Born to be a coach [soccer]

Chapter 9

Sunderland's victory at the Stadium of Light had an immediate effect, making Sunderland's relegation situation in the British Championship very good. Although it has not left the relegation zone, it is not far away.On the third day after Anton took office, he led the team to an undisputed first victory and slapped the Post in the face.

Ruben Smith, editor-in-chief of the sports department of the "Post", had to write a commentator article again in response to questions from all sides.He wrote in the article: "Relegation is related to the whole season, not determined by one or two games. The victory of Sunderland this time does not explain anything. I think the coach's own coaching experience is helping the ball. The improvement aspect of the team is still absolutely important.”

"Looking at the Sunderland game this time, although they won in the end, several weak links of the team are still very obvious."

But he still found a way for himself: "Of course, if Sunderland can take the opportunity of the winter window to strengthen a few weak links, the team's future of relegation this season will be very 'bright'."

And Anton is still the same sentence: he has agreed to an interview with Jack McQueen, a reporter from the "Mirror".When the results of the interview are published, all questions about his resume will be answered.

In addition, a really good reporter went to Buckingham Palace to confirm whether the Queen had sent a blessing to Sunderland.And Buckingham Palace actually confirmed it generously.Fans all over England were blown up—when did the Queen become a Sunderland fan?

In just a few hours, #QueenbecomeSunderland Fans# was reposted by countless people, the number of clicks on Sunderland's official website increased sharply, and the server was almost unable to withstand it.Sunderland fans were excited, but also a little panicked: Their club...why suddenly seems to be popular?

Bright Academy.

Anton convened a meeting and invited the team's CEO Martin Bain, assistant coach Russell Black, goalkeeper coach Nick Abraham and youth team coach Paul Simpson to attend the meeting, and everyone discussed the major issues of signings in the winter window.

Before the meeting, Martin showed Anton the club's budget for the 2010 fiscal year. Anton raised his eyebrows when he saw the number that could be provided for signings, expressing his surprise.Martin expected his reaction, but only shrugged, expressing his helplessness.

"Anton, you may not know much about the English league. But there is a huge difference in the income levels of the Premier League teams and the English Championship teams. The team's relegation from the Premier League is equivalent to losing a large source of income. At the same time, it has to bear almost The salary expenditure of players at the same level as last season, the team is already quite struggling. Now the team is still struggling in the relegation zone, and it is really difficult for the boss to spend a lot of money on signings for the club... "

Anton nodded: "I understand that Mr. Short is a businessman. When doing business, he pays attention to risks and rewards. In this way, the club's policy for this winter window should be to maximize revenue and reduce expenditure as much as possible, and use limited signings Money is being spent wisely."

Martin stretched out his thumb: This head coach is a sensible person, and he summed it up too well.

At the meeting, Anton roughly talked about the current situation of the winter window, and several coaches including Russell listened with serious faces.Then Anton turned on the computer to cast the screen, and the team's roster from the first team to the youth team was completely typed on a blank wall in the conference room.

"Several players are on loan from other clubs, and their contracts expire in the winter window. There are also two players whose contracts expire and can be transferred freely." Anton pointed to the names marked in gray, "Before Martin asked them what they wanted, and most of them said they wanted to leave the team. So I put them on the departure list. Please ask Russell to check with these players again."

Russell nodded silently.Everyone knows that if players want to leave, the coaching staff alone cannot keep them.Really want to stay unless the salary increases, or the team's prospects are bright and certain.Right now, Sunderland's two conditions are not met, and everyone can only get together and get away.

Anton then played a basic formation map of the team. On the map, the number of the first-team players was marked on each position, which represented which players could play this position.Anton took out a laser pointer and pointed to the bottom of the formation map.

"We need to find another goalkeeper," Anton said.

Several people sitting in the conference room looked at each other, and most of them nodded.Only the goalkeeper coach Nick said with some regret: "Craig... he really worked hard." It is very sad to see people who work hard without good results.

Anton calmly interfaced: "Introducing a goalkeeper and how to arrange Craig are two different things. The agreement between Craig and the team has not expired, and it is also the responsibility of the club to help him get out of the slump. But the team must strive for a good one this season. As a result, we had to find another reliable goalkeeper."

"Agreed!" Now even Nick agreed.All for the sake of the overall situation, a key position like the goalkeeper must not be dropped.

Next, Anton's laser pointer pointed to the top of the formation, the position of the striker.His laser pointer clearly pointed to No. 11, the jersey number of the team's draft forward Darren Vincent.

"Anton, you want to sell Vincent?" Russell was taken aback, reaching out to scratch his "Mediterranean".Several other people in the conference room also showed incredible expressions.Vincent is the team's main striker. Despite the team's sluggish state in the past two seasons, Vincent also scored double-digit goals every season.If such a mature attacker sells him, is there anyone else who can replace him?

So Anton told several people in the conference room the exact words about the "contract spirit" between him and Vincent yesterday morning.

"Then there's no need to say anything!" Russell immediately withdrew his surprised expression, expressing that he was in favor of selling Vincent with both hands and feet, "Well, I have long thought that Vincent is a mercenary, and whoever offers a high price will pay for it." Who plays. Players who are not in line with the team's culture and spirit, even if forced to stay, it is meaningless."

Those present unanimously agreed with Russell's words.At the same time, CEO Martin looked at his budget with bright eyes: if Vincent is sold, the team can get a lot of transfer income.In addition, Vincent is now one of the players with the highest weekly salary in the team. If Vincent is sold, the club's financial pressure will also be relieved a lot.

"Martin, I think there are already several teams interested in Vincent." Anton said that he had heard that Vincent was in contact with other clubs in private. "Of course, the club still needs to help him check and help. He's looking for a club with a bright future."

Martin is a veteran of club operations. At this time, of course, he knew that Anton was hinting that he would help sell Vincent for a good price, so he nodded quickly: "Leave it to me!"

"Besides, I also want to see if there is a good seed like Henderson in the youth training camp, who can be promoted to the first team." This is why Anton invited the youth team coach Paul to come here this time the goal of. "I want to find an opportunity to observe a youth team training as soon as possible, and then watch a game."

Paul nodded: "I will provide a list of players worthy of the head coach's attention as soon as possible."

Anton nodded happily: "Very good, at least our preparations are almost done before the 'winter window' opens this time. As for signings, I already have two or three good candidates in my mind. Among them, the fastest Maybe he will arrive at Sunderland on January 1 for a medical examination and sign the contract. Martin, it should be no problem."

Martin certainly knows the benefits of signing on January 1st. They are about to play the third round of the FA Cup on January 1. Although the new aid may not have time to get in touch with the team by then, if they can introduce a goalkeeper, they can play immediately.

"By the way, Wembley should be holding the third round of draw ① right now!" Thinking of this, Russell picked up the remote control and turned on the TV, "just in time!"

The FA Cup is an annual football knockout tournament in England, with more than 700 football teams competing each year.In the first and second rounds, low-level teams will fight each other, while the Premier League and Championship teams will not join the battle until the third round.This draw will determine Sunderland's opponent in the next game.

Soon, the ball containing the note with Sunderland's name was drawn out and placed in the position of the home team.The host immediately picked out Sunderland's opponent and looked down at the opponent's name. The host looked at the camera and said in a straight voice: "Let us wish the Stadium of Light good luck!"

The opponent's name was then posted on the opposite side of Sunderland, that name was - Liverpool Football Club.

The author has something to say: Note time:

① The draw time for the third round of the FA Cup is usually at the end of November, but here it is changed to the end of December, before the New Year for narrative needs.