From Arsenal to the Ball God

”Bless him, I hope he can lead Arsenal to fulfill their dreams in the Premier League and Champions League, and also take a photo wearing a crown.”

”That day I will post on Twitter all day, saying he’s paying tribute to me, haha...!”

Andy Cole crossed his arms, staring at the screen without speaking, only a glimmer in his eyes.

As the photos of the two of them gradually faded away, a new photo appeared on the screen, featuring the protagonist in an Arsenal jersey.

”Leon Maerel, the future of the football world must belong to him.” Reinke couldn’t help but sigh this time as well, squinting to stare at Mael’s face, he kept looking for a long time.

...

That afternoon, at a football training center in London, a group of middle-aged men happily posed for photos in front of the media.

Hans was among them, holding a certificate in his hand, after the group photo he hugged and said goodbye to a few people beside him, ”An unforgettable period, I hope to see you all in the Premier League in the future.”

”Haha...!” His friends laughed, all shaking their heads slightly.

”We don’t have the kind of opportunity you have, getting a pro coaching certificate and directly becoming an assistant coach for a top club.”

”Yeah, Hans, I still have to go back to Villa to lead the U18, and see if I can make a breakthrough in 5 years.”

”I’m planning to go to the Primeira Liga or Eredivisie to look for opportunities, I’ve heard that the competition there isn’t too intense.”

”A club in China invited me, although it’s the secondary league, I’ll give it a try.”

”In any case, it was a great coaching training trip, getting to know the coach who brought out Mael and Gilbert!”

”Don’t forget us, Hans, when you lift the Premier League and Champions League trophies, maybe others won’t care about you, but we’ll definitely gather together and cheer for you!”

Everyone expressed their blessings to Hans, after a period of contact their relationship had long become very close.

Hans looked at them, a bit moved, he remembered himself from 2 years ago, at that time he didn’t even have the chance to become a pro-level coach, let alone become someone pro-level coaches envy.

Unwittingly, he had also moved many steps forward, reaching another peak moment in his life.

One tends to reflect on the past at such times, and various emotions overflow.

Hans couldn’t hold back a bit, he pursed his lips, his eyes reddened, saying, ”I am a lucky person, clearly only doing what I should, yet received so much more.”

”I can’t say I brought Mael out, but players always remember me, and even gifted me a pair of increasingly valuable soccer shoes.”

”Without him, I wouldn’t have the chance to meet you, let alone become Arsenal’s assistant coach.”

”Yesterday, seeing Mael break the goal record and lead the team to break the victory record, I was very excited, drank five bottles of beer alone.”

”Unexpectedly, when I got up, I happily received my pro-level coaching certificate.”

Hans laughed while crying, shaking his certificate, ”God looks after me, and I hope he looks after you too.”

”Sorry for talking too much, after days of surging emotions, having nowhere to release.”

Someone soon walked up beside him, embraced him again.

Someone joked with a smile, ”So, can those soccer shoes be cut into pieces for us to keep as souvenirs?”

”Impossible.” Hans laughed, he refused very firmly.

...

At five thirty in the afternoon, at Britannia Stadium, Manchester City began their Premier League round 33 clash against Stoke City.

”With Arsenal achieving victory first, Mancini’s team will surely be under a lot of pressure, as Stoke City is not an easy opponent, hope they can walk out of here with a smile!”

”.....”

”Yaya Toure’s long shot! Didn’t go in! There’s a follow-up shot! Beautiful!! One to zero, just five minutes into the start, Manchester City took the lead!”

”.....”

”Another attempt at shooting! Still no goal, the match rhythm has slowed down during this period, neither side is finding good opportunities!”

”Mancini seems more anxious than Stoke City’s coach Pereira, he probably thinks a one to zero score isn’t stable enough!”

”.....”

”Stoke City’s counterattack is coming! They’re about to make a direct shot from outside the box! It’s very threatening!”

”At the moment of shooting, Mancini squatted on the ground, if this ball goes in, he might directly lie down on Britannia Stadium!”

”The match has already gone past 80 minutes, if Stoke City scores at this time, that’ll be a serious problem!”

”.....”

”A close call! Manchester City ultimately won this match one to zero! Their points also surpassed 80+!”

”The championship suspense still exists, with 5 rounds left, a 5-point gap, do they have a chance?!”

”.....”

”Forza...!!”

At the sideline area, hearing the whistle blow, Mancini again performed the same celebration as last time, he leaned back and roared towards the sky until someone reminded him to go to the sidelines to shake hands with the opposing coach.

At the post-match press conference, recently it’s been a rare occasion he didn’t lose his temper with the reporters, he eloquently answered all the questions.

”If your boss approves a transfer budget for you, allowing you to sign any player from the two championship rivals, who would you choose?”

Until such a question was raised, Mancini looked at the reporter, after a long silence he impatiently shook his head, ”This question is too stupid, the answer is obvious, no need to choose.”

”Mael?”

”Yes, please don’t ask me such questions again, it’s too foolish.”

...

At seven thirty, the match between Manchester United and Aston Villa kicked off at Villa Park.