Football: Starting with managing Manchester United

The other Villa players also suppressed their gossip.

Having missed a golden scoring opportunity, Zhang Yang made substitutions, replacing Ali Sissoko with Nathanbek and Kanté with Joe Cole.

Kante seemed a little uneasy when he left the field, as if he felt he hadn't done a good job.

Zhang Yang gave him a hug and said, "Ngolo, you still need to improve, but that doesn't mean you played badly. On the contrary, I'm satisfied with your performance today."

Kant looked at Zhang Yang's serious expression and realized he wasn't just trying to comfort him.

He grinned.

Zhang Yang patted Kant on the shoulder, signaling him to go and rest first.

The game continues.

Joe Cole performed better than Zhang Yang had expected.

"He's a talented player, no matter what." Zhang Yang thoroughly researched Joe Cole's resume before signing him on a free transfer.

At the beginning of his career, Joe Cole was hailed as "Pele with a London accent" and "Maradona of West Ham United," nicknames that not everyone can bear.

So his career has been a rollercoaster ride.

After becoming a double champion at Chelsea and returning from the World Cup, he suffered an injury and only made 13 appearances in the 2006-07 season, but managed to score a winning goal in the Champions League semi-final against Liverpool.

He then won the team's Player of the Year award the following season.

When the expected value is continued.

After nine months of recovery from a torn cruciate ligament, he was once again stared at by the abyss.

The roller coaster ride seems to have no end in sight.

The mixed emotions of joy and sorrow continued to ferment.

However, geniuses are always proud, and even after leaving Chelsea to join Liverpool, Joe Cole did not curb his arrogance.

Hodgson, who advocated for Joe Cole's signing, said with a mix of love and hate: "If Joe Cole wants to make a name for himself at Anfield, he has to accept playing in any position in the team, not just his preferred attacking midfield position."

So Joe Cole experienced setbacks and came to terms with reality.

Zhang Yang bought it back.

To be precise, it wasn't bought; it was imported for free without spending any money.

"Time is a thief; it stole Joe Kerr's choices," Zhang Yang said with a distinctly artistic flair.

Chris Woods' lips twitched.

What nonsense are you talking about?

However, Joe Cole's defense on the court is indeed more experienced than Kanté's; he knows how to deal with Musa Sissoko.

The situation gradually returned to what it was like in the first half.

Alan Pardew became increasingly anxious, pacing back and forth beside the coaching bench like a cat on a hot tin roof.

Several substitutions and adjustments failed to achieve the desired effect.

He has no cards left now.

So they could only watch helplessly as time slowly slipped away.

Beep-beep-beep!

Two short and one long whistle pierced the sky, and Villa Park Stadium, three miles northwest of Birmingham, erupted in thunderous cheers.

"Lion Hearts!"

"We are the voice of the claret and blue!"

"A victory song is sung for you!"

"..."

The fans sang the team song in unison, organized by the organizers.

Vera's team song has many versions, but the most famous and widely circulated one is "Lions Heart".

When people sing "Villa Villa, Aston Villa, Lion Hearts will have no fear".

All the Aston Villa fans in the stadium started singing along.

Villa, Villa, Aston Villa, the heart of the lion never fears!

The voices in the entire hall suddenly coalesced into a burning sense of pride.

Zhang Yang was the same; he saw his players standing upright on the field, humming softly to the melody.

Kante seemed worried about his accent, so he gripped the hem of his jersey with both hands.

But the lips were moving.

Zhang Yang laughed. He found it hard to believe that a player who could run the entire court and make multiple crucial interceptions would be so shy.

Zhang Yang looked at the other team members.

At this moment, they are either Villa's players or part of this burgundy and sky-blue landscape.

It is also the heart of a lion.

He was jumping around in the center of the stadium along with all the Aston Villa fans.

After a while, Zhang Yang clapped his hands, signaling Barry to lead the team to thank the crowd, while he walked towards Alan Pardew.

Old Deng clearly didn't want to see himself.

He turned his head and walked straight to the players' tunnel, showing no basic respect whatsoever.

"England gentlemen aren't all that great either." Zhang Yang straightened his suit and walked towards the press conference room.

This time he didn't criticize Alan Pardew again, because it didn't really make much sense.

He simply replied that Villa had no further transfer plans and praised Barry's performance today, saying that Barry's return had improved Villa's attack.

Otherwise, with Villa's current squad, relying solely on Delph, N'Zogbia, Westwood, and others would be insufficient.

Organized attacks pose little threat.

Zhang Yang also wished Barry to score more goals at Villa Park.

To be honest, Zhang Yang hopes that players like Agbonlahor, Weimann, and Barry can all retire at Aston Villa.

Because he felt it made sense in shaping a team's story.

If we were to follow Real Madrid's example and prevent outstanding players from having a good ending, the competitive effect might be great, but it would lack a certain human touch.

Moreover, Aston Villa is far less wealthy than Real Madrid.

But that was a long time from now.

After the match, Zhang Yang gave the players a day off. Their next match will be in the EFL Cup five days later.

But the league season starts just three days later.

Therefore, Zhang Yang is preparing to field a half-rotation lineup to give young players a chance to perform.

Also, try to find out if there are any young people worth promoting.

During the players' break, Zhang Yang met with his old friend Stephen, and the two set up a small table by the Fazeli Canal to drink tea.

I don't know where Stephen learned this habit from.

Back when Zhang Yang was still at Villa, he brought him some Chinese tea, and that's when the guy started pestering him.

"Zhang, the aroma of this Pu'er tea is subtle yet long-lasting, as if it lives in my mouth." Stephen pretended to pick up the cup and take a small sip.

Zhang Yang sighed, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one gulp.

Upon seeing this, Stephen laughed and said, "Zhang, you're Chinese, yet you don't know anything about tea."

"Stephen, I need to speak with you about something. I need to recruit two team doctors."

Zhang Yang quickly changed the subject, saying, "The current team medical staff is from three years ago. To be honest, I don't trust their abilities. I don't think they can handle the tight schedule."

Everything is fine now that the season has just started.

But as is widely known.

The Premier League does not have a winter break, and the closer it gets to Christmas, the more congested the schedule becomes.

To enhance the fans' viewing experience, they treat the players like mules.

Otherwise, Premier League wages wouldn't be so high.

"Any requirements?"

Stephen also stopped smiling, put down his teacup, and asked seriously.

"First, they need to have good character, be honest and genuinely care about the players, and not offer superficial treatments."

Zhang Yang first extended his index finger, then his middle finger. "Secondly, they must have strong professional skills, including experience in treating old tendon and ankle injuries of Premier League level players, and understand modern rehabilitation concepts."

"Finally, I hope to be able to integrate into our team and work with the coaching staff and strength and conditioning coach. Of course, I hope to be in charge of this aspect."

Don't underestimate the role of a team doctor; a poorly managed one can ruin a team, while a well-managed one can lead to its glory.

The Milan laboratory is a prime example.

Stephen nodded. "No problem!"