Super Marshal

There is an unwritten tradition in the Premier League, that is, after a game, the head coaches will arrange a place to have a drink and get together after attending the press conference to show that victory or defeat on the field has nothing to do with personal relationships off the field. gentleman.

As the most traditional head coach in the Premier League, Ferguson has always been a practitioner of this tradition. There is a special room at Old Trafford where Ferguson entertains his opponents and drinks.

But there are exceptions, such as certain people he dislikes very much, or when he loses.

Especially the latter, Ferguson has publicly stated more than once that he likes this tradition very much, but if he loses, it will be difficult for him to be in the mood to drink with the opponent.

However, the exception is if the other party brings a treasured wine that he has longed for.

Ferguson likes red wine. This is known to the whole world. When Gao Han was coaching Chelsea, he brought a collection of good wine to the game against Manchester United. It was also reported by many media reporters. After Gao Han left Chelsea, Ferguson mentioned it more than once. He said he disliked Chelsea because Abramovich prevented him from drinking the good wine brought by the cold.

And this time, Gao Han returned to Old Trafford, and naturally he carefully prepared a bottle of good wine.

The two were in Ferguson's office, slowly sipping red wine and chatting wordlessly. Ferguson felt a little resentful, but Gao Han won the game and gave him some concessions to help him adjust his mood.

As if to find what was lost on the court in the wine glass, Ferguson drank faster.

After a few drinks, the old Scottish man's face was already red.

"Chelsea won again." Ferguson breathed out his alcohol and cursed angrily.

The news just came from London. Chelsea defeated Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 and ushered in their sixth consecutive victory. Moreover, the Blues' defense was good. In terms of goal difference, they continued to overpower Manchester City and continued to lead the Premier League. ranking.

"Scolari's tactics at Chelsea this season are very pragmatic, focusing on defense and balance. Coupled with the strength of the Blues, as long as there are no accidents, I am afraid not many teams can defeat them."

Ferguson's eyes were slightly cloudy and turned red after drinking, but when he mentioned Chelsea, his eyes could not hide his anger.

In this round of the league, Liverpool narrowly defeated West Ham United in an away game, and basically won everything they should win.

After this round, Chelsea continues to lead. Manchester City has the same points but ranks second. Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur all have 12 points, ranking third to third respectively. seventh place.

It can be said that this represents the situation in the Premier League today.

If there are no accidents, the Premier League should be dominated by these teams. The only big suspense is who among the traditional top four will be squeezed out of the top four. Who has a chance, Aston Villa or Tottenham Hotspur? Ranked higher.

This is a very real problem.

"What are you worried about? Judging from the current situation, if a team is really squeezed out of the top four, the probability of Arsenal and Liverpool will be greater, especially Liverpool, their offense is terrible." Gao Han analyzed.

Liverpool's problems can be said to have been around for a long time, but they have never been effectively resolved.

During the Houllier period, Liverpool insisted on using Owen and Crouch as a double forward. However, during the Benitez period, Liverpool began to implement a mainland style and switched to a lone forward. But the problem is that the Red Army will always have only one reliable forward. of strikers available.

In the past few seasons, Benitez has been determined to get the management to win over Atletico Madrid's captain Torres, but the Shenbi Legion insists that Torres is the team's flag and not for sale, and today's Atletico Madrid is no longer relegated. The team is a well-known top European team, and Torres has never thought about leaving.

Unfavorable signings have resulted in Liverpool's forward problem never being effectively resolved.

If it were in some more tactically targeted games, such as the Champions League knockout rounds, or the Premier League's strong dialogue, Liverpool's problem may still be covered up, but in the long league, the lack of stable offensive firepower, this It's quite a scary thing.

The Red Army bullied the strong and feared the weak last season, but lacked offensive firepower.

A strong team is willing to fight you to the death and will reveal flaws for you to exploit, but a weak team is different. They will defend to the death, which will test the offense.

This season, Liverpool's problem has not improved.

That's why Gao Han said that the team most likely to be squeezed out of the top four is Liverpool.

"But I would rather be Chelsea." Ferguson said lightly.

Gao Han was a little surprised, but he quickly figured out the meaning of Ferguson's words, and shook his head with a wry smile, "Everyone said that I came to the Premier League with a feeling of revenge, determined to kill Chelsea, but why do I feel that you are better than Do I still hate him?"

But Ferguson didn't find it funny at all. He still looked at Gao Han seriously, "Abramovich broke the rules!"

Broken rules!

A simple sentence, but Gao Han was speechless.

As many people say, Ferguson is the most traditional British coach. He is Scottish, but has coached in the Premier League for decades. He knows everything about the Premier League. Coupled with Manchester United's status in the Premier League, he is in the Premier League. The Premier League manager's status is very high in the circle.

Sometimes status and influence also represent responsibilities.

When Abramovich fired Rijkaard on the bus in front of the entire team, Gao Han couldn't stand it and immediately blasted Abramovich in the media because he was ranked No. 1 in the world at the time. The first head coach, a famous coach in Europe, if he doesn't stand up and speak, who else will speak for the head coach?

Then in the future, wouldn’t all head coaches have to endure it if they are wronged?

Gao Han is like this. As a representative of the Premier League coach, why isn't Ferguson like this?

"You still remember, I told you that if a head coach cannot control the locker room, he is committing suicide. Think about it, in the past few years, in European football, how many head coaches have done it for no reason every year? The team's wrong decision-making took the blame for the internal conflicts in the locker room? After being fired for many years, he was still ridiculed and humiliated by fans and the media?"

Gao Han listened silently. At this point, his height was not as high as Ferguson's, much less.

If the results are not good, asking the head coach to take the blame is the cheapest option.

A professional club is a company. If there is a problem in the company's operation, the solution is of course to choose the lowest cost option.

As for whether it's the head coach's problem, who cares?

What does it mean to change coaches like changing swords?

Is it true that changing a head coach can completely change the team's situation?

Gao Han has never denied that there are indeed some head coaches who are not strong enough, but they may be able to gain a foothold in the four major European leagues. Each one has proven itself, and there must be no problem with their strength, so why are there so many problems?

It's like Chelsea's unsatisfactory results. Is it all Rijkaard's fault?

Is there no problem with the club management and players' locker room?

If both have problems, which one is more serious? Why did you only fire the head coach again?

Well, even if it’s Rijkaard’s problem alone, as a famous European coach, should Chelsea show proper respect and save each other’s face, instead of doing it in front of everyone on the team on the bus? How about firing him in public?

Ferguson said that Abramovich broke the rules and broke this level of rules.

To be blunt, it is natural for the head coach to take the blame, but even if he has to do so, he has to do so in a dignified way.

Abramovich's approach was nothing more than to put all the blame on Rijkaard. Not only that, he also wanted to trample Rijkaard's head under his feet.

"To be honest, Chelsea this year is indeed very strong, and Scolari's style of play is very pragmatic. Neither Wenger nor I are sure enough, so you have to work harder." Ferguson said with a helpless smile.

Gao Han also smiled bitterly. He could feel the helplessness in Ferguson's heart.

Today's European football is dominated by capital, and Chelsea is one of the best. Abramovich has no respect for professional football at all. He only believes in capital.

But facing Chelsea like this, Ferguson and Wenger themselves didn't have much confidence, so they could only turn to Gao Han for help. And the weapons in Gao Han's hands were not Manchester City built with capital from the Middle East?

The only difference is that Manchester City is at least a little in awe and puts Gao Han in the supreme position.

"Don't worry, the game hasn't started yet, everything is still unknown." Gao Han comforted.

He felt that this defeat was a big blow to Ferguson, and it was mainly due to Manchester United's own problems.

Ferguson did not continue to struggle with this issue. Instead, he sighed at Gao Han.

"Honestly, do you know what I envy you the most?"

"What?"

Ferguson clicked his tongue twice, "How come you always find a way to dig out so many high-level players?"

When they reach this status, they both speak the same words in their respective clubs, and have absolute authority in the locker room. Even their coaching abilities are not far apart, but Gao Han's biggest advantage lies in his players.

He is always able to discover some unknown players and develop them into talents.

Even though Manchester City invested 400 million this season, impressive players like Javi Martinez, Sturridge and Sanchez have emerged, especially Javi Martinez, who later It's so rare to have a defensive commander-level star.

Facing Ferguson's question, Gao Han didn't know how to answer. He couldn't say that he had a sharp eye and could see through the strength and potential of all players at a glance, right?

"Good luck." Gao Han smiled.

"Then you're very lucky." How could Ferguson believe it?

If nothing else, let’s talk about the goalkeeper.

At first, he spent a lot of money to bring in Edwin van der Sar and German goalkeeper Adler. However, after Adler came to the Premier League, his physical fitness was not strong enough and he could not adapt at all. He was sent back to Germany soon. Manchester United's goalkeeper position was in vain. Had a game.

But almost at the same time, Gao Han recruited Neuer from Bayern Munich. The latter's reputation and performance were not as good as Adler at the time, but as a result, Neuer suddenly played at a world-class level at Bayern Munich.

After this back and forth, Ferguson was indeed depressed.

Ferguson knew how useful the two players Gao Han had introduced to Manchester United before, Matic and Pepe.

When he thought of this, Ferguson suddenly felt something in his heart and looked at Gao Han with a smile and evil intentions.

"How about... you sell De Gea to me?"

"No!" Gao Han was startled. Oh my god, is this old man crazy?

But Manchester United is in urgent need of goalkeepers and is red-eyed. It is really possible to poach De Gea. After all, that small amount of contract break money is a piece of cake for the wealthy Manchester United.

But the Chinatown team has performed well this season, and De Gea has contributed a lot and performed very well. How can it be sold?

"De Gea is the backbone of our defense and is not for sale. Don't try to get his ideas!"