SWR: Chapter 1251/1255

Chapter 1251: Don't Embarrass Me Tonight

Night fell, and the city lights came on.

As Gao Shen rode in Zidane's car toward the Bernabéu Stadium, he suddenly felt like Napoleon returning to Paris.

But the next moment, he spat at himself.

Napoleon was exiled. I wasn't.

Real Madrid fans had received the news in advance. Many were already gathered at the ticket gates, and others crowded the stairways. When they saw Gao Shen and Zidane getting out of the car, the crowd erupted.

"Welcome home, Gao!"

"Welcome to the Bernabéu!"

Real Madrid fans greeted the Gorilla's return with overwhelming enthusiasm.

The moment Gao Shen stepped out, he was stunned by the wall of fans. The wild atmosphere caught him off guard, even though they were outside the stadium.

Thankfully, the stadium's security staff had been informed beforehand and had set up barriers to keep the fans at a safe distance.

José Sánchez and Butragueño personally came out to receive them, escorting Gao Shen and Zidane directly through the VIP entrance into the Bernabéu. Still, the chants from the fans only grew louder.

Gao Shen had always felt grateful to Real Madrid's fans.

Although some had criticized him during the first half of last season, the vast majority had always believed in and supported him.

Now, even those who had once criticized him probably had a change of heart.

With many years of coaching experience, Gao Shen understood that fans were simple at heart. Their demands were not complex.

But in today's fiercely competitive football world, meeting those expectations isn't easy.

"This morning, both Ramos and Marcelo called me. They said no matter what, they were going to get you into the locker room before the game," Butragueño whispered as they walked through the VIP passage.

Gao Shen noticeably slowed his pace. "That's against the rules."

The locker room is the head coach's domain. Even though he holds a high-ranking position at Real Madrid, it was important to respect that boundary.

Solari might be the interim manager, but an interim manager is still the manager.

Gao Shen had started out as an agent. He understood the lines that shouldn't be crossed.

What were Ramos and Marcelo trying to do?

"I asked. Solari agreed."

Gao Shen turned his head and gave Butragueño a deep look, seeking confirmation.

The Vulture nodded seriously. "I spoke with Solari. He's very welcoming."

"Let me check the time," Gao Shen said casually, continuing to walk forward.

"They all really miss you," Butragueño added.

Gao Shen laughed. "I'm not some beauty queen. What are they thinking?"

Zidane and the others around him burst into laughter.

…

Returning to the Bernabéu felt like walking into his own home. Familiar faces were everywhere.

In the VIP lounge, Florentino was already waiting with First Vice President Fernando, De Blas, and several others. These were all core board members of Real Madrid and Florentino's inner circle.

That's why the opposition never managed to shake things up.

Even on an occasion like this, they could only stand in the background. They weren't allowed anywhere near Gao Shen.

Take Enrique Riquelme, for example. Even though his company was worth €300 million, if a ceiling tile fell in the VIP lounge tonight, it might not knock out the whole board, but at least three or five of them would be hit.

Not to mention, some of the most influential figures weren't even in the VIP lounge. They were true heavyweights.

For instance, Juan Carlos I, the abdicated King of Spain, and some of the wealthiest individuals in Spain and Europe.

These people never appeared in regular lounges. They always gathered behind closed doors in their private circles.

Accompanied by Zidane and led by Florentino, Gao Shen first went to visit Juan Carlos I's private box.

Since retiring, the old king lived far from the city and didn't attend many games. But for major occasions, he still showed up.

His successor, Felipe VI, was very different. He watched Real Madrid, Atlético, and Barcelona matches. He was a hardcore Spanish football fan.

Of course, that was understandable. It was a political necessity.

What felt a bit ridiculous was that the throne, which should have been passed on properly, ended up being handed to Felipe VI without prior warning.

Juan Carlos was getting old, but he was genuinely thrilled to see Gao Shen. He pulled him aside and insisted they watch the game together, saying he had never shared a Real Madrid match with him before.

This revealed just how much of a die-hard fan the old king was.

Gao Shen agreed to watch from the King's Box later. But first, he had a few more visits to make—mainly to old acquaintances in Spain's political and business circles, and even some from wider Europe.

Over the years, Gao Shen's achievements at Real Madrid went beyond football. Off the pitch, he had built many connections in the political and business world. This was one of the perks of managing a club like Real Madrid.

Now that he was back, Gao Shen naturally had to greet these acquaintances. It was basic courtesy.

At moments like this, he was reminded again of just how important football is in Europe. It's not just a sport. It's a major form of social interaction.

When Gao Shen, Florentino, and the others returned from greeting the VIPs, they found Raul had also arrived.

"Hey, Raul."

Welcome back!

The two exchanged a high five, then hugged tightly.

After Gao Shen left Real Madrid, Raul transitioned from the first team to coaching youth teams to build experience.

Everyone expected him to one day become Real Madrid's head coach—hopefully with a Guardiola-like impact.

"The locker room is buzzing," Butragueño leaned in and whispered.

Gao Shen looked at the Vulture, then at Raul, and immediately understood.

"Alright then, let's go. Let's see how these kids even have the guts to look me in the eye," Gao Shen said, pretending to be angry.

…

"The boss is here!"

A player keeping watch at the door shouted the alert, and the locker room immediately grew restless.

The players who had been sitting jumped to their feet.

Seeing Gao Shen and the others at the entrance, many of them looked tense.

Gao Shen followed proper etiquette, first informing Solari and waiting for his approval before stepping in.

At this moment, not only were the starters and substitutes present, but even players not included in the matchday squad were there.

The moment Gao Shen walked in, he didn't say a word. He simply scanned the room, his gaze moving from one player to another.

"Boss, everyone from the first team is here. Even the injured ones came," Ramos stepped forward, smiling.

Everyone laughed.

For some reason, seeing Gao Shen made the players feel a strange sense of calm. Their previously uneasy hearts suddenly settled.

The sudden quiet created an eerie contrast to the previous noise.

"You've all got the nerve to face me?" Gao Shen sneered.

The room tensed up.

"Look at your pathetic form. What kind of team have you been this season? Not even in the top four. You've completely embarrassed me!" Gao Shen scolded.

"When I saw you lose so badly at Camp Nou, I was nearly coughing up blood. You call that a performance? Losing to Barcelona like that? Don't you feel any shame?"

Those around him listening began to feel something was off.

Wait... why did it sound like Gao Shen was implying Barcelona were weak?

But thinking it over, who could really argue?

Gao Shen had been coaching for years and had never lost to Barcelona.

"Look at all the games you've drawn or lost this season. Aren't you embarrassed?"

The players couldn't tell if he was joking or serious. It was honestly a little embarrassing.

For these Real Madrid players, being criticized by others—even top managers like Benitez—would usually spark resistance. But when Gao Shen criticized them, they just listened quietly. Happily, even.

"How's the prep for tonight's game against Athletic Bilbao?" Gao Shen checked the time and changed the subject.

"It's going well," Ramos replied.

"Yeah, we're ready," the others echoed.

"Let me be clear: I'll be in the stands tonight. Don't embarrass me!" Gao Shen pointed at them, his tone firm.

"Got it!"

"Don't worry, boss!"

"You know we've got this!"

Gao Shen chuckled. "Alright, then. Get ready. Go up there, put a few past them early, wrap it up, and afterward, we go out for a late-night snack. My treat!"

"Really? Awesome!" Marcelo lit up at the mention of food.

The locker room broke into laughter. The players started shouting out restaurant names, arguing over what expensive dishes to order.

Just then, the referee gave the signal to line up in the tunnel. The bell rang. The match was about to begin.

"Go for it!" Gao Shen stepped aside, making way for the players.

Ramos, leading the group, walked over to Gao Shen.

"Boss, welcome back." The Real Madrid captain hugged him.

"Yeah, but don't go overboard out there."

One by one, the other players followed, hugging Gao Shen just like they did before every match.

The scene left Zidane, Raul, Butragueño, Solari, and the others in the locker room deeply moved.

This was a team forged by a master.

No matter who becomes the next head coach, the imprint of Gao Shen will always remain.

Zidane felt it too—but in a deeper way.

Because this team was not only built by Gao Shen, but also with his help.

From the very first day Gao Shen took charge at Real Madrid, Zidane had been his right-hand man.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 1252: Benzema Can't Take the Blame

After the match began, the Real Madrid players' mentality visibly shifted.

They launched a fierce offensive against Athletic Bilbao.

Perhaps because of Gao Shen's arrival, Solari tried his best to replicate the lineup once used during Gao Shen's era. On the pitch, the players also tried to imitate the tactical play of that time.

Goalkeeper: Courtois
Defense: Marcelo, Ramos, Van Dijk, Carvajal
Midfield: Casemiro deep, Toni Kroos and Modric in the center
Attack: Asensio, Benzema, Vázquez

Right from kickoff, Real Madrid showed a strong desire to create chances, and the players fought hard. But Athletic Bilbao has never been an easy team to face. Whether it's Real Madrid or Barcelona, they always fight tooth and nail.

At the Bernabéu, the Basque Lions showed their tenacity and fighting spirit by picking up two yellow cards in the first 10 minutes.

After that, Real Madrid struggled in the match.

It wasn't just because of how tenacious the opponent was, but also due to Real Madrid's own poor performance.

…

"I heard tonight's lineup was decided after a discussion between the players and the coach."

In King Juan Carlos I's private box, the former monarch chuckled while sharing the gossip he'd heard.

Gao Shen smiled. This guy might be the most famous fake football fan in history.

He didn't want to ruin the king's fun, though. After all, head coaches consult with players before every match. That's normal.

In fact, the lineup and tactics always depend on how well players execute on the field. It's impossible to make it work without communication.

Of course, tonight's lineup did look player-driven.

Because it was just too deliberate.

With a midfield trio, front three, and attacking fullbacks, the system looked like a carbon copy of Gao Shen's previous Real Madrid.

But times have changed. Many things are different now.

Take the front three, for instance.

When Cristiano Ronaldo was on the pitch, he could attract at least two defenders just by standing there. He didn't even need to move, and the defenders would still focus on him.

That's tactical value!

Then there's Di María, who was on the bench tonight, likely due to a recent injury.

If Di María had started, the right wing would have posed a much bigger threat and would have helped spread the defense.

In other words, Ronaldo, Benzema, and Di María together could occupy four or five defenders.

But now, with Asensio, Benzema, and Vázquez, they can maybe draw three. Sometimes not even that.

So Athletic Bilbao could afford to press and squeeze Real Madrid's midfield and defense more aggressively.

As a result, Real Madrid couldn't maintain possession and the tempo was high from the start.

"Our players are too anxious tonight," Gao Shen sighed, shaking his head.

Zidane nodded. "You can tell the midfield can't control the pace, and there's no creativity in the final third."

During Gao Shen's time as head coach, Spanish players like Asensio, Jesé, Vázquez, Isco, Marcos Llorente, and Ceballos all played well, but they were used as role players.

In short, they're best used in specific scenarios.

For example, bring them off the bench to use their physicality to make runs.

Gao Shen especially liked using Isco to dribble and destabilize solid defensive teams like Atlético Madrid.

But the problem with role players is that when you rely on them as starters, especially in groups, their limitations become obvious.

That was exactly what happened tonight.

Other than Benzema, neither Asensio nor Vázquez could break through the defense. With no threat on the flanks, the attack lacked sharpness.

"I'm guessing Di María isn't fit to play the full 90, so he's being saved for the second half," Gao Shen said.

Zidane agreed.

At the end of the day, Asensio and Vázquez just don't have that raw talent.

"This is your fault," Zidane turned and joked with Gao Shen.

Benzema really couldn't take the blame for this!

The players were putting in the effort, but sometimes, the harder you try, the worse things get.

The best way for players to perform consistently is to stay calm and composed.

A lot of strikers go through scoring droughts, not because they're lazy or off form, but because they want to score too badly.

The more you want it, the less likely you are to get it.

Gao Shen once had a chat with Gerrard and Lampard during their time with the England national team, discussing the "Gerrard-Lampard problem."

At the time, it was a huge topic globally. Even the two players themselves were confused. They genuinely wanted to work well together, but no matter what they tried, it just didn't click.

Sometimes, football is just like that.

About 25 minutes in, Marcelo started to get more involved down the left, linking up with Asensio to create chances.

But Marcelo's cross to the far post had no takers.

Vázquez didn't even attempt to contest for the ball.

The attack lacked any real bite. However, the defense stayed organized. In the first 30 minutes, Athletic Bilbao didn't register a single shot on target. Van Dijk made three standout defensive plays.

This world-record signing at center-back was beginning to show his quality as he adapted to Real Madrid's style.

"There's a saying going around in European football: anything made in Leeds is a masterpiece."

The old king looked at Gao Shen with a meaningful smile. "Maybe you should have Leeds develop a few more top-class players for Real Madrid."

Gao Shen and Zidane exchanged a smile.

Real Madrid fans really are something else.

They only want the best stars.

As the first half approached the 40th minute, Real Madrid launched another attack down the left.

Marcelo combined with Toni Kroos and made a cutting run inside. Asensio stayed wide.

This time, Marcelo's dribble was sharper. After drawing defenders, he suddenly slipped the ball wide to the left edge of the box.

Asensio ran onto it and whipped in a low cross to the near post.

Inside the area, Benzema shielded the defender and laid it off with a light touch.

Marcelo, who had continued his run, met the ball and smashed it into the net with a powerful shot.

Goal!

Real Madrid took the lead.

The Bernabéu erupted.

Marcelo sprinted to the sideline, bypassed all his teammates, and ran straight to the Gao Shen stand. He stopped, stood at attention, and saluted Gao Shen from afar.

Gao Shen jumped up, clapping wildly in applause.

That strike was fantastic, and the build-up was even better.

Soon, the camera cut to Gao Shen on the stadium's big screen. He smiled, waved to the players, gave Marcelo a thumbs-up, and sat down.

"Marcelo was probably thinking, 'You lot are useless, I'll just do it myself,'" the old king said sarcastically, then chuckled to himself.

Gao Shen and Zidane looked at each other, amused.

This fake football fan had a lot of inner monologues.

That goal helped Real Madrid settle down.

…

After halftime, Real Madrid continued to threaten from the left.

This time, Marcelo dribbled down the wing and faked inside before lobbing the ball over the defense. Asensio chased it to the byline and crossed.

Benzema rose in the box and nodded the ball into the net.

Goal!

2-0!

The game was now clearly under control.

But no one dared relax.

Especially not this Real Madrid.

As expected, Solari made two changes in the 60th minute.

Toni Kroos came off for Pogba, and Vázquez was replaced by Di María.

Just seven minutes after coming on, Pogba got a great chance in the box.

Marcelo again created it, playing a slick one-two before cutting in and delivering a pinpoint ball into the area.

Pogba, surrounded by defenders, used his physicality to shield the ball and poked it into the left corner.

Goal!

3-0!

The Bernabéu roared.

It had been a long time since Real Madrid won by such a margin.

They kept pushing forward.

In the 79th minute, Benzema drifted wide right to receive the ball and cut it back to Carvajal, who had made an overlapping run into the box.

The right-back played a diagonal pass to Di María just outside the area.

The Argentine controlled the ball with his left foot, turned, and curled a beautiful shot.

The ball arced into the top corner off the far post.

Perfect strike!

4-0!

Real Madrid didn't stop there. Isco came off the bench and kept pressuring Athletic Bilbao's defense. He won fouls, disrupted their shape, and forced them deeper.

Although no more goals were scored, the second half was electric, and Real Madrid's attack flowed smoothly.

Especially after Pogba and Di María were introduced.

That's not to say Kroos was poor. The main issue was the lack of attacking options on the flanks.

When the final whistle blew, the Bernabéu exploded with applause.

That hadn't happened much this season.

Clearly, the fans were satisfied. Not just with the win, but with the team's spirit.

Gao Shen and Zidane both understood the reality of Real Madrid's current state.

The talent was still there. But the mindset had shifted.

When Gao Shen was in charge, Real Madrid could defend patiently for nearly an entire Champions League final against Leeds United, waiting for one decisive strike.

That came from the players' mentality.

Without patience, confidence, and a fierce desire to win, you can't do that.

Now, Real Madrid's mentality has collapsed a bit.

It's easy to fall apart.

Rebuilding? That's the hard part.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 1253: I Want to Lie Down

When Gao Shen woke up, it was already close to noon.

After last night's match, he, Zidane, Butragueño, Raúl, and several Real Madrid players went out together for a night of fun.

Real Madrid currently plays one match per week, so the players are under less pressure and have at least one day off every week.

Sometimes he wondered, is this happiness or misery?

After getting up, brushing his teeth, washing his face, showering, and changing clothes, Gao Shen was just about to leave when the doorbell rang.

Since he hadn't been living in Madrid for a while, he hadn't hired anyone to manage household chores. He used to hire a part-time cleaner, but now he had to answer the door himself.

As soon as he opened it, Zidane walked in carrying breakfast.

"I knew it was about time you'd get up."

Gao Shen didn't stand on ceremony and welcomed him in.

Zidane brought his favorite: milk and fried dough sticks. As for himself, he had toast and coffee.

They were called "fried dough sticks," but they were actually a bit different from the ones in China, although the taste was more or less the same.

Later, they were heading to Valdebebas for a high-level meeting.

This was proposed by Florentino the night before. Although Gao Shen's company had not yet officially signed a contract with Real Madrid, once both parties agreed, the signing was only a matter of time.

The focus of the negotiations was the terms and financials.

Even among close friends, accounts must be settled clearly.

Though Gao Shen and Real Madrid were very much aligned in their interests, negotiations still had to follow the proper procedures.

To put it bluntly, even Florentino couldn't afford to act carelessly.

If he wasn't cautious enough, the opposition could seize on the opportunity, and he wouldn't be able to escape the consequences.

So sometimes, especially in situations like this, all parties involved became more careful and adhered strictly to rules and formalities.

"Later, I want to bring up Pogba," Zidane said as he ate breakfast.

Gao Shen didn't mind. "I've mentioned it before. Just keep pushing them."

Both he and Zidane agreed that Pogba and Verratti should be given contract extensions and more playing time.

Toni Kroos was still relatively young, but Modric was about to turn 34.

Even though Gao Shen knew Modric could still play for a few more years, the reality was that his physical condition and stamina could no longer support high-intensity performances like before.

One of the main reasons Real Madrid's midfield lost control this season was Modric's dip in form after the World Cup.

So Pogba and Verratti, both young and capable, needed to shoulder more responsibility.

But now, even Pogba was being poached, including by Paris Saint-Germain.

As Gao Shen had previously analyzed for PSG, they desperately needed a commanding midfielder. Pogba, a French international, a World Cup winner, and one of the best midfielders in the world, was a perfect fit. It was a win-win scenario.

Both Pogba and Varane, two French World Cup stars, were on PSG's radar.

Although Gao Shen was set to serve as PSG's technical director and take full control of transfers, the client's wishes still had to be considered.

He couldn't just say PSG needed a midfield commander, they were willing to pay for Pogba, but then turn around and veto it outright, could he?

Besides, in today's football world, how many midfielders are better than Pogba?

Of course, nothing had been finalized yet. PSG was still waiting for high-level discussions.

"Nasser told me before that PSG could invest at least 500 million euros this summer."

Gao Shen's words made Zidane smile wryly. He had also heard it from the French media.

It wasn't even a secret anymore. PSG wasn't hiding their targets either.

They wanted to build a top team with a more local French identity. That meant players like Pogba, Varane, Griezmann, Mbappe, and Dembele were all on their radar.

Bringing in that many stars in one summer would be difficult, but PSG had the money. Who dared say it was impossible?

From a strategic point of view, localization helped PSG gain a foothold in France.

This wasn't just about UEFA and French Football Federation registration requirements. More importantly, it was about appealing to domestic fans and building a solid foundation, something every top club had to take seriously.

And transfers of such superstars could generate massive hype.

"Did Varane talk to you last night?" Zidane asked, frowning.

It was he who recommended Varane to Real Madrid. He had watched him grow from a young talent into a world-class center-back.

Now that Zidane was about to take over as head coach of Real Madrid, he still hoped Varane would stay.

But last night, Varane told Gao Shen he wanted to leave.

"He's been in touch with PSG for a while. Thiago Silva is getting older. Varane used to be the core of their defense. Plus, the competition in Ligue 1 is much less intense than La Liga."

That was what Varane said himself last night.

Zidane looked a little disappointed. "He talked to me about this before too. Mainly, he's been having frequent muscle strains over the past two years. The pressure from matches has become too much."

Almost every professional player deals with injuries, but some affect their form more than others.

This season, Varane had three muscle injuries: a torn adductor that sidelined him for over two weeks, Achilles tendon inflammation that took him out for nearly a month, and a more severe muscle bundle tear that cost him 50 days.

Even when Gao Shen was coaching, Varane was often injured.

Right thigh, adductor, soleus, left calf…

Varane's muscle injuries were numerous. But thanks to the outstanding team, especially Buenaventura in physiotherapy and injury prevention, his condition never seemed too serious.

Gao Shen and his team once did a deep dive into Varane's issues and came to a rather helpless conclusion.

Back when he was still in the Lens youth academy, he had a growth spurt. His bones grew much faster than his muscles, causing the muscles to stretch excessively, eventually leading to osteochondritis of the tibial tuberosity.

This condition isn't uncommon. Many teens go through it, and it can be managed by reducing activity. But for Varane, stopping training wasn't an option.

So the top student gritted his teeth, used ice packs daily to relieve the pain, and thought about quitting countless times.

…It was from then that his muscles became fragile.

Since joining Real Madrid, even with careful management from the coaching staff and medical team, he still suffered muscle injuries from time to time. After all, at a club like Real Madrid, and in high-intensity competitions like La Liga and the Champions League, there's no such thing as relaxation.

Back then, he was just a rising star. He had to endure, to fight. But now, it was different. He was a World Cup-winning center-back, the cornerstone of the French defense, a world-class player...

"We can sympathize with him, but we have no right to demand that he make a certain choice, do we?"

Varane got to where he is today through hard work and pain. Now that he's achieved success, if he wants to rest and enjoy life a bit, who can judge him?

Zidane understood that better than anyone.

Back in the Galácticos era, after winning the Champions League in 2002, didn't many Real Madrid superstars also start thinking about playing more comfortably?

In the end, it's just human nature.

"I get it." Zidane was disappointed, but he understood.

The bald Frenchman quickly composed himself, looked at Gao Shen, and suddenly smiled. "If Varane really leaves, I already have someone in mind."

"Tell me, I'll take a look," Gao Shen replied casually.

As technical director, he couldn't just make decisions alone. He had to coordinate with others.

"Rúben Dias or De Ligt."

Gao Shen was stunned for a moment and nearly lost his temper. "Damn it, so you and Florentino are in on it? You just want to fleece Leeds United, don't you?"

Zidane laughed and leaned away, afraid Gao Shen might hit him. "Don't get the wrong idea. It's just that those two center-backs really are good. On the other hand, I'm not that into Militão, even though a lot of people are."

After a pause, Zidane added, "Also, don't be so impulsive. You're Real Madrid's technical director now, not Leeds United's owner."

"You're wrong. I haven't signed the contract yet!"

Leeds United's ability to develop young talent over the years had been undeniable. Especially young center-backs. Every year, it seemed like a new batch appeared, like cutting scallions—one wave after another.

And these players all actually performed well.

Rúben Dias was arguably the best young center-back in European football this season and had attracted massive attention.

Then there was De Ligt, the Dutch defender who had been outstanding. Many top clubs had their eyes on him.

Juventus, Bayern Munich, Liverpool… they were all in the mix for De Ligt.

Leeds United players were expensive, but they were worth it.

Take Van Dijk, for example. His €150 million fee set a world record for a center-back and wasn't likely to be broken anytime soon.

When he first joined Real Madrid, he struggled a bit, which made many fear he was a flop.

But recently, he had gradually settled in and was playing better and better.

Especially in last night's match against Athletic Bilbao—zero mistakes the entire game. Truly world-class.

That was why Varane wanted to leave.

With Van Dijk's strength, as long as he stayed, Varane would always be in a battle for a starting spot.

Right now, Real Madrid had only three truly strong center-backs: Ramos, Van Dijk, and Varane, with Nacho as a backup.

Ramos was getting older, but still holding firm as team captain. Van Dijk was improving rapidly. That put Varane at a disadvantage in the competition.

And if he waited for Ramos to retire, he himself would already be aging.

So, having achieved all he wanted, Varane no longer wanted to fight. He just wanted to go to PSG and play relaxed football.

Football is like any workplace.

Sometimes, Gao Shen saw his old coworkers in Varane.

All the hard work they'd endured just to reach a point where they could finally choose to take it easy.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 1254: Mbappe's Big Problem

What's the biggest difference between a head coach and a technical director?

Your perspective is determined by where you stand. It changes how you see things.

When Gao Shen was managing Manchester City, he also served as technical director, but it was a part-time role. Now, it's full-time, and that makes all the difference.

Only five members of Real Madrid's senior leadership are eligible to attend the club's executive meetings: President Florentino Pérez, Second Vice President and club lawyer De Blas, CEO José Sánchez, Vice President and Head of Public Relations Butragueño, and the president's assistant Manuel Redondo.

This was Gao Shen's first time participating as Real Madrid's technical director, and he specifically invited Zidane to attend as well.

Another interesting change was that Gao Shen's office was no longer at the Valdebebas training ground, but rather in the main Real Madrid headquarters building.

Although the two locations are adjacent and connected by a corridor, their business operations remain clearly separated.

The first topic discussed in the meeting was team sponsorships.

Real Madrid had just signed a 12-year kit deal with Adidas, worth a staggering €2 billion.

In addition, Adidas would give Real Madrid 20% of the annual sales revenue from Real Madrid merchandise and provide another €9 million per year in gear to support the club's football and basketball teams.

This was arguably the most extravagant sponsorship deal in European football at the time.

It also showed that even though Real Madrid's performance this season had dipped, they remained one of the world's most valuable clubs commercially.

From now on, with sporting operations contracted out to Gao Shen, Real Madrid would concentrate all its efforts and resources on commercial development, further accelerating the globalization of the team.

The Adidas extension would further increase Real Madrid's revenue, but the club still needed to keep its wage structure in check.

According to José Sánchez's projections, Real Madrid's commercial revenue would continue to grow steadily this season. However, due to early elimination in the Champions League Round of 16 and lackluster performances in major competitions such as La Liga and the Copa del Rey, the club had lost at least €100 million in direct revenue.

That figure did not include indirect losses.

This was because many sponsorship contracts included clauses tying payouts to team performance.

Not to mention the club also missed out on prize money, broadcasting revenue, and matchday income from further European progression.

Overall, Real Madrid's revenue this season was expected to be flat compared to last year, with no growth.

Of course, poor results also came with one benefit—player bonus payouts would be lower.

Contrary to public speculation, Ronaldo's departure had not significantly impacted the wage bill.

This surprised Gao Shen.

He had originally thought Ronaldo's exit would create room in the salary structure, but that wasn't the case.

He specifically asked José Sánchez about it, only to learn that players like Modric, who had performed well at the World Cup, had renewed their contracts. As a result, the total salary expenditure remained about the same.

The wage-to-revenue ratio was still controlled at 53%, a very low figure among Europe's top clubs.

In terms of total wage bill, Real Madrid ranked second in Europe, still far behind Barcelona. But when it came to overall revenue, Real Madrid significantly outperformed them.

José Sánchez also revealed that Real Madrid currently held more than €200 million in cash on hand, making it the most liquid club in Europe.

The club carried €50 million in bank loans, but once accounts receivable and other assets were factored in, their net debt was negative €40 million—meaning the club was effectively debt-free.

As for the Bernabéu renovation, the team planned to raise €600 million from Merrill Lynch and JPMorgan Chase at a fixed 2.5% interest rate, over a 30-year term, disbursed in three installments across three years. For the first three years, Real Madrid would only pay interest. Starting in 2023, they would pay €30 million annually in combined principal and interest.

Gao Shen had to admit, this was nothing for a club with €800 to €900 million in annual revenue.

Based on the financial report, Real Madrid could easily afford the €250 million total investment required to sign Mbappe this season. In fact, Florentino Pérez hoped to further push forward a youth-oriented rebuild by signing more young talents.

Gao Shen smiled and nodded in agreement.

Financially, Real Madrid was in as healthy a position as any club in the world.

If Real Madrid had financial issues, then most European clubs would have already gone under.

With their current situation, they could sign two or three Mbappés, let alone just one.

Bringing in more young talent wasn't just about rebuilding—it made financial sense too.

Take Mbappe for example. Even at €250 million, on a seven or eight-year contract, his cost would average just over €30 million per year.

That's the advantage of signing young.

For selling clubs like Leeds United, they actually preferred installment payments. It made accounting easier. Receiving €250 million all at once would trigger higher tax obligations.

To be clear, player transfers are not ownership transactions.

Human trafficking is condemned globally, and such behavior is strictly prohibited.

When clubs transfer players, what's actually being traded are their "sporting rights"—intangible assets.

Gao Shen had once come across domestic league regulations, where they were referred to as the "right to use a player's skills."

That's essentially what it is.

Legally, players are always free agents. What gets sold are the rights to their performances or technical services.

Clubs treat transfer income as business revenue, and for tax purposes, installment payments are beneficial to the seller.

...

Real Madrid's current wage structure was quite unique—no one earned an outrageous amount, but the overall wage level was high.

The current top earner was Ramos, whose pre-tax salary was €16 million. With Spain's tax rate at 45.5%, his after-tax salary would be around €8 to €9 million.

Following him were Toni Kroos, Modric, Di Maria, Pogba, Verratti, Marcelo, Courtois, Benzema, Carvajal, and Jesé, all earning more than €10 million pre-tax.

Then came Džeko, Varane, Isco, Asensio, Odriozola, Vázquez, Nacho, Casemiro, and others, who were all between €5 million and €10 million.

This meant Real Madrid had no single sky-high salary, but the team as a whole was very well-paid.

The challenge was maintaining that balance.

Take Varane, for example. His current salary was €7.5 million annually. After the World Cup, Real Madrid wanted to renew his contract, but his agent demanded €15 million, which would make him the club's top earner.

Naturally, Real Madrid refused, and negotiations stalled.

Then there was Pogba, who currently earned €12 million annually at Real Madrid. But both Manchester United and PSG were willing to offer him €17 million and promise him a guaranteed starting role.

At Real Madrid, the midfield trio was firmly established. Even though Pogba's importance was growing, he still had to wait his turn and was limited by seniority.

Now, Real Madrid wanted to bring in Mbappe and were prepared to pay him €17 million per year, making him the team's highest earner, replacing Ronaldo.

As the senior member of the national team, could Pogba accept this?

If he couldn't, then what?

Give Pogba a raise? Then what about Ramos, Kroos, Modric, Di Maria...

Wouldn't they all expect raises too?

Setting aside starting positions, just the salary situation alone was a nightmare to manage.

But what if they didn't offer Mbappe a high salary?

That wouldn't work either.

Leeds United players were easy to buy for three reasons: they were young, their salaries were low, and the club was professional and reasonable.

But Mbappe was a premium asset. His transfer fee was already sky-high. And with PSG also pursuing him, Real Madrid had to match or exceed the offer.

Currently, Mbappe's weekly wage at Leeds United translated to an annual salary of about €8.5 million—very low.

Based on usual transfer practices, offering €17 million annually was standard for a player of his caliber.

This was the calculation José Sánchez had made after Zidane raised the issue of giving more attention to Pogba during the executive meeting.

It had to be said—this was a massive headache.

When Gao Shen was just the head coach, he could hand these issues off to management. But now, he was part of management.

It was easy to predict. Once Real Madrid signed Mbappe, Pogba would demand a raise. And that could trigger a chain reaction.

If not handled properly, it could ruin next season.

For Real Madrid, the current season had already caused a direct loss of over €100 million—not including intangible losses to brand value.

This was the real difficulty behind transfer operations.

...

As the discussion continued, the meeting room suddenly fell silent.

Everyone turned to look at Gao Shen.

Because now, he was the one in charge of Real Madrid's first team.

He needed to make the decisions.

No one knew whether the choice would be right or wrong.

Just like when Manchester United signed Alexis Sanchez—who could have predicted the outcome?

Or back when Real Madrid signed Hazard—who would have thought he'd flop so badly?

"Get Mbappe first!" Gao Shen made the decision.

This had been part of Real Madrid's long-term strategy. The club urgently needed a new top-tier superstar.

And Mbappe was undoubtedly the most suitable candidate.

"I'll have the team draft a detailed plan immediately, to prepare for whatever comes next."

With that, Gao Shen looked toward Florentino and José Sánchez, then turned to Zidane.

"I will build a competitive, elite team while maintaining the stability of our current wage structure."

This was a major commitment.

Unlike matches on the pitch, this was a battlefield without gunpowder. Fans rarely saw what happened behind the scenes.

Even Zidane now realized just how difficult this problem really was.

That was why he stopped insisting on keeping Pogba and Varane.

Buying and selling players isn't the hard part. The true challenge is building a competitive squad and managing team harmony.

That's what truly tests a club's operational strength.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 1255: When an Old Shady Business Meets a New One

Gao Shen spent a few days in Madrid handling various matters, big and small, mainly regarding the series of changes to the Valdebebas first team this summer. Next, company staff would head south to take over the remaining tasks.

For the foreseeable future, Carlo and Zidane would be jointly responsible for affairs in Madrid.

After explaining the main issues and ensuring the negotiations with Real Madrid went smoothly, Gao Shen set off for Amsterdam, Netherlands, to watch Leeds United's first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals.

As a world-renowned coach, Gao Shen's arrival drew Ajax's attention.

CEO Edwin van der Sar arranged for someone to pick him up at the airport and hosted a banquet in his honor. Also present were Leeds United's technical director, Jose Borrell, who had traveled with the team, Ajax's sporting director Marc Overmars (formerly of Arsenal and Barcelona), and Danny Blind, former Dutch national team coach and now a member of Ajax's supervisory board.

Interestingly, Ajax's supervisory board is quite different from those of Bayern Munich and other similar clubs.

After Ronald Koeman launched a youth revolution in the early 2000s with players like Ibrahimovic, Sneijder, and Van der Vaart, Ajax's performance declined sharply, debts piled up, and the gap with the top four European leagues widened.

As a result, the Dutch Eredivisie is now ranked around tenth in the UEFA coefficients and occasionally drops out of the top ten.

In 2011, a group of Ajax legends led by Johan Cruyff launched a "Velvet Revolution," forming a five-man reform group aimed at reviving Ajax.

At the time, the movement attracted a lot of attention in European football. Former players like Overmars, Edgar Davids, Bergkamp, Jonk, and Frank de Boer returned to Ajax.

This reform group became the club's supervisory board.

However, conflicts soon arose.

While Cruyff returned home for his daughter's birthday, the other four members appointed his long-time rival, Louis van Gaal—who had just been sacked by Bayern Munich—as the club's administrative director. The appointment was quickly pushed through and approved by the board.

Cruyff, unsurprisingly, would not accept this and filed a lawsuit, demanding the appointment be overturned.

In the end, Cruyff won the case but left Ajax as well.

Subsequently, under the leadership of veterans like Van der Sar, Overmars, Davids, Jonk, and De Boer, Ajax's reforms continued in an orderly fashion, eventually leading to the club's return to the Champions League quarterfinals this season.

Davids has since left Ajax, but Van der Sar and Overmars remain.

The current Ajax youth setup is once again brimming with talent.

For instance, Frenkie de Jong now has a market value exceeding €80 million. Brazilian forward David Neres is valued at €45 million, Donny van de Beek at €40 million. Then there's goalkeeper André Onana, Argentine left-back Nicolás Tagliafico, and others like Hakim Ziyech, Dušan Tadić, and Daley Blind.

The head coach is Erik ten Hag.

Interestingly, Gao Shen had snatched up Matthijs de Ligt before he made his breakthrough.

Back then, Gao Shen had wanted to sign both Frenkie de Jong and De Ligt as a package deal. Ajax's asking price for De Jong was within an acceptable range, but the deal fell apart due to legal complications.

The 22-year-old De Jong was a product of a joint youth academy between RKC Waalwijk and Willem II. Waalwijk owns 40% of the academy, and Willem II owns 60%. In 2014, De Jong joined Willem II's U17 team.

Under their agreement, any future resale of De Jong would require Willem II to share 40% of the transfer fee with Waalwijk.

After spending over a year in the Willem II academy, he was scouted by Ajax and transferred for a symbolic fee of €1.

Did you notice?

Willem II was pulling tricks on Waalwijk.

With a €1 transfer fee, 40% of nothing is still nothing.

But was it really just €1?

Of course not. Behind the scenes, Ajax and Willem II signed another deal involving the loan of five young players—François de Jong, Živković, Lesly de Sa, Ruben Ligeon, and Lucas Andersen—to Willem II for a season, free of charge.

Additionally, Willem II would receive 10% of De Jong's future transfer fee.

Gao Shen had initially wanted to acquire both De Jong and De Ligt. Though Ajax's asking price for De Jong was acceptable, Leeds United's legal department warned that Waalwijk might protest, which could cause trouble.

Considering Ajax's price was slightly inflated at the time, Gao Shen and Leeds United decided to pass on De Jong and only signed De Ligt.

This transaction revealed the underbelly of European football. From the top five leagues to second-tier leagues like the Eredivisie and Primeira Liga, everything was increasingly driven by capital operations.

Ajax's interest in Gao Shen was largely because Leeds United had already become a new force in European football, with many believing the club had the potential to become a genuine powerhouse.

Moreover, Leeds United placed great emphasis on youth development and had a global scouting network that ensured a steady stream of young talent.

During the dinner, Van der Sar openly expressed his hope to cooperate with Leeds United on youth development.

The Eredivisie places few restrictions on non-EU players; theoretically, clubs can field as many as they like.

However, there is a strange rule: each non-EU player must be paid at least €200,000, which is a heavy burden for many Eredivisie clubs.

But for a top-tier club like Leeds United, which earns hundreds of millions annually, this amount is negligible.

Therefore, Leeds United could potentially send talented youth players not currently getting minutes to Ajax for development.

Of course, this would involve paying training fees.

Gao Shen was quite interested in this kind of cooperation. Leeds United had become a large, resourceful club and did need such partnerships.

In particular, with his remaining years as a transmigrator, he could scout and develop some hidden gems at Ajax for significant returns.

From Ajax's perspective, they couldn't afford a massive youth development and scouting operation. Their selection was limited, and a partnership with a big club like Leeds United would be a win-win.

...

"I think this is a very good proposal."

Gao Shen set the tone and then looked at Borrell.

"Both of you can work out the details of the cooperation and try to sign a long-term partnership agreement."

Borrell understood immediately.

The idea was essentially to turn Ajax into a satellite club for Leeds United. Ajax had a wealth of youth development experience, even world-class, which was incredibly valuable.

Leeds United's youth academy was already impressive, but lacked deep experience, as the entire system had only been restructured a few years ago.

Learning from Ajax would be very beneficial for Leeds United.

Van der Sar and Overmars assumed Gao Shen was referring strictly to player training and immediately began introducing Ajax's deep youth development history. They even mentioned that Barcelona's La Masia was built based on Ajax's system, transplanted by Cruyff and others.

Ajax could be described as the Shaolin Temple of football.

Spain's entire youth development model was deeply influenced by Dutch football and Ajax.

Even goalkeeper coaching curricula came directly from Van Gaal's longtime assistant, Frans Hoek.

In short, Dutch football, especially Ajax's system, had deeply shaped Spanish football.

That's why Barcelona frequently bought players from Ajax.

Last year, reports emerged that Barcelona was interested in Frenkie de Jong, whose market value at the time was just a few million euros.

Around €7 million.

But after the Champions League group stage this season, his market value soared—first to €40 million, then €60 million, and now up to €80 million.

In his previous life, when Ajax reached the semifinals, Frenkie de Jong's value hit €85 million.

Barcelona eventually signed him for €75 million plus €11 million in add-ons, paid in installments over five years.

On the flight from Madrid to Amsterdam, Gao Shen reviewed Ajax's first team and youth academy players. He didn't see anyone suitable for Leeds United.

Players like Neres, Ziyech, and Van de Beek were all valued at over €40 or €50 million.

Tadić was a bit of a surprise. After years in the Premier League, he had faded, but upon returning to Ajax this season, the versatile Serbian player had a breakout year.

Unfortunately, at 30, age had limited his ceiling, making it difficult for him to reach another level in his career.

In European football, there were many players like Tadić—capable, but lacking that bit of luck.

Of course, it was already impressive that Tadić had performed so well at Ajax this season. Many others never got that chance.

Another standout was Ajax youth product Noussair Mazraoui.

Originally a midfielder, Mazraoui had good technique and excellent passing ability. After being converted to a right-back, he flourished. With captain Joel Veltman sidelined by a long-term injury, Mazraoui had become the first-choice right-back.

Leeds United's database also rated him highly, calling him one of the keys to Ajax's Champions League success this season. His partnership with Ziyech down the right flank was a major attacking weapon.

His current market value was around €15 million.

Gao Shen came to Amsterdam to observe this match in person, primarily to watch Mazraoui.

He also wanted to see what kind of spark would fly when an old shady business met a new one.

(To be continued.)