"Of course, you can also choose not to listen to me, if you really plan on not playing a single game in the next three years."
Lu Yang smiled at Becher’s.
And the latter suddenly felt a chill.
Three years without playing, this was a possibility he had never considered before.
No team has any reason to do so.
But... just like how no team would have a seventeen-year-old boy wielding absolute power, San Remo can never be judged by common sense.
If Lu Yang says there’s a possibility, then perhaps there really is one!
Clearly, in the comfortable environment of an air-conditioned room, Becher’s soaked his vest instantly.
Silence!
Long silence!
"Do you know Sotu?" Lu Yang broke the deadlock and asked, then continued before Becher’s could respond, "I do."
"Sotu is a very stubborn person. In the first training match of the Italy National Team, he tackled Maniero all over the pitch."
Becher’s found it a bit unbelievable.
Sotu was well-known as Maniero’s protector. Though they were at loggerheads at the club, how could Sotu possibly harm Maniero in the national team?
This was simply insulting to Sotu’s professionalism.
"Later, Maniero approached Sotu and talked to him kindly for most of the night," Lu Yang continued, "Maniero told Sotu he needed his help. They shouldn’t be adversaries in the national team. They should work together to restore Italy’s dignity."
"These are simple truths, but if Maniero hadn’t proactively spoken to Sotu, hadn’t given him a step to take down, with Sotu’s personality, he could’ve stood his ground forever, never yielding."
Becher’s seemed thoughtful.
Lu Yang was close with Maniero and Sotu, and this story he told could not be fake.
"In the match with Chievo, Sotu told me to fully support you in the first half, and you would let go of your bias and fully support me in the second half. That would be a fair competition." Lu Yang spread his hands, "Unfortunately, you didn’t!"
"You were certain that Sotu wouldn’t take you off the field! Because someone told you the day before the match, Sotu guaranteed in front of Chairman Russell that you’d have at least ninety minutes of play in that match."
"That’s why you were undaunted, but... I must say, the person who gave you this information harmed you, possibly for a lifetime!"
Lu Yang stared at Becher’s eyes, "The butcher never accepts any threats! That’s why he’s called the butcher! Ferocity is just appearance, only consistent ferocity can create a star!"
"Sotu is undoubtedly such a star!"
"You think this great butcher Sotu was able to conquer the other three butchers in Milan because he’s the most experienced? Or because his skills are the best?"
"Neither, it’s only because he’s the one with the most willpower to endure among the four butchers!"
"Scott violated Sotu’s taboo, the head coach’s authority and power absolutely cannot be challenged by anyone, not even Chairman Russell."
"This is the natural right of a winner. No one can infringe on the duties of a head coach who is leading the team to become better."
"Sotu won’t back down on this matter! He will only sweep out the man who crossed the line with unparalleled force!"
This, too, is part of football.
Becher’s understood what Lu Yang meant, and shook his head, "But I didn’t mean to provoke Sotu at all, I’m willing to play for him, on the condition that he respects my playing style."
Becher’s feared Lu Yang, and gave up the act of competing against Lu Yang for the leadership position, but that didn’t mean he was willing to cooperate with Lu Yang and become a role player.
To put it bluntly, Lu Yang had just educated him in front of a national audience. Even if he was scared out of his mind and took a step back at the time.
But one moment of patience, and you’ll find peace; take a step back and the more you think about it, the angrier you get. This saying holds a lot of truth.
Becher’s had previously decided that if Sotu didn’t come to him for help, he would definitely not play well.
And Bai Zhami’s injury further highlighted his importance. Belletti could barely play half a match, playing the entire field was simply impossible.
Unless Sotu disregards public opinion and the team’s performance, he must come to promise Becher’s some tactical assurances.
Becher’s can play as support for Lu Yang, but he also needs guarantees of status above other players.
He is a star, with the dignity of a star.
"You still don’t understand." Lu Yang smiled, "From the moment your agent accepted Scott’s suggestion, telling you to play the whole match in your own style and ignore Sotu’s plans, you were already standing behind Scott."
"This is no longer the conflict between player and coach. This is a management conflict, a sports director coveting and challenging the authority of the head coach... Sotu will not compromise with you."
"Morici and Bai Zhami can return in two weeks. So what if San Remo loses every game for the next two weeks? We are destined to be promoted this season! We are just one point away from the top of the table!"
"Sotu will indefinitely shelve you, but not completely demote you to the reserve team. He will let you stay with the first team, sit on the bench, but never give you a minute to play."
"The butcher will only be more ruthless than you can imagine."
"Of course, out of professional ethics, I believe Sotu won’t assign you excessive training tasks that harm your physical health. That’s the only thing to be thankful for."