novelraw Chapter 872 601: From Mentor and Disciple to Archrivals: Tang Long's Legendary Hat-Trick Night, Coach Pei's Bittersweet Farewell to His Career!
Chapter 872 601: From Mentor and Disciple to Archrivals: Tang Long's Legendary Hat-Trick Night, Coach Pei's Bittersweet Farewell to His Career!
Tang Long was taken aback, feeling like Pellegrini was joking.
"Are you sure about what you're saying?"
"Of course it's true, why would I lie to you?" Pellegrini smiled candidly, "The board has already informed me in advance, if we end up empty-handed this season, I'll be sacked."
Tang Long's heart sank, feeling that Manchester United was too impatient.
They spent a fortune to poach Pellegrini from Manchester City, giving him just one season, and if he doesn't win a championship, they'll kick him out?
Thinking it through, he realized that being a professional coach is extremely harsh, its competitiveness is in no way less than what a football player faces.
"Even if Manchester United fires you, with your credentials, plenty of teams in Europe would be eager to have you, why retire because of this?" Tang Long asked in disbelief.
This veteran coach was already over 60, but he had rich coaching experience in La Liga and the Premier League and was a true champion coach.
With his credentials, securing a coaching position in Europe would be a piece of cake.
At this moment, Pellegrini seemed to have completely relieved himself of his mental burden, and while speaking with Tang Long, his identity no longer seemed like the head coach of Manchester United, but rather an old friend talking to Tang Long.
"You know, kid, for the sake of coaching, I've owed my family too much. Now I really want to return to my hometown in Chile, to the farm my father left behind, to enjoy life with my grandchildren. Besides, Manchester United would have to pay me a severance of tens of millions of British Pounds if they sack me, so I might as well retire, haha!"
Even though Pellegrini spoke in a lighthearted tone, Tang Long could clearly see his slight frown.
Evidently, even with the tens of millions of British Pounds as severance pay, which would be enough to support his retirement life, there was still a sense of reluctance in his heart.
What exactly caused Pellegrini's psychological defense to collapse, making him give up on being a coach?
Until the two parted ways, watching Pellegrini's tall figure walking away, Tang Long kept pondering in his heart.
…
"Hey, dummy! What are you thinking about? Why aren't you up there celebrating with them, the award ceremony is about to start!"
With a "slap" sound, Tang Long's back was lightly patted by Gracie's small hand.
He turned his head, seeing Gracie smiling brightly at him.
Tang Long was momentarily stunned, then smacked his own head, realizing he had misspoken to Gracie.
"Sorry, Gracie, I promised to score a hat-trick but only scored twice, sorry to let you down."
Gracie waved both hands vigorously in front of Tang Long, quickly explaining to him:
"How can you be blamed for that? If anyone's to blame, it's Guardiola, he only gave you a few minutes on the field, scoring two goals is already great, after all, the opponent was Manchester United. The remaining goal, just save it for the Champions League final, as long as you score, it won't be considered a broken promise."
Tang Long nodded slightly, looking at Gracie with an amused gaze, her fair forehead glistening with sweat.
That day in the therapy room, Gracie's forehead was also so sweaty...
"One goal in the Champions League final is not enough, Gracie, you know what I mean, right?"
Gracie smiled gently, her charming dimples appearing again, nodding quickly, "Of course not, that's definitely not enough, you have to score at least three, you have to surpass C Luo, claim the Champions League Golden Boot, and with the European Golden Boot, crush him with both awards."
Upon saying this, Gracie suddenly shuddered, understanding Tang Long's implication~
Her face instantly turned red, with her ears burning hot, biting her lips, she quickly ran away.
London!
Wembley Stadium!
The podium was already set up, and the Manchester City players, who had won the FA Cup, lined up one after another on stage.
Tang Long and Manchester City's captain Kompany stood at the C position.
And at the moment when fireworks erupted behind them, Kompany suddenly handed the trophy to Tang Long, who smoothly took it and raised it high above his head!
"We won again!!!"
At the moment of raising the trophy, Tang Long looked up at the sky in surprise to see that the moon had turned blue!