SWR: Chapter 1193/1196

Chapter 1193: Great Changes in Football

As he grew older and gained more coaching experience, Gao Shen's understanding of world football became more thorough. He gradually changed many of his ideas from his youth, even some naive perceptions.

For example, he once thought that everything he did would change world football.

To some extent, it has.

But from another perspective, it has not.

Take national teams as an example. The strong remain strong, and the weak remain weak.

Whether Italy or the Netherlands miss the World Cup is not determined by some higher will.

Even though Leeds United had produced two central defenders for the Netherlands, Van Dijk and De Ligt, it still could not change the situation.

Speaking of which, Leeds United had now become a major supplier of international players.

In the current England squad, Alexander-Arnold, Harry Kane, Vardy, Rashford, Dele Alli, Grealish, and Kalvin Phillips were all Leeds United players, the most of any Premier League club contributing to England.

This did not include players already sold, such as Stones, Maguire, Trippier, and Sterling.

Leeds United's academy had supplied half of England's national team, with many starters coming from the club.

This drew unanimous praise and recognition from the British media.

In every country, fans have a simple sense of local identity.

Premier League fans naturally want to see more English players. In the past, Manchester United and Liverpool did it best. In recent years, Leeds United had led the way.

Previously, the English FA had awarded several major honors specifically for Leeds United's youth system, recognizing the club's contributions over the past few years, especially the sweeping youth development reforms that began in 2012, with Leeds United as a flagship example.

Of course, there were dissenting voices.

Some media accused Leeds United of taking credit for others' work, since many of their players came from other Premier League academies.

When Gao Shen and Borrell were at Manchester City, they had helped City recruit young talents. After Borrell joined Leeds United, he poached from City and other academies, leading to Leeds' dominance at youth level.

The senior team had just won the Premier League, while the youth team had secured a domestic three-peat.

In the UEFA Youth League, Leeds United were already two-time champions.

It could be said that the club had achieved exceptional results in youth development in recent years.

This further proved the effectiveness of Leeds United's youth methodology department and the academy reforms promoted by Gao Shen in recent years, and it reinforced the authority of the Sports Technology Innovation Seminar.

…

Beyond England, France was also heavily represented by Leeds United.

Benjamin Mendy at Manchester City, plus Pogba, Kante, Mbappé, Dembélé, Martial, Kurzawa, and Rabiot, who played for Real Madrid, were all internationals Leeds United had contributed to the French national team in recent years.

However, not many remained at the club now, with only Kante, Mbappé, and Dembélé still there.

The next wave would arrive in two or three years, with the midfielders Tchouaméni and Camavinga.

In Portugal's national team, Leeds United also had many internationals, such as Ruben Dias, Bruno Fernandes, and Bernardo Silva, all of whom had shone in the Premier League last season.

The most surprising selection was veteran José Fonte. This central defender was a true treasure at Leeds United.

João Félix had made several appearances last season and performed very well. He was rumored to be selected, but it ultimately did not happen.

He was still too young.

There were also some advanced variables that did not exist in his previous life.

For example, Uruguay's young Federico Valverde, who had just turned 20. He performed well in the Premier League last season, played many matches, was recognized by the national team, and took part in this World Cup.

In Gao Shen's memory, Valverde had not participated in this World Cup.

There was also Brazilian midfielder Fabinho, who originally would not have gone to this World Cup. But his outstanding performances at Leeds United earned him a spot, competing with Casemiro and Fernandinho.

In truth, Fabinho was quite unfortunate. The Brazilian midfield pool was overflowing with talent.

Another notable reform at this World Cup was the use of VAR, which would gradually be applied to other leagues and competitions.

It was a fresh attempt, and many would need time to adapt, so penalties and set pieces would increase accordingly.

In his previous life, Gao Shen, as a fan, had been slow to realize it, but now he knew that long before the World Cup, FIFA had already invited many renowned coaches, including him, for discussions, and a consensus had basically been reached.

This World Cup was a period of adaptation and an inevitable step.

In addition, FIFA had begun discussing five substitutions.

In fact, the debate on increasing substitutions had been ongoing for a long time.

Many fans still remembered Marc-Vivien Foé, who collapsed during a match and never got up again. It was a tragedy for football.

Since then, the issue of reducing players' burden had been discussed repeatedly.

As a world-renowned coach, Gao Shen had participated in countless such discussions, and the topic came up almost every year.

There were two ways to reduce the burden. One was to reduce the number of matches.

The media and fans loved to talk about it, for instance, scrapping a domestic cup in the Premier League. But in reality, that was almost impossible.

There were too many interests involved. Would the FA agree to fewer cup games?

The rules were set by the FA. Why should the FA sacrifice its interests for the Premier League?

Therefore, many outside discussions seemed unrealistic to those within the game.

In fact, the number of competitions was not decreasing but increasing.

The FIFA Club World Cup, among others, and even more national team events would be added in the future.

In the end, players, who were supposed to be protected, had no say in these decisions.

Since cutting games was not feasible, the alternative was to change the rules and increase substitutions.

The proposal to raise substitutions from 3 to 5 had become increasingly mature.

Gao Shen had already told Lucas, Borrell, Pochettino, and others that Leeds United must prepare in advance, especially in squad depth.

As substitutions increased, the demands on the bench would grow.

Consider Klopp's teams, previously nicknamed "the 60-minute team" due to their energy levels. With five substitutions, they would likely be at least an 80-minute team, or even sustain intensity for the full 90.

But the bench had to be strong. If both teams made the same number of changes but the opponent had five high-quality substitutes and you did not, you were in trouble.

This might be less critical in international football, but it was hugely important in club competition.

Gao Shen had always believed this would be a major shift.

It would affect not only players, but also coaches' tactics and lineups, and clubs' recruitment and squad-building.

…

Gao Shen took his wife and child to Russia for the World Cup, but he was frustrated to discover an awkward truth.

Su Qing and Gaoming were thoroughly enjoying the spectacle, but he himself was bored.

It was not that the matches were dull. As a head coach, whenever he saw how certain managers deployed their lineups and used their players, he could not help putting himself in their shoes, which drove him mad.

For example, Germany using Kimmich as a right back, Portugal playing Bernardo Silva as a winger, and Spain not even taking Morata.

By the way, Real Madrid's head coach had not yet been officially announced, so Spain's coach was still Lopetegui.

What frustrated Gao Shen most was Belgium.

The lineup was stacked, the players were excellent, they had everything, yet they still failed to integrate the squad to achieve the multiplier effect he mentioned earlier. As a result, Belgium's play was hard to describe.

Then there was France, also very strong, but Deschamps was far too cautious.

However, while lying low, France made steady progress, and Mbappé broke out.

The 19-year-old French winger became the most dazzling star of the World Cup in Russia.

It was a pity that England could not beat Croatia in the semi-final. The problem was the same as Gao Shen's earlier evaluation of Pochettino's Leeds United, too much brute force and not enough finesse.

England were young and energetic but lacked midfield control.

Gao Shen had always believed in one principle. Whoever controlled the midfield controlled the world.

This was what he had emphasized to Pochettino before.

When he left Real Madrid, he repeatedly told Florentino that the midfield must not be changed.

At the time, he had said, "I cannot imagine which coach would be foolish enough to change Real Madrid's midfield. As long as the midfield remains intact, no matter what changes happen up front, they will still be the best team."

But both Leeds United and England lacked midfield control, creativity, and rhythm changes.

So in the semi-final, England stunned Croatia early, but Croatia quickly adapted to England's playing style and attacks, settled down, and overpowered them in the second half.

The biggest gap between the two sides was in midfield.

In that scenario, England could not find a second solution and were doomed.

Many felt sorry for England, but Gao Shen thought Croatia's victory was normal.

This old monster Modric was becoming more frightening with age.

After the match, Gao Shen went to the Croatian dressing room to congratulate them, and Modric and his teammates welcomed him warmly.

"Boss, I'm so glad you came to watch my game!" Modric was exhausted, but he smiled brightly.

Gao Shen felt a sudden pang in his heart, but he hid it by giving Modric a playful shove and scolding with a smile, "Don't try that on me, kid."

Modric seemed to understand and just laughed.

"Given your situation, the final against France will be tough. Come on!" Gao Shen encouraged him.

In truth, you did not even need to watch the final to guess it. With France so cautious, Croatia would have few chances.

But that was football. You only knew your true chances after playing.

The key was to perform on the day.

What made Gao Shen laugh and cry was that after asking Modric for his shirt, little Gaoming was not shy at all. He went around asking the entire Croatian team for autographs, which made the dressing room burst into laughter.

This was his greatest joy at the World Cup. Wherever he went, he chased shirts, autographs, and photos.

God knows who he learned it from.

What Gao Shen did not expect was that after watching the Croatia vs England semi-final, he stayed in Moscow with his family, waiting for the final, when his phone suddenly rang.

Caller ID: Mbappé.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 1194: Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain

The French team really knew how to pick a place.

During this World Cup, they set up their training camp at the Hilton Garden Inn Moscow New Riga, more than 60 kilometers west of Moscow.

The hotel opened in 2014, still very new with complete facilities. Surrounded by woods with beautiful scenery, it also felt secluded, far from the hustle and bustle.

Interestingly, the Croatian national team's base was also in the western suburbs, at a resort called Woodland Rhapsody. This was probably related to the location of the Luzhniki Stadium. Staying in the west made the trip shorter.

Croatia living at Woodland Rhapsody was quite fitting.

If you measured by ring roads, Croatia were between the second and third rings, while France stayed beyond the third.

Mbappé called Gao Shen and said he wanted to meet. Considering the World Cup final, Gao Shen suggested visiting him at the hotel. He also dragged along Zidane and asked the bald Frenchman to go with him.

The two stayed at the same hotel. After calling a car, they drove straight to the Hilton Garden, more than 60 kilometers away.

They arrived in the evening.

The French team had booked out the entire hotel. Zidane had already informed the national team staff, so after a buffet meal, he went to greet the players.

Gao Shen had done many visits like this, but this was the first time he had come just to eat and drink for free.

Zidane, on the other hand, was very experienced.

Speaking of this French squad, there were quite a few familiar faces for Gao Shen. Varane, Pogba, and Giroud had all played under him. Griezmann, Matuidi, and Lucas Hernandez had faced him many times.

Not to mention Kante, Mbappé, and Dembélé, who currently played for Leeds United.

Even among the national team staff there were acquaintances, such as fitness coach Dupont, who had a very good relationship with Zidane. He had previously visited Real Madrid for study and discussions and even followed their training for a while.

As the saying goes, people rarely show up at temples without reason. When Gao Shen appeared at this time, those with their own agendas naturally guessed he was not here for something simple.

Especially now, the European transfer market was in turmoil.

Real Madrid, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Bayern.

Almost all of Europe's giants were focused on Leeds United's ace. After his stunning World Cup performances, Mbappé was red hot.

And not just hot. He was scorching.

Previously, L'Équipe revealed that Mbappé's market value was as high as 150 million euros. Paris Saint-Germain were considering paying 200 million and offering an annual salary of 20 million, far beyond what he earned at Leeds United.

That immediately scared off many buyers.

Two hundred million euros was not something any club could afford.

Take Manchester United. They had spent heavily in recent years, but could they now pay 200 million to compete with Paris?

And Barcelona, could they afford 200 million?

Manchester City had the financial strength, but would they pay that much for Mbappé when they already had top wingers like Hazard and Gareth Bale?

According to L'Équipe's analysis, if Paris really made such an offer, there would only be one potential competitor.

Real Madrid.

But today's Real Madrid was no longer the Real Madrid of the past.

Gao Shen had already left.

During the World Cup, Ronaldo decided to leave and officially transferred to Juventus.

Even players such as Modric, Di María, Pogba, Verratti, and Benzema might depart.

Not to mention Pepe, who had announced his exit long before the World Cup.

It could be said that Real Madrid were facing a rebuild, but without Gao Shen, no one knew what the future would hold.

In recent years, Gao Shen's coaching had been so brilliant that it made any successor feel suffocated.

Therefore, L'Équipe believed Paris Saint-Germain had no rivals.

…

"You guys really know how to pick a place."

After greeting the players, Gao Shen left Zidane at the hotel and slipped out with Mbappé to stroll by the artificial lake.

The place was truly beautiful.

Especially the lake and the pavilion beside it. On a summer night, it was a delight.

"They said it took a lot of effort to choose this spot," Mbappé explained.

Gao Shen nodded. "It's really good."

After a pause, he continued, "Choosing a hotel is like choosing a team. You have to be picky."

That was exactly why Mbappé had called.

As they walked, they found two recliners by the lake and sat down. The seats were soft, and they immediately felt lazy. It was very comfortable.

"Has Paris Saint-Germain contacted you?" Gao Shen asked.

This was no secret, and Leeds United would not complain about it. It was common.

Just like Paris, before making an offer to Leeds, they would first find out Mbappé's intentions. If the player did not want to go to Paris, what would be the point?

"They contacted my mother," Mbappé admitted.

He had always had a good relationship with Gao Shen, who never treated him like a club asset. Their conversations were more like friends chatting. Last year, he had almost gone to Real Madrid to play for Gao Shen.

"Have you decided?" Gao Shen asked.

If the decision was made, there was no need to talk further.

After all, this transfer would involve hundreds of millions of euros. It was no trivial matter.

"My mother wants to better understand Paris Saint-Germain's sincerity. I am still hesitating," Mbappé said.

Gao Shen was pleased. Hesitation meant opportunity.

"Then don't treat me as the owner of Leeds United. Treat me as a head coach. Tell me what you think, and I'll help you analyze it."

There were things Mbappé could not tell others.

For example, he could not reveal Paris's exact offer or his deepest thoughts. The hesitation he mentioned was likely uncertainty about the future.

But in any case, he was happy to hear a candid view.

"Real Madrid have also contacted us, but the offer is less than Paris's. So I'm torn."

It was clear that the real struggle was between Real Madrid and Paris.

Staying at Leeds United was also an option, but it ranked last.

"You know, when I was at Real Madrid last year, I wanted to sign you," Gao Shen said helplessly.

Mbappé nodded. Gao Shen had contacted him many times then. "Thank you."

"At the time, my suggestion was to let Ronaldo leave. His renewal was stalled, the club could not meet his wage demands, and his age was no longer suitable for us. So that was my recommendation."

In fact, Ronaldo knew very well what Gao Shen thought. He even went to see him, hoping Gao Shen would let him go.

Back then, Ronaldo understood he could no longer carry the same workload. His physical level and form were declining. He knew he did not have many years left, so he wanted to earn more and remain a central figure.

Many people misunderstood and thought Real Madrid paid huge salaries, but it was not always the case.

As early as the 2016-17 season, Gao Shen had started using him as a substitute in many matches.

But Florentino was considering the commercial side. Ronaldo had won so many World Player of the Year and Ballon d'Or awards. He was a true global superstar. Neither the board nor the fans wanted him to leave.

In the end, Mbappé did not transfer, and Ronaldo stayed.

"Transfers are never easy. It is not just about salary, but also development. Especially for a young player like you, you must think long term."

"As long as you develop well, any money you miss now can be earned back in no time later, right?"

Mbappé nodded. That was true.

"I understand your concerns about Real Madrid. Even I cannot make an accurate judgment. I do not even know who their head coach will be next season."

There were reports that Real Madrid would make a decision in the coming days, but Gao Shen had not heard anything yet, and neither had Zidane.

"But I do not think Paris Saint-Germain is necessarily a suitable choice."

"What do you mean?" Mbappé asked.

"From a financial perspective, it is good. But for your career, moving from the Premier League to Ligue 1, do you think you would get the competitive environment you need to grow?"

Paris Saint-Germain are the dominant force in Ligue 1. They can beat anyone and have almost no rivals.

"More importantly, Paris is not a club that develops young players. They lack that kind of environment. In Ligue 1, all of Paris's opponents basically sit deep against them, but your game needs space."

"And Neymar. Paris now play a possession-based style with Neymar as the core on the left. I told you last year that your best position is also the left, just like your idol Cristiano Ronaldo. Your positions overlap. So ask yourself, will you accommodate him, or will he accommodate you?"

Mbappé fell silent.

This could be addressed, even written into negotiations with Paris. But how much of Paris's promises could be trusted?

If dressing-room conflicts were so easy to resolve, why would they exist at all?

"If, and I mean if you were asking for my advice, I would tell you to stay one more year. Do everything you can to improve, become stronger and more mature, climb higher in the FIFA World Player of the Year and Ballon d'Or rankings, and aim for better results in the Premier League and the Champions League, preferably win it."

"By then, with a Champions League title of your own, plus a likely World Player of the Year and Ballon d'Or, you will be an undisputed top star, whether it is Paris Saint-Germain or Real Madrid."

Gao Shen smiled and added, "But now is really not a good time. That is true for Paris, for Real Madrid, and for you."

(To be continued.)

Chapter 1195: Leeds United’s Persistence

Gao Shen had always believed that when trying to persuade someone, forceful methods were the least effective and could even provoke a rebellious mindset. The best way was to lay out the pros and cons clearly.

Of course, if you ask someone to give up benefits and accept disadvantages, do not bother trying to persuade them.

No one in this world is a fool.

Why was Mbappé hesitating?

Because Real Madrid were restructuring, and he was unsure what would happen afterward.

Letting Ronaldo go was a great opportunity for him. But what if the rebuild failed?

If Gao Shen were still coaching Real Madrid, Mbappé would choose them without hesitation.

But unfortunately, Gao Shen had left.

Gao Shen explained Paris Saint-Germain's issues thoroughly. He even warned that once he went to Paris, it would not be easy to leave, and he would need to be mentally prepared to stay in Ligue 1.

Had Mbappé not thought about these things?

He had, which was exactly why he hesitated.

Gao Shen presented the option he had ranked last before, staying another year.

With Leeds United's current strength, they would still be competitive next season, and Mbappé could be the top star.

At 19, if he could genuinely lead Leeds to strong results as the undisputed main man, he would have a chance at the FIFA World Player of the Year and the Ballon d'Or. If he transferred then, it would be the same as now.

But by this time next year, Real Madrid's situation would certainly be clearer.

Would they decline like Manchester United did, or rebuild successfully and step out from the shadow of their past?

Or perhaps…

"Gao, can I ask you a question?" Mbappé suddenly said.

"Go ahead," Gao Shen replied casually.

"If Real Madrid fail in their rebuild, like Manchester United now, would you consider going back?" Mbappé asked seriously.

It was obvious the answer he wanted to hear was yes.

"You know what? I actually asked Ferguson the same question. Guess what he said?" Gao Shen asked with a smile.

"What did he say?"

"He said he was very proud."

Mbappé was stunned. "What do you mean?"

"He was proud because he realized Manchester United really could not do without him."

Mbappé was amused. That old man really was something.

"Did he consider returning?"

"He said he was retired," Gao Shen answered.

"But you are not retired," the French youngster pressed.

Gao Shen smiled bitterly, thought for a moment, and sighed. "All I can tell you is that I have not thought about that question."

Mbappé did not push further. "If you were the head coach of Real Madrid, I would go to Real Madrid now. If you were the head coach of Leeds United, I would stay at Leeds United. If you coached Paris Saint-Germain, I would not have so many worries."

At the end, the 19-year-old let out a long sigh.

It was clear this decision had tormented him.

"Think it through carefully and talk to your family. You will find an answer." After a pause, Gao Shen added, "But I must remind you, you need to perform in the World Cup final. This is a crucial opportunity for you."

"I understand. I promise I will not let you down," Mbappé said confidently.

If you want to wear the crown, you must bear the weight.

To become a top star, you need strong mental fortitude.

For a player like Mbappé, confidence was a good thing.

…

When Gao Shen and Zidane left the hotel, the French national team had already begun winding down for the night.

It was the period of preparation for the final, and the schedule was strict.

In the car, Zidane asked with concern about Gao Shen's progress. It was clear he cared about the young Frenchman.

This was the most eye-catching newcomer of the World Cup, carrying the expectations of countless people.

With a stranger driving, Gao Shen did not say much, only telling Zidane that progress was not ideal.

Zidane understood.

After returning to the hotel, Gao Shen said goodbye to Zidane and went back to his room.

Xiao Gaoming was already asleep, but Su Qing was still waiting.

Gao Shen took a shower, then called Lucas.

A lot had been happening at Leeds United, so Lucas certainly would not be asleep.

As expected, the Leeds CEO was still working.

Gao Shen briefly recounted his meeting with Mbappé. The main points were that Mbappé was indeed hesitant, and Paris Saint-Germain's offer was extremely tempting.

An annual salary of 20 million euros was astonishing.

Do not think that number means nothing because it looks lower than Ronaldo's or Messi's peak wages.

Remember, Mbappé was only 19.

In the foreseeable future, he would renew multiple times. If he started at 20 million, what would it look like later?

Before Gao Shen transmigrated, Mbappé had still been at Paris and had already refused to renew. Gao Shen did not know whether he eventually left.

But it was entirely predictable that wherever he went, he would command a sky-high salary.

"We cannot offer that kind of deal at all," Lucas said, speechless.

Twenty million euros was about £350,000 per week in the Premier League.

That was outrageous.

"There is no way we can accept those terms. They are too high and would seriously damage our wage structure. I also do not think it makes sense to keep Mbappé under those conditions," Lucas said, a little agitated.

He now feared Gao Shen might waver.

It was so hard to build a sound and sustainable wage structure, and so easy to destroy it.

This was a red line Leeds United had to hold.

"Relax. We do not need to compete with Paris financially. Frankly, we cannot beat them," Gao Shen reassured him, adding that he had no such plans.

"We should prepare two plans. First, try to keep Mbappé with a max weekly wage of £150,000. At the same time, increase our commercial support and tailor a marketing plan to offset his lower salary with commercial income."

Mbappé's commercial income exceeded 5 million euros last year, making him one of the most marketable players at Leeds United.

After the World Cup in Russia, he was truly a sensation. Leeds could use the momentum to push his commercial deals further and strengthen their hand.

Paris Saint-Germain were not strong in commercial operations.

They had many stars, but most just collected wages. Commercial deals were largely passive.

There was no helping it. With a wealthy backer, that was how it went.

More importantly, Leeds United held half of Mbappé's image rights.

"I understand. I will start arranging it tomorrow," Lucas said, understanding Gao Shen's intent.

A weekly wage of £150,000 was roughly 9 million euros per year, which was low, but if his commercial income rose further from last season, say to around 8 million, the overall package would be attractive.

"If he is willing to stay, we will probably have to sell Mané," Gao Shen reminded him.

Gao Shen, Mbappé, and Pochettino all knew Mbappé's best position was left wing. Unfortunately, that role had been occupied first by Felipe Anderson, then by Mané, both earlier than Mbappé and both excellent.

So Mbappé had mostly played on the right and occasionally on the left.

But now, if Leeds truly wanted to keep him, they had to make room and let him play where he was best.

This would also allow Pochettino to set up more effectively.

On the right, there was Ousmane Dembélé and others.

"Understood. I will arrange it."

…

After hanging up, Gao Shen frowned and thought.

The most important thing was to consider the various scenarios and changes if Mbappé stayed or left.

This was a trait of Gao Shen's. He always wanted to plan ahead to avoid scrambling later.

Interestingly, both the coaching team he had created and the Leeds United he had built had inherited his character.

That was why Lucas kept saying, "I understand, I will arrange it," because he probably already had a plan.

But it had to be said, people like that often lived harder lives.

By the way, after Gao Shen's coaching team disbanded, Raúl stayed at Real Madrid as a youth coach. Zidane was happily unemployed, saying he was waiting for the right moment to return. Analyst Carlos Vargas continued at Real Madrid.

Like Gao Shen, Carlo, Buenaventura, Pintus, and Lopis turned down offers from several clubs and chose to take a break.

It was foreseeable that if Gao Shen did not return to coaching for a while, they would seek other opportunities.

Given the reputation they had built over the years with Gao Shen, they would be welcomed anywhere and had nothing to worry about.

"To be honest, sometimes I really think you bring this on yourself," Su Qing said from behind, placing her hands gently on his shoulders and massaging to relax his muscles.

"What do you mean?"

"With our wealth, why bother? You do not need to coach. You could sell Leeds United. Did the Saudi tycoon not offer a sky-high price? Sell the club and keep the stadium, training base, mall, and commercial street to collect rent."

"If you cannot let go, sell half your shares and let the Saudis inject capital, then let them run it. When they burn through their oil money, they can pry Messi away, let alone Mbappé. Wouldn't that save you a lot of trouble?"

Gao Shen was amused by his wife's words.

Believe it or not, such proposals really had been put in front of him.

Wealthy investors from the Middle East, like Saudi Arabia and Egypt, were eager to buy Premier League clubs. Leeds United was attractive due to its strong reputation and academy.

But Gao Shen had rejected them all.

"Do you know why?" Gao Shen gently stroked the back of her soft hand.

"Why?"

"Because I love football," he replied naturally.

Everything he had now had been brought by football, and he loved it from the bottom of his heart.

Otherwise, why work so hard?

Did he still need to worry about life, or the future?

But Gao Shen increasingly understood what Ferguson meant. He was addicted.

Addicted to the thrill and pressure of leading a team forward, and the sense of achievement after beating opponents and winning titles. That was the most intoxicating thing.

It was something those who had never experienced it could never imagine.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 1196: Don’t Be Polite to Him and Try to Take His Position

Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, Russia.

Just like in Gao Shen's previous life, France eventually defeated Croatia.

This was neither surprising nor unexpected. Long before the match, those who knew Gao Shen had basically predicted this outcome, so it was not an upset.

But as Zidane said, from a footballing perspective, there was nothing for the French team to be happy about.

Winning the World Cup was certainly worth celebrating, but the anger at the lack of ambition mattered more.

It was similar to Gao Shen's dissatisfaction with Belgium, but different.

Belgium's problem was a failure to integrate. That fell under being unable to do it or not doing it well. France, on the other hand, did not even try.

Deschamps' team could clearly have adopted a more attacking approach and played proactively, yet he chose the most conservative tactic. It stabilised things, but also made the title feel lighter.

Look at the current French squad. With such overall strength, to play so conservatively was simply not right.

Of course, viewed with hindsight after the match, France won.

In football, winners write the rules.

But Deschamps' football was far too conservative.

For a long stretch of the first half, Gao Shen was silently hoping Croatia would score more and give Deschamps a lesson.

Unfortunately, Croatia still lost.

"Really? I support you more than anyone right now. Go and take his job as national team coach. Don't be polite to him, just take it!"

That was the first thing Gao Shen said to Zidane after the World Cup final.

The bald Frenchman smiled wryly. He had a good relationship with Deschamps.

But Gao Shen's words showed how disappointed he was with Deschamps.

"Do you think Modric has a chance to win the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year?" Zidane asked suddenly.

Gao Shen nodded without hesitation. "Yes, I'm fully confident in him."

If Ronaldo had stayed at Real Madrid, there might have been some doubt. Once he left, that doubt basically vanished.

France won the World Cup, but looking at their team, who could compete with Modric?

Mbappé was hugely popular, but he was still very young.

Yes, immature.

That was also part of Gao Shen's advice to him earlier. Joining a top club too soon, before he matured, would not necessarily help his all-round development.

There had been players like Mbappé before, such as the 18-year-old Michael Owen at the 1998 World Cup.

Of course, Owen's England did not win, but Mbappé did.

Becoming a global name at a tournament like this can be misleading.

But the World Cup happens only once every four years. How often do national teams actually play?

It is the league that truly develops players and improves their abilities.

Before Gao Shen's transmigration, people had noticed that Mbappé's development did not meet expectations after 2018.

In other words, he fell short of the hopes people had for him after the World Cup.

That was normal, because Paris Saint-Germain lacked the environment to cultivate young players.

So what was best for Mbappé's development?

In Gao Shen's view, the best choice was to stay at Leeds United for one or two more years, refine his technical traits, enhance his strength, and broaden his attacking repertoire.

Or go to Real Madrid.

At present, only Leeds United and Real Madrid would build a team's tactics around Mbappé as the core, fully maximising his level. In addition, the Premier League, La Liga, and the Champions League provide high-intensity matches every week, which is the best training ground.

Go to Ligue 1?

The dressing-room atmosphere at Paris Saint-Germain was not right.

If the atmosphere were good and the coach unified the squad, with the strength of that lineup, they would sweep aside weaker Ligue 1 teams easily.

Gao Shen had said all he needed to say. If Mbappé still decided to go to Paris, Gao Shen had nothing more to add.

A transfer fee of 200 million euros was very tempting.

As for Modric, with his performances for Real Madrid and Croatia, and the honours won with club and country, was there any suspense about him winning the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year?

When Ronaldo decided to leave Real Madrid, he was probably already prepared for this.

…

After the World Cup final, a brief awards ceremony took place.

Modric won the Golden Ball, Hazard took the Silver Ball, and Griezmann the Bronze Ball, the tournament's top individual honours.

The Golden Boot went to Harry Kane with six goals, followed by Griezmann and Lukaku.

Best Goalkeeper was Courtois, and Best Young Player was Mbappé.

These were basically the same as what Gao Shen remembered from his previous life, with little change.

The only difference was a surprise in the Best XI voting.

Goalkeeper Courtois, a back line of Marcelo, Varane, Godin, and Thiago Silva, and a forward line of Mbappé, Harry Kane, and Ronaldo were unchanged from his previous life, except in midfield.

De Bruyne and Modric were both selected, but the third midfielder, originally Brazil's Coutinho, was now Kante.

Thinking about it, that was quite normal.

Coutinho's performances had not matched those of his previous life, largely related to his Barcelona experience.

In Gao Shen's previous life, he moved to Barcelona in January 2018. Now, he had transferred in 2015.

Neymar strongly recommended the deal because Barcelona had just ended a transfer ban and lost the Champions League final to Real Madrid. With Real Madrid winning three in a row and in great form, Barcelona retaliated by signing Coutinho.

In Gao Shen's current life, Kante's development was completely different. He had been immersed in Leeds United's football culture for years and had gained long Premier League experience. His overall level was higher, especially his passing.

While Kante's ability to play killer balls was not elite, his basic passing was rock solid. His World Cup pass completion reached 91 percent. Coupled with his incredible running and ball-winning, he became the French team's midfield barrier on their way to the title.

This was something Gao Shen had not expected.

It was worth noting that Croatia's three midfielders who played the entire World Cup final were Rakitic, Modric, and Brozovic, all of whom had ties to Gao Shen.

This earned him high praise from the media and fans.

…

The World Cup finally ended.

Neither Gao Shen nor Zidane went into the dressing rooms to meet players from either side after the final.

It was not the right time.

After the tournament, Gao Shen flew back to the UK with his wife and child on the same flight as Zidane, and they arrived in London.

Gao Shen invited Zidane to head north and stay in Cheshire for a while, but Zidane declined and returned to Madrid.

Although he no longer worked for Real Madrid, his children were still studying in Madrid and training in the club's academy.

"Keep in touch!"

Gao Shen stayed in London for a while and, after seeing Zidane off, returned to Cheshire with his family.

Not long after, he received a call from Butragueño, presumably before Zidane reached Madrid.

Real Madrid's head coach had been decided.

Rafael Benítez.

"He was chosen by Jose Sanchez. He believes the team needs rebuilding. He fears Lopetegui cannot handle it," Butragueño sighed.

Gao Shen nodded and simply said "hmm," offering no opinion.

At least, he would not comment to outsiders.

Jose Sanchez's idea was correct, but the person chosen might not be.

Of course, Benítez taking over Real Madrid under such circumstances required courage and showed his affection for the club. But could he truly guide Real Madrid through a successful transformation?

To start with, could Benítez make proper use of Real Madrid's midfield?

At Valencia, Liverpool, and Inter, Benítez had always favoured a double pivot.

But where would two holding midfielders come from at Real Madrid now?

Use Casemiro and Illarramendi as a double pivot?

Furthermore, with Benítez's temperament, could he really manage the dressing room?

However, these were not things Gao Shen needed to worry about.

He just felt, how to put it, very complicated.

It felt like a house he had worked hard to build was about to be demolished.

He had received the demolition compensation, but still felt uneasy.

So he simply ignored it, asked nothing, and let it be.

The World Cup had just ended, and the transfer market was heating up.

As the hottest star of the tournament, Mbappé's future drew worldwide attention.

After lifting the World Cup, the French youngster gave an ambiguous answer in an interview about whether he would remain at Leeds United. Clearly, he had not made up his mind.

Two other standouts, Kante and Harry Kane, also attracted interest from top clubs. In addition to Chelsea and Manchester United, Manchester City joined the race for Kane.

In a recent interview, Guardiola praised Kane highly, calling him a very talented striker and saying, "We are very interested."

This was mainly because Suárez was 31, and City needed a top-class center forward. Kane was not only outstanding, but also English, which added value.

About to turn 25, Kane had proved himself in both the Premier League and the Champions League.

Besides Kane, Manchester United also wanted winger Sadio Mané. Mourinho believed the pair could greatly enhance United's attacking power and was determined to get them.

Dele Alli also received strong interest from the two Manchester clubs, as well as Liverpool and Chelsea. The Reds had also set their sights on Fabinho, while Chelsea targeted Kante.

This immediately drew intense attention across European football.

According to The Times, the traditional giants had always been best at poaching you if they could not beat you.

(To be continued.)