SWR: Chapter 555/556

Chapter 555: Boss, I Suspect You're Targeting Me on Purpose
The day after arriving in Cape Town, South Africa, Manchester City officially began their pre-season training.

For the demanding and fast-paced schedule of the Premier League, summer training is undeniably crucial.

Gao Shen and his coaching staff had meticulously prepared for the training camp, ensuring the team reached peak condition during the month-long summer period while refining their tactical cohesion.

The training schedule consisted of two sessions per day, not as long as some teams that train three times daily but the intensity was incredibly high, pushing the players to their limits.

To make matters worse, after the training sessions, Pintus would lead the squad on long-distance runs to further improve their physical endurance and mental toughness.

This was a method Gao Shen had successfully implemented during his tenure at Napoli. He found that under Pintus' rigorous training approach, the team's focus during matches, their resilience when physically exhausted, and their execution of movements all remained at an exceptionally high level. Moreover, this kind of training significantly boosted overall fitness.

Gao Shen merely set the training program, but the players were the ones suffering.

For players with weaker physical endurance—like Robinho, Hazard, and Lallana—it was pure torture.

Robinho, in particular, couldn't even last through the full 90-minute session. After just ten minutes, he was already asking for a break.

But when the Brazilian saw Gao Shen standing nearby, watching him with a cold and indifferent expression, he felt a chill run down his spine.

"I wasn't asking for a break, just needed a sip of water," Robinho quickly clarified.

Saying that, he jogged to the sidelines, pretending to take a drink, before reluctantly running back onto the pitch.

Gao Shen scoffed inwardly. Come on, it's already 2009, and you're still using such lame excuses?

"If I catch you slacking again, you're dead, Robinho!" Gao Shen warned, pointing at the Brazilian.

Back when Gao Shen was in charge of Real Madrid, Robinho had already experienced firsthand what it was like to be under his command. Though Gao Shen usually had a friendly demeanor, once he got serious, no one in the Real Madrid dressing room dared to cross him.

Now, Gao Shen was a world-renowned manager, his aura even stronger, his authority even greater.

Robinho immediately ran back onto the pitch.

In reality, if he had just gritted his teeth and pushed through, he could have lasted longer. But he was simply too used to comfort, unwilling to endure hardship.

Seeing the team's star player publicly called out like this left many on the squad stunned.

"Look at Luis! Learn from him! Especially you, Robinho!" Gao Shen shouted again.

Robinho was on the verge of tears.

Boss, why do I feel like you're always targeting me?

I swear, I've never done anything to offend you!

Meanwhile, Suarez was going all out in training. Ever since Gao Shen had praised him, making him the coach's "model student," he had been working even harder, like a man possessed.

This made Gao Shen chuckle to himself.

Suarez had spent years being criticized at Ajax. Now that he was receiving recognition, his motivation was through the roof.

"Come on! Push through! Don't give up! Tell yourself you can do this!"

Gao Shen clapped loudly on the sidelines, encouraging the players.

After the grueling 90-minute session, the players collapsed onto the grass, only for Pintus to drag them up for another long-distance run. By the time they returned, they were completely drained.

Seeing the exhausted and despairing looks on their faces, Gao Shen was very satisfied.

…

After the lunch break, the team had a tactical session in the afternoon, led by Gao Shen and his coaching staff.

Over his three years at Napoli, Gao Shen had perfected the process of instilling his tactical philosophy and training principles into his players.

His approach emphasized understanding and independent thinking.

Football is unpredictable. If players simply follow instructions mechanically, knowing what to do but not why, they will struggle when the game becomes chaotic.

Only by understanding why they are making certain decisions can players remain composed, adapt on the fly, and maintain tactical cohesion even as situations change.

For this first session, Gao Shen focused on the importance of rotation.

To illustrate his point, he used Suarez as an example.

Whether playing for Uruguay or Ajax, Suarez was always active, relentless in his pressing, always on the move. While this work rate was admirable, Gao Shen believed it was reckless.

"There's a saying: running is the easiest thing to do on the pitch. The hard part is knowing how to run intelligently."

"This is a science—it's about properly managing your energy levels."

Gao Shen played a few video clips, pointing out that while Suarez's high-intensity pressing was a positive, he needed to learn when to retreat.

Retreating wasn't just about defending, it was also a way to rest and conserve energy.

When Suarez dropped back, other players had to step in and cover for him when necessary.

The left winger, the right winger, the central midfielder…

"Think of it like a fist," Gao Shen said, raising his right fist and stretching it straight forward before shaking it in place.

Everyone watched closely.

Then, he pulled his fist back, wound up, and threw a powerful punch.

"You see? If my fist just stays extended, it can only keep stirring—like a spoon. But when I pull it back and punch again, it's faster, stronger, more explosive, and more unpredictable."

"Our attack works the same way. Movement, passing—it's all about rhythm and timing."

Keeping possession was like pulling back a fist, continuously building up power. Horizontal passes stretched the opponent's defense, creating gaps. And once a gap appeared, the team needed to strike with lightning speed.

If there were too many horizontal passes, the game would become dull, like Barcelona's later "boring" style of play. But blindly forcing vertical passes was also ineffective, as it just handed possession to the opponent.

So, knowing when to switch gears and how to rotate positions was a science.

From an individual player's movements to the team's overall tactics, everything was interconnected.

Gao Shen also explained the principles of pressing:

Why pressing was necessary

How to execute it properly

When to initiate pressure

What to do when pressing successfully won the ball

What to do if pressing failed


Bit by bit, he broke down his tactical philosophy, ensuring that even the most complex ideas were digestible.

Lucas had even edited extensive video footage to supplement the lecture, making it easier for the players to grasp the concepts visually.

Among the squad, Rakitic and David Luiz were the most familiar with the system. Over the past three years, they had developed under Gao Shen's philosophy, fully internalizing its principles.

Other players, like Felipe and Robinho who had briefly worked with Gao Shen at Real Madrid still had much to learn.

After all, the Gao Shen of back then was just a promising young coach, still refining his ideas.

Now, he was a world-class tactician, with a clear and complete footballing philosophy, one that had already conquered Europe.

The concepts covered in the afternoon tactical session were immediately put into practice during the evening training session.

This approach reinforced the players' understanding, helping them grasp the head coach's tactical intentions more quickly.

All training programs were meticulously planned by Carlo and the rest of the coaching staff, ensuring they were highly targeted and incredibly intense.

After another exhausting training session, the "demon trainer" Pintus reappeared.

By the end of the first day, Pintus had already become the players' worst nightmare.

Even those who were familiar with his methods, like Rakitic and David Luiz, found the training overwhelming.

After all, the intensity and demanding schedule of the Premier League were far beyond those of Serie A.

During this period, Lucas and his analysis team were also hard at work.

In fact, they were among the busiest members of the staff, as they had to prepare detailed reports after every training session. These reports allowed players to clearly identify their mistakes and make necessary adjustments.

By nightfall, every player dragged their exhausted bodies back to the hotel, looking like zombies straight out of Resident Evil.

Pain and fatigue were written all over their faces.

However, Gao Shen wasn't a tyrant. He had also arranged various entertainment activities in the evening to help the team unwind.

After all, they were young men in their twenties with remarkable recovery abilities.

After dinner, their energy levels rebounded quickly.

Regarding Gao Shen's first day of training at Manchester City, the players generally agreed—he lived up to his reputation.

They had heard about his infamous "devilish" training methods before, but now they had experienced them firsthand.

Despite the grueling intensity, the players also recognized the high quality of his training sessions.

Robben told the club's official website, "He's the best coach I've ever worked with. His preparation is meticulous, and his tactical philosophy is truly unique. It's only the first day, but I already believe he will succeed at Manchester City!"

Hazard admitted that he was completely drained on the pitch, but added, "I actually enjoy this feeling of exhaustion—it's fulfilling. After every session, I can tell that I'm improving. That's what really matters."

David Silva confessed that he was still struggling to adapt to the high-intensity training but was confident he would adjust.

"As for Gao Shen…" Silva continued, "A lot of what he said in the tactical session resonated with me. I think I'll be a great fit for his system. I can't wait to fight for a place in the starting lineup."

During interviews with the club's media team, most players could only give short, weary responses.

They were simply too tired.

Robinho, who had worked with Gao Shen three years ago, had mentally prepared himself for this kind of training.

But when he actually stepped onto the pitch, he was shocked to find that he couldn't even last ten minutes.

"I have no idea how I managed to finish the session. My mind is still blank, and it feels like my body isn't even under my control anymore."

Reading the players' interviews, complaints, and comments, Gao Shen simply smiled.

"The real devil training hasn't even started yet."

(To be continued.)

Chapter 556: Gao's Waterloo

Gao Shen was absolutely right.

This nightmare for the players lasted an entire week. And before they had time to adapt, the intensity increased again in the second week.

The players were in agony.

As the second week progressed, the focus shifted more towards technical and tactical drills.

Gao Shen also gained a clearer understanding of each player's role.

For example, Robben was firmly positioned on the right wing. Borrell worked with him individually, fine-tuning his cutting inside from the flank, focusing on small details, technical refinements, and timing.

Suarez was locked in as the center forward. However, his versatility was invaluable, he could drift wide, drop deep, and adapt to different roles seamlessly. That level of adaptability was rare.

For now, Manchester City's attacking lineup was mostly settled, but Gao Shen planned to rotate positions frequently. Suarez's flexibility would be key to that strategy.

The left-wing position, however, remained undecided.

Robinho and Hazard both struggled with fitness, but to everyone's surprise, neither fell behind in training. Even during the punishing post-session long-distance runs, they pushed through.

One day, Hazard collapsed from exhaustion during a long run. Gao Shen took a picture of him and posted it on Twitter—not to humiliate him, but to praise his hard work. He even tagged Hazard's girlfriend, Natacha.

The next morning, Hazard showed up to training full of energy, more motivated than ever.

With his competition working so hard, Robinho felt the pressure, both from the coaching staff and from within the squad. Naturally, he refused to be outdone. The two of them even started hitting the gym, working on their strength and conditioning.

Robben, too, was spending extra time in the gym, focused on building muscle to avoid injuries.

In this regard, Gao Shen's coaching staff had extensive experience and an impressive track record.

Take Thiago Motta, for example. At Barcelona, injuries plagued his career. But after working with Gao Shen's highly skilled staff at Napoli, he had remained injury-free. Last season, he played nearly every Champions League match. That gave Robben hope.

This surge of dedication from key players inspired the entire squad.

The training camp in Cape Town grew increasingly intense, with the competitive spirit burning brighter by the day.

Off the pitch, the club organized various activities to keep the players engaged.

They even had a half-day off on the weekend, allowing the squad to go diving.

False Bay in Cape Town is one of the world's premier diving destinations. The players covered their own expenses and enjoyed a breathtaking underwater adventure.

…

As head coach, Gao Shen delegated most of the hands-on training to his coaching staff, overseeing sessions from the sidelines.

His primary responsibility? Talking.

The players had heard about Gao Shen's unique habit from the media before. But experiencing it firsthand was something else entirely, especially given the diverse mix of nationalities and languages within the squad.

Take Suarez, for example. He didn't speak English, so Gao Shen communicated with him in Spanish.

Then there was Neuer. The German keeper spoke fluent German, but his English was also quite good.

Gao Shen, however, didn't speak German. That didn't stop them from communicating in English. In fact, the "studious" Gao Shen even started learning German from Neuer, just in case he ever managed a Bundesliga team in the future.

The biggest challenge was Giroud. He only spoke French and knew no English at all.

Yet somehow, Gao Shen managed to communicate with him using gestures and body language. Not just basic signals—full, detailed instructions.

It left the entire squad in awe.

By the second week, Giroud barely needed words. A single shout or hand movement from Gao Shen was enough for him to understand.

The efficiency was unbelievable.

Lucas, the team analyst, joked, "Now you all see, his talking ability far surpasses his coaching ability!"

The squad burst into laughter.

Jokes aside, communication was critical.

That's why a translator and an English teacher traveled with the team.

Gao Shen made it mandatory for all players to learn basic English for training sessions and matches. On the pitch, in the locker room, and during training, English was the only language allowed.

To achieve full squad unity, players with weak English skills had to attend language classes in their free time.

Gao Shen also encouraged the English-speaking players to help their teammates adapt.

…

After two grueling weeks in South Africa, Manchester City finally played their first pre-season friendly, the opening match of the Vodacom Cup Invitational Tournament.

Their opponent? The Orlando Pirates.

However, Manchester City didn't look like a Premier League team.

They didn't look like a strong team at all.

The pace was sluggish. Their movements were heavy. The entire squad seemed lethargic.

The fans and media covering the match were deeply disappointed.

Even worse, several big-name stars, Robben, Rakitic, and David Luiz—weren't in the lineup.

Starting XI:

Goalkeeper: Given

Defenders: Bridge, Gary Cahill, Micah Richards, Trippier

Midfielders: De Jong (holding), Ireland, Henderson (advanced roles)

Forwards: Adam Lallana, Giroud, Sturridge

To make matters worse, Gao Shen kept these players on the pitch for over an hour before making substitutions.

One notable change was Gareth Bale replacing Bridge—slotting into his natural position at left-back.

This was an experiment by Gao Shen, testing Bale's capabilities in his original role.

In Gao Shen's eyes, Gareth Bale was like a powerful dragon-slaying sword, he needed space to sprint. The best way to utilize him was to position him deeper on the pitch, allowing him to make sudden forward runs, using his speed and physicality to break through defenses and even create goal-scoring opportunities.

The most classic example was his famous performance against Maicon.

In contrast, Bale's technical ability, particularly his close ball control was not as refined, making him less suited for an advanced role. That's why his most natural positions remained left-back or left-midfield. Even playing on the right wasn't ideal.

Of course, it wasn't that he couldn't play there—it all depended on how he was used.

With Bale's speed, power, and stamina, once he started charging forward, he was nearly unstoppable.

This was precisely what set him apart from his close friend, Theo Walcott.

Walcott made a name for himself earlier, but physically, he was nowhere near Bale's level. That difference ultimately played a huge role in the disparity between their careers.

So, Gao Shen was still studying how to best utilize Bale.

The same applied to other players. He took the time to analyze each one individually, listening to their thoughts and preferences before making decisions.

But none of this could overshadow one undeniable fact, Gao Shen lost his first warm-up match as Manchester City's manager, against a South African team.

The media pounced on it immediately.

The Sun wasted no time, placing the story on their front page.

Even though the scoreline was only a 1-2 loss, they labeled it a "crushing defeat," emphasizing Manchester City's lackluster performance.

"Gao Shen and his squad, assembled with over €200 million, just lost to the Orlando Pirates in Cape Town, South Africa."

"The entire Orlando Pirates squad isn't even worth €10 million combined."

The Sun declared that Gao Shen's "magical aura" had disappeared.

Other British outlets quickly followed up with similar reports.

Since the match wasn't broadcast live and South Africa was far from England, most journalists weren't even present. Their articles were based on second-hand accounts, all echoing the same narrative, Manchester City looked sluggish, lacked cohesion, and their defeat to a South African team was a disgrace for the Premier League.

"A team like this thinks they can win the Premier League?"

"If Manchester City wins the title, it'll be the biggest joke in Premier League history!"

Adding fuel to the fire, Liverpool legend Alan Hansen—who once infamously mocked Ferguson for relying on young players—took the opportunity to rip into Manchester City on his show.

"Gao Shen and Manchester City will never succeed with this group of unmotivated mercenaries!"

He even predicted that the €200 million transfer splurge would turn into a massive burden, claiming that no team in English football history had ever spent so lavishly in such a reckless manner.

"Mark my words—this season will be Gao Shen's Waterloo!"

Gao Shen was baffled by the public reaction.

Did these people even know which players started the game? Did they have any idea what Manchester City's training schedule looked like?

At the very least, couldn't they ask around in Italy?

If Gao Shen's record in competitive matches was that of a world-class manager, then his record in pre-season friendlies was closer to that of a lower-league coach.

As Zidane once joked, "Gao Shen is just too pretentious!"

He always used warm-up matches for experiments, testing different players, trying out tactics, and assessing squad depth.

That meant the teams he coached often performed terribly in friendlies. But once the real competition began, everything would change.

Maybe the British press knew this but chose to ignore it.

At the moment, bashing Manchester City was the "politically correct" thing to do in England.

The club simply didn't have enough fans to defend them. Even in Manchester, United supporters vastly outnumbered City fans.

Just look at how many people took to the streets to celebrate when each club won a title—there was no comparison.

For the media, criticizing Manchester City sold more papers.

Praising them? That was too niche, there just wasn't a big enough audience for it.

So after one pre-season loss, the media tore Manchester City apart.

Gao Shen wasn't hit as hard after all, his reputation was already well-established but he still faced skepticism.

Fortunately, in their second pre-season match, Manchester City secured a narrow 1-0 victory over the Kaizer Chiefs.

Yet, the criticism didn't stop.

This time, the complaint was "the win wasn't convincing enough."

A classic case of people forgetting past struggles as soon as things slightly improve.

(To be continued.)