Football: Starting with managing Manchester United

Kant peered at the makeshift tactical board and nodded repeatedly.

Ok.

He wasn't stupid, and was quickly persuaded.

Soon, Zhang Yang pulled out another piece of paper and wrote a promise: I will train Ngolo Kanté to become the best midfielder.

His name was written below.

"Ngolo, let's make a bet. If what I wrote down doesn't come true in three years, I'll give you one hundred euros; otherwise, you'll give me one hundred euros. How about it?"

Kanté was actually quite at ease with Kanté's boastful and childish behavior.

"Okay!" Kant carefully put the tissue away.

"Then let's get ready to go through the procedures."

Zhang Yang stood up. "By the way, don't forget to learn English first. It doesn't matter if you have an accent. No one will laugh at you because that's my territory."

After showing off, Zhang Yang pushed open the door and saw a nervous Philip.

"I still have to go to Marseille. Thank you for the coffee." Zhang Yang nodded and left without leaving a trace.

However, it was precisely this action of his that made Philip even more confused.

He overheard the latter part of Zhang Yang's conversation and initially thought Kanté was very important to Zhang Yang, but it turns out Zhang Yang is going to Marseille to talk about other players?

Philip gulped down his coffee and gave up on the idea of ​​causing any more trouble.

When Kant stepped out of the private box, a hint of wariness appeared in his eyes as he looked at Philippe.

He felt that perhaps compared to these so-called "professionals".

Why not let your brother be your agent?

......

Zhang Yang sat on the flight back to Birmingham, the silhouette of Caen beneath him slowly disappearing.

The flight attendant slowly pushed the service cart over and gently asked him what drink he would like. Zhang Yang replied, "Warm water is fine."

When receiving the water cup.

He smiled politely at the flight attendant who brought him water, then thought of Kant, that black kid.

Despite being relentlessly exploited by her agent and constantly demanded of by her friends, she has always remained resilient.

Should we call him cowardly or kind?

Zhang Yang didn't know.

But his perspective on one thing changed.

He originally thought that a coach's job was simply to analyze opponents before a match, summarize gains and losses after a match, formulate tactics, lead players in training, and occasionally attend press conferences to deal with media inquiries and fans' expectations.

He doesn't think that way anymore.

A head coach does more than just these things.

Instead...

Zhang Yang couldn't think of any specific examples because he hadn't actually experienced it and hadn't become a good head coach.

But the water glass in my hand seemed to have become heavy.

responsibility?

The head coach is responsible for the team, the players, and the fans.

Therefore, he signed not just a talented defensive midfielder, nor just a player to strengthen Villa's midfield.

Rather, it is a trust that can rewrite the destiny of others.

"This feels really good." Zhang Yang liked this weighty feeling.

I turned my head to look out the window.

The skies of Birmingham await him.

On July 9th, in the semi-final of the World Cup in Brazil, the host country was utterly humiliated.

Zhang Yang also earned his first pot of gold.

Logically speaking, he is now close to being financially independent, but he prefers being a coach.

They traded away several overpaid but underperforming players, including Darren Bent.

Kant was also taken by Philip to Birmingham for a medical examination.

When Zhang Yang saw the little black Frenchman again, he noticed that he seemed a bit happier, although he was still as taciturn as before.

But his eyes held a great deal of curiosity as he looked toward the Bodimore Heath training ground.

The medical examinations for Premier League teams are very complex, involving multiple dimensions of testing to ensure that players do not have any physical problems.

Kante passed easily.

Zhang Yang didn't accompany him the whole time, until Philip came to him and asked, "What does this incentive bonus mean? Can you guarantee that Ngolo will receive it all?"

This guy is pretending to be stupid again to try and make money.

Zhang Yang closed his notebook. "You can only get the bonus if certain conditions are met, such as the number of appearances. It's clearly written here, isn't it?"

When communicating with someone like Philip, he likes to ask questions in return.

This way, he can control the pace of things instead of being led by the nose by others.

"Is that so? By the way, my pen..." Philip hesitated, then stopped himself.

"Provide your bank account details; the money will be transferred after the formal signing." Zhang Yang frowned. "Is there anything else?"

Another rhetorical question.

Philip was completely deflated, shook his head, and left.

With most of the team's players back, the training ground has become lively again.

Zhang Yang was in France a few days ago.

So Chris Woods led the players in training first, mainly with moderate-intensity cardio, to help them get into shape.

At the same time, try to lose the weight you gained during the holidays.

Today, everyone was present, so he went downstairs to the training ground, where most of the players had arrived.

Kanté also passed the trial.

Aston Villa's signings this season include more than just Kante, but they don't have much money left, so they can only focus on strengthening key areas.

"Do you guys remember who I am?"

Zhang Yang raised his eyebrows at the players who came up from the youth team.

"Boss!"

Grealish bared his teeth and shouted.

Previously, when Zhang Yang coached Aston Villa's youth academy, he liked to have the players call him "boss."

"Okay, I've been quite popular in England lately, as you all probably already know, so I won't introduce myself."

Zhang Yang smiled and nodded, "You can call me boss, leader, or coach, it doesn't matter to me."

The Villa players' expressions visibly relaxed.

Because after taking office, Zhang Yang dismissed Darren Bent, Stephen Ireland, and others, which really shocked them.

The new official took office three fires.

This is only the first round; they don't know what the second and third rounds will be like.

Therefore, everyone was somewhat uneasy.

"but!"

Zhang Yang's words suddenly made everyone tense again: "I have very high requirements for training. You may have gotten used to Paul Lambert's rhythm last season, but now you need to be prepared to switch."

"I really like hardworking players, so if you perform well, I'll give you more opportunities."

Hear this.

The Villa players had different feelings; some were eager to try, while others sighed inwardly.

That's just how teams are.

It's impossible for everyone to have the same character.

Some people are lazy, some are diligent, and Zhang Yang is well aware of this. If he wants to play under him, he can only change himself.

After all, I have no intention of changing.

"This is our newest member, N'Golo Kanté. Say hello to everyone."

Zhang Yang walked over to Kanté and patted him on the shoulder.

Kant looked at the group of strangers staring at him, and remembering his less-than-perfect English, he hesitated, wanting to say something but stopping himself.

Zhang Yang raised an eyebrow at Grealish.

If Kante is socially awkward, then Grealish is socially awkward.

Although...

This guy went a little overboard during the holiday.

Inhaling nitrous oxide, passing out drunk on the street, frequenting nightclubs... Zhang Yang saw more than one news story about this.

But Zhang Yang felt that there was a reason for all of this.

Just as he thought on the plane, the coach's responsibility is not only in football, but also in changing the players' fate.

He planned to find out the reason for Grealish's indulgence as soon as he had the chance.