Godfather Of Champions

“The defending champions of the Premier League, Nottingham Forest, has run into some troubles recently. They have gone without a win in three consecutive matches in the league, and the gap between them and first-placed Arsenal has increased to seven points. They were also eliminated by a Championship team in the EFL Cup. However, those are the least of Twain’s worries. His favorite player, Freddy Eastwood, has picked up another knee injury in the previous match, and that has left Twain in a very bad mood lately. The reporters who frequently appear at Wilford have all chosen to stay away and avoid asking him for comments.”

On November 1st, Matchday 11, Nottingham Forest faced Tottenham Hotspur in an away game.

Eastwood was knocked onto the ground when Michael Dawson tried to intercept his ball during the 54th minute of the match, and he was unable to get back to his feet after the collision.

Dawson was successful in snatching the ball from Eastwood, but he quickly kicked the ball out of bounds after realizing what had happened so as to allow Forest’s medical staff to get onto the pitch.

Dawson had intended to say a few comforting words to Eastwood, but he was pushed away by Forest’s medical staff who had rushed over to Eastwood’s side before he could say anything.

He might have been Nottingham Forest’s captain in the past, but he was now regarded as an enemy in the eyes of the Forest players.

Fleming and his two assistants carried out a medical examination of Eastwood as he laid on the ground moaning in pain.

“All right, all right. You’re going to be fine! You’re going to be fine!” The first thing Fleming did was not to check Eastwood’s knee. Rather, he looked at his expression instead. The sight of the Romani’s face shocked him. Tears had welled up in both of his eyes.

As a team doctor, Fleming would often get to see the expressions on the players’ faces up close when they lay injured on the pitch.

The expression on the players’ faces was all he needed to get a rough gauge of how serious their injury is most of the time, because it is said that we always know the state of our bodies the best.

Fleming knew of only one other example where a player cried after picking up an injury.

It was when Ronaldo collapsed on the pitch for the second time during the match with Nottingham Forest a few years ago.

Eastwood had opened his mouth wide and he looked as though he wanted to moan in pain. However, he was unable to produce a single sound. He resembled a fish that had just gotten out of the water.

“Stretcher. Stretcher.” Fleming called for the stretcher. The medical staff gingerly placed Eastwood onto it.

“You’d be just fine. Believe me. You’d be fine…” Fleming bent over to whisper by Eastwood’s ear as the latter was being carried off the pitch on the stretcher. He kept repeating his words as though he was performing a chant.

When they had gotten off the pitch, Fleming looked up and noticed Twain’s questioning gaze on him. He shook his head gravely in response, and he saw Twain swear.

The next day, Twain received even worse news.

Eastwood was seriously injured and was out of action for four months. In addition, he also needed to undergo an operation one more time.

“… This is very unfortunate. This is the third time Eastwood has to undergo a major operation for his injuries. His first came when he represented West Ham’s youth team in a match against Nottingham Forest’s youth team, and he picked up a serious injury after being tackled by George Wood. He had just celebrated his 30th birthday two days ago. Who would have thought that he’d receive this for a birthday present…”

“The 30 year-old Eastwood’s professional footballing career can be said to be legendary. He was once seen as a youth player with high prospects in West Ham’s youth team, but he was eventually discarded by West Ham after picking up a severe injury during the match against Nottingham Forest’s youth team. He then went on to play football in a semi-professional league, and also worked as a salesman selling second-hand cars…” The TV commentator spoke as though he was reciting a eulogy at Eastwood’s funeral.

“He was then brought over to City Ground Stadium by Tony Twain, and that was when he was given a second chance to play professional football. He scored the winning goal in the Champions League finals twice, and he has since become a legendary striker for Forest. He was the third highest goal scorer in the league during the season when Tony Twain returned to manage the club after ceasing treatment for his heart attack. He might have picked up one injury after another ever since then, but he was still able to score ten goals and above every season… This injury of his has probably dealt the heaviest blow to him so far. It might even lead to him ending his career in advance… According to his American operating doctor, Richard Steadman, Eastwood’s right knee is just like a bunch of torn cotton that had been stuffed together messily. There’s a possibility that he would get injured again after the operation…”

“Bastard!” Twain slammed his hand onto his desk. Kerslake, who stood beside him, did not dare to take a breath.

Twain was not reprimanding Kerslake, and neither was he reprimanding any other person.

He was reprimanding this terrible destiny of his.

He has never been able to have a healthy striker in his team ever since the day he brought back the Romani player from the soccer field in East London.

Eastwood was a brilliant forward when he was not injured. Twain firmly believes that Eastwood has the capacity to become one of the top strikers across the whole of Europe, but sadly, his injuries have become the fetters around his feet, and they have restricted his ability to run about freely.

Twain could not help but feel pity towards Eastwood over how life has toyed with him.

There was one other thing that infuriated Twain terribly as well.

Eastwood had called him an hour ago and told him personally that he had decided to retire as a professional footballer after his operation.

The two had a heated debate, or perhaps, argument, over the phone regarding his decision.

Twain refused to accept Eastwood’s decision to retire. He did not even want to hear the word ‘retire’. However, Eastwood had set his heart on it. He was going to follow through with his decision and was even going to oppose the King by arguing with Twain over the phone.

“Listen, Freddy! I won’t allow you to say the word ‘retire’! I won’t agree to your retirement either! You are just 30 years old. Why would you retire at this age? What I want you to do now is to go through with your operation, rest for four months, then return to the pitch and continue to play football! What are you so depressed about?”

“Boss, I know my own body the best! I really can’t go on like this anymore… Nine years ago, you told me to persevere and choose the path that I wanted to walk on. I listened to you, and I have walked on the path that I really love for nine years… It’s been nine years, boss. It’s been a long time. I really can’t walk any longer…”

Twain heard sobs coming from the other end of the phone. He fell silent and did not know what he could say to console him.

If Freddy were right before him this very moment, he would have hugged him without hesitation. However, they were separated by an icy cold telephone and intangible electromagnetic waves right now. There was nothing he could do.

Eastwood regained his composure after sobbing intermittently for a while. His voice was hoarse when he spoke. “Actually, I’ve been running a lot less during games recently. I would not be able to contribute much to the team even if I were to return to the pitch after my operation… I’m really tired, boss. Do you know what’s my biggest dream right now? It’s to take care of my horses and my kids, and to be with Sabina… That’s all I want. It’s not been an easy journey for me so far. I’ve gotten really tired from persevering all this while. I want to rest now…”

“Freddy…”

“Don’t try to talk me out of it, boss. I’ve made up my mind. I…”

Twain raised his voice and cut off Eastwood curtly, “Do you remember our promise? I’m going to become the legendary manager, and you are going to become the legendary striker! Do you remember, Freddy?”

“I’m sorry, boss. I’m sorry…” Eastwood’s voice was low and he was choking back sobs.

Twain abruptly raised his head after hearing those words from Eastwood. He pulled the phone away from his ear and pursed his lips, trying to hold back his tears from falling.

Fortunately for him, there was only one other person in the office besides him. No one else would be able to see the King of Nottingham Forest in such a state.

Twain successfully held back his tears. He then put the phone back to his ear.

The call had not ended. Eastwood was still on the other end.

“Freddy.”

“Boss?”

“Drop by Wilford once you are done with your operation. Say goodbye to everyone. I won’t tell them anything for now.”

“Okay.”

“Call me when you are coming.”

“I will.”

“Rest up for now, Freddy…” Twain hung up the phone quickly. He was worried that he would cry if he were to continue with the call any longer. His voice was starting to quiver towards the end.

You are going to retire right now! Right now! I want to arrange for a farewell match for you at the f*cking least! Freddy! You… Why would you choose to retire right now?

Twain walked about his office aimlessly. His chest rose and fell furiously, and he was not able to calm down for a long while.

Twain regarded every player who has worked with him for numerous years to be his friend, and he would feel devastated every time any of them left.

From Fernando Hierro to Demetrio Albertini to David Beckham to Ruud van Nistelrooy and now to Eastwood…

What he did not wish to see the most was a player retire before him. He would feel better if the player was just going to transfer to another club, because it meant that he would still able to see their familiar faces at other places.

But, retiring was different.

Twain would go into a slight daze every time Albertini appeared before him formally dressed as an official for the Italian Football Association.

How time flies…

No one else besides Twain and Eastwood knew about the latter’s decision to retire from football. However, the media still managed to pick up on it through the numerous rumors that had been floating around.

A post-match conference was held following the Champions League group stage match against Lyon. During it, a reporter asked about Eastwood’s injuries.

“… Based on the numerous reports going around, is there a possibility that Eastwood would retire?”

Twain’s face darkened at once. “I don’t know. I’m not a professional doctor. I can’t make any comments about his injuries.”

Another reporter raised his hand. Before he could open his mouth however, Twain had pointed a finger at him and said, “If it’s about Eastwood, then I’m sorry. I refuse to reply. It has nothing to do with the match.”

The reporter opened his mouth and looked like he wanted to say something, but he eventually sat back down.

Clearly, he had intended to ask a question about Eastwood.

“Let’s talk about the match.” Twain changed the topic. “We defeated Lyon in an away game, and we are already guaranteed of a spot in the next round of the competition with two matches still to play. I’m very pleased. I’d like to thank the team for being united.”

Why would the reporters be interested in hearing those words of his?

Sadly, they were not given a single chance to ask about Eastwood’s injuries at the press conference. No one knew what the outcomes of Eastwood’s injuries were.

The reporters decided to switch targets and ask the players for comments since they were unable to obtain anything valuable off Twain.

“Freddy? We all hope he can recover quickly and come back to the team soon! The locker room just isn’t as lively without him around! Ha!” Pepe laughed as he spoke.

“I hope that he can recover quickly. But, there’s no use in rushing things either. He should take the time to rest up properly before returning. That’s much safer for him.”

“Freddy! You can do it!” Ibišević raised his fists and shouted at the camera after scoring a goal during the match. During his celebration of the goal, he had lifted his jersey up to reveal a shirt with the words ‘This goal is for Freddy’ beneath.

Interviewing George Wood was the hardest, especially since the reporters wanted to ask him for his opinions regarding Eastwood’s injuries. Everyone knew that Wood was to blame for Eastwood’s rocky footballing career. Eastwood’s current team mate and captain was the first to injure his right knee that has since underwent three operations.

“I… I think he’d return…” Wood sounded uncertain when he spoke. “Probably… Will return.”

Wood hastily left after making the comment. It seemed as though he was escaping from the question.

Eastwood’s teammates were generally positive about his recovery and return to the team.

Three days later, Freddy Eastwood underwent the third operation on his right knee in America.

When the operation was over, his operating doctor told him that things were not looking good for his knee. He was not sure if Eastwood could return to the pitch following the operation.

Eastwood responded to the doctor’s remarks with a smile. It was as though he did not take it to heart even though it was a piece of bad news.

He flew back to England under the accompaniment of his wife after resting for a week. He then gave a call to Twain as promised.

“Boss, I’m going to drop by and visit everyone.”

Twain understood what his words really meant.

It was time for goodbye.

Freddy Eastwood appeared at the training grounds during the morning training session the next day.

It has been quite some time since the Nottingham Forest players last saw him, and everyone was just glad to see him even though it was clear that he would not be joining them any time soon since he was still on crutches.

“Hey, Freddy! It’s been a long time! How’s the weather like in America?”

“I heard the operation was a total success? Do you still need to rest for another three months?”

“Have a speedy recovery and come back soon! Everyone misses you.”

Eastwood’s teammates swarmed up to him. They patted him on the shoulder and on the head and asked him about his condition and his life.

Kerslake was pleased to see all the Forest players crowding around Eastwood and did not say anything to stop them.

Twain, on the other hand, had a grim look on his face while he stood by the side with his sunglasses on.

Even George Wood, who hardly spoke to Eastwood, went up to greet him. “We… Uh… We are all waiting for you to come back.”

Eastwood has never treated the ‘chief culprit’ who caused him to be in the state that he is in now kindly. Likewise, George Wood has always been a man of pride, and he would never admit his wrongdoings before Eastwood either. As a result, the relationship between the two has always been bad. The media had also widely reported about their ‘feud’ before.

However, Eastwood felt that it was meaningless to keep harping over such things now that he was about to retire.

He smiled at Wood for the very first time. “Thanks.”

Some of their teammates began whistling at the sight of Eastwood’s smile. They then called for them to shake hands and give each other a hug.

This is going to be one of the biggest news ever! Who would have thought that these two players would actually bury the hatchet after years of harboring a deep hatred for each other?

Despite their exhortations, the pair did not shake hands or hug each other.

Twain stepped forward after seeing that the conversations had gone on for quite a while. He coughed once to signal everyone to quiet down. Thereafter, he pointed at Eastwood and said, “Freddy came here today because he has something he wants to say to everyone.”

When he was done saying those words, Twain retreated to the side and gestured for the Romani player to move forward.

Eastwood slowly limped forward with the help of his crutches.

Everyone looked at him in confusion. They did not know what exactly he wanted to say to them.

“Uh… Umm… I nearly changed my mind earlier.” Eastwood clamped the crutches under his armpits and scratched his nose with his hand.

“I really want to play football with everyone again. But I know it’s not possible for me to do that any longer…”

Commotion broke out.

“Hey, Freddy. What are you saying?”

“I’m sorry, Freddy. Your English pronunciation is poor and you speak really fast too. I totally didn’t get what you were saying!”

“It’s not April’s Fool today, Freddy!”

Eastwood only continued speaking once everyone had calmed down slightly. “Guys, I’m not lying. The doctor told me after the operation that my knee would not be able to handle the strain that playing professional football brings. If I don’t want to keep walking like this in the future then…” He patted his crutches. “I better give up.”

“Let me finish my words first.” He noticed that some of his teammates looked like they had something to say, so he immediately gestured to stop them from talking. “I’ve thought about this for a long time… And I also discussed it with the boss.”

Eastwood turned around to glance at Twain. Twain looked emotionless with his sunglasses on. He almost looked like he was trying to act cool.

“I’ve decided to retire from football.” He finally said the words that he wanted to say.

Kerslake looked at Eastwood with surprise written all over his face. He then turned around to look at Twain. Twain had already lowered his head by then.

His teammates reacted fiercely. They all began shouting at the top of their voices agitatedly, and some even wanted Eastwood to take back his words.

“Eastwood! You… Do you know what you just said?”

“We are all waiting for you to return! How could you choose to run away?”

“Hey! Everyone! Calm down…”

“Why should we calm down? He has undergone three operations on his knee. He has pulled through the previous two times. Why can’t he do the same this time? You are only 30 years old! Why are you thinking about retirement?”

A cacophony of angry voices assaulted Eastwood’s ears. However, he did not seem to be affected. He leaned against his crutches and smiled at his agitated teammates.

Twain could not help but yell, “Shut up!” when he noticed that the scene was getting out of control.

Everyone obediently shut their mouths, but there was still indignation in their eyes.

“If you truly treat Freddy as a close friend, then you should respect his decision!” Twain’s face had gone dark and the expression on his face was quite unpleasant. “He knows his own body the best. What do you all hope to achieve by yelling like that?”

After he finished chiding the players, Twain turned around to speak to Eastwood. “You said your dream is to take care of your horses, your kids, and to be with Sabina. But, I have also prepared another gift for you. I hope you will accept it…”

Eastwood was a little taken aback by Twain’s words.

“There’s not a single person here…” Twain turned around and pointed at all the players and coaching staff behind him, “Who wishes to see you leave.”

Everyone nodded their heads in agreement.

“Therefore, I don’t intend on letting you go either. I’ve given you a new contract…”

Eastwood widened his eyes.

Why is he in the dark about this? Isn’t he going to retire? Why is there a new contract?

“Are you willing to become a member of the coaching staff after you retire?”

The players who had been a little dazed started whistling once Twain finished his words. They all wanted Eastwood to accept the new contract.

“Coach!” Someone teased Eastwood by calling him ‘coach’, but before long, everyone else had joined in as well. The coaching staff laughed as they watched the Forest players tease Eastwood.

What should have been a sad occasion became a happy one.

Eastwood looked at Twain, before turning around to look at his teammates who were all cheering for him. The expression on his face changed several times, but eventually it settled on a smile.

“I’m worried that I’m not cut out for the job, boss…” He said with a smile.

“Take it slow. It’s not like you were born to be a professional footballer either, right?”

“I… All right, I accept.”

Cheers erupted.

Everyone was too busy cheering and they failed to notice something amiss with George Wood. Wood was the only one at the scene who looked as though he had something on his mind, and he was also the only one without a twinge of a smile on his face.