SWR: Chapter 934/936

Chapter 934: Complete Defeat for Barcelona

When the match reached the 67th minute, Ronaldo combined with Marcelo on the left flank, forced his way through and won a corner for Real Madrid. Watching from New York, Guardiola let out a long sigh, a mixture of complex emotions.

From the ensuing corner, Xabi Alonso delivered a precise cross to Ramos. The Real Madrid captain's header crashed against the crossbar and rebounded back into the box, sparking chaos in front of goal.

Modrić was the quickest to react in the scramble and struck the ball, but his shot drifted narrowly wide.

A hundred thousand Barcelona fans let out a collective gasp of relief, as if they had just survived a close call.

Guardiola kept shaking his head as he watched.

The score remained 3-0, but Ramos' header had been only inches from going in.

So far, Barcelona had managed just four shots.

Although this was an improvement compared to the first half, it was still far from enough.

Both head coaches began preparing substitutions.

Vilanova was preparing to bring on Agüero to further strengthen the attack.

Gao Shen seemed ready to introduce Higuaín, mainly because Benzema had worked tirelessly up front.

At this stage of the match, the situation was clear. Barcelona would commit everything to attack, while Real Madrid would remain solid at the back and look to counter. Higuaín could play a significant role in that scenario.

"In this game… Barcelona has been completely beaten," Guardiola said after letting out a long sigh.

Cristina Serra glanced at the match and then at her husband. She knew he still could not let go of Barcelona.

And he could not let go of football either.

At the very least, she knew Guardiola had received a phone call from Manchester United's head coach, Ferguson, just two days ago in Manchester.

Everyone knew Ferguson was about to retire, and the question of who would succeed him had become a hot topic.

The godfather of the Red Devils called Guardiola and asked to meet him in New York. Although Ferguson came for Manchester United's commercial activities, who could say whether there was also an intention to invite Guardiola to manage United?

"From the look of it, Barcelona's advantage in possession is still very obvious," Serra said, trying to find some positive aspect.

Unexpectedly, Guardiola smiled bitterly. "We do control the ball, but didn't you notice? The tempo of the game has always been under Real Madrid's control. If they want it fast, it speeds up. If they want it slow, it slows right down."

Serra was slightly stunned, and when she thought about the game, it did seem true.

For example, at the start of the second half, Real Madrid clearly pressed forward, and the tempo of the match sped up.

"Why is that?" Serra asked in confusion.

The ball was clearly under Barcelona's control. How could they not control the tempo?

"Real Madrid may look like they are playing defensively and counterattacking, but in fact, their control is strong, especially in midfield."

Control is not just about possession of the ball. It also involves controlling space, controlling the rhythm, and so on.

Real Madrid's midfield cannot currently match Barcelona's in terms of pure ball control, but that is not because they lack technical ability. It is because they have not yet developed the same understanding and chemistry that Barcelona has from years of playing together.

To exaggerate, Barcelona players can almost pass the ball with their eyes closed.

Under these circumstances, Real Madrid would have no chance if they tried to compete directly for possession.

Gao Shen, on the other hand, used control of space and rhythm to neutralize Barcelona's advantage in passing and possession. That is why Barcelona's possession percentage is high, but their threats are few.

What is the use of controlling the ball in midfield and the defensive third if all it does is raise the possession rate and rack up passing stats?

On the contrary, if you are careless and lose the ball in midfield, leading to a quick counterattack, that becomes a real threat.

In that case, possession becomes like holding a hot potato.

"If that's the case, doesn't that mean Barcelona will be in danger this season?" Serra asked anxiously.

Guardiola nodded. "From what we can see, after losing this El Clásico, the league will become even more dangerous for Barcelona. The only things that can stop Real Madrid are the heavy fixture schedule and injuries."

But over the years, Gao Shen has always been a master of rotation. Right now, Real Madrid's rotation is running smoothly. As for injuries, others might not know, but Guardiola knows very well.

Buenaventura is not only the best fitness coach but also an expert in injury prevention. Pintus is also excellent. The two of them together have made Gao Shen's Real Madrid the team with the fewest injuries in European football.

Not to mention, Gao Shen has always maintained a sophisticated and stable player physical monitoring system.

"Gao Shen's style of play is very similar to Leeds United in the Premier League. It seems he let Sarri test it at Leeds first and then refined it himself. But there are differences."

At Leeds United, both fullbacks push forward aggressively, similar to Barcelona. Real Madrid, however, has Arbeloa on the right, which is probably a compromise Gao Shen made.

This is what it means to coach a top club. Many times, you must compromise rather than act on impulse.

Arbeloa is not only a Spanish international and a captain at various youth levels, but also captain of Castilla and an important part of the national team. He has just helped Spain win the European Championship. How could he not be used?

This situation is a bit like Casillas and Courtois, except that Arbeloa has temporarily held off Carvajal in the competition, so he remains a starter.

"Selling Özil, Khedira and others and bringing in Toni Kroos and Modrić — Gao Shen's current midfield setup is very interesting," Guardiola analyzed with interest.

No one knew exactly what conclusions he drew in his mind, but it was obvious he had learned a lot from this meticulous Real Madrid.

The tactical philosophies may differ, but they ultimately reach the same destination.

…

This highly anticipated El Clásico ended amid protests from the Real Madrid players.

Just before the final whistle, Real Madrid launched a threatening attack.

Di María and substitute Higuaín combined on the right side of the penalty area. When Higuaín struck the ball, it hit Puyol's arm, and the Barcelona captain's arms were spread wide.

Real Madrid players thought it was a clear handball, but the referee did not blow his whistle.

A few minutes earlier, Real Madrid had launched another dangerous attack. Marcelo combined with Kaká on the left and crossed to the back post. Higuaín volleyed from close range unmarked, but his shot went straight out of play.

Because of this, Higuaín was particularly frustrated about the handball.

How could he accept failing to take advantage of two excellent scoring chances?

But the referee showed Higuaín a yellow card and still did not call a handball.

Real Madrid had no choice but to give up.

Shortly after play resumed, the referee blew the final whistle.

This basically made the referee's stance clear.

The score was already 3-0, so just leave it at that and stop thinking about extending it.

When the whistle blew, Camp Nou erupted in a chorus of boos.

The Barcelona fans showered Real Madrid with boos, venting all their frustration on their biggest rivals rather than their own players.

Especially towards Gao Shen.

Since this man's arrival, Real Madrid had completely reversed their fortunes in El Clásico.

In recent years, Real Madrid had been unable to beat Barcelona, even suffering four consecutive losses in a single season — two legs in the Copa del Rey and two league meetings. They lost all of them.

But now, Real Madrid had turned it all around!

…

"Looking at the stats, Real Madrid's possession was just around 30%, far behind Barcelona."

"But in terms of creating chances, Real Madrid had 14 shots, 6 on target, and scored 3 goals, while Barcelona only managed 5 shots, 2 on target. Their dangerous attacks were far fewer than Real Madrid's."

"From these numbers, we can see that Barcelona's advantage lies in possession and passing, but Real Madrid's attack was sharper."

"This was Gao Shen's first El Clásico since taking charge of Real Madrid. It is also worth noting that this season's match came earlier than usual, scheduled for early October, whereas in previous years it was often in late October, November, or even December."

"The earlier the match, the more it favored Barcelona. Real Madrid had just been rebuilt. On top of that, in the Champions League group stage, Real Madrid was placed in a group of death and the schedule was extremely tough."

"But even so, Gao Shen's team beat Barcelona 3-0 at Camp Nou, with a brace from Ronaldo and a goal from Di María."

"This is a precious victory! It is also an important turning point for Real Madrid!"

"I believe that after tonight, everyone will see the Real Madrid vs Barcelona rivalry in a new light."

…

Gao Shen did not hear the television commentators' summary because he was on the pitch.

But he did meet Vilanova.

The Barcelona coach's expression was even worse than at the start of the game.

As he approached, it felt as if someone was forcing him forward with a knife to his back. His face was full of unwillingness, and his glare at Gao Shen looked as if he wanted to fight to the death.

This made Gao Shen slightly wary. Was he planning to pull a Mourinho stunt?

Better not come too close, or don't blame me for being rude!

I've learned Wing Chun!

In the end, Vilanova suppressed his anger, gritted his teeth, forced a smile, muttered a few perfunctory words to Gao Shen, and then turned and left.

For Gao Shen, this felt even better than scoring another goal.

It was not because he bore any grudge against Vilanova, but because he thrives on challenging strong opponents.

For him, the greatest joy of coaching today lies in meeting tough rivals.

He genuinely enjoys the sense of accomplishment from defeating strong opponents through hard work and effort.

Just like now.

Especially when he walked to the sideline to greet his Real Madrid players as they left the pitch and saw the pride, satisfaction, and joy on their faces, Gao Shen felt that everything he had done carried extraordinary meaning.

Professional football has never been just about winning matches or getting three points.

Football has long since carried a higher meaning.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 935: Real Madrid Has Changed

If on the pitch Real Madrid and Barcelona played out a derby at the highest technical and tactical level in the world, then at the post-match press conference, the media from all over the world started another kind of battle.

What triggered this confrontation was a seemingly insignificant detail in the match: Higuaín's yellow card.

A reporter from a Catalan outlet asked Gao Shen: Real Madrid has always called itself a gentleman's club and claims that its tradition is not to surround referees and shout for penalties on the pitch, yet Higuaín violated this tradition.

Gao Shen kept a smile on his face, but his tone was sharp.

"There is no doubt that Ferrero is an excellent referee, but some of his decisions during the match were wrong."

Gao Shen explained that he had spoken with Ferrero after the game and made his point clear.

"He said he would review the game afterwards, but that won't change anything."

"Just like Higuaín's yellow card!"

Gao Shen smiled and shook his head. "I don't know why, at this point, you are still fussing over a yellow card. Can it change the fact that the score was 3-0? Or do you think this yellow card can bring you some sort of comfort?"

These words were harsh, and the reporter's face instantly turned pale, clearly upset.

Someone nearby immediately spoke up to back him, claiming it was about Real Madrid's philosophy.

"Real Madrid's philosophy has always been simple. My players and I respect facts. The fact is that it was a handball. Even if you replay it 10,000 times, it is still a handball. So what?"

Gao Shen looked directly at the reporter, sneered, and asked, "We lost a penalty that should have been ours, and got a yellow card that never should have been given. You feel proud of that, don't you?"

"I am proud of Higuaín's courage!" That was Gao Shen's stance.

Sometimes, he truly marvels at these journalists.

The match itself was the real attraction. Why not focus on the game rather than on Higuaín's yellow card?

As for this match, Gao Shen said Real Madrid performed well, but…

"This is not yet our best."

Gao Shen reiterated, "Barcelona is a very mature team. I have always said that they have a very clear football philosophy. Their players have been playing together for many years and have a deep understanding. Some even say they can pass with their eyes closed."

"But my team is not there yet. We have just reorganized this summer. We are still in the polishing stage. At this point, we are nowhere near as complete as our opponents."

"What makes me proud is that my players carried out my instructions perfectly on the pitch, played a great match, and showed everyone that we are on the right path."

Gao Shen said that since this summer, many people believe Real Madrid has changed.

This is not only because they did not spend heavily in the transfer market this summer, but also because they let go of a number of star players.

In years with major tournaments, players who shine in those tournaments are often the ones most sought after.

For example, Özil, Khedira, and Coentrão were all players who performed well at the European Championship.

But after Gao Shen took charge of Real Madrid, he let these players leave and instead chose players like Modrić, Toni Kroos, and Verratti, who, while talented, were not considered big stars.

This is obviously somewhat out of line with Real Madrid's traditional style.

For the first time, Gao Shen responded directly.

"From this game, we can see that our players executed the tactics well, contained the opponent's attack, and under pressure, were able to launch fast, sharp, and precise counterattacks."

Gao Shen emphasized that this is no easy task.

"Anyone with doubts can think for a moment. How many teams in European football can do that? How many teams can win 3-0 at Camp Nou?"

Gao Shen also stressed, "In fact, if we hadn't been so unlucky, we could have scored at least five goals."

This was another undeniable fact.

Gao Shen further emphasized that this win will greatly boost the team's confidence and allow everyone to see Real Madrid's plan. Next, he will continue to refine and improve the team.

"I will say it again, Real Madrid's goal this year is to win the championship!"

"In recent years, Real Madrid has been far from winning trophies, which is a sad thing for all Real Madrid fans and players around the world. But now, through this El Clásico, we have shown them the team's growth and progress."

"We still have a lot of room to improve. I believe we will become stronger and more dominant, but we will never become a team like Barcelona. Our philosophy and our plans are completely different from Barcelona."

"But one thing I am sure of is that we will become stronger than Barcelona!"

After "knocking" Barcelona for a while, Gao Shen also reminded everyone that Real Madrid is currently one point behind Barcelona in La Liga.

"This is not an impossible gap, but it requires us to continue giving everything!"

…

Not only is Gao Shen full of confidence in Real Madrid's future, but so are the players.

After the game at Camp Nou, Croatian midfielder Luka Modrić, who played in El Clásico for the first time, was interviewed by reporters. He believed that Real Madrid had completed a great performance.

"We played very well. Everyone worked hard and defended very well. Our goal was to stop Barcelona from scoring, and we succeeded."

Modrić also gave his interpretation of Barcelona's possession advantage.

"In fact, we can also have more possession. We are capable of that, but before the match, the coach repeatedly emphasized that at this stage, we need to focus on more urgent things, such as defending."

"We still have a lot of room for improvement. We will continue to improve our possession game and attacking power. This is our potential."

As for Ronaldo, who scored twice, Modrić said, "He is the best player in the world and deserves the Ballon d'Or!"

Xabi Alonso also spoke highly of the match. He emphasized that the coach had predicted the flow of the game perfectly before it started. "He is like a magician. Everything happened exactly as he expected."

The Real Madrid midfielder said that this victory belongs not only to the players but also to the coach.

"Every time I talk to him, my eyes light up. He has knowledge and wisdom far beyond his age. Many of his words are full of insight. Although we have only been working together for a short time, I have already learned a lot from him."

"He is the best head coach I have ever worked with!"

Kaká, who came on as a substitute in the second half, did not score.

Before this match, he had been called up again to the Brazilian national team after two years, which made Kaká very proud.

"This season is a fresh start for me, for sure."

The Brazilian star said that Gao Shen and the coaching staff had given him great help, both in matches and in training, even tailoring specific programs for him based on his condition.

"From summer training until now, I haven't had an injury. My body is getting better, and my technique feels good. I am in good condition during training, so I can participate in more matches and get recognition from the national team."

Kaká once again expressed his gratitude to Gao Shen and the coaching staff, believing that Gao Shen was the key factor in his recovery.

"I hope to play in the World Cup in Brazil, but it won't be easy. I will keep working hard!"

…

There was harmony in the Real Madrid dressing room, and the players were fully convinced by Gao Shen. This was a point emphasized by Alfredo, the editor-in-chief of AS, in his post-match column, and he believed it was the key factor behind defeating Barcelona.

"High-level dressing room management has always been his specialty, and this time at Real Madrid is no exception."

"From what we've seen this season, the current Real Madrid team is on the right track and will soon catch up to Barcelona."

"There is no doubt this is a team with the potential to win titles. More importantly, this is also a team that inspires great expectations."

Compared with the jubilant media close to Real Madrid, Barcelona's local media were generally in mourning.

Diario Sport wrote that this humiliating defeat not only ended Barcelona's winning streak at the start of the season, but also shattered all the beautiful illusions surrounding Vilanova's team.

Before this match, some even boasted that Vilanova's Barcelona was the strongest in history.

After all, even during Guardiola's tenure, he had never been able to maintain such an all-round winning streak.

But now, the 0-3 loss at Camp Nou has torn away Barcelona's veneer, revealing that beneath the glitz, cracks have already begun to appear.

For example, despite having more than 70% possession, they created less than half as many shots as Real Madrid, and their threatening attacks were pitifully few.

Many Catalan outlets accused Real Madrid of being overly conservative, but the question is, who said Real Madrid must not be conservative?

Who said an opponent must attack Barcelona?

Accusing Real Madrid of being conservative is itself an arrogant form of self-righteousness.

Does the earth stop spinning without Barcelona?

Diario Sport concluded that the more blind confidence you have before a match, the bigger the gap will be after it.

But it would not be appropriate to dismiss Vilanova. After all, the league has only just begun. Barcelona is still top of La Liga and the Champions League. There is no need to change coaches now. That would only create chaos within their own ranks.

"But this match is like a wake-up call, reminding all of us that Real Madrid under Gao Shen is a team that truly has the strength to challenge Barcelona. It is our number one opponent for the La Liga title this season and even for the Champions League!"

Mundo Deportivo analyzed that Barcelona must quickly develop a Plan B — a way to win when their passing and possession game is neutralized.

Especially a way to break through a dense defense.

This will become a crucial question for Barcelona from now on.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 936: Poaching Players from Leeds United

When Real Madrid defeated Barcelona 3-0 at Camp Nou and caused a sensation worldwide, in Leeds, a city in the north of England, Leeds United drew domestic attention as they faced Queens Park Rangers at home in the seventh round of the Premier League.

If there is one team that can be called the biggest dark horse of the Premier League this season, it is undoubtedly Leeds United.

After three rounds, this club, once considered in decline, sat third in the Premier League table. This alone caught everyone's eye, but most people believed it would be difficult for the White Rose to hold on and that they would inevitably drop.

Unexpectedly, Leeds United continued to show remarkable resilience through September.

In the fourth round, they drew 1-1 away to Fulham. Then at home, thanks to a goal from Icardi, they defeated Reading 1-0. Soon after, in the sixth round, they drew 1-1 away to Aston Villa.

After six rounds, everyone was surprised to find that there were only two unbeaten teams left in the Premier League.

One was Chelsea, who had spent heavily in the summer and welcomed Mourinho's return. The other was Leeds United.

However, due to the two draws in September, Leeds United's ranking was overtaken by the Manchester clubs and they slipped to fifth in the table. Even so, they were still ahead of strong sides like Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, and Liverpool.

In the seventh round, Leeds United hosted Queens Park Rangers, who were at the bottom of the standings.

After heavy investment this summer, the London side's form has not improved but has instead worsened, and they have become one of the leading candidates for relegation.

Meanwhile, Everton, who were previously second in the table, drew 2-2 away to Wigan Athletic.

Manchester City beat Sunderland 3-0, and Manchester United defeated Newcastle 3-0 away. Both Manchester clubs moved up to second and third in the table, while Chelsea defeated Norwich 4-1 to stay top.

At Elland Road, if Leeds United could beat Queens Park Rangers, they would climb back into the top four, level on points with Manchester United and Manchester City. But if they lost or drew, they would drop to seventh.

There was no doubt this was a crucial match.

To everyone's surprise, just five minutes in, Coutinho assisted Pogba, who broke through and beat former Inter Milan goalkeeper Júlio César to open the scoring for Leeds United.

In the 22nd minute, Salah struck again, this time Pogba provided the assist, putting Leeds United 2-0 up.

After that, the two sides fought hard, but in the 85th minute, Jorginho, on the end of a pass from substitute Cancelo, scored again for Leeds United, making it 3-0.

In the end, Leeds United defeated Queens Park Rangers 3-0, pushing Mark Hughes's team deeper into the relegation zone and overtaking Everton, Tottenham, Arsenal and others who had played earlier, moving up to fourth in the table.

…

Gao Shen heard the news after returning to Madrid, following the match against Barcelona, and dismissing the squad at Valdebebas.

His first reaction was…

"Why hasn't Mark Hughes resigned yet?"

Carlo and the others, well aware of Gao Shen's little grudge with Mark Hughes, all laughed.

It must be said, the probability of Mark Hughes being sacked is getting higher and higher. He has even become the bookmakers' favorite to be the first Premier League manager to be sacked this season.

The reason is simple: Queens Park Rangers invested tens of millions of pounds this summer, yet they are sitting 20th in the table.

The investors are not fools. How could they possibly accept such results?

Interestingly, another club that spent heavily, Liverpool, also find themselves in an uncomfortable situation.

After Rodgers invested a huge amount in signings, Liverpool still could not maintain their strength. They are now sitting mid-table, which does not bode well for Rodgers. However, Liverpool's management has been relatively patient with him.

The main reason is that Rodgers is still adjusting and building his team.

Reorganizing a team naturally requires more time to settle.

"I didn't expect Sarri to perform so well this season," Zidane said with genuine surprise.

He knew Sarri well and knew the Italian was capable, but it is by no means easy to take a newly promoted team to this level. Even with Gao Shen personally building the squad for him, not everyone could achieve that.

"Yes, we were surprised too. But it's a happy problem to have," Gao Shen said with a wry smile.

Of course he was happy, but there were worries as well.

Sarri's coaching achievements have been outstanding and have already drawn attention from other clubs. His players' outstanding performances have also caught the eyes of top clubs.

This is the fate of Leeds United.

"Leeds United's left attacking channel is very well developed, and their right side is also starting to take shape. Cancelo is extremely dangerous going forward." After Carlo said this, he looked at Gao Shen with a little more admiration.

Cancelo was personally scouted and signed by Gao Shen, while Leeds United's current starting right-back, Trippier, has also been performing excellently.

The combination of Coutinho, Kurzawa, and Pogba on the left was established by Sarri last season, with Coutinho replacing Adam Lallana.

At the beginning of the season, many expected Leeds United's performance to drop significantly. After all, Coutinho might not adapt to the Premier League, and his ability was questioned. But no one expected that as soon as Coutinho joined, he played at a high level, continuing his excellent form from Espanyol last season.

But Gao Shen expects more from him. He told Lucas, Borrell, and Sarri that once Coutinho regains his confidence, he will perform even better.

His setbacks at Inter Milan dealt a heavy blow to his confidence, and he needs time to rebuild it.

Originally, Leeds United's strength was only on the left. Now, with Salah emerging on the right and with the two right-backs, Trippier and Cancelo, also excelling, the right wing has become a major strength.

Salah has even earned the nickname "Egyptian Messi," a testament to his outstanding performances in the Premier League.

"A few days ago, someone from the technical team mentioned Salah and said that Valdano asked them to pay close attention to this talented winger who has been playing very well in the Premier League." Carlo looked at Gao Shen with a wry smile.

Everyone found this amusing.

Real Madrid wants to poach players from Leeds United. How will Gao Shen handle it?

It must be said that Courtois was poached from Leeds United.

At the start of the season, many thought he would be a substitute for Casillas. But unexpectedly, he claimed the starting position as soon as he arrived.

Give him a little sunshine and he shines brightly. Gao Shen gave him chances, he performed with almost no mistakes, and as a result, even Casillas could not regain the starting spot, being limited to cup matches.

With a talent like Courtois already in Madrid, it is no surprise that Real Madrid has its eyes on other Leeds United players.

"I am a realistic man. If the money is enough, then it's fine," Gao Shen said bluntly.

Zidane and the others laughed.

Who wouldn't agree?

If the money is right, what can't be sold?

Leeds United currently has no bargaining chips.

After dismissing the squad, the coaching staff was given three days off. Gao Shen invited Carlo and Zidane to accompany him to the UK.

Not only to see Leeds United, but more importantly, to meet Norman Foster in London.

The concept design personally worked on by the master architect had been completed, and he invited Gao Shen and the others to review and discuss it.

The design process for a large-scale project like this is complex, aimed at ensuring the interests and cooperation of both parties involved.

Usually, before the formal design phase begins, there will be a conceptual design stage, where layouts and designs are prepared according to the client's requirements, location, space, and functionality, often expressed through hand-drawn sketches.

According to the current plan, construction of the training base will not begin until next summer, with a construction period expected to last one year. Leeds United is currently communicating with the city council and actively engaging potential contractors.

In Gao Shen's opinion, the cost could be greatly reduced by inviting Chinese construction companies to take on the work. However, there are cumbersome government procedures to navigate. After all, the UK government must also consider domestic interests, including labor conditions and employment.

This is not something that can be accomplished quickly.

In other words, conservatively speaking, Leeds United's training base will not be operational until at least 2014.

Coincidentally, the final installment of this summer's transfer income will not be paid until 2014.

Gao Shen finally understood why it took Tottenham Hotspur so many years to build their stadium.

If it is this troublesome in Leeds, how much more so in London?

…

The next morning, Gao Shen boarded a flight to London with Su Qing, Zidane, and Carlo.

At the same time, Lucas and Borrell also headed south from Leeds to London with their assistants.

At noon, both parties met at a hotel in London and had lunch together.

Lucas brought the latest news.

Leeds City Council had put forward a completely new requirement.

"Isn't there an old railway bridge in the northern section of the site for our new training base?"

Gao Shen frowned, "Is there?"

"Yes," Su Qing nodded. "It's right next to the small interchange in the north. It's too old and has been abandoned. Now it's a whole row of bridge arches spanning east to west, covered with overgrown weeds."

"That's right," Lucas said. "The Leeds City Council intends to turn the area south of this abandoned bridge into a municipal park to revitalize this old historical structure."

"On both sides?"

"No, the northern side is all main roads. The southern side, about two kilometers, they want us to incorporate into our design. Then they will allocate funds for the renovation."

Gao Shen understood. This was not an unreasonable request.

Manchester City had done far more for Manchester's city council to build their training base.

Now at least the park will be funded by the city government.

"Has Norman Foster been informed?"

"I spoke with him about it a few days ago, and he said he would discuss it with his team."

Gao Shen nodded. He was looking forward to Norman Foster's design.

He wanted to see what kind of work the master architect could create based on his requirements.

(To be continued.)