SWR: Chapter 1236/1240

Chapter 1236: Let's Subvert Professional Football Together

Wenger lived in London for a full 23 years, from the time he started coaching Arsenal in 1996 until he was sacked in 2018.

In his heart, London even felt like his hometown.

After being sacked by Arsenal, Wenger did not choose to return to France, but continued to live in his home in north London.

At the age of 69, he still got up every morning to exercise and run, wearing Arsenal jerseys, training suits, and shorts.

Occasionally, he wrote a column for a newspaper, appeared as a guest on TV, or participated in some events and commentated on matches. Life was quite enjoyable.

Not long ago, during a Premier League commentary segment on beIN Sports, Wenger once admitted that he was looking for an opportunity to return to football. Many people believed he wanted to return to coaching.

Later, the media reported that Wenger was like an old man in London, holding a briefcase and taking the bus to and from work like everyone else, as if he had lost the aura of the King of London.

At that moment, everyone realized that time was indeed a butcher's knife, and Wenger had been carved up completely.

As a former world-class coach, Wenger had kept up with the times and had become active on social media. He frequently interacted with the internet celebrity Gao Shen and shared his views on football-related topics.

Regarding the recent news of Real Madrid fans making a big fuss and calling for Gao Shen to return to the Bernabéu, Wenger tagged Gao Shen on Twitter and expressed his opinion.

"Returning to Real Madrid as head coach, I don't think it's a good idea."

This immediately drew criticism from many Real Madrid fans and netizens, but quite a few others supported him. The divide came down to the positions of Real Madrid fans and non-Real Madrid fans.

If Gao Shen was synonymous with victory, then Real Madrid fans naturally hoped he would return, while non-Real Madrid fans preferred the opposite.

It would be the same if the teams were swapped.

The uproar gradually subsided. With the return of domestic league action in various countries, and since Gao Shen had remained silent and taken a cool stance, the media and fans slowly shifted their focus back to the matches.

It was only March, and there was still some time left before the end of the season.

In the 28th round of La Liga, Real Madrid defeated Celta Vigo 2-0 at home.

The victory temporarily calmed the anger of Real Madrid fans.

In the 31st round of the Premier League, Leeds United defeated Fulham 2-1 away, continuing to lead the standings.

At Craven Cottage in London, the live broadcast camera once again captured Gao Shen, sitting in the stands watching the match with Leeds United's head of commercial operations in London and his old friend, Norman Foster.

This was Gao Shen's first public appearance after the Real Madrid incident.

After the match, the media, having received word, surrounded Gao Shen at the stadium to conduct an interview.

This was also the first time Gao Shen voiced his thoughts on returning to coaching.

"I'll say it again, I have no intention of returning to coaching for the time being. I haven't had enough rest."

Gao Shen said he was deeply moved by the support of Real Madrid fans.

"No matter what happens in the future, I will be a Real Madrid fan for life. In the past, present, and future, Real Madrid fans are my family and comrades. I will always remember the time we fought together."

But Gao Shen also urged Real Madrid fans to stay calm and rational, and not to affect the lives of his family.

"My wife, my children, and my colleagues all have their own lives and work. I don't want them to be disturbed because of me. I hope the fans can understand."

Since stepping down as Real Madrid manager, it seemed that Gao Shen hadn't done much aside from working with Leeds United.

Gao Shen laughed self-deprecatingly. "To be honest, I've been living a rather lazy life lately. Aside from picking up and dropping off my kid, I've been playing games and doing a bunch of... I don't even know how to describe it... random things."

As he said this, he couldn't help but burst out laughing.

In fact, he also served as a technical development advisor to FIFA and a consultant to UEFA, but these were honorary, part-time roles. He was occasionally invited to events or meetings, and that was it.

In the end, Gao Shen once again called on fans to stay rational and avoid letting their emotions impact their lives.

This interview did not provide any inside scoop or new information.

At best, it could be seen as Gao Shen once again tactfully declining the "invitation" of Real Madrid fans.

At the same time, German and French media reported that Gao Shen had recently met with PSG chairman Nasser and Bayern Munich's Rummenigge.

This immediately linked him with two other top European clubs.

Real Madrid? Bayern Munich? Paris Saint-Germain?

That became the hottest topic for speculation.

But what no one knew was that after watching Leeds United beat Fulham at Craven Cottage, Gao Shen did not travel north with the team, but stayed behind in London.

The next day, at a high-end restaurant near Hyde Park, Gao Shen smiled and pushed the tablet in front of the elderly man across from him, who wore black-rimmed glasses and had a head full of gray hair.

If any media reporter had seen this scene, they would have been stunned.

Because that old man was Wenger.

…

Gao Shen played a clear video.

The footage appeared to be from a monitoring room. The room had a wall filled with monitors of various sizes and models. The largest screen in the center was rectangular.

Unlike the other monitors, the rectangular display seemed to be made up of three screens stitched together, showing a panoramic view of the entire training ground.

With it, you could clearly observe everything happening on the pitch, no matter how big or small.

The other screens showed different angles, and one of them was continuously refreshing with data feeds.

But the most remarkable thing was that rectangular screen. As the players ran on the training ground, the screen constantly tracked them, seemingly following a specific pattern.

"Is this what you were talking about? Artificial intelligence?" Wenger asked in surprise after watching the footage.

Gao Shen smiled and nodded, then exited the video and switched to another clip.

It was of the first team's training ground.

Wenger recognized it immediately as the Leeds United AXA Centre.

Why?

Because three years ago, the media had reported that Leeds United had installed a massive TV wall, 10 meters long and 5 meters high, next to the training pitch. The equipment provider was a Chinese sponsor of the club, also the supplier of the stadium's circular screen.

According to media reports at the time, Leeds United had placed four cameras around the training ground. These could transmit live footage to the big screen, allowing players and staff to clearly see everything happening in real time.

It had caused quite a stir back then.

Later, clubs like Hoffenheim and Barcelona followed suit, purchasing the same TV wall and tracking system from the Chinese supplier, including Real Madrid during Gao Shen's tenure.

After Wenger was sacked, Arsenal also purchased the same system that summer.

Because it was truly effective. Especially the tracking system, which was fully automated and required no operator input.

In other words, once the club invested in this setup, video analysts could save an enormous amount of time.

But what Gao Shen wanted to show Wenger was obviously not just the giant display, but a technical demonstration.

When Leeds United players began training, the screen constantly broadcasted everything in real time. This screen was clearly synchronized with the rectangular screen in the monitoring room.

What truly shocked Wenger came soon after.

When a forward received the ball with his back to goal and made a mistake during the stop-turn sequence, the screen immediately triggered an alert.

The coaching staff paused the session and brought the player over to review the replay and close-up footage on the screen. They then offered technical guidance, corrections, and explanations, helping the player clearly understand the mistake and how to fix it.

The second video showed a defensive transition.

When a player's running or passing choices were suboptimal, the system immediately issued a warning and suggested corrections based on previous patterns. It allowed the player to absorb the feedback while the memory was still fresh.

Watching this, Wenger couldn't help but recall Gao Shen's long-standing coaching habit.

After every match and every training session, he would prepare an analysis report for each player, often including video clips. This helped the players clearly understand their mistakes and areas for improvement.

Many coaches had learned this method from him.

What was being shown now was clearly a more advanced version of that practice.

Or rather, the artificial intelligence version.

As a former coach himself, Wenger knew that every bit of progress a player makes comes from relentless repetition, polishing every detail over time.

That old saying, "one minute on stage takes ten years of practice backstage," was absolutely true.

In the past, Gao Shen's approach was time-consuming and labor-intensive. But now, with this system, and especially the use of AI, training had become far more efficient and effective.

"You've taken Leeds United this far already?" Wenger said in disbelief.

It was genuinely stunning.

As Gao Shen's old friend, Wenger had often heard him talk about introducing technology into football, but he had never imagined that Gao Shen had taken it this far.

"This AI system is still in development, but I believe it's the future. Every professional club, even all professional sports, will depend on it," Gao Shen explained.

Wenger nodded repeatedly. "I have a question. You're using ultra-HD camera arrays and positioning tech to do this, but every club and manager has their own tactics. Different sports have different standards. How do you plan to adapt?"

"We're a technical service provider. We offer personalized solutions," Gao Shen replied with a smile.

Wenger let out a surprised breath. "So you're not coaching anymore, you're selling products now?"

Gao Shen chuckled. "It's not that simple. I'm showing you all this today because I want you to consider joining my company. Together, we can revolutionize professional football!"

(To be continued.)

Chapter 1237: No Future

As Gao Shen had often said before, with the massive influx of capital and the arrival of the globalization era, European football has undergone earth-shaking changes, many of which are beyond what ordinary fans could ever imagine.

It is almost unbelievable that clubs like Manchester City, Manchester United, and Liverpool, fierce rivals in the Premier League, would actually approach Leeds United to buy certain players, or even purchase specific data and analysis reports.

This sounds absurd, doesn't it?

Of course, from a legal standpoint, these transactions are not technically made with Leeds United, but with a company established by Gao Shen himself.

This kind of thing can never be made public, and both the buyers and the sellers maintain complete silence.

Many fans may not realize that the maintenance of many stadiums and training grounds today is outsourced to professional maintenance companies. Clubs simply pay an annual maintenance fee.

Some fans might ask, why?

The answer is simple: it saves money, saves time, saves effort, and it is professional.

What is the football industry built upon?

Division of labor and cooperation—that is the football industry.

Leave professional matters to professionals. That is industrialization.

Not only are venue maintenance services outsourced, but also matchday security, stadium operations, and crowd management. Many clubs have even outsourced their scouting and data analysis departments.

One of the main reasons is cost.

Personnel are expensive.

Many mid- and lower-tier clubs simply cannot afford to maintain a full team of scouts and analysts. So, paying a yearly fee to outsource these services to professional third parties has become perfectly normal.

It is no different from major property management companies in China such as WanX, HengX, and BiXX, which subcontract gate security, cleaning, and landscaping to specialized service firms.

If not for government regulations, even property management offices and building managers might be outsourced too.

Of course, outsourcing sometimes leads to a drop in service quality, but not always. It depends on the case.

The same logic applies to European football today.

Leeds United currently has a lot of outsourcing arrangements, including marketing consultancy, online branding, and various other business functions. Many of their partner companies are Fortune 500 firms. But the club's core technologies remain firmly in Leeds United's hands.

For instance, the big data center personally built and continuously developed by Gao Shen, the increasingly influential methodology department, and the club's scientific research and innovation division.

The same principle also applies to players.

Cristiano Ronaldo has had his own private team for a long time, including a personal chef, physical trainer, fitness coach, and image consultant.

These people are not under the scope of his agent Mendes's work.

The same goes for Messi, who also has his own team.

For example, when Gao Shen coached Real Madrid, before Ronaldo reported for preseason training each year, his team would contact the coaching staff in advance to discuss his offseason training, condition, and expectations for the new season.

In some ways, Ronaldo's private team was even closer to him than the club's coaching staff.

Many fans might recall cases where a player, after being injured, refused treatment from the club doctor and sought an external specialist instead. These incidents are usually conflicts between a player's private team and the club's medical staff.

Of course, it's difficult to say who is right or wrong in such situations. Each case must be analyzed individually.

Then there is Mendes, whose business as a football agent has grown exponentially in recent years.

Everyone knows he is a super-agent, but few truly understand the scale of his influence.

In the early days, Mendes only managed player transfers and contracts, earning commissions through deals. But that was the most basic level of agency work. Later, he began acting as a transfer broker.

In simple terms, he helped clubs find players, arranged the transfers, and collected fees in between.

But that was just the beginning.

Later came the concept of third-party ownership.

This meant that if he saw potential in a player, he would first buy partial ownership of the player's rights, and then sell him to make a profit from the transfer fee difference.

The most famous example was Falcao, whom Mendes acquired through third-party ownership at Porto, before selling him to Atlético Madrid and then Monaco.

Another example was Neymar, whose transfer to Barcelona led to the resignation of president Rosell.

Why was that transfer so murky?

Because it involved third-party ownership.

In recent years, the dark side of this "human trafficking" model of third-party ownership became increasingly apparent.

Clubs in financial distress would sell part of a player's rights to third-party companies. Those companies would then manipulate the market to inflate transfer fees. When the player was sold, the original club would have to pay the same third party to buy replacements, leaving the club with nothing while the company profited massively.

This was one of the reasons transfer fees skyrocketed across European football.

After FIFA imposed strict bans on such practices, Mendes shifted his business model. He began to directly control clubs, turning himself from a middleman into a stakeholder.

Guimarães, Benfica, Braga in Portugal, Atlético Madrid and Valencia in Spain, Wolves in England…

Yes, even Wolves—the Premier League team backed by Chinese capital—has Mendes involved behind the scenes.

Among them, Mendes and his partners control 32 percent of Atlético Madrid's shares.

Outrageous, isn't it?

Well, that's just the beginning.

Fans familiar with European football will know the name Luís Campos.

Yes, in Gao Shen's previous life, he was known as Mbappé's mentor.

After Monaco was taken over by a Russian billionaire, the club went on a massive spending spree and lost heavily on deals like Falcao's. Then they shifted strategy, becoming a player-trading "black shop."

It was then that the Portuguese Luís Campos joined Monaco. Before that, he ran a football-related IT company in Portugal, and had also served as Mourinho's assistant.

Under Campos, Monaco thrived as a selling club.

After achieving great success, Campos realized his own value. He had developed a data-driven model for assessing player value, often identifying the best-value signings.

This was mentioned when Gao Shen recommended signing José Fonte from Southampton to Leeds United. Campos believed Fonte had a special ability to make his teammates better and accelerate their development.

Later facts proved Campos's judgment was right.

In this life, with Gao Shen's appearance, Campos was not as legendary as before, but he still built his own analytical system.

After leaving Monaco in 2016, he founded a consulting firm in France and assembled his own team.

He is currently the sporting director of Lille, but interestingly, Lille's contract is with his company, not him personally.

Legally speaking, Lille purchased services such as first-team organization and player recruitment from Campos's company. Campos himself was a free agent.

Thus, he was able to simultaneously consult for several clubs, including Galatasaray in Turkey and Celta Vigo in Spain, all under similar arrangements.

This created a bizarre situation in modern football: Luís Campos was simultaneously working for multiple clubs, yet remained a free agent.

From a legal standpoint, any club could hire him through his company to handle squad planning and recruitment.

He had transformed himself from a sporting director—a salaried worker—into a club partner, holding significant power over first-team structures and transfers across multiple organizations.

…

Campos's transformation, along with the sweeping changes in European football, gave Gao Shen much to think about.

He had already been studying this issue since deciding to leave Real Madrid. During this period of rest, while he relaxed, he also studied these developments closely and oversaw Leeds United's research and innovation.

For him, there was no future in continuing as a head coach.

That role was becoming obsolete.

It may sound harsh, but not only Gao Shen—Ferguson, Wenger, Valdano, even Zidane—had discussed this same topic with him.

In the past decade, professional football had evolved at such a pace that many were left behind.

Benítez, who was dismissed from Real Madrid, Mourinho struggling at Manchester United, and many others were proof.

Capital and globalization have expanded football into a colossal industry worth tens of billions of euros.

Even within the first team of a club, no one truly has full control anymore. This was Gao Shen's experience in his final season at Real Madrid.

In recent years, as players' salaries have soared, their influence and importance have grown as well. The head coach's authority in the dressing room has been steadily eroded, and in some cases, completely overshadowed by the players.

The same pattern can be seen elsewhere. In the NBA, superstars dominate franchises. Barcelona hired Martino to please Messi. In 2017, Gao Shen strongly advocated selling Ronaldo, but Florentino refused.

All of this points to one conclusion: in the age of big capital, the head coach is no longer the center of power.

Top-tier managers like Gao Shen and Guardiola are exceptions. In lower-tier clubs, sacking a head coach can happen overnight.

Gao Shen once heard a story that summed it up perfectly.

In the Premier League, some clubs hire managers through interviews, just like any corporate job. They present the club's future plans, player lists, transfer targets, tactical expectations, and projected league finish.

The question is straightforward.

"Can you do it?"

Yes? Then proceed.

No? Next candidate.

Many might find this surprising.

Football is a team sport, and tactics are its core. Isn't that enough to make coaches indispensable?

Yes, tactics are crucial in team sports.

But the head coach himself is becoming less important.

And that is not a contradiction.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 1238: Gao Shen, Are You Crazy?

Tactics are important, but the head coach is not important?

Isn't that contradictory?

No, not at all.

Because of division of labor and collaboration.

When the responsibilities that once solely belonged to the head coach are divided into specialized roles handled by professionals, and even a head coach's understanding of the game and the players can be analyzed through data, models, and technical tools, then where does the head coach's value truly lie?

He is still the team's leader, responsible for selecting players for matches, and must be an excellent communicator.

Yes, communication.

In today's European football, communicating effectively with young players, club management, and the media has become a required skill for head coaches, and in many cases, even more important than other capabilities.

There has always been a saying in European football: coaching is a high-risk job.

Compared to rebuilding a team or finding a new core player, sacking a head coach is by far the easiest and least disruptive action to take. That's why the head coach often becomes the scapegoat, the one who bears the risk.

Conflicts between players and coaches are an eternal storyline in football history.

Liverpool legend Bill Shankly once said during a meeting: "In a football club, there are only three sacred elements: the players, the manager, and the fans. The board should not interfere. Their only job is to sign the cheques."

This statement represented a long-standing tradition. But now, and even years ago, it is no longer applicable.

What Gao Shen wants to do now is to completely subvert the existing management model of world football.

…

"You want to become a technical service provider like Luís Campos?"

Wenger understood what Gao Shen meant and was quietly surprised.

This ambition was not small.

After all, European football does indeed have a strong demand for this kind of service.

Gao Shen chuckled and shook his head. "Professor, are you underestimating me?"

Wenger's wrinkled face furrowed slightly. Was this underestimating him?

"I can do everything Luís Campos can do, and I can do everything he can't. Do you think I'd be willing to just be like him? He's only a consultant."

Gao Shen's words genuinely shocked Wenger.

This sounded like ambition on another level.

"So, what you're saying is…" Wenger's heart trembled slightly.

Ever since he met Gao Shen, he always felt that this man constantly exceeded expectations.

"My team and I can directly take over a club's first team, even the youth academy, and provide comprehensive technical services."

Wenger's eyes widened. "Are you crazy? Take over the first team?"

After a pause, Wenger shook his head firmly. "That's impossible."

"Why is it impossible?" Gao Shen asked with a smile.

"Who would be willing to let you directly run their first team? You'd be in charge of forming the squad, recruiting players, and from what you're saying, you also plan to provide a full package of technical services, including data analysis, player development, daily training, and match management. Then…"

Gradually, the more Wenger spoke, the more he felt this idea was ridiculous, but also the more he thought about it, the more he felt it might be feasible.

Why?

Because Gao Shen genuinely has a world-class team. Every member is a top expert in their respective field. He also has a world-class data analysis system, which has even evolved into artificial intelligence.

If a club were to hand over operations to him, management would save a lot of effort. They would simply pay an annual service fee and oversee the implementation of his plan.

This kind of arrangement would be very tempting for many clubs.

For them, there is not much to lose. The players are still theirs. The facilities, both hardware and software, remain their property. If agreed upon in the contract, Gao Shen's team could even help train internal staff during their tenure.

Before Luís Campos, no one had attempted this kind of model in European football.

Gao Shen was essentially evolving that model further.

But this was so disruptive.

"Has any club expressed willingness to work with you?" Wenger asked the biggest question on his mind.

Gao Shen laughed immediately. "Yes."

"Really?"

Gao Shen nodded with certainty.

"I had dinner with Rummenigge from Bayern Munich and Nasser from Paris Saint-Germain. Rummenigge said it was innovative and shocking, but needed careful study. Nasser directly told me that PSG is very interested."

Wenger suddenly understood.

So that's what the media meant when they reported that Gao Shen had dined with Rummenigge and Nasser. Many assumed he was negotiating a coaching return.

But that wasn't it.

Gao Shen was discussing business partnerships.

"So, you signed with Paris Saint-Germain?"

"Mind your wording, Professor," Gao Shen reminded him. "I didn't sign. My company did."

Wenger smiled awkwardly. "Got it, got it. So, did your company sign?"

"No," Gao Shen shook his head.

Wenger was stunned. "Did Paris Saint-Germain back out?"

"Of course not," Gao Shen laughed. "Nasser and PSG are still very interested, but they had one special condition."

"What was it?"

"The contract stated that during our partnership, my company is not allowed to work with other top clubs."

Understood.

What PSG wanted was exclusivity. They wanted to monopolize Gao Shen's resources and ensure that his company provided services only to them.

"You refused?"

"Of course. If I agree to that, how is it any different from coaching PSG?" Gao Shen replied confidently.

Wenger nodded in agreement.

What Gao Shen said made perfect sense.

The greatest advantage of this new model was that it maximized the interests of Gao Shen and his team. More importantly, it allowed them to work with multiple clubs simultaneously.

"So, you haven't contacted any other teams yet?" Wenger asked, intrigued.

Gao Shen shook his head. "Not yet. I only recently made the decision. So far, I've only talked to PSG and Bayern. Apart from that, it's just my core team and you."

Wenger couldn't help but feel a bit pleased.

At least this proved that he still held an important place in Gao Shen's plans.

"You haven't told old Ferguson?" Wenger asked sarcastically.

Gao Shen caught his meaning and laughed. "When it comes to embracing new technology, he's not as open-minded as you are."

That immediately made Wenger smile.

If someone else had said this, Wenger might not have taken it seriously. But coming from Gao Shen?

Even the most serious people would believe it.

"But the issue is, you don't have any clients right now."

"Don't worry. With Leeds United as the benchmark, clients will come. I plan to assemble a full team first and prove our ability. Once we've earned trust, who would worry about getting clients?"

Just like Luís Campos. Without the success at Lille, clubs like Galatasaray and Celta Vigo would never have reached out to him.

Wenger admired Gao Shen's foresight. "But there's still one more issue."

"Go ahead."

"If, like you said, a club outsources its entire first-team operations, including transfers, training, and matches to your company, then how can the club's core identity be preserved?"

Gao Shen smiled. "Professor, you've hit the nail on the head."

"Remember, we've talked about this before. Professional football is essentially entertainment, but satisfying fans isn't just about results."

Wenger nodded. They had discussed this previously and had reached a consensus.

Results fluctuate. No one can guarantee victory or winning a championship. That's unrealistic.

Some fans might say they support Real Madrid because they're a rich club.

But let's be clear. What that fan expressed in that moment was identification with Real Madrid. He defined himself as a Real Madrid supporter.

"This sense of identity has the most profound impact on a football club. In fact, it's what sets football apart from other sports. It's also why the World Cup, held only once every four years, still manages to captivate the entire globe."

"Because nationality is the strongest identity on this planet. Representing your country is the ultimate honor. Loyalty to your national team is the purest and most original form of fandom, even if the team is terrible."

Gao Shen thought of a certain national team that couldn't be criticized.

A son doesn't resent his mother's ugliness. A mother doesn't reject her son's poverty.

It may be sad, but it's true.

"The core values of a club are all built around this sense of identity: who we are, what we believe, how we want to be seen, what we accept, and what we cannot tolerate."

"The club must stick to its identity and values. These must be closely tied to its brand culture and used as the force to unite its fanbase."

"That's why a team's style of play matters. It's part of the club's identity."

"Clubs that advocate attacking football shouldn't hire conservative coaches. Teams like Atlético Madrid, who emphasize physical battles, shouldn't bring in players who shy away from contact."

"Our job is to provide technical support aligned with the club's identity. The club itself should focus on shaping that identity, promoting its brand, and developing commercially."

Wenger understood.

Put simply, after the partnership is formed, the club focuses on making money, while Gao Shen's team is in charge of making it all look good.

Gao Shen had clearly thought it all through.

Everything he said showed that the entire model had already been structured.

If what Gao Shen said truly becomes reality, then his company would be the first in European football history, no, in world football history, to offer such a service.

One has to admit, Gao Shen's words were incredibly compelling.

Even Wenger, nearly 70 years old, found himself moved by the scale of the plan.

This was truly a project that could revolutionize European football.

"Alright, let's talk specifics now. What do you want me to do?"

(To be continued.)

Chapter 1239: The Era of Football Big Data

"Sir, I guarantee this is the future of European professional football!"

In a luxury hotel near Hyde Park in London, Gao Shen was enthusiastically pitching his grand plan to revolutionize European football to Ferguson. It was the same plan he had introduced to Wenger earlier that day.

He quickly noticed the surprise on Ferguson's face fading.

Something was off.

The old man had clearly been shocked earlier. With his fox-like cunning, there was no way he wouldn't see the market opportunity here.

"You told Wenger this already, didn't you?" Ferguson asked quietly.

Gao Shen instantly realized what was going on. The old man was just annoyed that Wenger heard it first. But…

"How did you know I met Wenger?"

"Just before I came to see you, he called and mentioned it."

With a bit of imagination, Gao Shen could already picture Wenger calling just to brag to Ferguson.

But on further thought, he figured Wenger probably hadn't said much. Nothing had been finalized yet.

He had only offered Wenger a position as senior consultant in the company, and many details were still unclear.

"I was planning to tell you, but you were on a business trip a few days ago. I happened to be in London and ran into Wenger, so we chatted, and I told him first. That's why I came to see you tonight."

While speaking, Gao Shen was closely watching Ferguson's expression. Once he saw the old man relax, he struck while the iron was hot.

"To be honest, Sir, Wenger has a background in economics. He's made some strides in data analysis and technical foresight. But when it comes to understanding and analyzing football tactics, I don't think he's as deep as you are."

As soon as he said this, Ferguson's face changed, and the clouds lifted.

"Just don't say that to his face," Ferguson chuckled.

"I always tell the truth," Gao Shen replied confidently.

Ferguson was even more pleased now. "That's what I like about you, kid."

Gao Shen had now truly grasped that elderly men are just like children, they need to be flattered a bit.

"So, do you agree?" Gao Shen asked tentatively.

Ferguson nodded. "Alright then. You've made quite a splash, and the potential is there. I'll take the consulting role. But let me be clear, your consulting fee can't be lower than Wenger's."

"Don't worry, it absolutely won't be," Gao Shen patted his chest and gave a solid guarantee.

Just hours earlier, he had promised Wenger the same thing—that his fee wouldn't be lower than Ferguson's.

As for how he would balance it?

Gao Shen wasn't worried.

Could these two highly respected legends really argue over something like this?

Most people wouldn't know, but Gao Shen knew full well that when these two were together, it was a case of one being more shameless than the other.

…

The reason Gao Shen and Ferguson were in London was for the FIFA Football Congress.

This conference brought together coaches and technical experts from nearly 200 member associations and federations worldwide. The theme was analyzing the latest trends and tactics in football, as well as discussing problems and potential improvements in the use of VAR, the video assistant referee.

As the most renowned head coach in world football in recent years, Gao Shen had been invited to attend and deliver a keynote speech. It was a clear sign of his prestige and influence.

Besides speaking, Gao Shen also hoped to use this opportunity to discuss the feasibility of his business model with FIFA President Infantino, UEFA President Ceferin, and others.

What Luís Campos did hadn't drawn much attention. It was viewed more as a market behavior.

But Gao Shen's plan would create a far greater stir. Although it was also a business decision, and not against the rules, it was still better to clear things up with the governing bodies beforehand.

Gao Shen, Ferguson, and Wenger were all currently without official roles, making them the most high-profile attendees.

Especially Gao Shen. After the Real Madrid saga, his name had been trending for several days straight and was being discussed worldwide. It was a sign of his current popularity and how many elite clubs had their eyes on him.

Media and fans everywhere were speculating on which club would be his next destination.

Many familiar faces were also present, including Van Basten, now FIFA's Chief Technical Development Officer, and the bald Italian referee Collina, who currently serves as the chief referee for both FIFA and UEFA.

The congress began with a speech by FIFA President Infantino, followed by presentations from Van Basten and Collina, who analyzed and summarized the challenges facing VAR.

The introduction of VAR had indeed caused considerable controversy.

As with every innovation, there were both supporters and critics.

France national team head coach Didier Deschamps also spoke. He shared the mental and emotional journey of France's World Cup win in Russia, along with some of the challenges they encountered.

Deschamps focused mostly on traditional points like the importance of teamwork and man-management.

In contrast, Gao Shen—who delivered the closing speech—was the most anticipated speaker at the event. His topic was the impact of the big data era on professional football.

He emphasized that big data was not the enemy of the head coach, but their best assistant.

"I know many traditional coaches are wary of big data. It's not perfect, and it won't always be right. That's why we must identify the most effective data, select the right tools to analyze it, and use it to make informed decisions."

Standing at the podium, facing attendees from around the world, Gao Shen spoke with passion and conviction, laying out his vision for big data in football. He firmly believed this was an unstoppable trend.

"I've always believed in science. It helps us better understand the world. Data is science. It exists objectively. With it, we can better understand what happened in the past and predict what may happen in the future."

Gao Shen pointed out that some head coaches fear the power of science and advanced technology, which is misguided.

"History has shown us time and again that complacency and resistance to change will only hasten our decline. We must actively embrace change and better utilize new technologies, which can help us perform better."

He also shared some behind-the-scenes insights from Leeds United.

Everyone knew Gao Shen liked to give players analysis reports. But later, he realized reports alone weren't enough for players to quickly understand a coach's intent. So he introduced video analysis.

"Now, all clubs in Europe's top five leagues have video analysts. Coaches are trying to communicate with players in faster, simpler, and more efficient ways. This is the power of technology."

Some still say, even in the Premier League, that data could replace head coaches, turning football into something cold, emotionless, and boring.

Gao Shen strongly disagreed.

"I think the reason data sometimes takes over is because coaches aren't strong enough."

As a long-time friend of Collina, Gao Shen also supported the decisions made by UEFA and FIFA. He believed VAR was a step forward.

"My team calculated that last season in England, VAR improved refereeing accuracy by 10 percentage points, bringing it to nearly 95%. That's a remarkable result, but it introduces a new challenge."

He believed the current offside rule had fallen behind the VAR era and needed adjustment.

"We don't need to call offsides based on a few hairs. The rules should be relaxed."

He also proposed increasing the number of substitutions from three to five in the future. This would reduce player fatigue and pressure, maintain the level of play in the latter stages of matches, and introduce more variables, making games more unpredictable and entertaining.

Gao Shen's speech was excellent and received a warm round of applause from the audience.

Even with so many football legends and world-class coaches in the room, his address earned the most enthusiastic response.

During the Q&A session, several coaches asked questions or shared views.

One question in particular stood out. Many believed that as Ronaldo and Messi aged, the next generation of players looked mediocre. What did Gao Shen think?

He disagreed.

He felt this perception came from a broader shift. Over the past ten years, advancements in science and technology had significantly improved youth development systems. The widespread adoption of total football concepts and positional flexibility had led to more well-rounded players, narrowing the gap between top stars and the rest.

"Of course, talents like Messi and Ronaldo are once-in-a-generation."

Gao Shen believed this increased emphasis on comprehensive skills and reduced talent gaps would place greater importance on tactical systems and data analysis.

"We must never stop questioning what affects match outcomes, why certain teams succeed, or what mistakes we've made in our own coaching. With data analysis, we can find answers and adjust our methods to better guide our players."

He noted that the era where players blindly followed the coach's instructions was over. The dynamics between coaches and players had shifted dramatically.

"As head coaches, we must evolve. Ambitious players are always thinking about how to improve. Our job is to support them, understand them, and make them believe that with our help, they can continue to grow."

"I believe this is the most important role of the head coach or first-team manager in the future!"

Gao Shen's conclusion was met with thunderous applause.

Ferguson and Wenger, seated in the audience, clapped along while exchanging a look.

They both saw it in each other's eyes.

Gao Shen's speech at the FIFA Football Congress would soon spread, further elevating his status in world football.

It also meant that he was one step closer to realizing his grand vision.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 1240: Who Has Ever Seen Such a Weird Football Team?

After the FIFA Football Congress, Gao Shen held many private discussions with FIFA President Infantino, UEFA President Ceferin, and others, where he also shared some of his ideas.

Of course, he brought up the more sensitive topics in a tentative way.

For instance, he asked Ceferin, what if a company takes over the first teams of multiple Champions League clubs at the same time? Or, even more extreme, what if both teams in a Champions League final are backed by the same company? What would UEFA's stance be?

It was a groundbreaking question.

Ceferin was stunned at first and instinctively responded that such a situation was impossible.

But after Gao Shen's patient explanation, Ceferin began to understand and started analyzing the underlying logic and the potential risks.

From UEFA's point of view, the broader development of the football industry is the priority.

If outsourcing a first team to a professional company could improve the fan experience and enhance the technical and tactical level of the game, then it would undoubtedly be a positive step.

In fact, many scientific innovations require massive investment, something most clubs cannot afford. This includes the artificial intelligence technology Gao Shen and Leeds United are promoting.

As Gao Shen explained, if a company manages the first teams of several top clubs, it would be in a strong position to carry out such research and innovation. This would also enhance the company's market competitiveness.

Moreover, considering the size of the European football market, if one such company emerges, more will likely follow. When competition arises, concerns lessen.

The real issue lies in what Gao Shen mentioned: what happens if two clubs from the same service provider meet in the Champions League final?

Historically, UEFA's approach has been that anything not explicitly banned is allowed.

This situation hasn't occurred yet, but could it become a breeding ground for match-fixing or corruption?

Gao Shen believed that was unlikely, or at least highly difficult.

"As I said during the conference, the introduction of VAR has already significantly curbed match-fixing and corruption by increasing their cost."

Ceferin understood this, and it was easy to grasp.

"Similarly, in the era of big data, it's very easy to detect any suspicion of match-fixing. Once match data is released, all irregularities become obvious."

Gao Shen further explained the logic behind this. It was no different than a company serving two competing clients in the same industry.

Many global industries operate under these conditions—law firms, consulting firms, media companies, and more.

This is where confidentiality agreements come into play.

So, the key question becomes how UEFA views this from a governance perspective.

From a business standpoint, it's standard practice. But if approached with the traditional, rigid, and paternalistic mindset of old football governance, it becomes sensitive.

Some might even choose to ban it outright just to avoid controversy.

"What do you think?" Ceferin asked in return.

After some thought, Gao Shen answered, "I think it's a trend."

"How so?"

"Think about it. Why have agencies made so much money over the years? Is it just because of transfer commissions? Because they act as middlemen inflating player fees?"

Before Ceferin could answer, Gao Shen shook his head. "No. It's because, once the capital came in, they didn't understand football or how to operate player transfers. They needed agents. That was the real demand."

"To large financial groups, the commissions brokers earn are insignificant. What they care about is achieving results, meeting expectations, and realizing strategic goals."

Ceferin understood what Gao Shen meant.

The same logic applied to first teams.

The sporting management of many clubs is a mess. Even Manchester United, a club good at making money, has failed repeatedly in assembling a coherent first team. If given the choice, a club like that would likely prefer to pay a substantial annual fee to a professional third party to manage the team, rather than risk wasting their investments.

In Europe, most club owners today don't actually understand football. With the influx of capital, this has become the norm. Football knowledge is now the exception.

Besides, if Gao Shen was right, this industry had huge potential and a massive market, but it wouldn't be easy to enter. Especially not in the high-profit environment of the top five leagues.

"If, as you said, it's a legitimate company operating legally and professionally, then there shouldn't be any major issues," Ceferin replied.

Their main concern would be if both teams conspired to fix the match. But if a third-party intermediary acted on their own, that would be easier to investigate. Once the company's reputation was damaged, it would be over for them.

Anyone serious about staying in this industry long term would never take that risk.

Nobody benefits from damaging the entire market.

Infantino had a similar view.

The former UEFA president was even more open-minded and asked Gao Shen whether the model could be extended to national teams, given how chaotic many football associations were.

Others might not know the full extent, but FIFA certainly did.

However, Gao Shen said he had no plans for national teams, and even if he did, it would only be with Western European federations.

…

Gao Shen's speech at the FIFA Football Congress quickly spread throughout the European football world.

FIFA published the full text of his address and his Q&A responses. They were translated into multiple languages and widely circulated in professional circles.

Over the years, Gao Shen's stature in European and world football had soared.

Now, anything he said was practically treated as gospel by many.

After all, he had become synonymous with victory and was admired by countless people.

Some young coaches even admitted they got into football because they looked up to Gao Shen, a testament to his influence.

Although Gao Shen was far away in Madrid, everyone at Real Madrid had been closely following his every move.

News of his speech reached them almost immediately.

Not long after his talk concluded, Florentino and others had already obtained the full video.

Through various channels, they also heard about his private conversations with Ceferin, Infantino, and other high-ranking figures.

This wasn't particularly surprising.

The entry barrier for this kind of business was extremely high. At present, no one but Gao Shen and his team could realistically pull it off.

Not even the teams behind Guardiola or Klopp could.

So, industry-wide attention did not pose any threat to Gao Shen.

However, Florentino had to take it seriously.

After getting the full briefing, Florentino stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window in his office, looking out at the street. The Real Madrid fans who had been protesting were gone, and strangely, he missed that chaos.

Now, he only felt a sense of helplessness.

Gao Shen had advanced too far, too quickly.

As Real Madrid's president, Florentino always considered himself a visionary, but this time, he truly felt like Gao Shen had blindsided him with a dimension-breaking move. It made him feel outdated.

Just as he was deep in thought, there was a knock on the door.

Jose Sanchez entered.

"President, after some investigation, we've basically confirmed that Gao Shen's earlier meetings with Nasser and Rummenigge were to discuss this plan," he reported.

Gao Shen wanted a partner, but the first clubs he approached were not Real Madrid. That made Jose Sanchez feel somewhat bitter.

"Any final decisions?"

"They're both interested, but cautious."

"That's expected, especially Rummenigge. The Germans were among the earliest to embrace big data, but they're also the most psychologically resistant to change. Rummenigge himself was a professional footballer," Florentino said with a faint smile.

Times change, and no one can resist it.

Some embrace it. Some don't. Others hesitate. That's just how it is.

"I heard Leeds United has been undergoing internal reform since last year," Jose Sanchez added.

"Last year?"

"Yes. The exact timing isn't clear, but it was led by Gao Shen's wife, Su Qing. The Big Data Center, Methodology Department, and the Research and Innovation Department were all spun off and acquired by Gao Shen's company at a nominal price."

"Also, they've been investing in AI research for at least three years. At first, they collaborated with Chinese firms and set up a research center near Cambridge University. Later, Leeds United partnered with the University of Leeds to establish an AI research center. The software recently developed jointly by the University of Leeds and British Rail was one of their outcomes."

"In the past two years, the University of Leeds has been working with Edinburgh, Oxford, and Cambridge on AI and healthcare projects. Leeds United was quietly the driving force behind it all."

No one would have known about any of this if recent events hadn't drawn attention.

Who would ever think a football club was dabbling in AI and healthcare?

Isn't that just asking for trouble?

Not only were fans clueless, even the media had no idea. Everything had been kept under wraps.

And all of this pointed to one thing.

What Gao Shen was doing now wasn't a sudden brainstorm. It had been in the works for a long time.

"From the start, I thought Leeds United was a strange and unique team. Now I'm sure of it. It's freakin' weird!" Jose Sanchez couldn't help but curse under his breath with a bitter smile.

Who's ever seen a football team like this?

It was completely unorthodox, totally subversive.

If a tech or internet company did these things, no one would bat an eye. But a football club?

Had they made that much money from transfers in recent years?

Florentino turned around silently, his eyes narrowed slightly as he continued to stare out the window.

Though not tall and a little overweight, he exuded the steadiness of a mountain.

"Get ready. I'm going to set up a meeting with Gao Shen. You'll come with me to England in a few days."

(To be continued.)