My light shines on Arsenal

Chapter 103 Interview
When Chen Yao stood on the floor of Los Angeles International Airport, he was still a little confused about what was happening.

In the huge terminal, a steady stream of passengers shuttled through the vast hall. The giant electronic screen played flight information to all over the world, and the languages ​​​​of various countries intertwined into a lively background sound.

Holding the ticket in his hand, Chen Yao stood in the airport hall and took a deep breath.

After Tim Lewis called him, he received a detailed message from the enigmatic family adviser.

His itinerary was indicated above, and his destination was a high-end office building in Manhattan, which should be Kroenke's property.

"As for making it so mysterious..."

After reconfirming the address, Chen Yao stuffed the ticket back into his backpack.

The airport was bustling with people. He picked up his trolley suitcase and walked hurriedly through the crowd.

Just three miles from Los Angeles International Airport, a nearly [-]-acre complex of old buildings is about to be razed.

There is the former site of the Hollywood Racetrack, and now, this land will be owned by Stan Kroenke.

A luxury stadium with an investment of 50 billion US dollars will be erected, which will be the pinnacle of Kroenke's layout of real estate and sports.

But at this time, Chen Yao hadn't realized the depth of the Kroenke family's reach in the field of North American style.

The taxi he took drove in another direction, drifting away from the planned SOFI Stadium, which carried the ambitions of the Kroenke family, and headed south to Manhattan.

……

The atmosphere at the interview location was not solemn, and even relaxed, which surprised Chen Yao.

There were more people in the conference room than he expected, and they were noisy and chatting away.

The white-haired old man sitting in the middle should be Stan Kroenke. The miser's two-stroke trademark white beard reveals his identity.

There was only one person sitting on Kroenke's right, a silent British man, flipping through the documents in front of him boredly.

The first person on Kroenke's left is a British gentleman who looks to be almost 80 years old.

He is the most serious person here, wearing a good-quality dark suit, white shirt, and tie, with a cane leaning on the side of his seat.

The two people below the old gentleman were familiar to Chen Yao. The bald one was Arsenal CEO Ivan Gazidis, and the other one with a smile on his face and looking at him curiously was probably Josh Kroenke.

Finally, the man who stood up and shook his hand with a professional smile was probably Tim Lewis.

"Hi, Mr. Chen, I'm Tim. Mr. Kroenke's advisor. Welcome." Tim Lewis shook hands with Chen Yao.

"Let me introduce to you the people present."

Tim Lewis turned his body towards the people in the conference room, "Mr. Stan Kroenke."

Old Kroenke grinned, and Chen Yao was slightly surprised. Didn't he say that this guy is usually serious.

"Club Executive Director, Mr. Ken Friar."

The serious old British gentleman turned his head and looked at Chen Yao.

"Mr. Josh Kroenke and Mr. Ivan Gazidis."

Gazidis glanced at Chen Yao, then lowered his head, wondering what he was thinking.

Little Kroenke was quite interested. He snapped his fingers and shouted: "Billy Bean? No, no, no, I think you are more like Brad Stevens."

"Finally, this is Mr. Farhad Moshiri, who is also the representative of Mr. Usmanov, the club's second largest shareholder."

The British man on Kroenke's right pushed the document, slowly raised his head, and glanced at Chen Yao playfully.

"Chen, Arsene recommended Ni to me. I believe in his vision, but I can't decide this matter myself." Kroenke said, "The people who have the decision-making power at the club are here, you can show us yours. It's planned."

Old Kroenke was right, the people sitting in this conference room could indeed make decisions on any affairs of the club.

Chen Yao didn't know what they talked about before he came.And everyone here has a different standpoint.

He didn't care to think about the entanglements within the club's senior management, calmed down, and began to explain his thoughts.

"I believe everyone knows the purpose of my coming here."

"Arsena's departure is a serious challenge for the team, but we have no choice. We are not the kind of club used to changing managers, and now we are facing a situation that we have not faced in more than ten years."

"I understand the current situation of the team, I know that the team is facing huge financial pressure, and at the same time must maintain stability at the competitive level. And our opponents are getting stronger and stronger. So, I believe everyone understands, this is not a joke things."

"I believe I am the right person for the team. I have an in-depth knowledge of the club and have a good working relationship with the players and staff."

"I have a full understanding of the club culture and the tactical system of the first team, which will help the team make a smooth transition. I think this is why Arsene chose me."

"Moreover, I have the ability to maintain sufficient competitiveness while maintaining low-cost investment in the team, and to survive financial difficulties."

After Chen Yao finished his opening remarks, the meeting room was silent for a few seconds.

"Ahem." Gazidis broke the silence, "We all know your advantages, Chen. But I want to talk about your disadvantages."

"You have no experience at all, how can we believe that a player who has no independent first-team experience can lead a good team?"

"Besides, your advantages also need to be proven." Mo Xuli interrupted.

"It's not that we are unwilling to give young people opportunities." Ken Friar added, "Maybe you can introduce what you plan to do."

Chen Yao took out a USB flash drive and an assistant came over to take it.

"Please help me connect it to the computer, I want to project a PPT."

Chen Yao walked to the electronic whiteboard. After a few seconds, the curtains fell and the slides on the whiteboard lit up in the dark conference room.

"I have my transformation plan for the team. We will not fundamentally deny the tactical system left by Arsene, but modernize it on the basis of his football philosophy."

“And my goal is to enable the team to play beautiful and gorgeous offensive football while also taking a step further in terms of record.”

He tapped on the whiteboard with confidence and began to explain to the slides.

……

"So, tell me what you think."

The conference room was brightened up again, and Stan Kroenke rubbed the corners of his eyes. He had seen the turbulent characters in business negotiations, but for some reason, he always felt that Chen Yao's PPT had shocked him a lot.

"I...have to admit that his presentation was impressive. But I'm still skeptical about his experience," Ivan Gazidis said.

From the moment Chen Yao walked into the conference room, Gazidis had a bad impression of him.

Although Gazidis was determined not to allow Wenger's power to continue within the club, he had no ill feelings toward Chen Yao and could not help but be immersed in it while listening to the explanation.

He now even feels that if the team can develop according to Chen Yao's blueprint, it will be a good and harmless thing.

However, he still retained his sanity and stiffened his mouth.

"How old is he, 26?" someone asked.

"27," Gazidis replied.

There was silence in the conference room for another few seconds.

"A deep understanding of football and he has an intimate knowledge of Arsenal's football tradition and culture."

The person who spoke was Ken Friar, the well-established young director who has a lot of say in the club's football affairs.

"He knows what kind of football the Arsenal fans want to see and he knows what the team needs most."

"I have been at Arsenal for almost 60 years... but I feel that his understanding and feeling for the team is no less than mine. I support his trial."

"I also support it." Little Kroenke showed his white teeth and looked at the others with a smile, "What are you struggling with? He convinced you, I know, and that's enough."

Little Kroenke actually doesn't care what kind of coach he chooses. He never believes that those famous coaches must be good coaches.

In his opinion, it is a reasonable script to be discerning, find mediocre young people, and then make a big splash and hit those old guys with a heavy blow.

What's more, his interest in football is mediocre, and he has no affection for Arsenal. Besides, the family has no investment in this team other than equity, and even if it fails, it is not an unbearable cost.

As for venture capital, this is obviously a low-cost and high-yield investment.

"Mr. Moxuli, what do you think?"

Tim Lewis turned to ask about Usmanov's attitude.

　The editor may be resting on weekends, and the previous negligence will be revised on Monday. At that time, you can delete the cached chapters and reload them.

　　PS: 07:30, beer, melon seeds and peanuts are ready, the opening game begins!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)