt.
There’s too much material to write about, and I don’t have enough page space.”
Guardiola was now beginning to experience what C.
Ronaldo felt moments ago; his legs felt a bit weak.
He was a player who hadn’t coached a single day in his life, and Chen Ran was hyping him up as a champion manager.
His face, which was slightly pale and grim just moments ago, was now completely flushed and burning up.
Boss, have mercy, please let me go.
Guardiola completely forgot about his doping test; right now, he only wanted to find a crack in the floor to hide in.
It was too shameful.
Finally, Chen Ran began introducing the next player.
“Next, I will introduce to you the famous player from Argentina, Diego Pablo Simeone.”
Silence.
An eerie silence, forming a massive contrast to the uproar from just moments before.
If there was at least a smattering of applause for Guardiola, then the reception for Simeone was total, absolute silence.
It was so quiet that the rustling, low-voiced murmurs of some reporters in the audience clearly reached Chen Ran’s ears.
“Why would this Chinese man buy Simeone?” “Uh…
does he not know about the incident between Simeone and Beckham?” “It’s really possible.
After all, that happened five years ago.” “Did nobody warn him?” “He was probably tricked by the agents again.” “Hehe, there’s going to be a good show to watch now.”
Chen Ran’s heart sank, and he looked nervously toward the backstage area.
Fortunately, the Argentine proved to be a tough guy, walking out with a smile on his face.
Good man!
Chen Ran silently gave Simeone a thumbs-up in his heart, then immediately continued introducing him with an even louder voice.
“Diego will also, alongside Gareth and Josep, serve as an assistant coach for the team.”
“Like Josep, Diego also possesses all the qualities needed to become a top-tier manager.”
“I believe that, given time, Diego will equally be able to lead the team to win league titles, many, many titles.”
“Boooooo!”
This time, the reporters didn’t respond with applause, but with an overwhelming cascade of boos.
“This Chinese man is truly insane, daring to speak up for an Argentine.” “I don’t care if he knows about that incident or not.
Daring to speak for an Argentine is simply wrong.” “That’s right!
Get out, Argentine!”
If the press conference had only been boiling earlier, it was now on the verge of exploding.
Seeing that the situation was turning ugly, Stephen, who understood the British better, immediately walked up to Chen Ran, grabbed the microphone, and directly announced the end of the press conference.
Then, he pulled Chen Ran and Simeone backstage.
Sky Sports, which was broadcasting the press conference live, also sensed something was wrong and immediately cut the live feed.
Thus, Crystal Palace Club’s press conference ended in such an abrupt and anticlimactic manner.
The players who were still waiting backstage to be introduced one by one looked at each other in bewilderment.
What happened?
We haven’t even shown our faces yet…