Chapter 95: The Contract
On the flight back from Madrid to Mallorca, José was in high spirits.
This trip had cost him $4.5 million in transfer fees, but in return, he offloaded two players who were no longer in his plans and brought in striker Samuel Eto'o, left-back Joan Capdevila, and Paraguayan defender Carlos Gamarra. Strengthening both attack and defense, he still had $2 million left in his transfer budget.
Back in Mallorca, José was full of confidence. To his left was former Real Madrid technical director Pirri and Cameroonian forward Eto'o, while to his right stood future Spain national team left-back Capdevila and Paraguay's vice-captain Gamarra. Surrounded by his new signings, he cut an imposing figure.
After instructing the club staff to arrange accommodations for the three new arrivals, José and Pirri headed straight to his office. His desk was already piled high with scouting reports—potential transfer targets for Mallorca.
"This office is yours now," José told Pirri with a smile. "You have a full scouting department and the entire transfer division under your management. You're also free to observe and evaluate players from the first team, reserves, and youth squad. Once you've made your assessments, just report them to me. I promise, only I will see them—no one else."
Pirri nodded. This was exactly the working environment José had promised him, and he was satisfied.
"Take your time settling in. You can start tomorrow if you want," José added. He didn't want to overwork the veteran too soon—after all, Pirri was almost sixty.
Pirri laughed. "Are you underestimating me, kid? Just because I'm fifty-six doesn't mean I'm slowing down. Unlike many retired players, I've never stopped training. Look at me—do I look overweight?"
José glanced at him. While there was some natural aging, Pirri was in remarkably good shape for his age.
"José, I heard you ended up in the hospital last season from overwork," Pirri teased. "You'd better not let an old man like me outlast you."
José shrugged. "What can I say? It was my first time as a head coach, so I did everything myself. Now that you're here, I can finally catch a break."