That night, public opinion exploded.
A press conference that was originally supposed to be ordinary abruptly became the focal point of discussion on television and the internet.
Keywords like “Chen Ran,” “Simeone,” and “Crystal Palace” appeared repeatedly across various TV programs and major online communities.
“Boss, I caused trouble for you.” Although Simeone didn’t think he had done anything wrong, seeing Chen Ran targeted just for speaking up for him made him feel both grateful and guilty.
“It’s fine, this wasn’t your fault to begin with.” Chen Ran patted Simeone’s shoulder to comfort him.
Actually, before bringing Simeone in, he had already anticipated a situation like today’s and had prepared several contingency plans.
Looking at it now, it was time to open Secret Pouch No.
3.
“Stephen, didn’t Sky Sports want to do an exclusive interview with me?
Tell them I have time tomorrow for it.”
“What?
Tomorrow?” Stephen was startled.
Chen Ran was currently in the eye of the storm; was this really the right time?
“Yes, exactly tomorrow.
My heat is at its highest right now; some things are best said at a time like this.” “Are you sure?” “I’m sure.”
After giving Stephen his instructions, Chen Ran looked back at Simeone.
“Diego, for the next few days, don’t go anywhere outside the training ground.
The British paparazzi are relentless, and I bet you’re already on their radar.” “Don’t worry, Boss, I know what to do.
This will give me time to design a tactical system for the team.” Simeone nodded; he understood Chen Ran’s intentions perfectly.
He wasn’t a rash young man and knew how to prioritize.
“Josep, spend more time with Diego these next few days.
You two are close in age, both just arrived in London, and both speak Spanish.
You can look out for each other.” “Okay, Boss.”
“Gareth, the dressing room is in your hands.
The transition from old to new is massive this time.
Pay special attention to the relationship between the new players and the veterans.” “Rest assured, Boss.
Leave the dressing room to me; I have experience in this area.”
Late at night, after a heavily satisfied Cheryl had fallen into a deep sleep, Chen Ran quietly slipped into his study.
Lighting a cigarette, he began to review his plans, checking for any loopholes.
Bringing in Simeone was likely to cause huge trouble for him; Chen Ran had expected this all along.
But why did he still insist on securing Simeone?
Actually, Chen Ran’s goal wasn’t just for Crystal Palace; it was for the future of the Chinese National Team.
Even up to 2022, the National Team still hadn’t found a playstyle that suited them.
Either they tried to attack against stronger teams and got utterly dismantled, or they only knew how to defend deeply without any ability to counter-attack, eventually getting suffocated to death.
In Chen Ran’s view, the defensive counter-attack tactics Simeone used to lead Atletico Madrid were the absolute best fit for the Chinese National Team.
If you were only comparing club achievements, Guardiola was obviously above Simeone.
But could those players on the National Team execute Guardiola’s intricate passing and possession style?
Chen Ran could figure out with his rear end that it was impossible.
Among their Asian rivals—Japan, South Korea, Iran, Australia, Saudi Arabia—which one wasn’t stronger than the Chinese National Team?
Yet, living under the terrifying shadows of Barcelona and Real Madrid, Simeone managed to snatch the La Liga title from them every so often.
This proved that Simeone’s tactics were incredibly practical and especially good at allowing the weak to defeat the strong.
However, if things progressed normally, the chances of Simeone managing the Chinese National Team were almost zero.
For some people, money is enough to tempt them; but for others, throwing cash around won’t move them.
So, Chen Ran made his move.
Even if it meant paying a significant price, he decided to strike.
Although Chen Ran also wanted to personally lead the National Team into the World Cup, who knew if his reincarnated self actually had the talent to be a coach?
Preparedness ensures success, and unpreparedness spells failure.
To realize his ideals, there was no harm in having two plans.
This meant many things had to be set up in advance; scrambling at the last minute wouldn’t work.
The harder Simeone’s current situation was, the more precious Chen Ran’s staunch support would seem, making the favor Simeone owed him all the greater.
If he could make Simeone owe him a massive favor, and then supplement it with a lucrative salary later on, a two-pronged approach might just successfully lure him to coach the National Team when the time came.
Therefore, for tomorrow’s Sky Sports interview, Chen Ran had already drafted his speech in his head.
Expressing grievances on behalf of Simeone and seizing the moral high ground—that was the core strategy.
Early the next morning, Sky Sports continuously teased their exclusive interview with Chen Ran.
The interview was to be broadcast live, completely uncut.
Furthermore, Sky Sports dispatched their star presenter, Kirsty Gallacher, to conduct it.
This instantly captured the attention of countless English people, even those who weren’t football fans.
When he learned Kirsty Gallacher was interviewing him, Chen Ran felt assured; it seemed Sky Sports didn’t want to blow the situation out of proportion either.
Kirsty Gallacher was known for her light, gentle hosting style, standing out in the male-dominated field of football broadcasting.
Coupled with her stunning looks and great figure, she attracted many non-football fans to Sky Sports.
The interview began with Gallacher’s trademark gentle approach.
She asked Chen Ran about his acquisition of Crystal Palace, his plans for the club, the new signings, and so on.
Everything seemed very peaceful.
But soon enough, feeling the timing was right, Kirsty Gallacher pivoted sharply, baring her sharp fangs.
“Mr.
Chen, are you aware of the incident that occurred between David Beckham and Diego Simeone?” “I am.” Hearing this question, Chen Ran immediately realized the main event of the day had arrived.
“Then why did you still choose to bring Simeone in?” “I think that happened five years ago, and it shouldn’t have much of an impact anymore.” “But the facts clearly state otherwise.
England was eliminated from the ’98 World Cup because of Beckham’s red card, and many English fans still haven’t moved on from it.”
“I believe Mr.
Beckham has fully realized the mistake he made.
After all, he was young at the time, and young people can be impulsive; that’s understandable.” “Mr.
Chen, but many British fans believe it was Simeone who caused Beckham’s red card.”
“Oh?
Is that so?
I’m very sorry, but in ’98 I was just a regular fan watching the game on TV like everyone else.
From the television broadcast at the time, it just looked like a very ordinary retaliatory kick after being fouled.
Were there some details that weren’t shown on TV?”
“Uh…
no, there weren’t.”
“That’s good.
Actually, the reason I was willing to accept Sky Sports’ exclusive interview today was that I wanted to use your platform to share some of my true feelings.
Is that okay, Kirsty?” “Of course, Mr.
Chen.
Please go ahead.”
“Everyone knows I come from a country where football is underdeveloped, one that hasn’t been able to enter the World Cup finals for many years.” “Every time we were eliminated in the qualifiers, I, like everyone else, would curse the players who made mistakes and curse the stupid coaches.” “But when the next World Cup qualifiers began, I would return to my TV to cheer for the team.
Even if the players who made mistakes before were still on the squad, I would still root for them.” “Last year, my country finally made it to the World Cup.
Even though we lost all three matches, I was still very happy because we had made history.”
“So, as someone who loves football, I decided to do something.
And so, I came to the birthplace of modern football and bought Crystal Palace Football Club.” “In my view, the Premier League is the best football league in the world.
It is open, inclusive, and capable of attracting the best players from all over the globe.”
“Here, I implore everyone to forget the past and look to the future.
Let what happened on the football pitch stay on the football pitch.” “I believe that with such a great league foundation, the strength of English players will only grow stronger.
Winning the World Cup again is merely a matter of time.”
(END CHAPTER)
Thank you for the support, friends.