The meeting with Tuchel went smoothly; after all, he was only a U19 youth team coach.
Even though Crystal Palace was only a Championship team, managing the youth academy of an entire club was highly attractive to him.
After securing Tuchel, Chen Ran took Luis and flew straight to Rome, Italy.
“Chen, I’ve already contacted Simeone.
We can meet tomorrow night.” Hanging up the phone, Luis turned to Chen Ran.
“But aren’t we going to continue looking for a head coach?”
“Isn’t this what we’re doing?” “???” “You mean Simeone?
He’s a player, didn’t you make a mistake?”
Seeing Luis’s shocked face, Chen Ran smiled and patted his shoulder.
“Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.”
That evening, in a restaurant in Rome.
“I believe Mr.
Simeone already knows why we’re here.
On behalf of Crystal Palace Club, I formally invite Mr.
Simeone to join our team.” Chen Ran didn’t beat around the bush and stated his purpose directly.
Simeone and his agent exchanged glances, not feeling surprised.
He was an Argentine, and as long as one was a South American player, it was impossible not to know the prestige of Luis’s father.
Chen Ran’s intentions had long been conveyed to Simeone’s agent through Luis.
Simeone was 33 years old this year, already at the twilight of his career.
With physical decline and increasing injuries, it was hard for him to get playing time at Lazio this season.
Maybe it was time to change environments, which was an important reason why Simeone was willing to show up tonight.
“Mr.
Chairman, forgive my bluntness, but Crystal Palace is just a Championship team, while Lazio is an Italian giant.” Simeone’s agent proactively jumped out to play the bad cop.
“So what if they’re a giant?
For a player, the feeling of not being able to play on the pitch is terrible; I’m sure Mr.
Simeone understands that very well,” Luis didn’t back down and shot back at the agent.
The two went back and forth, putting on quite a lively show.
Truth be told, this agent had already tipped Luis off beforehand—he wasn’t opposed to Simeone transferring, as long as the price was right.
Chen Ran just looked at Simeone with a smile; he knew what Simeone wanted.
“Mr.
Simeone, for a player, 33 means it’s time to consider plans after retirement.” “And we at Crystal Palace have already formulated a plan for you.
Are you interested in hearing it?”
“Oh?
Please speak, Mr.
Chairman.” Simeone was a bit surprised; he thought Chen Ran would try to attract him with a high salary.
“I wonder if Mr.
Simeone has any thoughts of becoming a coach after retiring?” “That is indeed what I want to do later.
In fact, I’m already taking the exams for my coaching licenses.”
“That’s perfect.
Our plan is that after you join Crystal Palace, while you continue playing, you will simultaneously serve as an assistant coach for the first team.
After all, high-level coaching certificates all require a certain amount of coaching experience.”
“I didn’t expect the Chairman to understand the coaching profession so well.”
“Haha, Mr.
Simeone, you might not know, but while I was reading for my Football Management MBA at the University of Liverpool, I was also taking coaching certification exams.”
“I see.
Does the Chairman want to be a coach too?” Simeone was becoming increasingly interested in the young chairman in front of him.
“Not really.
I love football and want to build Crystal Palace into a great club, so naturally, I need sufficient knowledge of all aspects of football.
Mr.
Simeone, are you willing to achieve this goal with me?”
Looking at Chen Ran, whose face seemed to glow when talking about football, Simeone only had one feeling in his heart: this was a man who truly loved football.
Maybe I can give it a try?
After persuading Simeone, Lazio didn’t make things difficult for Chen Ran.
Someone willing to take over Simeone, who was already on their transfer list, was perfect.
A 33-year-old veteran riddled with injuries couldn’t be sold for much anyway.
In the end, thanks to chubby Luis’s silver tongue, the two sides closed the deal at 1 million euros.
After securing Simeone, Chen Ran took Luis and hurried non-stop to Brescia.
“Chen, this Guardiola tested positive for drugs and could be suspended at any time.
Are you sure you want him?” Luis felt like he was going crazy.
What exactly did Chen Ran want to do?
First a 2.
Bundesliga coach, then a youth coach, then an aging veteran nearing retirement—at least those were somewhat normal.
Now it was even more exaggerated; Chen Ran was going to invite a player about to be suspended.
God, what kind of friend have I made?
Looking at Luis’s face, which looked like it was about to break down, his whole chubby face scrunched up like a steamed bun, Chen Ran couldn’t help but find it funny.
“Alright, even if Guardiola is suspended, he just can’t play.
I’m looking for him mainly because I want him to be a coach, and just an assistant coach at that, you don’t need to get so worked up.”
“Like Simeone?” Luis finally calmed down a bit.
“Exactly.
Player-coach.
If he can play, he plays; if he gets suspended, he honestly acts as a coach.” “Alright, that’s better.
As long as you know what you’re doing.”
Soon, Chen Ran met the haggard-looking Pep Guardiola.
The guy was busy appealing his positive drug test all day, leaving him physically and mentally exhausted.
“Mr.
Guardiola, on behalf of Crystal Palace Club, I formally invite you to join us.”
“…Mr.
Chairman, did I hear that right?
Are you inviting me to join Crystal Palace?” Guardiola was stunned, unable to believe his ears.
Was there really someone willing to take him at a time like this?
“That’s right, Mr.
Guardiola, your hearing is excellent,” Chen Ran nodded with a smile.
“Are you unaware of my positive drug test?” “I believe Mr.
Guardiola is innocent.”
“…Thank you…
thank you!” Guardiola never expected someone would still believe him now; his experiences of hitting walls everywhere these past days made him choke up slightly.
“Mr.
Guardiola, as long as you didn’t do it, the court will eventually clear your name.
You can join Crystal Palace first, and we will fully support you in winning this lawsuit.
I plan to have you serve as a player-coach upon joining.
That way, even if you are truly suspended, you can just focus on being a coach.”
“Thank you!
Thank you, Mr.
Chairman, for considering things so thoroughly for me.”
Guardiola had been in the limelight for years at Barcelona, but now, due to the drug test issue, Brescia had already terminated his contract.
Now reduced to a state where no one cared about him, he naturally felt the fickleness of human nature more acutely.
Adding icing to the cake is easy, but providing coal in the snow is hard.
Just like that, Guardiola officially joined Crystal Palace.
For free!
(END CHAPTER)