Football: Starting with managing Manchester United

"Oh! Ngorongoro, you can just call me Jack!"

Grealish, ever the friendly type, extended his hand and gave Kanté a big hug. "We're teammates now, remember to pass me the ball often!"

The others followed suit and greeted Kanté as well.

Looking at his own lineup—Hutton, Senderos, Vlaar...—Zhang Yang felt that the road ahead was long and arduous.

The transfer window is not over yet.

He needs to keep working hard.

Chris Woods led the players in training, and he met with Luca Dawson, the head of recruitment, before they went to a coffee shop next to the club.

He met with Gareth Barry there.

The midfielder who shares the same name as Bale became famous much earlier than Bale.

Zhang Yang's impression of him was his record of 653 Premier League appearances when he retired.

In the history of the Premier League, only three players have made more than 600 appearances: Giggs, Lampard, and Barry.

Both of them played for Aston Villa.

Moreover, Barry has never received a red card in his professional career.

As soon as Zhang Yang entered the coffee shop, he saw Barry. This guy was much stronger than Kanté and had the typical look of a tough British man.

"Hi Gareth, do you remember me?"

Zhang Yang walked over, smiling, and extended his hand.

Barry looked up and smiled. If he hadn't sensed Zhang Yang's goodwill, he would have thought Zhang Yang was provoking him.

How could I not recognize you?

Zhang Yang's debut as manager of Manchester United was against Everton, the team he was on loan to last season.

Everton lost their chance to qualify for European competition after being defeated by Manchester United.

That's why Barry agreed to Villa's invitation to discuss things; otherwise, he definitely wouldn't have left if Everton had the Europa League to play in.

and.

Barry looked at the Fazeli Canal not far away.

The afternoon sun shines on the water, creating shimmering, golden ripples, while a summer breeze sweeps across the surface.

He recalled his time more than a decade ago when he was still a young player.

After each training session, we would walk around the canal for a while.

He stayed here for ten years, from 1998 to 2008, spanning a century.

He still remembers.

His first appearance for Aston Villa was against Sheffield Wednesday.

He initially played as a center-back, forming a three-man defense with Southgate and Ehiogu, and he played on the left side.

Later, he gradually started playing as a left-back.

Then there's the left midfielder.

The position of central midfielder was ultimately established.

On October 28, 2007, he made his debut against Bolton, becoming the youngest player to reach 300 Premier League appearances.

He was 26 years and 247 days old that year.

He replaced the previous record holder, Lampard.

Later, he had a conflict with the club, specifically because he wanted to join Liverpool, but the club didn't want him to leave.

Because he is very important to the team.

Then their relationship became unpleasant.

Barry never imagined that he would leave Vera with sadness.

He was really angry that day.

Because he hopes to reach a higher platform and pursue honors he has never experienced before.

He felt he had done nothing wrong.

But the result.

There were no farewells, no blessings, only a scene of devastation and a deep sense of regret.

But even so.

He felt that his time at Villa was quite happy.

"Gares, I remember when I came here, you hadn't left yet, but I was coaching the youth team at the time."

Zhang Yang spoke up, "Do you know what my impression of you is?"

Barry stopped recalling and asked curiously, "What?"

"Your orchestration, interceptions, and forward runs in midfield are all fantastic. You are the metronome and the soul of Villa."

Zhang Yang said earnestly.

He wasn't flattering him.

Moreover, being proud, he disdained to deceive people in this way.

Barry smiled, took a sip of his coffee, looked at Zhang Yang, and asked softly, "So?"

"That's why I'm inviting you back to Vera. Let's not talk about feelings now."

Zhang Yang pulled out a napkin. "Everton bought a lot of players this year, mostly midfielders, except for the forwards. Do you know what that means? Your competitiveness at Everton will decrease."

"And in Vera."

"Although we are rebuilding, this represents opportunity. You will have more playing time and take on greater responsibility, just like ten years ago."

"And now Vera needs you too."

"N'Golo is young and energetic, but lacks match experience. Westwood can pass, and Delph excels at dribbling..."

Zhang Yang drew a simple formation diagram on a napkin.

"But we're missing someone to bring them together, and I think you'd be perfect for that."

"You're a midfielder who grew up at Villa. You know how to play here, you understand the expectations of Villa fans, and you know how to lead this group of young players forward."

Zhang Yang put the pen away and placed it in his shirt pocket.

But Barry remained as indifferent as ever.

Unlike Kanté, he's not young and won't be fooled by a few boastful words.

"Oh right, you still don't know who Ngolo is? I guarantee all midfielders will fall in love with him."

Undeterred, Zhang Yang continued, "He can do the dirty work and relieve your defensive pressure. He's very capable, trust me. Just go ahead and organize the team, and bring your years of experience back to Villa."

Barry's expression remained unchanged as he took a sip of coffee.

The bitterness mirrored his feelings when he left.

Zhang Yang helplessly spread his hands. "Gareth, it's impossible for people not to have conflicts. Let's not discuss who's right or wrong. You came back not to make up for the conflicts, but to bring this relationship to a perfect end."

"I was chatting with a little girl at the base gate the other day. Do you know what she said?"

"She said she loves Villa, so she often feels sorry for those who don't have a favorite team; they seem to lack an emotional anchor."

"She also said that the most contradictory and fascinating thing about this kind of love is that even if the team suffers a 0-5 defeat and ruins your whole weekend, you will still be back in front of the TV or in the stadium the following week to experience it all again."

"She concluded by saying... this is football, or rather, this is Aston Villa. It's the most stable relationship in her life besides her family. She said she couldn't imagine what her life would be like if she hadn't become an Aston Villa fan."

"Aren't players the same?"

Zhang Yang, as a Manchester United fan himself, empathized with the situation.

But he was betrayed.

But I still can't completely hate Manchester United.

Perhaps it's because he prefers the Manchester United of his memories.

"Damn it..." Barry barely suppressed the urge to complain. How could a little girl say so much?

You didn't make this up, did you?

"What's that girl's name?"

Barry didn't speak for a long time.

Zhang Yang laughed. "Sarah, her name is Sarah. Five years ago she was only six years old. Her first love in football was you, but you later went to Manchester City."

"If you come next Wednesday, you can see her too."

Zhang Yang was not lying.

He really did meet that little girl.

She was so adorable, like a porcelain doll, that's why he stopped the car and chatted with her for quite a while.

Children's words are simple.

Zhang Yang's words were indeed embellished.

But there was one sentence he didn't say.

"I can't understand why anyone would want to leave Vera?"

Sarah looked into his clear eyes and didn't know how to answer.

So they managed to get away with it.

But there was something he didn't say to Sarah.

"Many veteran fans understand this feeling. It's the first lesson football teaches you, about loyalty, and also about business."