Starting With Real Madrid

Chapter 7: Three Fires When the New Official Takes Office



"You say, is he stupid?" Ronaldo sneered.

In the player's rest area, Ronaldo, Carlos, Baptista, Cicinho, and others gathered together, looking coldly at the crowd passing by outside the window. They all felt a strange sensation.

This is too outrageous, isn't it?

The first team was already overcrowded, and now there are more than a dozen new players. What is he trying to do?

Doesn't he know that no matter how many players there are, only eleven can play in a match?

"I don't think he's stupid; he's an idiot!" Carlos replied coldly, "He doesn't even know if he's being used and still helps others willingly."

Regarding the press conference in the morning, Raul didn't reveal anything after he came back. Most of the players in the locker room believed that Gao Shen's remarks were inspired by the management, especially the new chairman Martin.

Martin had said something similar in the past.

In Carlos' view, Gao Shen was just a tool in Martin's hands.

But does this tool really work?

"Could it be that he wants to rely on these dozen or so brats to win the weekend derby?"

Atletico Madrid's league ranking this season is not ideal. Famous coach Bianchi was dismissed in January, and Atletico Madrid's second-team coach Pepe Murcia took over. The league ranking has since rebounded, placing them in the middle of the standings.

The Sheet Legion (Atletico Madrid) gathered a group of local Spanish internationals and famous players such as Fernando Torres, Pablo Ibanez, Antonio Lopez, Mario Suarez, and Gabi. They also had strong foreign players like Lucin, Ibagaza, Petrov, Maxi Rodriguez, Galetti, and Kežman. Their overall strength should not be underestimated.

Atletico Madrid was able to win 2-1 at home and 3-1 away, double-killing league leader Barcelona.

In the first match of the season, Real Madrid defeated Atletico Madrid 3-0 away, but the process was very dangerous. Ultimately, it was only with Ronaldo's brace and Atletico Madrid's own goal that they managed to escape.

Now, with the passage of time, Real Madrid is no longer in the harmonious state it was under Luxembergo, and Atletico Madrid's situation has improved after the coaching change.

When Gao Shen faced an opponent like Atletico Madrid, he promoted more than a dozen players from the youth team. Does he really want to bench the superstars?

"Does he really think he can rely on those brats to compete in the league and the Champions League?" Carlos sneered with disdain. He felt that Gao Shen was too naive and ignorant.

But it's normal for young people to be fearless due to ignorance.

---

Gao Shen didn't know what was happening in the players' rest area, but he guessed the stars would have mixed feelings.

But that wasn't his concern.

After handing the players over to captain Raul, Gao Shen went straight to the coach's office.

Before that, he rejected the club's arrangement and didn't move into the head coach's office used by Luxembergo and Carlo. He continued to work in the coach's office, in his usual position.

This was also an attitude.

When facing Maqueda, Gao Shen pretended to be helpless and smiled bitterly, "Maybe I'll be dismissed tomorrow, and I'll have to move back."

Maqueda said something nice without smiling, clearly thinking Gao Shen wasn't qualified to move into that office.

He himself was more qualified than Gao Shen.

"Gao, you promoted so many young players from the second team. How are you going to arrange the training session in the afternoon?" Maqueda asked.

"Others don't know, but you should. What arrangements can I make? I'll do what the leaders above say."

Although Gao Shen said it politely, a trace of contempt flashed in Maqueda's eyes.

As expected, he is a fledgling rookie who knows nothing. Why should he be the head coach of Real Madrid?

"Okay, I'll make arrangements."

After speaking, Maqueda went out without looking back.

"Hey, isn't this guy too rude?" Fernando Lucas next to Gao Shen was unhappy.

He had been listening from the beginning, and if Gao Shen hadn't stopped him, he would have said something to Maqueda.

"You're polite?" Gao Shen didn't feel embarrassed. He looked at Lucas and smiled, "If you have strength, others will be polite to you. If you don't have strength, why should they respect you?"

This was true in the workplace and still is as a coach at Real Madrid.

"Then how do you establish the prestige of the head coach?" Lucas asked worriedly.

Gao Shen smiled and shook his head. This is actually an illusion for many people.

Whether it's the head coach or a company leader, where does prestige come from?

Work?

Players and subordinates can be at odds and even overthrow coaches and leaders.

Many leaders, eager to establish their prestige, advocate the so-called three fires of a new official.

But most leaders who set fire to establish prestige don't end well.

Gao Shen is not stupid. He promoted more than a dozen players from the second team, which is enough. At this time, blindly setting fires would be his end.

Like young coach Boas, who would coach Chelsea in a few years. As soon as he took office, he threatened to defeat locker room bosses Lampard, Terry, and Drogba, implementing youthful reforms. He thoroughly angered them, causing chaos.

But it wasn't this that caused his tragedy.

With Boas's status at the time, although he wasn't heavy enough, he was valued by the Chelsea management. If he gritted his teeth and carried it through, bringing the team's results up, he would win.

The worst thing is, he couldn't take it.

What's more terrible is that after the rapid decline in performance, he had to re-enable these veterans, who then performed well, causing Boas to lose all prestige.

At this time, Boas still had a chance to reconcile with the three veterans, but he didn't, causing complete alienation and his dismissal.

This case shows that a new official shouldn't blindly set fires. First, understand the situation clearly and have a clear way of thinking.

For example, what tactics will Real Madrid adopt now?

Ensuring the team's combat effectiveness, who can be used? Who can't?

Even superstars, which need appeasement? Which need showing color?

If Gao Shen made a lot of noise today, but had to flatter and make compromises for performance tomorrow, where's his prestige?

In a company, improving performance is key.

In a football team, leading the team to score and win is key.

Gao Shen's main task is to have a clear team formation idea, determining which tactics are most suitable for Real Madrid. After that, use it as a basis to select players, then communicate and appease one by one.

Regarding the team's problem and the next tactical play, Gao Shen already has a rough idea, but it needs improvement.

Tonight is the opening of the Tactics Library. Gao Shen strongly feels that many of his questions will be answered in this library.

He is looking forward to it, wondering what help the traveler's golden finger can bring.

---

When all the players saw Gao Shen bring more than a dozen young players from the second team, they were mentally prepared for the "three fires when the new official takes office" in the afternoon training session. Raul even reminded several local players to be careful with their words.

Surprisingly, the 90-minute training session was presided over by assistant coach Maqueda. Gao Shen rarely adjusted positions, more like a wooden stake, or a humanoid monitor.

This made many miscalculate. Many were ready for a "good show" but were told not to act. This was unsightly!

Not only did he not play the role of the new official, but after the training session, Gao Shen was the first to leave without staying in the training ground. He didn't talk to the players as many expected but returned to the office to pack up and left Valdebebas.

As the players returned to the locker room, they saw Gao Shen leaving, puzzled.

Is there such a head coach?

Doesn't even want to pretend?

"What the heck is this kid doing? Is he the head coach like this? Isn't it irresponsible?" Salgado was annoyed.

He has some weight in the locker room, having played for the team for many years.

"It is estimated that the jar has been broken, and he knows he won't stay long." Carlos sneered sarcastically.

The other players burst into laughter.

Guti, Ramos, Casillas, and others were also surprised and puzzled, and even a little annoyed.

Thankfully, Raul had passed on that they should cooperate with the head coach, but what happened?

The head coach didn't do anything, didn't say anything, how could they cooperate?

Raul was also at a loss, especially after seeing Guti and others' questioning eyes. The Real Madrid captain shook his head.

Although he had been in contact twice, the feeling Gao Shen gave him was definitely not like this. Now he couldn't predict what Gao Shen was thinking and planning next.

There are more than 40 people in the first team, so a lineup for the weekend derby has to be polished, right?

"Fernando." Raul saw Lucas coming and immediately called out.

Raul is Lucas' idol, and the Madrid native ran over happily.

"Where is he in a hurry to go?" Raul asked with concern.

Lucas guessed he was asking about Gao Shen and replied, "He said he has something to go to Mr. Carlo's house."

Everyone suddenly realized.

It turned out he went to learn from Carlo.

But the question is, would Carlo be willing to see him


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