Chapter 324: Chapter 323: Milu and I, Irreconcilable Differences
"Rehhagel: Our tactics aimed at Deng Kai completely failed. The players reported to me that defending against Viana was much simpler than against Deng Kai. We will conduct an in-depth study on Deng Kai after our return. This team has an extraordinary number of talented players, far beyond everyone’s imagination; such a team achieving any sort of success would not be surprising."
After returning to Germany, Rehhagel kept his word and quickly carried out research on Deng Kai, watching a large number of his match videos.
The conclusions drawn by the expert group made Rehhagel feel pessimistic.
"This player’s starting point is not particularly high, but his progress is rapid, and he seems to be improving at all times."
"Normal players might improve once or twice in a year or two, which is considered quite good. But Deng Kai’s competitive state sees a significant improvement every month or two."
"His playing style is versatile; simply put, his organizing, assisting, breaking through, defending, and finishing abilities are all quite good. However, based on his last performance, what he demonstrated more of were his organizing and assisting capabilities."
"We cannot imagine his performance once he adds even more to his finishing and breaking through abilities. But one thing is certain, that is... he is capable of playing football like Viana, he simply hasn’t been in a hurry to show it."
"He never competes with teammates for anything but prefers to do things that no one else does or can do. This player is quite remarkable, and if possible, we strongly recommend that the club makes a bid for Deng Kai in the summer."
"He could completely activate Klose and Djorkaeff, with his boost, Djorkaeff and Klose might both reach new heights in their careers!"
The expert group’s opinion was basically consistent with Rehhagel’s previous observations, but much more detailed.
Rehhagel directly expressed to the club’s senior management his desire to purchase Deng Kai. He seldom does this, as it tends to look more like making excuses for the team’s defeats.
Many head coaches would make purchases of players who defeated them in this manner.
But the chance of a ’bad deal’ is quite high.
Because it is often the result of a player having an outstanding match, and the player’s actual level might be quite a bit lower.
Cases like Shevchenko or Trezeguet, where the purchase was on point, are not common.
In the face of Rehhagel’s request, the club said it would make a bid in the summer to give it a try, but the prospects were not promising.
If Sporting Lisbon were to let go of Viana and Quaresma, then a player like Deng Kai, who can create opportunities, becomes a necessity for the team. Considering the team’s strength, Sporting Lisbon will not let go of Deng Kai.
Even more so when considering Deng Kai’s future market value.
As long as Deng Kai maintains his current competitive level, without any improvement, playing in the Primeira Liga for another two years, his transfer fee would be at least fifteen million euros.
...
"Ding! You’ve received a tactical whiteboard from Rehhagel."
"Emperor Rehhagel, who created miracles twice, has undeniable tactical prowess. Intercept +2, tackle +2, defensive positioning +1, offensive positioning +1, strength +1, stamina +1. Rehhagel places great emphasis on a player’s physical attributes. Using this tactical whiteboard can effectively enhance the team’s confrontational and running abilities, as well as their ability to quickly adapt to and master frontcourt pressing tactics."
The drop from this match surprised Deng Kai a little.
He had thought that either Klose or Djorkaeff would be convinced first, but it turned out to be Emperor Rehhagel.
This tactical whiteboard is quite useful.
Uniform frontcourt pressing by the entire team suits strong teams.
Sporting Lisbon has been practicing Large Circle Tactics this season, while simultaneously using victories to cultivate the players’ offensive ambition and defensive solidity.
Next season, they could essentially try a more dominant playing style, and Rehhagel’s tactical whiteboard arrives just in time.
Still, the corresponding aspect of frontcourt pressing is a strong heart in the defensive line.
Without years of training, even if a player has excellent interception skills, they won’t be able to play as a defender for a team that uses frontcourt pressing tactics.
For example, Pepe at this stage still lacks some maturity.
Terry and Barzagli are more steady in their mindset.
As for Feng Te... his mindset is also steady, but his confidence doesn’t come from his own strength and excellent performance on the field, but from his deep friendship with Director Kai.
No, it could even be considered kinship.
If Deng Kai didn’t disapprove, Feng Te would even be willing to call him ’Dad’."
He learned of this realization from the tactical research notebook Feng Te saw at Maxa’s.
The first page of Maxa’s notebook contained an ultimate truth.
"Boluma are often found, but not the trainers who recognize their talents. To be entrusted with a coaching position by Director Kai is the second turning point in my life, and it’s even more important than the first!"
"Kai, the only ’Field Dad’ of Sporting Lisbon!"
After some inquiries, Feng Te learned about Maxa’s first turning point in life.
That was his journey from a team janitor to a youth team assistant coach.
The person who promoted him was none other than Mr. Trigella, the current head coach of Sporting Lisbon.
Perhaps that’s why Maxa, despite having a reputation in the head coaching world not inferior to, and even stronger than, Trigella’s, was still willing to be Trigella’s assistant.
Brown-noser though he may be, Maxa is still a man of sentiment.
Feng Te said he would learn from Maxa in this regard, and when his own abilities on the pitch far surpassed those of Deng Kai’s, he wouldn’t look down on Deng Kai. Instead, he would find a way to bring Deng Kai into his team, help Deng Kai become a starter, and give him the chance to support himself.
Our great Feng Te is just as kind-hearted as Maxa!
Lisbon, at Maxa’s home.
"Hello, any news? Denmark? No, no, no. Don’t be fooled by Denmark’s lack of prominence in European football; they’re a second-tier powerhouse when you look at the world stage. I can’t bring them to success."
"Is there anything weaker? Like Equatorial Guinea, Vietnam, Laos, those kinds?"
Maxa was speaking with his agent. The only task he had given to his agent was to discreetly contact some lousy national team, one that nobody would blame him for failing to achieve results with.
After all, you can’t expect a head coach to work miracles with a poor foundation, right?
This way, Maxa wouldn’t get exposed.
Maxa is a man with foresight.
In people’s eyes, Sporting Lisbon is currently a dark horse.
But Maxa knows full well that this team is far from reaching its ceiling.
Next year, the year after, even if this team were to consistently beat European giants, Maxa wouldn’t be surprised in the least.
By then, will Trigella be able to stay with Sporting Lisbon?
He won’t be able to stay.
Once Trigella leaves, Maxa would be in trouble.
Either he’ll definitely be the one to take over Sporting Lisbon, and then their performance will plummet.
So Maxa will have to leave.
But where to?
By that time, his reputation may also be quite good. Struggling giants might just extend an olive branch to him.
But if they’re struggling, what makes Maxa think he can revive them?
He can’t go there.
There might also be ambitious clubs with decent results, preparing to challenge various champions and looking to upgrade their head coach by inviting Maxa.
Maxa would be even more afraid to go to such teams.
These teams have high highs and low lows. If things go poorly, even relegation is a possibility.
Does Maxa have the ability to manage a team with such huge fluctuations?
His only way out then would be to find a terrible team, but with club leagues having relegation, if Maxa takes a team down, wouldn’t that give him away?
Hey, national teams are just right.
Especially the really bad, really weak national teams—they are Maxa’s paradise.
He’s been frantically filtering through trash national teams lately.
Forget Europe for now, over in South America, teams like Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador are all interested in Maxa, but they’re all too strong; Maxa fervently refuses.
It’s infuriating.
Deng Kai’s homeland, China’s team, would have been just right.
But Milu, the old man, got there first.
Maxa clenched his fist in regret, berating himself for being born at the wrong time, a mere two years late.
To cut off someone’s prospects is like killing their parents, between me and Milu, we cannot live under the same sky!
