Godfather Of Champions

“The latest news tells us that the Dutch veteran Ruud van Nistelrooy has a new pursuer. Manchester United has announced Nottingham Forest Football Club’s interest in the Dutch striker. And they have accepted the Forest team’s offer. Neither Nottingham Forest nor Manchester United have released the specific figure for the offer…”

“The media responded pretty quickly,” muttered Twain as he looked at the situation outside the training ground’s wire mesh wall.

Just after the news was announced, the outside of Nottingham Forest’s training base was surrounded by journalists from across England. In fact, the media knew about Nottingham Forest’s first offer and the outcome of it. The British media and Ferguson’s assistant manager thought the same thing. Nottingham Forest was Manchester United’s archrival in the league. With Ferguson’s temper, he was unlikely to sell a player on his team to a competitor in the same league, even if that person was a player he no longer needed.

Therefore, after the Forest team’s first offer was rejected by Manchester United, it did not attract much attention from the British media as this was an expected outcome. At the same time, the Bundesliga team, Bayern Munich’s bid also attracted the attention of the media. In their view, that was more newsworthy.

They did not expect Manchester United to agree to the Forest team’s bid out of the blue after Nottingham Forest’s second offer. At that instance, all the media’s eyes were turned to Nottingham.

“There must be a lot of questions on their minds that they want to ask,” said David Kerslake as he looked at the fully equipped reporters.

Twain shrugged.

The Forest team had resumed team training yesterday. At this stage, the team did mainly stamina training. The various coaches’ work was not demanding, so Kerslake had time to chat with Twain. But Dunn was very dedicated and watched over the team on the training ground, even though he was not a physical fitness coach.

Kerslake said correctly that those reporters had a lot of questions to ask Twain. For example, what was the exact figure of the second offer, how did Ferguson agree to the Forest team’s offer this time, was there some unknown insider story behind the acceptance of the offer, such as behind-the-scenes deals?

“Tell everyone that until the deal is confirmed and completed, we are not accepting any media related interviews and will not hold any press conferences,” Twain instructed his assistant.

Kerslake nodded to show that he understood and then asked another question. “What’s the news from the Dutchman?”

“Their agent told me that Ruud had already received the news. But because we still have other competitors, he needs to think carefully about which offer to accept.”

“I see.”

“All right, let’s get back.” Twain glanced at the reporters and turned to walk back to the training ground.

As the team’s two assistant managers, Dunn and Kerslake had already assumed the full responsibility for the team’s training. The whistles of the two coaches rang out repeatedly on the training ground. Amidst the bustle, no one noticed that the Tony Twain had snuck out of the side gate and left. He took a detour through the youth team training base, got into Landy James’ cab in front of the gate, and drove away from Wilford.

After training had ended, the reporters standing guard at the gate of the training base did not see Twain. Charged with dealing with the reporters, Kerslake simply answered some things that everyone already knew but declined to speak about the Forest team’s second offer to Manchester United or other related matters. For example, when a reporter asked about the progress of the individual negotiation with van Nistelrooy, he simply pushed the question onto Twain.

This answer was considered a softer “no.” Everyone knew Twain’s temper and Kerslake must have been instructed by Twain to say it. Not to mention that the reporters were unable to locate Twain. Even if they were to locate him, he would not answer any questions. If there was really a fool who found Twain, he would have the door slammed in his face.

It was right to say that the reporters loved and hated Twain. Sometimes his unbridled brash behavior was fodder for the media to hype about. However, there were times when he always was at odds with the media, giving them endless headaches. Twain’s career was currently in an ascent. Even if the media was dissatisfied with his pompous behavior, they could only sigh helplessly and do nothing. They could not be like the media in China where they could shut out at the slightest pretext.

※※※

As the media gathered outside the Nottingham Forest’s Wilford training base, a number of journalists also gathered outside Manchester United’s Carrington training base. But they did not gather there to focus on the conflict between van Nistelrooy and Ferguson. That was not worth paying too much attention to. Before the World Cup, everyone knew that they had clashed with each other and that there was no possibility of reconciliation. Ferguson’s position in Manchester United was indestructible and van Nistelrooy’s was inevitable. What interested the reporters even more was the feud between Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.

There, two players seemed to have a deep-seated hatred of each other during the World Cup. The reporters hoped to see a replay of the scene at the Carrington training base, with the teams’ two established star players glaring at each other with obvious mutual dislike showing, openly and covertly retaliating during training, and all that tit-for-tat stuff.

However,…under Ferguson’s guidance, the two men showed up together, laughing and chatting amiably.

It was extremely disappointing for the major media outlets that waited outside the training ground with their cameras and long lenses.

When everyone paid attention to that pair of foes, they had already forgotten that van Nistelrooy was recently at the heart of a transfer rumor.

After training, van Nistelrooy came out of the locker room after a change of his clothes. He put on his sunglasses and headed straight to the parking lot. He did not receive any media interviews. He just drove away.

After training, the media was focused on the two young players and Ferguson. Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo stated in the interview that their relationship with each other was not affected. As to whether they had really buried their hatchet, no one knew for certain.

Ferguson was interviewed on the sidelines of the training ground. Most of the questions were directed at the relationship between those two players. His reply was the same as those from the two kids. Nothing had happened between them. He reiterated that Cristiano Ronaldo would stay in Manchester United. Then a Nottingham reporter finally asked the question about van Nistelrooy. Ferguson admitted the player might have already left Old Trafford, although he did not say why he had accepted the second transfer offer rejecting Nottingham Forest’s first offer.

That question was only asked by a news outlet from Nottingham. After the answer, the media’s questions returned to Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.

Pierce Brosnan, who represented the Nottingham news outlet, shrugged as he looked at the reporters who had squeezed him out of the crowd again.

He was not interested in the feud between Manchester United’s two headline star players. For the people of Nottingham, there was only one thing of interest: whether the world-class striker, van Nistelrooy, would come or not.

※※※

Van Nistelrooy did not drive straight home; he had received a call from his agent when he changed his clothes in the locker room after training. The agent told him over the phone that the Nottingham Forest people had arrived and wanted to talk with him face-to-face.

He did not reject the suggestion.

He parked his car at the entrance of a restaurant he regularly patronized. His own agent and the people from the Nottingham Forest Football Club waited inside.

The Dutchman saw a middle-aged man with curly hair and baby face inside the private room.

“Hello, Ruud. I’m Allan Adams, the marketing manager at Nottingham Forest Football Club. You can call me Allan.” The man, who looked younger than his actual age, held out his hand.

Van Nistelrooy put his backpack on the chair and shook hands with him.

“How are you, Allan.”

When the other party had seated, Allan Adams smiled. “We’re very happy that Manchester United has agreed to our transfer offer so that we can finally sit down and have a face-to-face. Nottingham Forest has been interested in you for a very long time, Ruud.”

Van Nistelrooy nodded.

“But before we get down to the specifics, we still have to wait for one more person to come. He’s more familiar with these things than me; I’m just the marketing manager.”

When he heard Allan say that, van Nistelrooy glanced at his agent, Roger Linse. He nodded to him to indicate that there was indeed another person.

In that case, who was this person?

Van Nistelrooy’s misgivings had not dissipated before the door was opened by the waiter. Then the three men sitting inside saw a man rush in, covered in sweat.

“I’m so sorry. The damn traffic jam!” He grumbled as he wiped the sweat on his bowed head.

“Tony, we have guests.” Allan Adams awkwardly reminded him.

“Oh…” Twain looked up and saw van Nistelrooy and his agent sitting across from him, and was a little embarrassed. “I’m really sorry, it was a slip of the tongue.”

With that, he went over and held out his hand towards van Nistelrooy, “There’s a traffic jam on the road. I should have arrived first. How do you do, Ruud, I’m-”

“Tony Twain. We all know each other, there’s no need for introduction.” Van Nistelrooy smiled and shook Twain’s hand. He was still a little surprised that the Nottingham Forest manager would come all the way here himself. Under such circumstances, he would actually only need to make a phone call.

Twain shook hands with Linse before he sat down.

“Where were we just now?”

“You came in at the right time, Tony. We got up to where you need to come in and explain.” Allan said to Twain.

Upon hearing that, Twain nodded and took a thick stack of papers from his briefcase. He handed them to van Nistelrooy and said, “We’ve been watching you since early on, Ruud. Last season, before and during the World Cup… these are the relevant reports given to me by my scouts and assistant coaches.”

Van Nistelrooy briefly looked through them, and sure enough, it was all about him. Every aspect of him was in there, his condition and performance in games… it was all there. It looked like when the Forest team talked about their interest in him, it was definitely not just words.

“I’m not good at telling those lies, using exaggeration and giving empty talks. Let’s get straight to the subject, Ruud. I believe you’ve also seen the results of the Forest team last season. But my goal and that of the team is not only like last season. To be the runners-up for the English Premier League and Champions League was definitely not a success for me, but a failure. I need to boost the team’s results to the next level in the new season. So, we need to strengthen our team, and our three lines need to be reloaded. First of all, starting from the front line, we need a dominant center forward in the penalty area, especially within the goal area. Ruud, I think you are the best fit for this position in the entire football world. Real Madrid’s new manager, Capello, has said the best center forward he has in mind is Trezeguet. But you are the best center forward in the world in my mind.”

Twain spoke sincerely and locked his eyes with Van Nistelrooy as he spoke, making him believe every word he said.

“We know there are others competing for you. But I think the English Premier League is the best place for you. You’ve been in it for five years, you’re used to the pace of the game here and the way you play. Everything. Is there any reason to start again in a new league? Furthermore…” Twain looked van Nistelrooy in the eye and said, “I think by staying in England, you’ll have a chance to prove to Manchester United that it was a big mistake to give up on you.”

After he listened to Twain’s remarks, Ruud van Nistelrooy turned his head to look at his agent, Roger Linse. The two men exchanged a look. Then, he turned his head to Twain and said with a smile, “You’ve covered everything. What else can I add?”

Thereafter, Roger Linse said to Twain and Allan, “We thank the Forest club for the careful analysis of Ruud. It reflects your sense of responsibility and sincerity. We also did some research of our own on the Forest team. Ruud was touched by the sincerity of Nottingham Forest among the clubs that came knocking at his door. Ruud had intended to return to PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands. But after listening to Manager Twain’s expectations for the future, he has the renewed idea of staying in the world’s top league again. He has entrusted me to discuss the specific terms of his contract with your club.”

The meaning of his remark could not have been clearer.

When they heard Linse, Twain and Allan looked at each other and saw joy in each other’s eyes.

“Ah, you can discuss the matter of the contract with Allan.” Twain referred to Allan Adams sitting next to him. He had successfully completed his mission.

He stood up to shake hands with Linse, and then shook hands with van Nistelrooy, “I’m glad you’re able to choose Nottingham Forest, Ruud. You will certainly not regret your choice.”

“I remember Mr. Twain saying just now how you wouldn’t say pretty words.”

“Ah… Of course, these are pretty words, but they are also absolutely true. Don’t believe it? After you’ve officially joined, you can ask your new teammates. They will be happy to tell you stories about me.”

“There are a lot of stories about you in the media. Don’t tell me there are other inside stories?”

Twain glanced at Allan and Linse, who were in a discussion over the details of the contract, and then winked at van Nistelrooy with feigned mystery. “Of course, there are lots.”

※※※

A day later, Manchester United’s website announced van Nistelrooy’s official transfer to Nottingham Forest, with a transfer price tag of fifteen million pounds. The article stated that the Manchester United Football Club thanked van Nistelrooy for all his contributions to the team over the past five years and wished him all the best at the new club. Ferguson did not make any statement regarding van Nistelrooy’s departure and transfer.

No one expressed any surprise at the announcement. Van Nistelrooy’s departure was decided before the World Cup, and it was not surprising that Nottingham Forest had beat the other rivals to win the Dutch striker’s trust. After all, it was much better to continue playing in the English Premier League he was familiar with than to go to a brand-new league.

On the same day, the Nottingham Forest Football Club held a press conference to welcome van Nistelrooy’s joining. At the press conference, Tony Twain, van Nistelrooy, and Evan Doughty appeared in front of numerous reporters with a Forest team red jersey emblazoned with van Nistelrooy’s name and number.

The three men were full of smiles on their faces, but each for different reasons.

Evan Doughty was delighted that the team had finally ushered in a truly world-class player in his peak years. Twain was happy because a player he had always appreciated had joined the team and the team had been strengthened. And as for van Nistelrooy? His smile contained many meanings. Perhaps because he had found a new strong owner, or he had received generous terms and remuneration, or perhaps because he still had a chance to prove his ability to Ferguson.

“We are delighted that Nottingham Forest has welcomed such an outstanding player, the world’s top center forward and the former Manchester United striker, Ruud van Nistelrooy.” Twain purposely used the words ‘former Manchester United.'”It’s going to be a four-year contract. The team and Ruud have a lot of confidence in each other. I believe that Ruud’s golden years are just beginning!”