SWR: Chapter 883/888

Chapter 883: There Can Only Be One Boss in the Real Madrid Dressing Room

As the saying goes: When you're famous, you're bound to attract gossip.

The best head coach in the world is about to take over at Real Madrid, naturally drawing intense attention from fans and media worldwide.

After the turmoil of last season and all the infighting in the Real Madrid locker room, the public is both curious and concerned about what lies ahead this season.

What everyone is most focused on is how Gao Shen will handle Casillas—and how he'll manage his relationship with Ronaldo.

Needless to say, the former is Real Madrid's biggest headache right now.

After selling Coentrão and Carvalho.

Everyone is wondering—does Gao Shen intend to start by dealing with Ronaldo?

It's not unusual for a new leader to make bold moves upon taking charge, and Gao Shen seems to be using Ronaldo as an example to establish his authority.

At such a sensitive time, Ronaldo's agent Mendes suddenly spoke out, saying that Ronaldo was reconsidering his future at Real Madrid. This was clearly provocative, but both Ronaldo and the club stayed silent and didn't respond.

To the media and fans, the whole situation is a mess. Nothing makes sense.

Even within Real Madrid, no one is quite sure how to position Ronaldo.

On one side is a world-class coach. On the other, the club's biggest superstar. That alone is the biggest looming crisis Real Madrid faces this season.

But since Cheshire, Gao Shen's attitude toward Ronaldo has always been ambiguous.

Now, even after arriving in Madrid, he still hasn't mentioned Ronaldo.

"I'll handle this matter."

Since Valdano brought it up, Gao Shen had to show a clear stance—he didn't want the club to interfere.

"The timing's not right. I'm not ready to meet him yet. Neither is he. Let's wait."

Valdano and the others fell into deep thought.

Gao Shen's words had deeper meaning.

He wants to be fully prepared before facing Ronaldo.

What does that mean?

If you think about it carefully, it's not hard to see—he's been laying the groundwork.

Courtois, Marcos Alonso, Modrić, Toni Kroos, Verratti, Casemiro… all these new players were handpicked by Gao Shen. Even Isco, who was recommended by Hierro, is someone who will likely side with Gao Shen.

These new arrivals, from any perspective, will be inclined to support Gao Shen.

In the original locker room, Gao Shen already had talks with Ramos. Arbeloa and Granero were his original favorites. Now he's also promoted Carvajal, Nacho, Jesé, Morata, Joselu, and Vázquez.

With this setup, Gao Shen now has the strongest backing in the dressing room.

If things get out of hand and he's forced to take extreme measures, he could even sell players who don't support him—including Ronaldo!

But Gao Shen never handles things in such a reckless way. That kind of scorched-earth approach only hurts both sides.

What he wants is to gradually unite more people.

In the words of our great leader: Make ourselves stronger, and make the enemy weaker.

"So what you mean is..."

"I have an appointment with Xabi Alonso and Benzema this afternoon. We'll talk it out slowly," Gao Shen said with a smile.

Everyone immediately understood—everything was unfolding according to his plan.

"I understand. If you need anything, just give me a call. We'll fully support you," said Valdano.

Zidane and Carlo were already in the loop, but Hierro looked a bit surprised.

Clearly, the former Real Madrid captain also realized that while Gao Shen seemed calm, he was quietly taking control of the locker room.

If he really wanted to bring everyone together, then whether it was Casillas or Ronaldo—if they didn't fall in line, they could leave!

From now on, there can only be one boss in the Real Madrid dressing room!

And that's Gao Shen!

…

Xabi Alonso hadn't expected Gao Shen to call him out so quickly.

He'd just returned from national team duty and hadn't even had time to rest before receiving Gao Shen's call.

On the phone, Gao Shen was polite and simply asked if he had time for dinner.

But who is Xabi Alonso?

A smart man who would rather go read in the stands after a match—he knew perfectly well that during such a sensitive period, you show up whether you have time or not. Anyone who doesn't come would be a fool.

The Spanish midfielder not only rushed back to Madrid immediately, but also thoughtfully brought a gift from his hometown. At noon, he arrived on time at the hotel room, where the meal was already delivered straight to Gao Shen's suite.

Gao Shen had also prepared a gift and the meeting had a great atmosphere from the start.

They began by chatting about the European Championship.

Gao Shen was very impressed with Xabi Alonso's performance in the Euros. In the quarterfinals, it was Alonso's two goals that helped Spain beat France 2-0.

Xabi Alonso was named to the tournament's Best XI and was one of the standout midfielders of the competition.

But Gao Shen didn't invite him to talk about accolades—he wanted to talk tactics.

In the Euros, Spain had used a false nine system and deployed two holding midfielders—Busquets and Xabi Alonso.

"To be honest, I have a good relationship with Del Bosque, and we often discuss tactics, but I don't entirely agree with his approach. I think he's too conservative," Gao Shen said bluntly.

He felt that Del Bosque's methods didn't align with his own tactical philosophy.

He then elaborated.

Using two defensive midfielders meant Iniesta and David Silva were pushed wide and played more between the lines. This created a lack of a consistent support point around Xavi.

As a result, Spain ended up making too many lateral passes.

Gao Shen believed that after pulling and shifting the defense with passes and movement, the team should look to play penetrating balls quickly to create more danger.

Xabi Alonso agreed with Gao Shen. In fact, there's no right or wrong—it's all about trade-offs.

But he brought up something many people had overlooked: the wings.

"If you look at the passing data carefully, you'll see our full-backs were extremely dangerous in attack and pushed very high."

"If I remember correctly, Arbeloa might've been the most-fouled player at the tournament."

"Among the top ten, there were only two full-backs: Arbeloa and Alba. Arbeloa ranked first, Alba tenth. The rest were mostly attacking players or playmakers, like Pirlo." Gao Shen nodded, affirming Alonso's point.

Xabi Alonso was a bit surprised. He'd heard that Gao Shen valued data analysis, but he hadn't expected him to be this detailed and sharp with subtle data.

It left the Spanish midfielder both impressed and respectful.

"But there's another key stat—the passing stats."

"I know what you're getting at," Gao Shen said.

In terms of passing, Xavi, Alonso, Busquets, Alba, and others all had high numbers and excellent success rates. Xavi completed 620 passes with an 86% success rate. Alonso had 584 passes at 84%. Busquets and Alba had similar stats.

Iniesta played further up the pitch and mainly operated in the final third. His passing success rate was just 75%.

Among defenders, Alba stood out, no need to mention that. Ramos completed 441 passes at an 86% rate. It showed how solid Real Madrid's center-back was at distributing the ball.

Barcelona's Piqué made 385 passes with a 79% success rate—clearly below Ramos.

The two had similar defensive stats.

Arbeloa made 427 passes at 79%, comparable to Piqué.

"So, in the final, when Italy pressed us in the first half, we didn't really dominate possession. And internally, we had a few discussions—especially after last season's Champions League final. I think the coaching staff was worried."

"Xavi and Iniesta's mobility has declined. They can't press high like before. If we play a single pivot, the defensive structure might collapse—especially with Piqué and Arbeloa."

Once Xabi Alonso laid it out, Gao Shen immediately understood.

The Spanish national team must've had a lot of internal discussion and even simulations.

Following that logic, there was another glaring problem—the absence of a proper center forward.

It's a fundamental issue that affects everything.

Building off that, Gao Shen began to share his own ideas.

In his system, both full-backs would push high to join the attack, while the No. 4 (defensive midfielder) would drop deep. If necessary, the two center-backs would shift to cover the flanks, and the No. 4 would slot in centrally.

"That's going to ask a lot from the two central midfielders," Xabi Alonso understood immediately.

This setup wasn't exactly new for those familiar with modern football. It was just an evolved version of existing concepts.

Or you could say it was a more aggressive step forward.

The full-backs would become the real width and engine of the attack.

And this would happen on both flanks at the same time.

Looking back at the Euros, Spain had experimented with a similar approach—using Busquets to drop and Alonso to move up to support Xavi.

A team like Spain, which lacked elite wingers and center forwards, still managed to attack effectively. If Real Madrid had top-class wingers and a true No. 9, wouldn't that system thrive?

But as Alonso pointed out, the system places heavy demands on the two central midfielders.

"Boss, do you think Toni Kroos, Modrić, and Verratti can pull it off?" Xabi Alonso asked carefully.

"I believe they can," Gao Shen replied with a smile.

And at the same time, he was subtly asking—can you handle it?

"I have no problem!" Xabi Alonso thought it over and answered without hesitation.

Gao Shen smiled and clapped his hands.

It really was a pleasure dealing with smart people—no need to over-explain.

And Xabi Alonso was clearly someone with a sharp tactical mind.

"Believe me, Xabi, you'll be an excellent head coach in the future," Gao Shen said.

Xabi Alonso was delighted to hear that—it aligned with his own long-term goals.

"I hope to learn more from you."

"Then I wish us a great partnership."

With that, Gao Shen extended his hand.

Xabi Alonso quickly shook it.

The two men exchanged a look and smiled.

There was no need to say more—everything was already understood.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 884: Tyrannosaurus

In Gao Shen's previous life, many people felt sorry for Benzema, believing he had sacrificed too much for Real Madrid. Many considered him the most underrated center forward of the decade before Gao Shen's transmigration.

This assessment is both right and wrong.

Why right? Because Benzema is undoubtedly gifted, physically strong, and technically well-rounded—especially in his delicate footwork. Back when he played for Lyon, from Ferguson to Wenger, and even Barcelona's then sporting director Begiristain, anyone who saw him play would sigh in admiration.

Hey, you're a real genius!

At Lyon, the young Benzema showed remarkable drive and extraordinary talent. People saw in him a blend of Ronaldo, Henry, and Trezeguet.

All of this seems to confirm one thing—this kid is incredibly complete.

But being too complete often brings its own problems.

Just like Yaya Touré, Pogba, Modrić, and Toni Kroos...

How do you find your true position?

That's the issue.

Suárez has always been a very complete player. From his days at Groningen to Ajax, he used his strength to dominate, playing across the front line—left, center, or right.

But it wasn't until he arrived in the Premier League, under Gao Shen's guidance, that he fully unleashed his potential.

Due to his depth of play, he became a comprehensive forward. Or rather, he could no longer be called a typical center forward.

Strictly speaking, he was more of a center forward plus a nine-and-a-half.

Look at Suárez's heat maps and movement areas—you'll see his activity range is huge.

He can charge forward, drop deep, drift wide... He does it all and does it well.

Benzema is actually very similar to Suárez. Both have delicate technique, well-rounded skills, and a strong sense of cooperation. If it's purely about physicality, Benzema is even better than Suárez.

But Suárez plays with more cunning than Benzema and is also more selfish.

Selfishness is a scorer's advantage.

Benzema doesn't show that side enough.

Unlike Suárez, who met Gao Shen, Benzema's first Real Madrid coach was Pellegrini.

The young Ligue 1 star suddenly had to compete with Higuaín, who was already established in La Liga and gaining recognition at Real Madrid.

Benzema struggled with efficiency in front of goal, so Higuaín became the starter that season and performed better.

Things shifted again during Mourinho's tenure.

Everyone knows Mourinho favors a defensive counterattacking style. He likes to place a traditional target man up front to hold the line and occupy defenders.

Neither Benzema nor Higuaín suited that.

Between the two, Benzema had more potential because he was more versatile than the pure scorer Higuaín.

But the problem was, Benzema wasn't the type to battle defenders physically. That wasn't his game.

He preferred to move around, play more freely, and rely on his footwork. To Mourinho, that just looked like avoiding defenders.

So Mourinho felt Benzema lacked aggressiveness and called him a cat.

And that's why Mourinho ended up bringing in Adebayor.

At this point, it should be clear.

Benzema's passive personality and all-around style meant he lost to Higuaín from the very beginning—not to mention competing with Ronaldo.

Due to his disadvantages in status, skill set, and style, Benzema was always the second or even third option in Real Madrid's attack.

In some sense, Benzema is indeed underrated. But it's not accurate to say he sacrificed so much for the team, because maybe he never thought of it that way—and he didn't challenge Ronaldo.

It's also possible he knew he couldn't win, so he didn't try.

In the end, it was a mutual achievement.

But in a way, Benzema's prime years left few lasting impressions. Only after Ronaldo left did he start shouldering more responsibility and become Real Madrid's primary striker.

By then, Benzema was past his prime and no longer at his peak.

That's why people feel he sacrificed for the team, even to the point of suppressing his personality and career potential.

But now, Gao Shen is here!

From Real Madrid to Napoli, from Napoli to Manchester City, Gao Shen's tactical evolution shows a clear trend—his reliance on traditional center forwards has steadily declined.

This reflects his development as a tactician.

When he first coached Real Madrid, he favored counterattacks and used players like Negredo to lead the line and improve attacking fluency.

At Napoli, Gao Shen recognized the limitations of the traditional No. 9. So when choosing between Pellè and Cavani, he didn't hesitate—he went with Cavani, who was more mobile and had greater range.

At Manchester City, Gao Shen fully moved on from the classic center forward. Instead, he used Suárez in a hybrid role between center forward and nine-and-a-half, linking the midfield and frontline with no fixed position.

Just look at Spain's strikerless system in this year's European Championship. Isn't it the same idea?

At Real Madrid, Gao Shen still plans to go down this path.

That's why Benzema is especially important.

…

After sending off Xabi Alonso, Gao Shen took a short break before welcoming Benzema.

The French striker was a bit introverted and had come with his agent.

After greeting each other, Benzema just sat there quietly, looking at Gao Shen without saying a word.

Exactly how Gao Shen remembered him.

Players like this have their pros and cons.

The upside is that they'll do whatever you ask. The downside is that you won't get the cunning or unpredictable brilliance of a player like Suárez.

Their conversation began in a Q&A format.

No surprise—Gao Shen asked the questions, and Benzema answered.

The questions were fairly straightforward, covering training, matches, and various aspects of daily life. Benzema answered everything one by one.

His answers were standard, with no surprises.

Halfway through, Gao Shen felt the time was right and brought up a topic.

"I feel that Real Madrid's tactical resource allocation in the attacking third has been unbalanced over the past three seasons. I want a more balanced approach, especially among the front three and between the forwards and the midfield. The connections should be tighter."

Benzema thought for a moment, looked at Gao Shen, and asked, "Like Suárez at Manchester City?"

Clearly, he had done his homework.

"Basically the same. Though there will be differences in detail, given the different player profiles." Gao Shen nodded.

Benzema nodded. "So what do you want me to do?"

That question perfectly reflects Benzema's character.

"What do you want me to do?" Not "Here's what I can do for you."

Gao Shen didn't expect to change a player's personality in one conversation.

"I want you to take on more responsibility. Whether it's helping your teammates score, like before, or scoring yourself, I want you to be more proactive."

"Of course, this will be more demanding. My coaching staff and I have gone over your profile, and we believe you need to lose at least three kilograms and strengthen your core to improve your jumping and heading ability."

Gao Shen looked Benzema in the eyes, his tone firm.

"A 26% header success rate is too low for a striker. Suárez is at 40%."

Cristiano Ronaldo has the highest header success rate at Real Madrid—around 50%. That's a very high number and shows just how incredible his athleticism and leaping ability are.

But previously, all of Real Madrid's aerial balls were aimed at Ronaldo because he was too easy a target.

Gao Shen didn't think that was enough.

For comparison, Higuaín's header stats were slightly better than Benzema's. His aerial duel success rate is in the low 30s. Higuaín also has great dribbling and excellent shooting efficiency. Benzema has impressive shooting accuracy, with 3 out of every 5 shots on target.

And his chance creation ability is superb, even better than Suárez.

Gao Shen and his staff are confident—if Benzema sheds weight, strengthens his core, and improves his jumping and aerial skills, he can reach another level.

Upon hearing Gao Shen's tone, Benzema smiled bitterly. "I'll try my best."

But Gao Shen wasn't having it.

"I don't want you to try your best. I want you to do it. This is non-negotiable. Starting from preseason, lose weight and start core training immediately."

Benzema stared blankly at Gao Shen for a few seconds, lips slightly parted, as if he wanted to say something—but in the end, he said nothing.

Sure enough, Mourinho was right. This kid is a cat.

But that's fine. Even if you're a cat, I'll provoke you until you roar like a dragon.

Gao Shen's teams have always been known for their intensity and aggression. They never lack fire.

And he believes the Benzema who burst onto the scene so confidently years ago won't want to hide forever.

He never had the opportunity before. Now, he does.

…

Gao Shen had placed high demands on Benzema. Very high.

As for execution, Gao Shen wasn't worried. There would be someone keeping a close eye on him.

So when Benzema was about to leave, the expression on his face was so pitiful that Gao Shen almost burst out laughing.

But the kid didn't dare say a word to Gao Shen. He looked completely subdued.

This made Gao Shen reflect for a moment: Was he being too harsh?

But if you don't push hard, how do you unlock that potential and force him to grow?

Just after Gao Shen sent Benzema off, he was still wondering if he should invite a few others to meet.

Like Pepe or Higuaín.

Suddenly, his phone rang.

Caller ID: Casillas.

The Real Madrid captain couldn't hold back any longer. He was making his move!

(To be continued.)

Chapter 885: I Tried My Best

Casillas had been panicking over the past couple of days.

As the captain of Real Madrid, he had extraordinary connections throughout Spain, especially in the Madrid area.

The moment Gao Shen arrived in Madrid and checked into his hotel, Casillas got the news.

He had been waiting for Gao Shen's call.

To his surprise, the first person Gao Shen met with was Ramos.

Although they worked well together in the dressing room, Casillas knew very well that if anyone in the Real Madrid locker room could replace him, it would be Ramos.

From the moment this kid joined Real Madrid, he carried the aura of someone destined to become the best.

Even in his early days, he had the guts to go head-to-head with superstars.

Who would dare to challenge Ronaldo like that now?

Unfortunately, Casillas had been benched last season, and Ramos became the on-field captain. That momentum was no longer something he could suppress.

Casillas was anxious, like an ant on a hot pan, but there was nothing he could do but wait.

But what surprised him even more was that Gao Shen then met with Xabi Alonso and Benzema.

Old captain Hierro had also returned.

Casillas met with him and brought up the situation. But Hierro only gave him a gentle reminder.

"Don't forget, back then he was completely on his own. No power, no backing. Yet he still controlled the locker room."

"Now, the president is backing him, along with two vice presidents, the general manager, and the sporting director. Just imagine the level of support."

"And frankly, you didn't handle this situation well either."

Hierro didn't say much, just offered a few words of analysis, and Casillas understood.

There was no room for negotiation in this matter from start to finish.

If he kept resisting, there was only one outcome—he'd be forced out.

And it would be the most humiliating way to leave.

If it came to that, his relationship with Real Madrid would be completely severed.

Casillas didn't hesitate any longer and called Gao Shen directly.

On the phone, the Real Madrid captain started with an apology. He said he'd been busy and hadn't realized that Gao Shen had already arrived two days earlier.

As the captain, he should have welcomed Gao Shen and paid a visit to the hotel. There were many things he needed to discuss face-to-face.

Gao Shen was slightly surprised that Casillas had taken such an initiative.

With this level of self-awareness, how had the situation gotten so out of hand in the first place?

But regardless, he was still the Real Madrid captain, so Gao Shen immediately invited him over to the hotel.

Casillas arrived in just over half an hour.

…

"Hey, Iker."

"Hello, Boss!"

The two warmly hugged at the door, looking like a teacher and student reunited after a long separation, with no trace of past conflict.

Gao Shen affectionately put his arm around Casillas' shoulder and led him into the room.

After seating him, he poured water and even prepared a gift.

Casillas, on the other hand, felt a little uneasy.

He had rushed over and hadn't brought anything.

"Then you owe me one. Pay me back later," Gao Shen said with a grin.

Casillas laughed as well.

The boss's words were very clear—it wasn't too late to fix things.

He could always find another opportunity to return the gesture, right?

Gao Shen noticed Casillas' expression. Seeing the hint of relief on his face, he understood.

As a leader, this mindset toward subordinates was normal. On one hand, you enjoy the control that power brings. On the other, you're trying to create the most favorable situation for yourself.

Simply put, leaders have to get things done.

To do that, you need your people to work hard.

If everyone only pretends to follow orders, what can you achieve?

Even if Gao Shen fell out with Casillas today, and the Real Madrid keeper came back tomorrow to apologize, Gao Shen would still have to use him. At most, he'd give him a warning.

If Casillas were truly benched, would that benefit Gao Shen?

At that point, Ronaldo's situation would become even harder to manage.

After all, Gao Shen came to coach Real Madrid to win—not just to play power games.

Or rather, gaining control was also a means to achieve results.

So his aim should be to resolve conflicts, not create new ones or escalate existing ones.

…

"I've actually been meaning to talk to you. But I know you've been busy, having just won the European Championship. As Spain's national team captain, you must have had a lot on your plate."

Gao Shen sat down and offered a light-hearted explanation for why he hadn't reached out sooner.

It was all about showing attitude.

Even if the excuse was a little far-fetched, offering an explanation was a good gesture.

The worst is when someone can't even be bothered to explain. That's when it becomes truly difficult.

Casillas clearly sensed that Gao Shen was extending an olive branch and immediately admitted fault for not reaching out sooner as Real Madrid's captain. He followed with more self-reflection and apology.

"Boss, I'm the national team captain, yes, but outside of that, I'm still Real Madrid's captain."

Gao Shen looked into Casillas' eyes and saw the internal conflict.

This was a difficult balancing act.

When being national team captain conflicts with being Real Madrid's captain, how do you choose?

Gao Shen smiled, reached out, and gave him a firm pat on the shoulder.

"I get it. Don't I know you?"

"Honestly, I think the way you handled things wasn't all that bad. Actually, it was pretty good."

Casillas quietly let out a breath.

Even now, there were still many Real Madrid fans calling him a traitor.

But as long as Gao Shen still trusted him, everything would be okay.

"Truthfully, Iker, when I met with Florentino and the others, I asked about this. We were all on the same page. We understood the difficult position you were in, stuck between national team politics and the Real Madrid dressing room. We all felt you were wronged."

Casillas nodded again and again. That was exactly how he'd always felt.

Gao Shen noted his reaction, then suddenly changed the tone.

"But if you look back, the whole thing started with media coverage."

Casillas' heart skipped a beat. A cold chill ran down his spine.

"I understand, really. You meet someone you like, and she just happens to be a journalist. That's fine. It's freedom of speech. We've dealt with this before. We can't control what the so-called fourth estate wants to say, right?"

"Honestly, in England, dealing with the paparazzi was way worse. These days, professional football and the media are deeply intertwined. They're like conjoined twins."

Casillas lowered his head, trying to grasp what Gao Shen was really saying.

He was genuinely starting to worry.

"Boss, please, let me explain..."

"I know, I know. I believe you," Gao Shen interrupted with a smile.

"Don't worry. I spoke up for you during the meetings. I told them I believed in your professionalism. That you wouldn't intentionally leak internal matters through your girlfriend. I firmly believe you're not a traitor."

But the more Gao Shen reassured him, the more nervous Casillas became.

He felt like Gao Shen knew everything.

"But Iker, I really tried my best." Gao Shen sighed, his smile turning helpless.

"I was still in Cheshire when I called Adán. I told him that Casillas would remain the captain and starter this season. If he was willing, he could stay on as the backup. If not, we'd help him find a good loan move to get more playing time and improve, with a chance to return later."

"I convinced Adán to step aside."

Everything Gao Shen said matched what Casillas had heard.

Now he truly believed that Gao Shen had wanted to keep and trust him.

"But you know, Florentino was furious. You said you didn't leak anything, but they didn't believe you. Their initial plan was to sell you outright, but I refused."

"After I got Adán to back down, they went and signed Courtois. Ask around, you'll see—I had nothing to do with that. They chose to spend big on a keeper from Leeds. How could I stop it?"

Gao Shen painted himself as someone caught in the middle, pressured from all sides.

Casillas immediately realized that Gao Shen's situation mirrored his own—caught between the national team and the club.

"I'm sorry, Boss, I..."

"Don't apologize." Gao Shen interrupted him again. "From your performance in the Euros, it's clear you're still the best goalkeeper in the world. But now Courtois is here, and the board wants an explanation—or at least an attitude—from last season's chaos."

Gao Shen took a deep breath.

"This can't just be brushed under the rug."

Casillas was a little dazed.

Based on the intel he had, most of it supported what Gao Shen was saying. But there were still some pieces he didn't understand.

Maybe he wasn't in a high enough position to see the full picture.

After all, with the amount of turmoil at Real Madrid last season, it was reasonable for the board to want accountability.

"I'll be honest—I've done everything I could. But some things can't be undone. You can't pretend they never happened. So I hope you can mentally prepare yourself."

Casillas' mind was in a fog. Gao Shen had just hit him with a ton of information. It was hard to process everything or analyze it rationally.

But one thing stuck with him—Gao Shen seemed like someone who had truly tried his best to protect him.

"Boss, tell me. What do you want me to do? Should I give up the captain's armband?" Casillas asked, gritting his teeth.

It was clear he had made up his mind.

After all, he hadn't even been the captain on the pitch for most of last season.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 886: Real Madrid's New Order

"Tsk! Listen to what you're saying. If I can't even protect you, why would I be the head coach?"

Gao Shen raised his voice.

Casillas suddenly looked up, stunned and in disbelief as he stared at Gao Shen.

"I told Florentino in Cheshire that once I took over Real Madrid, you would remain the team captain. That's non-negotiable."

Gao Shen's words filled Casillas with gratitude.

But then, Gao Shen softened his tone and changed the subject.

"Of all the people we once fought alongside, how many are left now? Raúl and Guti are gone. Can I really let you follow in Raúl's footsteps too?"

Gao Shen's words were sincere, and Casillas was deeply moved. "Boss, I..."

"Simple as this—have your girlfriend quit her job and come work in Real Madrid's PR department. Her salary won't be less than what she earns at the newspaper or TV station. Can you do that?"

Casillas's face darkened. He opened his mouth but couldn't get the words out.

In fact, Real Madrid had made this offer before, but his girlfriend turned it down.

"No? Then have her switch jobs and stop covering Real Madrid. Is that okay?" Gao Shen offered an alternative.

But Casillas still looked torn. It was clear he didn't know how to deal with his girlfriend.

Maybe he was simply too infatuated to draw a hard line.

"You won't do this, and you won't do that. So what, you want to be the boss now and tell me what to do?" Gao Shen spread his hands in frustration. "Because honestly, I'm at a loss."

"Boss, I swear, I promise! What happened last season will never happen again!"

Gao Shen pointed at Casillas, so angry he couldn't speak for a moment.

"Shit, it's like you're possessed!" he finally snapped.

But in his mind, he was thinking: you probably never imagined that after going through all this for this woman, in a few years you'd fall for someone younger and prettier.

Men. Always the same!

After finally calming down, Gao Shen pointed at him again.

"Remember, this is your promise to me. If it happens again, I'll throw you to the B team and sell you!"

Casillas was overjoyed and immediately pledged that he'd stick to it.

"And the board and management..."

"I'll handle it!" Gao Shen waved his hand with conviction.

"Courtois is here now, and that's done. You had a break last season, and now this happened. I can't act like nothing's wrong. So at the start of the new season, you'll have to start from scratch and compete with Courtois."

"My initial thought is: the two of you will rotate. One plays in the league, the other in the cup. But it won't be rigid. You'll compete. Whoever is in better form and performs better will play."

Gao Shen sighed again. "And because of this situation, I'll have to talk to Courtois. The club promised him the starting spot when they signed him, which is how we beat out Bayern and PSG."

Casillas understood. A fair competition was already a good outcome.

He was the best goalkeeper at the European Championship. Was he supposed to be afraid of a rookie?

Bring it on.

Hearing Gao Shen's words, Casillas knew the matter was basically settled. He was visibly relieved.

Honestly, the result wasn't bad.

At least he kept the Real Madrid captain's armband.

As long as he beat Courtois fairly, he could still be the starting goalkeeper.

"Also, when training camp starts, you'll need to take on your duties as captain. Look after the new players, build good relationships with your teammates. I'll have Ramos assist you. The two of you will manage the dressing room together. Be united. No more problems, understood?"

Of course, Casillas nodded quickly.

This was his job as captain.

Having Ramos assist was logical. He was vice-captain and the on-field captain last season.

Even if everyone knew the club supported Ramos—so what?

Real Madrid's captaincy has always followed a clear line of succession, and everyone understood it.

"Alright then. I need to figure out how I'll explain all this to Florentino."

As soon as Gao Shen said that, Casillas knew it was time to leave.

Before he left, the Real Madrid goalkeeper repeatedly assured him that he'd keep his girlfriend in check and give his best next season to repay Gao Shen for his trust and support.

…

After seeing Casillas off, Gao Shen got up and stretched.

Handling all the mess in the dressing room was exhausting. It was stressful and often thankless. Sometimes it made you want to just sell someone and be done with it.

But when you're managing a top club, things can't be handled that simply or crudely.

Take Mourinho, for example. That approach only created more friction and enemies.

Casillas's matter had been settled for now, but it was just the beginning.

Next came the real competition between him and Courtois.

As far as Gao Shen was concerned, whoever performed better would start. That was best for everyone.

Both Gao Shen and Llopis had strong faith in Courtois. But he was still a newcomer, and the chance to compete with Casillas would be valuable for his development.

The next person likely to give Gao Shen a headache would be Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Portuguese star was on vacation after national team duty.

Real Madrid's training camp would begin in mid-July. By then, all players not involved in the Euros or the Olympics would return to training.

Currently, Real Madrid had only Marcelo as an overage player and Casemiro as an age-eligible player participating in the Olympics. If Isco was signed, that would make three.

It was a bit embarrassing that Real Madrid had no players selected for Spain's Olympic squad this year. It caused a stir in Spain and among local Real Madrid fans.

Many criticized the club, saying that while it claimed to be international, local culture was the foundation of Real Madrid.

If you look at every great team that dominated an era, local players were always an essential part.

But now, the Olympic team representing the future had no Real Madrid players. It was hard to ignore that fact.

In contrast, Leeds United had local full-backs Bertrand and Trippier in the Olympics, plus Salah and Mané representing Egypt and Senegal. In total, Leeds had four players in the tournament.

Fortunately, the Premier League wouldn't start until a week after the Olympic men's football final, so the impact would be minimal.

Gao Shen wasn't worried about Leeds United. He was more focused on steadily advancing his plans in Madrid.

Real Madrid seemed calm on the surface, but beneath it all, waves of tension and power struggles were surging.

Just like Casillas, who sought out Gao Shen.

Because he sensed danger.

What about Ronaldo?

No one knew.

This power struggle would be decisive. It would determine the order and distribution of authority once the season started.

Fans familiar with the sport might recall something from Gao Shen's previous life.

When Sarri replaced Allegri at Juventus, Ronaldo was still on vacation, but Sarri flew to meet him.

Everyone who saw that news had the same reaction—Ronaldo is so powerful, even the coach has to go see him.

From a coaching perspective, that meant the player's influence had already surpassed that of the manager.

So the issue wasn't who visits whom, but who blinks first and backs down.

In Gao Shen's plan, Ronaldo was crucial. But precisely because of that, he needed to "tame" the superstar. Only then could he use him properly, get him to drop the superstar posture, and truly integrate into the team.

If things stayed tense and Ronaldo refused to compromise, Gao Shen didn't rule out selling him as a last resort.

Because keeping Ronaldo in the dressing room without being able to use him would be a fatal threat to the team's stability.

From any angle, though, that would be the absolute last option.

…

After meeting with Casillas, Gao Shen spent two more days speaking with Di María, Higuaín, Kaká, Varane, Pepe, Granero, Arbeloa, Albiol, and others—some in person, others via video call. He had meaningful conversations with all of them.

For the younger players, Gao Shen made a point to reach out before officially taking charge. Even if it was just a video call, it was special. The conversations varied depending on the player.

Di María, Granero, and Arbeloa were veterans. There was plenty to talk about with them.

Higuaín, Varane, and Albiol all faced competition. Gao Shen assured them that he would treat everyone equally. Whoever best met tactical requirements and performed well would play.

For Pepe, Gao Shen reassured him that he still trusted him and believed he could continue contributing to Real Madrid. He hoped Pepe wouldn't be shaken by Mourinho's departure or the transfers of Carvalho and Coentrão.

Kaká's case was more delicate.

Gao Shen didn't go into detail with him. They simply met and exchanged greetings. He hoped to talk face-to-face in Madrid about the challenges he was currently facing.

"I sincerely hope you can trust me and my team."

"In Napoli, we dealt with Thiago Motta. In Manchester City, we handled Robben. We have experience with this kind of situation, and we're here to help you."

"Whether it's me, the management, or the entire club, we all sincerely hope you can bounce back."

Kaká sensed Gao Shen's sincerity and immediately said he would return to Madrid early to meet with him and work on a personal training plan for the new season.

Gao Shen smiled and nodded.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 887: We Only Fight for the Championship

At nine o'clock in the morning, the city of Madrid, having slept through the night, slowly began to wake up.

Traffic on the Paseo de la Castellana, the avenue running north to south through the city center, was starting to pick up.

People began emerging from the Santiago Bernabéu metro station, heading toward the stadium located northeast of the intersection.

The league was on break, and there were no matches or events scheduled at the Bernabéu today. Yet, the crowd outside continued to grow.

Soon, passers-by and even drivers began stopping, looking on curiously.

"What's going on?"

"Is there an event at the Bernabéu today?"

"Hey man, what are you waiting for?"

One question after another spread through the crowd.

Just as confusion peaked, a few people pushed through, politely saying, "Excuse me, please make way, thank you."

When they reached the entrance, they flashed their credentials and were immediately let in by security.

This only triggered more murmuring.

A few people quickly blocked them and asked, "Hey, brother, what's going on today? Why so many people?"

"You didn't hear? Gao Shen is here!"

"Gao Shen? Seriously?"

"Oh my God! Why hasn't this made the news?"

"We got short notice too. We rushed right over. Sorry, gotta go!"

The crowd immediately erupted in discussion.

Gao Shen is here!

It was like a bomb had exploded in the center of Madrid.

News of his arrival spread like wildfire. Everyone began making phone calls, and some immediately took to Twitter and other social media.

In no time, all of Madrid, all of Spain, and even all of Europe was buzzing.

Gao Shen was about to officially sign at the Santiago Bernabéu!

For Real Madrid fans who had been waiting years for this, it was massive news.

Within half an hour, even more fans flooded in from every direction.

Some came by car, others by subway, and others by bus...

The entire perimeter around the Bernabéu was gridlocked. It eventually drew the attention of the police, who had to step in to maintain order and urgently requested that Real Madrid open the stadium.

If not, there could be serious safety concerns.

…

"Gao's popularity is off the charts. It's even made the mainstream news."

Inside an office at the Bernabéu, General Manager José Ángel Sánchez was updating President Florentino Pérez.

They had only just made it into the stadium themselves.

Florentino could see the situation clearly.

Outside the window in front of him, more and more fans were gathering, all coming voluntarily.

Three years ago, when Real Madrid signed Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaká, the club had to "orchestrate" the entire event.

This time, it was pure, spontaneous enthusiasm. Even Real Madrid hadn't anticipated this.

And it was a working day.

As the head of a massive company, Florentino found it a bit inconvenient, but in his heart, he was thrilled.

Bringing in Gao Shen seemed like the right decision!

While the two were discussing, Vice President and head of Public Relations, Emilio Butragueño, entered the office.

"President, I'm sorry. We had a plan in place, but we didn't expect the situation to get out of hand."

Florentino raised his hand, signaling that this wasn't the time to assign blame. "What matters now is finding a solution."

"I called Gao Shen. He's agreed to meet with the fans at the Bernabéu."

The crowds had already blocked all access points around the stadium. It was serious.

"Then open the stadium. Let the fans in." Florentino decided immediately.

…

As the various entrances of the Bernabéu were opened, fans poured in like a tide.

More and more Real Madrid supporters arrived from all directions. Even though some had already made their way inside, many were still stranded outside.

Staff and police focused their efforts on maintaining order and guiding fans into the stadium in an organized fashion.

At 10:30 a.m. sharp, as scheduled, Gao Shen arrived at the Bernabéu in a Real Madrid Audi vehicle.

Though it was packed, the fans willingly made way for the car.

From inside the vehicle, Gao Shen could hear more and more fans chanting his name. But he didn't dare lower the window.

This, he had to thank Zidane for. The former star had warned him.

If he did lower the window, things could get dangerous.

Not that the fans meant any harm, but in a crowd this size, accidents could happen.

The car slowly pulled into the Bernabéu.

Security immediately surrounded the vehicle.

When Gao Shen and Zidane stepped out, the crowd erupted in cheers.

Thousands of fans screamed his name.

Gao Shen couldn't tell how many people were there, but it was overwhelming, and the number was still growing.

Butragueño stepped forward and escorted him into the stadium.

The fans continued flooding in.

…

With more and more fans entering the stadium, Real Madrid had to adjust their plans.

They decided to broadcast the signing ceremony and press conference live on Real Madrid TV, showing everything on the big screen at the stadium so all the fans could watch.

Afterward, Gao Shen would greet the fans directly.

"There are at least 20,000 people here, and they're still coming," Butragueño said, both excited and nervous.

Real Madrid fans were far too passionate today.

"By the way, Gao, I think you might want to revise your speech."

Originally, Real Madrid had invited around 100 local media outlets to attend the press conference. But now, with thousands of fans in the stadium, the situation had changed.

"Should I ask the press officer to come talk to you?" Butragueño offered.

Gao Shen thought for a moment, then smiled. "It's fine. I didn't prepare a speech."

Butragueño was stunned for a second, then burst out laughing.

"Right, I forgot. You never bring notes to press conferences. You once said you could talk for hours on stage without repeating yourself. Let's see if you can pull it off today!"

Gao Shen chuckled. That had been a private joke between him and Butragueño back when he first coached Real Madrid.

But he really didn't like reading from scripts.

Especially after Martin once stuffed a prepared speech into his pocket. Since then, he had developed a dislike for them.

To his surprise, club captain Casillas, vice-captain Ramos, former captain and current assistant coach Hierro, honorary president Di Stéfano...

Many club executives and influential board members had all shown up at the Bernabéu, proving just how important Gao Shen's signing was to Real Madrid.

With the influx of fans, the stadium was understaffed and required adjustments, so the signing ceremony and press conference were pushed from 11 a.m. to noon.

…

Twelve o'clock sharp.

Gao Shen appeared in Florentino's presidential office.

Real Madrid TV broadcast the whole event live. Fans sat in the stands and watched it on the big screen, but even from inside the building, the roars and cheers could be heard clearly.

In that atmosphere, Gao Shen officially signed a three-year coaching contract with Real Madrid.

When both parties finished signing, warm applause broke out in the office—and outside the stadium.

Next, the group headed to the Bernabéu press conference hall.

Gao Shen was no stranger to this place.

He still clearly remembered sitting here in 2006, just one day after his transmigration, facing this very group of reporters as he began his Real Madrid journey.

Who would have thought that six years later, he'd be back here again?

Only this time, the circumstances were entirely different.

Back then, he was a complete rookie, unknown and underestimated.

Now, he was the number one-ranked coach in the world, a gold-medal manager with four Champions League titles to his name.

To put it bluntly, if he stomped his foot today, the Real Madrid dressing room would tremble.

When Gao Shen and his entourage entered the press conference room, a warm round of applause broke out.

In the front row were invited guests, including honorary president Di Stéfano, the team's captain and vice-captain, and others.

But Real Madrid's top star, Cristiano Ronaldo, was notably absent.

The media immediately picked up on this.

Did this mean the Portuguese star had lost favor?

The press conference began with the contract presentation. Florentino formally announced that Gao Shen would coach Real Madrid for the next three years.

"We are proud and honored to share this great news with all Real Madrid fans worldwide."

"We believe that under Mr. Gao Shen's leadership, Real Madrid will become even more competitive and enter a new era of glory."

Another round of applause followed.

Gao Shen, already used to such scenes, gave a composed and confident speech. He thanked the board for their trust, the fans for their love, and the media for their support.

"I'm very happy to be back here and sitting in front of all of you after six years!"

The crowd erupted in applause again.

Especially in the stands outside the Bernabéu, where the cheering was deafening.

Countless fans chanted Gao Shen's name in unison.

They had waited so long.

And now, he was finally back.

Today would be remembered as a historic day in Real Madrid's legacy.

All Real Madrid fans believed this firmly, because they had never doubted that Gao Shen would succeed at Real Madrid.

And Gao Shen was just as confident.

He said loudly and clearly, "I'm here only for the championship!"

"I have always believed, and still believe, that a great club like Real Madrid should always fight for titles!"

The Bernabéu erupted into a frenzy.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 888: Ronaldo for Bale

"We only fight for the championship!"

When Gao Shen delivered this line with a powerful, resounding voice in front of the live broadcast, even through the screen, the deafening roar from the stadium and the cheers of the fans could be heard loud and clear.

That's Gao Shen's influence.

He only needed to sit there and say one sentence to drive Real Madrid fans wild.

If Cristiano Ronaldo hadn't fully grasped the situation before, then at this moment, sitting on his sofa in Lisbon, Portugal, watching the live broadcast, he understood everything.

Gao Shen was now the undisputed king of the Bernabéu.

No one could replace him.

Ronaldo sat silently, eyes fixed on the screen.

After Gao Shen's speech, the press conference entered the Q&A session.

Most of the questions were focused on Gao Shen's plans for Real Madrid and the club's summer transfer activities.

Gao Shen praised the transfer window work highly.

"I want to sincerely thank President Florentino, our technical director Jorge, General Manager José, and all our staff who worked so hard behind the scenes."

"Please believe that my team, the players, and I will do everything in our power to live up to your efforts. We will deliver our best performance in the new season."

As for the goals of the new season, Gao Shen once again made it clear: Real Madrid would only fight for titles.

"I know the target is difficult, because our opponents are very strong. But I must remind everyone, whether it's on their home turf, neutral ground, or our own stadium, I have never lost!"

His tone was confident, even a bit domineering, but the media and fans erupted in cheers.

This was exactly the kind of boost Real Madrid needed.

The live broadcast from Real Madrid TV even cut to the Bernabéu stands to show the fans' excitement and joy.

As for the summer's controversial decisions, Gao Shen avoided giving direct answers.

"It's hard to make conclusions right now. I believe our players will prove their value on the pitch."

The issue of Casillas being benched last season had drawn heavy criticism. Gao Shen also addressed it, saying he had consulted multiple sources.

"What I want to say is that Iker is Real Madrid's captain and has made great contributions to the club. There are many misunderstandings about the situation, and the public doesn't know all the details."

"I can only say that I believe in Iker. His performance at the Euros proves he's still the best goalkeeper in the world. He remains Real Madrid's captain."

"I believe that under the leadership of our two captains, the dressing room will be more united and stable this season."

…

Ronaldo kept his eyes on the screen as the camera swept past Casillas and Ramos. Both looked relaxed, seemingly free of the tension that plagued last season.

So Casillas's issue had been resolved?

That meant Gao Shen had already removed the biggest obstacle in the dressing room.

Ronaldo and Mendes had people in Madrid providing information. While fans and the media didn't know what was happening behind the scenes, they did.

In recent days, Gao Shen had met with many people, made numerous calls, and discussed countless matters.

Now, the dressing room was basically under his control.

The only person Gao Shen had not contacted was Ronaldo.

Even today, when Gao Shen officially signed with Real Madrid, no one informed Ronaldo. He only found out from Mendes.

What did that mean?

Disregard? Disrespect? Or abandonment?

…

Gao Shen was in good spirits, answering question after question patiently.

Eventually, someone asked the question everyone was waiting for—about Ronaldo. It was sharp and direct.

Why wasn't Cristiano Ronaldo present today?

Gao Shen answered with a smile, saying it was because Ronaldo had just returned from the European Championship and was still on vacation.

But the excuse felt weak.

Both Casillas and Ramos also played in the Euros, yet they were there.

Gao Shen added with a smile, "They are the captain and vice-captain. We all felt it was important for them to be here."

Captain and vice-captain… needed.

The implications were obvious.

The reporters understood that Gao Shen wasn't going to elaborate. They'd have to investigate or read between the lines themselves.

The media then shifted the question to Florentino.

The Real Madrid president smiled and responded, "I want to reiterate that the board and management fully support Gao Shen, unconditionally!"

The room buzzed with chatter.

Ronaldo, watching from his living room, could feel the force behind Florentino's words.

Gao Shen really was different.

Since indirect probing wasn't working, someone went straight to the point.

A reporter asked Gao Shen about recent reports that Mendes had traveled to Manchester to explore Ronaldo's return to the Premier League, speaking with both Manchester United and Manchester City.

"What are your thoughts on this?"

Gao Shen joked first, "I read that on my tablet while having breakfast this morning."

Laughter broke out across the room.

"I don't want to comment on rumors. So far, I haven't heard any official statement from Cristiano himself, so I don't know if this even reflects his real intentions."

"We all know agents don't just represent one player. They have a lot of business with clubs. Sometimes, the agent's position doesn't always align with the player's."

"So, I'd still prefer to hear directly from the player."

It was a textbook response.

But the reporters pressed on.

"Mr. Gao, you've spoken with many Real Madrid players in recent days, but you haven't met with Cristiano Ronaldo. Have you called him?"

Gao Shen smiled, "He's still on vacation. I'm looking forward to sitting down and talking when he returns."

Another reporter chimed in.

"But The Sun reported that Mendes has discussed the possibility of Ronaldo joining Manchester City."

Gao Shen chuckled again, "The Sun also reported that I want to bring Gareth Bale to Real Madrid."

Then, Gao Shen suddenly stopped smiling and looked straight into the camera.

"Maybe I should consider a player swap with Manchester City."

His tone was calm. His expression even calmer.

Real Madrid TV's live feed zoomed in for a close-up, and Ronaldo, watching from his sofa, saw the look on Gao Shen's face clearly.

Beneath that calm, there was a trace of anger—but even more authority.

Ronaldo understood.

This wasn't addressed to the media or the fans.

It was aimed directly at him.

The message was clear: Have you thought it through?

Tell your agent to cut the noise. If you push me, I'll trade you for Gareth Bale!

The Portuguese superstar's first reaction?

He was furious.

But almost instantly, a wave of fear crept in.

Gao Shen might actually do it.

Especially after Florentino's earlier show of support. That comment now carried even more weight.

Did he really want to leave Real Madrid for Manchester City?

Could he even be the leader at City?

In the FIFA World Player rankings, he wasn't ahead of Suárez.

Not to mention other top names like Van Persie or Robben.

Many were already hyping Gareth Bale as the "next Cristiano Ronaldo."

If he went to Manchester City, would he really be better off than at Real Madrid?

…

On the screen, Gao Shen's solemn expression quickly faded into a light-hearted smile.

"It's just a joke. Don't take it seriously. Really, don't."

Many in the room breathed a sigh of relief.

"In fact, I want to say that Cristiano is the most important member of our team. He's the best attacker in the world. But I believe he can be even better. That's my most important task moving forward."

"I truly believe Real Madrid is the best club for him. And I don't believe he'll leave. That's why I've been waiting for him to finish his vacation and return to Madrid so we can have a proper conversation."

"Our goals are the same, and I'm confident we'll work together very well."

Just like that, Gao Shen brushed off the "joke."

He continued answering questions from reporters with his usual calm and professionalism.

After the press conference, he stepped down from the podium to greet Di Stéfano and other club officials, thanking them for attending his presentation.

On screen, Gao Shen looked confident and composed as he smiled and shook hands.

Ronaldo, still watching from his living room, felt a chill run through his body.

Was that Gao Shen's final warning?

Was he running out of patience?

Should Ronaldo bow his head, submit, and admit defeat?

But how could he?

And yet, what choice did he have?

Look at the TV. When Gao Shen walked out at the Bernabéu, the Real Madrid fans erupted in cheers.

The cameras panned over the crowd—every seat filled.

It was a full house.

Then the feed cut to the streets outside the stadium, packed with even more fans.

Gao Shen's place in the hearts of Madridistas was unshakable.

On the Bernabéu pitch, Gao Shen greeted the fans he hadn't seen in years. He promised to bring championships back to the club, and to restore beautiful, attacking football to the Bernabéu.

The stadium boiled over with excitement.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo sat frozen in front of the TV, trapped.

He could feel Gao Shen's pressure, but if he were expected to bow his head and admit defeat, he just couldn't do it.

So what now?

(To be continued.)