Hearing Chen Ran’s words, Klopp’s face darkened.
Indeed, failing at the very last moment to reach the Bundesliga for two consecutive years was a massive blow to morale.
“I think Mr.
Klopp should change his environment right now, adjust his mood, and start fresh.
This would be a good choice for both you personally and for Mainz.”
“If you fail for three consecutive years, the damage to yourself and Mainz would be too great.”
Seeing that Uncle Klopp was somewhat moved, Chen Ran desperately tried to persuade him, while simultaneously stepping on the chubby guy’s foot under the table.
Luis understood tacitly and shot a glance at the agent who had accompanied Klopp; the chubby guy had already settled the agent the night before.
Thus, out of four people at the table, three were trying to fast-talk him.
By the end, Uncle Klopp forgot what he even ate for dinner and dizzily agreed to go back and consider Chen Ran’s invitation.
“Chen, Klopp is just a coach for a 2.
Bundesliga team.
Is it worth it?” Returning to the hotel, Luis couldn’t help but ask.
They had promised Klopp’s agent a massive commission kickback.
“Of course it’s worth it.
This is the cornerstone of our team building for the future.” “That exaggerated?” “It is that exaggerated.”
At this time, Chen Ran’s phone rang.
“Chen, there’s news on the loan.
I contacted five banks, and their terms have different pros and cons.
You need to decide,” Stephen’s voice came through the phone.
“Thanks for your hard work.
Which one offers the highest loan amount?”
“Barclays Bank.
They are willing to provide a loan of 30 million euros at an annual interest rate of 10%.
For the first two years, you only need to pay the interest.
In the third year, the principal and interest must be paid off in full; otherwise, Crystal Palace Club belongs to them.”
“Send all their conditions to my email, I’ll compare them.” “Okay.”
Hanging up Stephen’s call, Chen Ran opened his laptop to check his email.
“News on the loan?” Luis leaned in and asked.
“Yes.
Make another appointment with Klopp’s agent.
We have confidence now; let’s knock him out with money.” “Understood.”
Soon, the two sides met again.
“Mr.
Klopp, if you are willing to accept our invitation to manage Crystal Palace, we are willing to offer you a ten-year coaching contract.” Chen Ran changed his strategy this time, coming out firing heavy artillery right from the start.
“Ten years?” Not only Klopp, but his agent and Luis were stunned.
“Isn’t that too long?” Klopp felt dizzy again.
“Hehe, actually it’s fine.
My goal is to establish a football dynasty.
That takes time, and I am willing to give Mr.
Klopp enough time to build the team according to your ideas.”
“Mr.
Chairman, are you saying: I can build the team according to my ideas?” Klopp’s eyes lit up.
This was likely the coaching environment every manager dreamed of.
“Of course.
To that end, I can also promise that in your first season managing Crystal Palace, you will receive 30 million euros in transfer funds.
And every season after that, it won’t be lower than this figure.”
Klopp was thoroughly dizzy now.
The dizziness of happiness.
As a 2.
Bundesliga coach, when had he ever seen 30 million euros in transfer funds?
Even the hegemon of German football, Bayern Munich, only spent about 24.5 million euros on transfers last season.
“Mr.
Chairman, are you sure it’s 30 million euros?” Klopp couldn’t quite believe his ears.
“Very sure.
If Mr.
Klopp is uneasy, we can write this into the contract.
If there isn’t 30 million euros, you can walk away at any time.”
Chen Ran’s strategy worked perfectly; two heavy artillery shots completely bewildered Uncle Klopp.
Uncle Klopp’s face went red and white, and he started sweating on his forehead, clearly undergoing a fierce psychological struggle.
After a long time, Uncle Klopp let out a long sigh of relief, went soft all over, and slumped back into his chair.
“Mr.
Chairman, thank you very much for your appreciation, but unfortunately, I still cannot accept your invitation.”
“I’ve played for Mainz since my playing days, serving for 12 years.
I’ve always played in the second division and never played in the Bundesliga.
Although I haven’t achieved any decent results, it was beautiful, and I am very grateful to the Mainz club.”
Klopp seemed immersed in his memories, speaking slowly and calmly.
“Now is the best chance for Mainz to be promoted to the Bundesliga since its founding.
Everyone is looking forward to that day.
So, I cannot leave at this time.
I hope you can understand.”
Silence.
The entire dining table was exceptionally quiet.
Klopp’s agent wanted to speak, opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing.
People with ideals and principles who can resist temptation are rare, so they always command special respect.
Although rejected, Chen Ran wasn’t angry; instead, he felt Uncle Klopp’s stubble looked even more pleasing to the eye.
“It’s okay.
I really appreciate Mr.
Klopp’s persistence.
As long as you are willing, the doors of Crystal Palace will always be open to you.” Thinking for a moment, Chen Ran quickly added, “Mr.
Klopp, if one day you want to leave Mainz, please be sure to consider Crystal Palace first.”
“Definitely!”
“Chen, what do we do now?
Who is our next target?” Returning to the hotel, Luis asked consciously.
“We go to Stuttgart tomorrow.
Contact the coach of Stuttgart’s U19 youth team, Thomas Tuchel.”
“What?
You don’t want to hire a youth team coach to be the manager, do you?” Luis couldn’t help but yell.
“What are you thinking?
I plan to hire Tuchel to go back and be the Director of Youth Development, responsible for Crystal Palace’s youth academy.”
“Oh, good.”
Chen Ran never played by the rules, which was giving Luis a bit of a nervous breakdown.
Going to see Tuchel after Klopp was something Chen Ran had planned all along.
Unfortunately, he didn’t expect to be rejected by Klopp, so now he had to think of other ways.
Chen Ran knew very well that the currently popular famous managers in football wouldn’t look twice at Crystal Palace, and he never intended to go ask for a snub.
As for the second-tier coaches, he looked down on them.
Transmigrating from 2022, he knew perfectly well that most of those guys had been eliminated by then.
Even the currently emerging José Mourinho would show fatigue by 2022 and only manage second-rate teams.
Therefore, Chen Ran’s targets were always those young coaches who were currently unknown but would shake the world later.
If Klopp didn’t work out, then he’d secure Tuchel, who was known as “Klopp’s successor.”
The trip to Germany couldn’t be a waste; he had to bring something back.
(END CHAPTER)