The Greatest Manager of All time

At 9:30 in the morning, the meeting held in the Hilton Hotel restaurant came to an end.

All parties had reached a preliminary agreement. Next, they would have to produce detailed planning and design proposals, not only for the stadium design and commercial chain layout, but also for which area of Swansea the stadium should be built in to achieve the best overall effect.

When Lynn's group returned to the first-floor lobby of the Hilton Hotel, quite a few reporters were already waiting there.

Swansea had once again acted outside the usual pattern. Such an important meeting had been arranged in the morning, catching the reporters who rushed over after hearing the news completely off guard. One by one, they had hurried over for interviews before even making themselves look presentable.

The only person Lynn had specifically notified was Rona Whelan of Fleet Street's Daily Express. After all, she needed to prepare in advance if she was coming to Swansea.

Lynn handed the interview matters over to Mo Yuan.

Facing the reporters surrounding him, Mo Yuan smiled calmly and said, "This morning, we discussed Swansea's major plan to build a new stadium!"

Even Rona Whelan had not known exactly what major news Swansea was going to announce before she arrived.

The moment everyone heard it, the entire place was shocked.

Before the reporters could ask questions, Mo Yuan took the initiative and said, "According to the club membership numbers we have counted since the start of the new season, Swansea's membership has already surpassed thirty-five thousand. The Liberty Stadium can no longer satisfy the demand of fans who wish to attend matches.

"Therefore, after careful consideration, the club plans to build a brand-new professional stadium within the next three years. The budget is £400 million, and the scale will be an all-seater stadium capable of holding more than sixty thousand people.

"At the same time, all supporting stadium facilities will be built to the highest European standards. The surrounding area will also include more than twenty shops, two bars, one large hotel, a large car park, and more. We will create a brand-new integrated entertainment and service community for Swansea Football Club, allowing local Swansea residents, visitors who come to Swansea for travel or holidays, and fans who simply come to watch Swansea matches to enjoy the highest-level experience possible."

Mo Yuan's words left the reporters stunned!

£400 million!

A stadium holding 60,000 spectators?

And so many surrounding entertainment and service businesses?

What was Swansea trying to do?

This investment was simply enormous!

It had to be remembered that the current Liberty Stadium had only cost £50 million to build!

The budget for the new stadium was eight times that of the Liberty Stadium!

Where did Swansea get that much money?

When the reporters asked about Swansea's funding source, Mo Yuan smiled faintly and said, "Swansea have just signed a ten-year sponsorship contract. We have received £200 million in investment. This capital will be the main funding source for building the new stadium. At the same time, we have also reached a preliminary cooperation agreement with the British Investment Group. They will provide us with loans."

Mayor Charles Potter inevitably had to say a few words to the reporters as well.

With a face full of energy, he said, "Swansea Football Club, just like its name, symbolizes our city. More than forty percent of the local population are loyal supporters of Swansea Football Club. Now that Swansea Football Club is moving forward and taking an era-defining step, I feel proud of Swansea.

"The city government will actively participate in Swansea Football Club's new stadium project, because this concerns the lives of nearly half of the people in this city. We must work hard to produce the best possible result for this project, so that everyone who loves Swansea can be as satisfied as possible, and, like me, feel proud of the Swans!"

This major project would naturally become one of Charles Potter's political achievements during his term. Of course he was excited about it, and of course he was willing to provide assistance.

Lynn and the others left first.

Just as they walked out of the Hilton Hotel, Harrison came to his side and whispered, "Good thing you weren't the one standing in front of the reporters."

Lynn asked in surprise, "Why?"

"Yesterday, I heard you say that you and Mo Yuan would go jogging this morning and then come straight here, so you definitely didn't read today's news."

Lynn had already reached his car. He stopped and frowned. "I really didn't have time to read the news today. What happened? Did something major happen?"

Krista White took a folded newspaper from her handbag and handed it to Lynn.

Lynn accepted it and opened it.

The Western Mail.

He did not see anything unexpected on the football news page.

Half the page was praising Swansea's Football League Trophy slaughter of Rochdale. Photos of Cristiano Ronaldo, Badenberg, Nelson, and Kalunbel from the match had also been printed there. The article was full of comments from various sides, basically all glowing praise.

He looked at Harrison with confusion.

Harrison reached out and flipped through the newspaper for him, turning to the entertainment section.

Lynn lowered his head and looked. His eyes immediately filled with surprise.

A photo taken inside a dimly lit nightclub instantly made Lynn's anger surge!

Kalunbel was leaning back on a booth sofa with a glass in hand. Badenberg had an arm around Cristiano Ronaldo, and the two were raising glasses and drinking together!

Lynn recognized it at a glance.

This was 411 Nightclub!

That photo was the largest, and there were other photos below it.

The most shocking one showed Joseph Levin pressing Badenberg's face onto a coffee table with one hand, while Cristiano Ronaldo shrank back on the sofa in fright.

Lynn's grip on the newspaper crushed the corner in his hand. Rage immediately flared in his heart. He threw the newspaper back to Harrison, turned to Joseph Levin, and said coldly, "Joseph, get in my car."

Joseph Levin sighed inwardly. He knew the matter of those four players going to the nightclub last night had been exposed. There must have been paparazzi camped at 411 Nightclub.

That was normal. People from all walks of high society entered and left 411 Nightclub. Footballers were only a small part of them. Especially in Wales, the strongest sport was rugby, and rugby stars also went to nightclubs.

The paparazzi were just staking out the place. If something could become news, they took photos of it. That way, they had material to report.

Lynn was about to get in the car when Krista White asked lightly, "If the media ask about this, how will you respond?"

"This is an internal matter for the club. I won't respond publicly."

Lynn pulled open the car door, but White stepped forward and pressed a hand against the edge of the door, saying seriously, "Paul and I are worried you'll handle it exactly that way, because you want too much to protect the players. But this matter is different.

"When they perform poorly on the pitch or make mistakes, you can protect them, because they worked hard. Even if they didn't work hard or didn't listen, you can close the dressing room door and torture them however you want.

"But now, someone has violated team rules. You cannot protect them."

"All right. I understand."

In truth, when Lynn had answered White just now, he had only said it subconsciously. Protecting players had almost become an instinct for him.

But after White raised her objection, he reacted.

He really could not protect the players in this matter. Otherwise, in the outside world's eyes, Lynn would only be a "manager who spoiled his players."

Unable to distinguish right from wrong, unclear with rewards and punishments!

That was a major taboo!

Sometimes, players had to realize the consequences and seriousness of doing something wrong.

He got into his car and drove toward the club's training base.

After passing an intersection, Lynn suddenly asked, "Why didn't you tell me about last night?"

Joseph Levin sighed helplessly and said, "Cristiano Ronaldo is only sixteen. I can understand how he feels. He's alone away from home, with no close friends, and he's been sticking to boring training for a long time. He has already been brilliant, hasn't he?

"He only made one mistake. Maybe he didn't realize it himself, but after I gave Badenberg a harsh lesson in front of him, I think he should have understood his own mistake.

"I believe a sixteen-year-old kid should be given tolerance and understanding. He was already frightened last night. I was worried that if I told you, he would suffer severe punishment today, so..."

Lynn nodded slightly. "Tell me everything that happened last night in detail."

After Joseph Levin finished speaking, Lynn asked curiously, "Joseph, tell me, why are you doing all this? Going to nightclubs to catch players? That should be my responsibility, or Hughes's, or Benn's. Why are you so proactive about it?"

Joseph Levin turned his head and looked out the window, saying lightly, "I was born in East London and grew up in East London. Most of my family are West Ham United fans. I am too. But I have a friend I grew up with who is a Tottenham fan, because he's Jewish.

"We would go to matches together. He accompanied me to watch the Hammers, and I accompanied him to White Hart Lane. When we were teenagers, Tottenham signed their biggest star."

"Paul Gascoigne," Lynn said softly.

Joseph Levin nodded. "That's right. Him. And where is he now? At Goodison Park, playing for the Toffees, Everton. But he's already someone nobody cares about. Alcohol destroyed him.

"Maybe you've heard it before. Gascoigne is a wound English fans don't want to mention. He once drove countless fans in this country mad, moved them, shocked them. He was like us wild boys, free and unrestrained on the pitch, reckless whenever he was happy.

"But in the end, he was still ruined!

"Every time my friend brings up Gascoigne, he says the same thing: although I hate Manchester United, I would rather Gazza had gone to United back then than Tottenham. During the most critical period of his growth as a player, if Gazza had been disciplined by Ferguson, he would definitely have become an England legend. He might still be competing with Zidane for the Ballon d'Or right now!"

Lynn let out a soft sigh.

Gascoigne had been tempted away by the mansion Tottenham gave him.

When he wrote his autobiography in the future, he also admitted that if he had chosen Manchester United instead of Tottenham back then, his career might have been completely different.

It had to be remembered that Ferguson's team management was famous for its iron fist. The troublesome characters in his squad were all disciplined until they were obedient. He once personally drove several hours to drag Giggs, who was partying, back home, and he was also extremely strict with Beckham.

If Ferguson had not done all that, would Manchester United's Class of '92 have existed?

Would the current Red Devils dynasty have existed?

Joseph Levin continued, "For many people, work is just work. Whatever work requires you to do, you do it. But I don't think that way. A club itself is a team centered around the squad. I will do whatever I can and whatever I think contributes to this team.

"It's like some players say: for other people, football is entertainment or work, but for me, it is life.

"It's the same principle. Being at Swansea is my life. I have to be responsible for my life.

"Boss, this is why I do these things. When I know something, I can't ignore it. In another environment, occasion, or identity, even if I were a worker, I would still do the same thing."

Lynn said sincerely, "I admire that about you, Joseph. As I told you before, go ahead and do what you think is right. Let's make this team better together."

Joseph Levin smiled and nodded, but then he asked, "Boss, when is our next activity?"

Lynn burst out laughing. Then he put on a serious expression and said lightly, "Let's find some free time. We'll make a trip to Ukraine. That place is flooded with beautiful women!"

Joseph Levin laughed loudly. "Then next time, you need to tell me first who you have your eye on. Don't let me steal her again!"

"Heh, I was joking with you this morning. A girl I have my eye on isn't someone you can steal."

"Want to try?"

"If you dare try, I'll dare chop off your little brother and feed it to the dogs."

"Hahahaha."

...

Swansea training base, players' dressing room.

Most of the players came to the club in high spirits today. As soon as James Cook entered the dressing room, he shouted to his teammates, "Hey, did you see the news? We're building a new stadium!"

BBC Wales and ITV Wales had both reported the news immediately, announcing it to the public through television news programs and radio channels.

Not only inside the club, but across the streets and alleys of Swansea, people were discussing Swansea building a new stadium.

It had shaken the whole city!

Swansea fans were naturally extremely excited and happy, but they were also worried it might be fake news.

After all, with Swansea's current scale, achievements, and overall club strength, it seemed impossible for them to build a £400 million stadium!

A large stadium like that was something even top clubs would have to think carefully about before building. The financial burden might crush a club's lifeline!

But after watching Mo Yuan's televised interview, everyone believed the club truly had such strength.

Because Lynn had money!

Everyone's impression of Lynn seemed to stop at "wealthy family background," but no one had a clear concept of exactly how much money he had.

But these fans did not care.

Inside the dressing room, the players also began discussing it enthusiastically.

Many of them could not imagine what a stadium built with £400 million would look like.

Just thinking about a scale capable of holding 60,000 people made them unusually excited.

Ibrahimović said lightly in the dressing room, "Building a stadium takes time too."

That sentence dampened everyone's excitement a little, but it was also the truth.

If they calculated it according to three years, then after three years, when the stadium was completed, including this season, the earliest it could be put into use would be the 2005–2006 season.

But James Cook still said happily, "It's only waiting a few years. In a few years, I'll still only be in my twenties."

Everyone was discussing the team's new stadium, but no one noticed Robert Badenberg changing clothes in the corner of the dressing room with half his face swollen. Cristiano Ronaldo also hung his head without saying a word, while Kalunbel and Horatio Nelson seemed distracted.