SWR: Chapter 525/526

Chapter 525: Three Successors

In an interview with UEFA's official website, Gao Shen credited Napoli's success to the club's management and players, especially the players. He believed that this group of Napoli players still had significant untapped potential.

Many media outlets and fans love to discuss a player's talent, but in reality, it's a rather vague concept.

After all, there's no concrete way to measure it.

Take Denílson, for example—the player who once set a world record for transfer fees. Was his talent exceptional or not?

Some might argue it wasn't, since he never truly excelled in Europe. Others might insist he was talented but simply never found the right environment to flourish.

Either perspective makes sense in its own way.

However, in the European transfer market, clubs focus on two key factors when evaluating players: immediate impact and future potential.

The former is self-explanatory, while the latter is heavily influenced by one major factor—age.

Napoli's current squad consists mostly of players in their early twenties, which happens to be the most sought-after age bracket in the transfer market. More importantly, these players have already demonstrated exceptional ability, making them highly desirable assets.

As for his next move, Gao Shen admitted he hadn't made any concrete plans yet.

"For now, I just want to take a break and get some proper rest," he said, looking forward to some downtime.

In truth, he wasn't planning any trips.

His goal was simple, to relax at home, clear his mind, and reflect on a few things. That alone would be enough. Traveling, on the other hand, felt more like a hassle.

During the interview, Gao Shen also took the opportunity to express his gratitude to Napoli's management, players, and fans.

The three years he spent in this city had been special, leaving a profound impact on him.

"My ideas, tactical concepts, and many other thoughts have been shaped by my time here. I can't fully explain it, but I know I'll always remember my experience in Naples."

At the end of the interview, Gao Shen made it clear that, at just 28 years old, he still had his sights set on winning the Champions League.

"I know it's incredibly difficult, maybe even impossible. But I still want to pursue that goal, which is why I'd prefer to coach a team with Champions League ambitions."

This was essentially an open invitation to any club aiming for European glory, if they had the ambition, he was willing to talk.

At the same time, Gao Shen also dismissed outside speculation, emphasizing that he had never been in contact with Real Madrid or reached any sort of agreement with them.

"I'm the head coach of Napoli. I would never engage in negotiations with another club while still under contract."

When asked whether he would consider managing Real Madrid in the future, Gao Shen simply smiled.

"I believe there will be an opportunity one day."

But when exactly? This summer? Next year? The year after?

Even Gao Shen himself had no answer.


---

After wrapping up the exclusive UEFA interview, Gao Shen bid farewell to his players at Castel Volturno.

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis and sporting director Pierpaolo Marino personally came to the training ground to see off the squad, thanking everyone for their contributions to the club.

At that moment, both men couldn't stop smiling.

Winning the Champions League had not only brought glory to Napoli, but it also meant the club would earn hundreds of millions in the coming years.

That was the financial windfall that came with European success.

This season alone, Napoli had pocketed at least €50–60 million in Champions League broadcasting rights and prize money. Factoring in matchday revenue, the total earnings were astronomical.

According to external estimates, this Champions League triumph would bring in at least €200 million for the club.

Of course, Napoli's management was also generous. After winning the treble, every player, staff member, and employee received a substantial bonus.

Gao Shen didn't bother calculating the exact amount, but he knew it was at least €5 million.

Winning three major titles had filled everyone's pockets, leaving them all grinning from ear to ear. But despite the celebrations, there was also a sense of reluctance.

Many players knew that even with €200 million, Napoli wouldn't be able to keep the entire squad together.

Some of them would leave today and might never return.

One such player was Thiago Motta.

"Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Bayern, Juventus, Manchester United, Chelsea… practically every major European club is tracking him. His current market value has already surpassed €30 million," Marino informed Gao Shen in his office.

Per Gao Shen's contract, he was entitled to a 20% commission on player transfer fees.

In other words, if Thiago Motta were sold for €40 million, Gao Shen would pocket nearly €8 million.

Every time De Laurentiis thought about this clause, he felt like he was cutting a piece of his own flesh. The pain was unbearable.

Three years ago, he thought he was being clever by adding that clause to Gao Shen's contract.

Now? He could only accept it with gritted teeth.

After all, Napoli stood to gain even more from these transfers.

"Barcelona is highly interested in Alexis Sánchez, as well as Rakitic, David Luiz, and Vargas. But I don't want to engage with them just yet. Let's waste their time first," Marino said with a sly grin.

"Real Madrid, on the other hand, has its eyes on Rakitic, Di María, Vargas, and Lichtsteiner."

At the mention of Real Madrid, De Laurentiis and Marino both glanced at Gao Shen, carefully observing his reaction.

Nothing unusual.

Gao Shen remained completely composed.

"Relax," he laughed. "I've had zero contact with Real Madrid. I don't even know who their transfer targets are. Does that sound like someone who's already in talks with them?"

At the end of the day, Capello had summed it up best.

Real Madrid is like a playboy. With just one beckoning gesture, managers from all over will come running.

At this moment, Gao Shen had enough confidence to say:

To hell with that playboy!

According to Real Madrid's transfer strategy this summer, they were determined to sign four superstars: Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Ribéry, and Benzema.

In Gao Shen's previous life, Ribéry was ultimately forced to stay at Bayern. Not only that, but Bayern also snatched up Robben from Real Madrid at the very last moment of the transfer window, forming the legendary Robbery duo.

Of course, this couldn't really be considered Bayern's revenge—after all, there simply weren't any buyers for Robben that summer.

There was no doubt about the Dutch winger's quality. Gao Shen knew that Robben still had the potential to reach the peak of his career. But as of 2009, his career trajectory had been shaky, first pushed out by Chelsea, then plagued by injuries at Real Madrid, where his performances were inconsistent. His market value had dropped from €40 million to just over €20 million, clear evidence of his struggles.

On top of that, Robben had high expectations for his next club and demanded a hefty salary. Any team lacking the necessary strength wouldn't be able to accommodate him.

Professional football is brutally realistic.

So, despite spending the entire summer trying to offload Robben, Real Madrid found no takers, until Bayern swooped in and got him for a bargain.

Looking back, it was yet another reminder of how unpredictable football can be.

Who would have thought that just a year later, Robben and Sneijder would both return to the Santiago Bernabéu not as Real Madrid players, but as opponents in the Champions League final?

Of course, history had already changed. That scene might never happen again.

---

Gao Shen was well aware of how much interest Napoli's players were attracting.

But he had no intention of getting involved in transfer negotiations, nor did he want to influence the decisions of De Laurentiis and Marino.

As far as he was concerned, as long as he got his cut, that was enough.

He didn't believe that those two would be able to keep so many players at the club anyway.

Napoli's best move right now was to capitalize on their Champions League triumph and sell players at top value.

In the end, Napoli simply didn't have the financial power to sustain long-term dominance.

As for the transfer fees, Gao Shen had full confidence in the shrewdness of De Laurentiis and Marino.

At one point, De Laurentiis posed an important question: Who should succeed Gao Shen at Napoli?

Gao Shen gave him three names.

"Massimiliano Allegri, who managed Cagliari this season. Antonio Conte, who led Bari to the Serie B title. Walter Mazzarri, who coached Sampdoria."

He then broke down the strengths and weaknesses of all three. Overall, they were all excellent managers.

But given Napoli's current situation, a squad overhaul was inevitable this summer, and immediate results couldn't be expected. More importantly, Gao Shen's record over the past three years had been too successful, meaning that whoever came next would be under immense pressure.

In light of this, Napoli's management, especially De Laurentiis needed to be fully aware of the reality.

"As long as Napoli can remain stable in the next few years, maintain its position among the Serie A elite, and secure Champions League qualification, the club will be in a strong position after a few seasons of accumulation."

De Laurentiis and Marino clearly took Gao Shen's words to heart.

From the very beginning, their vision for Napoli was to establish the club as a consistent Champions League contender, whether they could actually win the tournament would be up to fate.

But no one expected Gao Shen to elevate the team so quickly, setting the bar sky-high. Now, the club found itself in a strange position—one of success, but also uncertainty.

Yet Gao Shen's words helped them regain some clarity.

There was one more name within Gao Shen's coaching staff, someone who was actually a local from Naples.

Maurizio Sarri.

Gao Shen didn't doubt Sarri's ability, but to be honest, putting him in charge of Napoli right now would be throwing him into the fire. He simply wasn't ready to handle a club of this stature yet.

This was the harsh reality.

At the top level of football, every player had an ego. Without the experience and authority to command respect, how could a coach truly lead a squad?


---

After sending off De Laurentiis and Marino, Gao Shen turned his attention to another issue.

Napoli's next head coach was no longer his concern. He had given his professional advice—now, it was up to them to decide.

After the meeting, Gao Shen walked back to his coach's office.

The players had already left, but his coaching staff remained.

This was his personal team, the core group behind his success. There were many things that needed to be discussed before moving forward.

Chapter 526: Goodluck

As the saying goes, "A hero needs three strong allies."

There's another saying: "When one person succeeds, the whole family benefits."

Over the years, as Gao Shen's reputation in European football continued to rise, his coaching staff also gained significant recognition.

As his chief assistant coach, Carlo had received numerous offers, including some from La Liga clubs that wanted him as their head coach. But for various reasons, he chose to decline.

The biggest reason was simple: coaching alone came with high risks. It was far less stable than staying under a proven leader.

At the very least, as Gao Shen's assistant, any storms would be faced by Gao Shen first.

From a financial perspective, many La Liga managers didn't even earn as much as Carlo did as an assistant coach.

So unless he was truly determined to make a name for himself, why take the risk of going solo?

By contrast, Lucas' success was more personal, a result of his deep bond with Gao Shen.

Back when they were at Real Madrid, they had made a pact: one would become a world-class coach, while the other would be the top analyst behind him.

That promise had now become a reality.

As one of the best football analysts today, Lucas had no shortage of job offers. Even Guardiola, when he took charge of Barcelona, had considered setting up a dedicated data analysis department with Lucas at the helm.

But in the end, Lucas chose to stay.

According to him, he wasn't particularly ambitious. "I have a big tree like Gao Shen to rely on, a stable job, and plenty of free time to date. Why would I give that up?"

But Gao Shen knew the real reason Lucas had joined his staff.

Back at Real Madrid, Gao Shen had personally recommended Lucas for a club-funded study program at Loughborough University.

In private, Lucas had told him, "Unless you stop coaching, I won't consider working for anyone else."

It was the same story with Buenaventura, Pintus, Borrell, Lopis, and the other staff members. Each was a leading expert in their field and had gained recognition over the years, making them prime targets for other clubs.

However, Gao Shen paid them well, and they were happy working under him. After all, they were assistants, it didn't matter who they worked for.

Gao Shen had always been clear about one thing:

"If you find a better opportunity, I won't hold you back. But if you choose to stay, that's even better."


---

At the Castel Volturno meeting, Gao Shen outlined his next steps.

He admitted he hadn't decided where to go yet and was considering various options. Once he had news, he would inform them immediately.

After leading Napoli to a historic treble, Gao Shen had earned huge rewards, and every staff member had also received substantial bonuses.

With his current status in European football, he had no shortage of offers.

The real question was: What kind of team did he want to coach next?

His coaching staff understood this better than anyone.

Gao Shen was looking to move up, which meant his salary would increase, and so would theirs. But the biggest challenge remained Gao Shen's demands.

He wanted to be the undisputed authority in the locker room.

He also wanted full control over transfers.

These were deal-breakers for many clubs.

De Laurentiis had accepted these conditions because he was the club owner and focused on the club's interests. But for many sporting directors, protecting their own power was the priority.

Whether the team succeeded or failed didn't matter to them as long as their position remained secure.

However, the situation was now different from three years ago.

Back then, Gao Shen would coach any team willing to give him a chance.

Now? He wanted a Champions League-caliber team and those clubs were usually wealthy and ambitious.

After receiving Gao Shen's confirmation, his coaching staff breathed a sigh of relief.

One by one, they assured him that they would wait for his decision.

For now, it was the perfect time to take a well-deserved vacation.


---

As night fell, Castel Volturno became quiet.

Gao Shen and Zidane walked side by side toward a small hill near the training ground.

He still remembered, two years ago, around this same time, in this very place, Guardiola had said goodbye before returning to Barcelona to coach the B team.

That move had led to his brilliant rise this season.

Now, it was Zidane's turn.

"Have you made up your mind?" Gao Shen asked.

Zidane stood beside him and nodded.

"Florentino called me personally. You know I couldn't refuse."

Gao Shen understood. Zidane and Florentino Pérez had a special relationship.

They weren't just club president and legendary player, they were partners who had helped each other succeed.

From the moment Zidane joined Real Madrid, his fate had been tied to the club forever.

Just like Gao Shen.

No matter where he went or what he achieved, he would always carry the Real Madrid mark.

"You'll be the president's advisor?" Gao Shen asked.

"He offered me the role of presidential advisor and assistant coach." Zidane hesitated, then added, "But to be honest, I'm not ready. I don't want to be someone's assistant."

There was a hint of pride in his voice.

After all, Zidane was a football legend, why should he be an assistant coach to anyone?

The only reason he had agreed to work under Gao Shen was because he had played for him and won a historic double.

And Gao Shen's coaching ability was undeniable.

At Zidane's level, career decisions weren't just about logic, they involved complex personal considerations.

Gao Shen chuckled.

"Then I should feel honored."

"Actually, I can help you get it."

Zidane looked at Gao Shen, his tone tentative.

Through multiple phone calls, he had already gained insight into Florentino Pérez's thoughts.

If Gao Shen was willing to compromise, allowing Pérez to personally step in and negotiate, the Real Madrid president would be open to it.

Because Gao Shen was too valuable right now.

As long as Real Madrid appointed Gao Shen as head coach, they could immediately counter Barcelona's double-winning season, an impact even greater than signing more superstars.

But Florentino's biggest mistake was finalizing the transfers of Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka before securing a manager.

Even now, Gao Shen hadn't been informed about any of it.

This went completely against his coaching philosophy.

Ronaldo was fine. But Kaka didn't fit his system.

Looking at Napoli this season, Hamsik had only played as an attacking midfielder in a 4-2-3-1 formation. In the Champions League, their most-used system was still 4-3-3, a setup where there was no room for Hamsik.

Zidane understood better than anyone, Gao Shen's real preference was 4-3-3.

This formation had better tactical balance and stronger attacking efficiency.

But Kaka didn't have a role in that system.


---

"Are the transfers of Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka almost done?" Gao Shen asked casually.

Zidane nodded. "It's finalized, but it's not time to announce it yet. There are still details to handle."

Gao Shen understood immediately.

With Ronaldo confirmed, Robben would be leaving.

A Spanish journalist friend had already given him the heads-up. Whether for sporting or financial reasons, Real Madrid had to sell Robben.

The only question was, where would he go?

With Kaka arriving, Sneijder would also be sold.

Same logic.

There were only so many spots in the first team, and each one was already occupied.


---

Right now, the biggest uncertainty at Real Madrid was the head coach position.

Initially, the media reported that Real Madrid would officially announce Gao Shen as their new manager the day after the Champions League final.

But now, it was already late in the day, and there was still no announcement.

Even Gao Shen himself had no idea if he was coaching Real Madrid.

Ridiculous, right?

Looking across European football, there weren't many managers who could realistically take over Real Madrid.

Apart from Gao Shen, the most popular choice was Ancelotti.

But Real Madrid had been slow to act, prioritizing superstar signings instead.

Meanwhile, Chelsea had moved quickly and were close to finalizing a deal with Ancelotti, a three-year contract worth £20 million.

Very generous.


---

In fact, half a month ago, Chelsea had contacted Gao Shen to ask if he was interested in managing the club.

After careful consideration, he politely declined.

This was one of the reasons Ancelotti ended up at Stamford Bridge.

Gao Shen had turned down Chelsea mainly because of Abramovich's management style.

He respected Abramovich's financial investment in the club but strongly disagreed with some of the Russian billionaire's decisions, especially how Ancelotti was eventually sacked in his previous life.

There was another major concern, Chelsea had just hired Frank Arnesen from Tottenham as their new Director of Football.

This made Gao Shen uneasy.

The Director of Football role wasn't uncommon in European football, but in the Premier League, it was still relatively new.

It had largely been introduced as a response to corruption scandals in the early 2000s, where managers abused transfer power for personal gain. Even big names like Redknapp and Ferguson had been implicated at the time.

For many Premier League clubs, appointing a Director of Football was a way to limit the manager's control over transfers.

After all, Premier League managers weren't just head coaches, they were "managers" with broader authority.

And Frank Arnesen wasn't easy to work with.

Gao Shen wasn't confident he could cooperate effectively with him.

On top of that, Chelsea's current squad didn't align with his tactical philosophy.

So, he declined the offer.


---

With Ancelotti heading to Chelsea, Real Madrid now had fewer coaching options.

The main candidates left were:

Manuel Pellegrini (Villarreal)

José Mourinho (Inter Milan)

Rafa Benítez (Liverpool)


Would Real Madrid go for Pellegrini?

Gao Shen didn't know and didn't care.

He rarely wasted energy on things unrelated to him.

Right now, all he wanted was to take a proper vacation, clear his mind, and recharge for the future.

Who Real Madrid hired as their next coach?

Not his problem.


---

Thinking of this, Gao Shen exhaled deeply, turned around, and extended his right hand toward Zidane.

"If there's a chance in the future, I'll definitely return to Real Madrid. When that happens, we'll work together again."

Zidane didn't ask when, because he knew Gao Shen couldn't answer that.

He simply shook Gao Shen's hand.

"Good luck!"

"Same to you."