Chapter 18 Public Enemy
Although he is no longer the head coach of Real Madrid, Carlo still gets up very early.
When he went downstairs for breakfast, he stopped by the mailbox outside the courtyard to pick up the morning's freshly baked newspaper.
Like most Real Madrid fans, he also subscribed to AS.
After opening the newspaper and looking at the cover, Carlo was stunned.
"He's ruining Real Madrid!"
The headline of AS was shocking, taking up half of the cover, and it was written in scarlet font, which was particularly impressive, giving it a feeling of The Ring.
Carlo couldn't wait to open the second edition and read the content in detail. He found out that this was what Carlos said in a program on Spanish TV3 last night. During the program, he blasted the new chairman Martin and the new head coach Gao Shen.
In particular , the target was directed at Gao Shen.
In the program, Carlos responded to Gao Shen's speech at the previous press conference, saying that in Real Madrid, every player is the best player in the world, and no one is unworthy of the Real Madrid jersey.
"I've been with this team for 10 years and everyone has been really nice to me, but I haven't been spoiled by that."
When the host mentioned that Gao Shen did not name any player, Carlos thought that was because he simply could not name a specific one because all the players in Real Madrid were trying their best to work for the team.
"I don't know what his purpose was for saying this, but I think it is a very irresponsible behavior. Even if he didn't name any players, his words still make people feel that there is a problem within the team."
The host asked in return, is there no problem within Real Madrid?
Carlos shook his head. “Of course there are problems, but they are all minor ones that can be solved by closing the locker room door. But now, I’m sorry, this matter has become a big deal, and the whole world is waiting to see Real Madrid make a fool of themselves.”
Carlos also does not think that the issue of superstars aging is a problem.
"When Romario was 40 years old, he was still scoring goals on the field. So I think that on the football field, performance is the most convincing, and youth is not important."
Carlos also specifically pointed out that Gao Shen had an extremely blank resume before coaching Real Madrid.
"We all know that Real Madrid is the greatest and most successful football club in the 20th century. Even in the new century, it is still the most glorious team. But what I can't understand is why we chose a kid who has no resume, can't even play football, and is younger than most of our players to coach?"
"Is it just because he can shout a few slogans? Is it just because he caters to the ideas of some people above him?"
"I'm sorry, I can't understand this, but I feel like he's destroying Real Madrid! He's destroying everything we've worked so hard to build over the past few years."
Regarding the new head coach, Carlos said that not only himself, but many people in the locker room, even the fans and the media, were very opposed to it. "No one would believe that the Chinese kid could lead Real Madrid to win the game."
"Although he has only been in office for two days, he has said a lot of irresponsible things and made a lot of irresponsible decisions on several different occasions. As an old man who has played for Real Madrid for ten years, I feel I need to stand up and remind him not to use those harsh words and not to make decisions that he cannot be responsible for. We are all human beings and we all need to be respected!"
…
AS followed Carlos' show and published it on the front page.
The analysis in the comments believed that one of the important reasons why Carlos openly blasted the new head coach on the show was that in the team match yesterday afternoon, Carlos and Ronaldo were excluded from the list by the new coach. The two left the field angrily at the time. Later, Carlos appeared on the Spanish TV3 program last night and said these words.
AS believes that Real Madrid is currently in a turbulent and unstable period.
No one had a specific direction on what the team should do and where to go next, including the 25-year-old Chinese man.
"According to reporters, he has talked to many people and is trying a new set of tactics in the team competition. But how many people would believe that a 25-year-old kid who has never played football and only went to school can lead a group of successful superstars out of the current predicament?"
AS stated that Gao Shen's series of measures, including promoting young players from the second team and expelling Carlos and Ronaldo, were more to cater to the calls of the new chairman and some fans.
"In the past period of time, many Real Madrid fans have been dissatisfied with the superstars, especially the Brazilian superstars, so they strongly demanded that the team take down the Brazilian gang, and Gao Shen is catering to the emotions of these extreme fans."
"It's dangerous because he is the head coach of the team and he should be responsible for the overall fighting power of the team."
Alfredo, editor-in-chief of AS, also expressed in his column that he was disappointed with the current chaos in Real Madrid, especially the appointment of the head coach. He felt that this was the most ridiculous decision in the history of Real Madrid.
"As far as I know, in the past two days, many Real Madrid legends and fans, including the board of directors, have called the Real Madrid management. King Juan has also expressed his concern through people around him. Martin should have felt the pressure and realized that he had made a not so appropriate decision."
"This weekend should be a suitable opportunity. With the current chaos in Real Madrid, it will be very difficult to beat Atletico, which is in good form. Then it will be a natural thing to take down the head coach."
"But this absurd farce of just a few days will cause damage to Real Madrid for a longer period of time."
…
Standing in the courtyard, Carlo read the comments on the second page and the column by editor-in-chief Alfredo, and he realized the seriousness of the problem.
Who is Alfredo?
A big shot in the Spanish media field, he hadn't said a word in the past few days, but now he spoke.
Gao Shen took down the Brazilian gang in one fell swoop. No one could estimate how much damage it would cause to Real Madrid's combat effectiveness.
Emotionally, this is very satisfying, but from the perspective of the team's interests, this is irresponsible behavior and must be stopped as soon as possible.
With Alfredo's appearance, more Real Madrid legends, board members and members will surely come forward, and Martin may well take advantage of the situation and directly take down Gao Shen.
Carlo is someone who has personally experienced the entire process of Real Madrid's turmoil. He sees more clearly than anyone else how many tricks and intrigues are involved, and he also knows Gao Shen's current situation.
Today, Gao Shen has become the public enemy of Madrid.
In this city derby this weekend, let alone a loss, even a draw is unacceptable.
Even at the Bernabeu, all the Real Madrid fans may bombard their head coach together. When has such a scene ever appeared in the history of Real Madrid?
Thinking of this, Carlo immediately took out his mobile phone, found Gao Shen's number, and called him directly.
…
Gao Shen had just launched his bike and was heading towards Valdebebas when his cell phone rang.
As soon as he saw it was Carlo's number, Gao Shen stopped immediately and answered the call.
"Hello, sir."
"Gao, have you read the newspaper?" Carlo on the phone was very anxious.
"I checked it, nothing, it's expected." Gao Shen said calmly.
This was indeed within his expectations, and he even felt that it was too light. At least Ronaldo did not come out to criticize him, otherwise the scene would have been even more lively.
"Listen to me, Gao, seriously, you should go to the Bernabeu and resign now. This is something you really cannot participate in, do you understand?"
"I know, sir." Gao Shen's tone was still calm, "But I have no choice. This is an opportunity."
Carlo on the other end of the phone was silent.
"I came to Madrid alone, and you have always taken good care of me. I really regard you as a teacher. I know what you want and what you have always wanted to do. Now, I am doing what you want to do."
"Don't worry, we will definitely win this weekend's derby!"
Carlo didn't know what he should say, and he didn't know where Gao Shen got his confidence from.
"Sir, I have something and I can't visit you again. I hope you can come to the Bernabeu to watch the game this weekend. Believe me, you will see a completely different Real Madrid."
Carlo hummed, neither agreeing nor refusing.
After hanging up the phone with Carlo, Gao Shen just got on his bike when the phone rang again.
This time it was an unfamiliar number.
After the call was connected, the voice of Real Madrid's new president Martin was immediately heard.
"What's going on between Carlos and Ronaldo?" Martin was a little anxious on the phone.
It was obvious that Carlos's bombardment annoyed him.
Not only was he irritating the Brazilians, he was also irritating Gao Shen.
Gao Shen briefly recounted what happened on the training ground yesterday.
"Some players think their position in the club is unshakable, and should even be more secure than the chairman. This is unreasonable. In the past, we were too soft when dealing with superstars and spoiled them completely. As a result, they can't tell whether they made Real Madrid or Real Madrid made them."
Gao Shen's words pleased Martin because he really thought so. Even Florentino, who is missed by superstars, once said something similar.
But the question is, can Gao Shen control the situation?
"You are right, but after defeating the Brazilian gang, how do we play the derby this weekend?" Martin asked.
Gao Shen replied confidently: "Don't worry, we practiced the new tactics yesterday and the response was very good. Even without the Brazilian gang, we will definitely be able to beat Atletico Madrid. I guarantee that you will see a brand new Real Madrid at the Bernabeu this weekend."
After a pause, Gao Shen said in a deep voice: "To be honest, I have already written a letter of resignation. If we cannot beat Atletico Madrid at the Bernabeu this weekend, you don't need to say anything. I will put this letter of resignation directly in your office that night."
This is actually a very meaningless promise, because even if Gao Shen does not resign and fails to take over Atletico Madrid, he will be finished.
But he spoke it in a sonorous and powerful way, with a sense of sadness like the whistling wind and the cold Yishui River.
Martin on the other end of the phone actually felt a little emotional at this moment.
