Chapter 536: Chapter 535: I’m Not That Kind of Melon
Guardiola’s predicament elicited sympathy from many, but the phrase "peak national footballer" in that news story was indeed somewhat shameless.
At thirty-one, Guardiola, despite having a team of professional physical caretakers, had nearly perfect attendance last season with Lisbon Athletic.
His body could hardly sustain him to continue playing in high-intensity matches.
In this World Cup, Guardiola was essentially fighting with injuries.
Considering his age, his original physical condition, and his injury history over the past few years, it was difficult for teams to want him again.
Of course, Lisbon Athletic publicly stated they were willing to sign Guardiola for another year, and the salary was not low, with no price pressure.
Much more generous than another heartless, delusional, and toad-wanting-to-eat-swan-meat small Premier League team like Manchester City.
Guardiola would certainly continue with Lisbon Athletic...
Beep beep beep!
Guardiola truly wished he hadn’t seen Deng Kai’s call.
His intuition told him that if he answered, he would be tricked by Deng Kai.
But he couldn’t hang up.
Because experience told him that if he did hang up, he would definitely regret it.
"Hello, Kai, congratulations on leading Chinese football to the world," Guardiola said, as affable as usual.
"Where, where, it’s still not as good as the courage you show leading Spain to challenge the match-fixing," Deng Kai responded with equal friendliness.
"I’m about to sign with Lisbon Athletic, what about you? Where are you heading?" Guardiola said, "But wherever you go, don’t go to Manchester City. That club is too stingy. They actually told my agent they wanted to sign me on a veteran’s minimum salary!"
"WTF! Do they think I’m some no-name cat or dog?"
"Me! The legendary captain of Barcelona! Main defensive midfielder of the Champions League triple winners, Lisbon Athletic! The backbone of Spain’s team! Matthaus’ best buddy for slacking off! The man behind the king of Portugal!"
"Joining another team might just require a normal salary, but for a no-name small team like Manchester City, I’d have to get a Premier League top salary!"
"Manchester City," Deng Kai spoke up.
"Exactly, Manchester City! Manchester City is just a pile of shit, Manchester City, they... Manchester City?" Guardiola paused for a long while, "You said... Manchester City?"
Deng Kai nodded: "Yes, Manchester City."
Guardiola was baffled: "Have you gone mad, Kai? You’ve been making incomprehensible choices all summer! Why Manchester City? Any other Premier League team is better than Manchester City!"
"Trust me, they’ll be rolling back to the Football League Championship next season! Do you really want to go down to the lower leagues with them?"
"This will have a devastating effect on your career!"
Deng Kai let Guardiola rant for five minutes and then said, "Because Manchester City is my team."
Guardiola was speechless, "Lisbon Athletic is also your team! If you just nod your head, which of the top teams in the five major leagues isn’t at your disposal? They would all build the team around you as a core!"
"Of course, it’s difficult to say for the giants, unless by a stroke of luck, otherwise, it’s not likely you’d get such a commitment from a powerhouse. Even Zidane, Ronaldo, Figo, Beckham, they would find it hard to get this commitment."
Deng Kai explained, "What I mean is, Manchester City is my team."
Guardiola got the sharp linguistic hint: "Yours?"
Deng Kai: "Yes, mine. How about it, interested in joining Manchester City and starting a new and splendid Chapter with me?"
Guardiola couldn’t utter a word for a long time.
Deng Kai’s... Manchester City.
This... how much money is that?
This... I must report this to UEFA!
How can Deng Kai have ownership in a Premier League team as an active player? Force him to sell it! The fact that he’s making money while I’m losing makes me uncomfortable!
Then there’s me, being swept out the door by Barcelona like a dog.
Comparing people can truly be infuriating!
Guardiola was numbed.
Since Guardiola wasn’t speaking, naturally, it was Deng Kai’s turn to speak: "Trust me, Guardiola, I won’t make you do boring stuff. I’m aware of the pessimistic state of your body, I won’t make you work like a horse this time."
"You’ll come over this year, openly as a substitute, but actually you’ll work as an assistant coach to get used to the coaching position."
"I know it’s something you’ve always wanted to do."
"Have you heard of the Wumu Legacy? Possessing it can bring peace to the world! If you come, I can teach it to you!"
"Don’t you want to become the player and coach who forced the Premier League to change its rules? I can help you achieve that, and it’ll be absolutely cool!"
Guardiola was persuaded.
Deng Kai knew his preferences too well.
Cool!
Coach!
Unbeatable in the world!
Each of these was something Guardiola couldn’t refuse.
Guardiola said, "Alright, I’ll come. But why can’t we go directly to the final step? What about me becoming the head coach of Manchester City?"
Deng Kai shook his head, "Sorry, Guardiola, you’re too late. The head coach position has already been filled."
Guardiola frowned, "Deschamps? Isn’t he the assistant coach? Besides, his tactical level is nowhere near mine!"
Deng Kai continued to shake his head, "It’s not Deschamps. He’s just the assistant coach. He should be heading off to manage the France national team after a few years at City."
Guardiola was hit hard.
Manage... the France national team?
This...
Unless something unexpected happens, Guardiola won’t have a chance to manage the Spain national team for the next twenty years.
After all, being a Barcelona player, he can’t expect support from the Real Madrid camp.
And now that he’s thoroughly displeased Barcelona, he won’t receive support from their camp either.
The choice of Spain’s head coach is basically up to these two camps.
So...
Guardiola was in tears.
"It’s Maxa. He’s an excellent head coach and we have great chemistry," said Deng Kai, revealing the chosen one.
Guardiola was convinced.
So it was the charming coach!
Indeed, that’s unstoppable.
At least, Guardiola sincerely cannot flatter as much as Maxa does.
The flattery was intense!
If Trigella is seen as an elder brother figure to Deng Kai, who is genuinely talented and accommodating, then Maxa is like a son who takes care of Deng Kai in every way possible.
And Guardiola... a proper compliment is, of course, acceptable.
But flattery?
Sorry, that’s not who he is.
"So, Chairman Kai, how do you think we should proceed with the recruitment work? I still have some connections in Spain," Guardiola said, entering the role and joining the higher-ups of Manchester City in advance.
"Just call me Director. The chairman of the team is Mansour," Deng Kai corrected the "not that kind of melon", "Spain? You know, there are actually a few I want. Can you get Barcelona’s Xavi and Iniesta?"
Guardiola was speechless.
Never mind that his relationship with Barcelona was already broken.
Even if it weren’t, it still wouldn’t be possible.
Xavi was already a key midfielder for Barcelona.
Iniesta was given even higher priority in the team’s plans than Xavi.
