Football: My AI System Provides Max-Level Predictions

Chapter 874 602: £300,000-Per-Week Max Contract Renewal? Tang Long Temporarily Refuses, He Has Bigger Plans! (2)

Then he boarded the earliest flight out of Manchester to Chile the next day and personally called the chief editor of the Manchester Evening News to announce his permanent retirement decision before leaving.

A Boeing jet soared across Manchester's gloomy sky, leaving behind a long, trailing shadow...

Pellegrini doesn't quite deserve the title of Europe's top manager.

Whether in terms of his fame in the football world or the number of championships he's won, it's hard for him to compare to Ancelotti, Guardiola, Mourinho, Lippi, and others.

But as a manager with a career spanning over 30 years, Coach Pei still has considerable influence in European football; he is indeed a frontline manager.

And in these 30 years, he witnessed the continuous development of modern football.

He achieved glory, experienced lows, and stood back up to prove his capabilities to the world.

With a head full of silver hair, sharp eyes, a prominently high and somewhat exaggerated nose paired with his nearly 6'3" stature, his entire image is quite iconic.

Remember last season, after winning the Premier League, League Cup, and FA Cup titles, even though Manchester United stopped at the Champions League semi-finals in a narrow defeat, Pellegrini still declared boldly at the post-match press conference:

"Next season, Manchester City's baseline goal is to reach the Champions League finals. I have full trust in the players' abilities, and personally, I am full of ambition."

A whole year later, such bold declarations have dissipated into Manchester's lingering clouds, turning into a long trailing shadow left behind by a passing Boeing jet, disappearing without a trace with a gust of wind.

...

Ronaldo flew specifically from Brazil to Manchester to discuss the renewal with Tang Long.

Just a year ago, Tang Long had renewed with Manchester City and stepped into the first tier within the team.

At that time, Tang Long's contract was extended by a year, changing from four years to five, and his weekly salary increased from £180,000 to £240,000, ranking first in the team alongside Agüero.

However, in terms of image rights, Tang Long personally obtained a 90% share!

In this way, in actual player salary terms, Tang Long had become the first in the team!

Remember, after the negotiations ended last year, Ronaldo, full of vigor, walked out of Manchester City's office building carrying his briefcase, seeing hundreds of reporters swarming over from afar.

He raised his hand, nonchalantly took out his sunglasses from his pocket and put them on, striding through the crowd of reporters saying just one sentence before leaving in his car: "The best players must receive the best treatment, this is the principle I, Ronaldo, uphold as an agent to serve the players!"

The best players shall receive the best treatment; this was also Ronaldo's belief during his playing days, whether at Inter Milan, Barcelona, or Real Madrid, his salary always belonged to the highest bracket.

And after switching to start an agency company, Ronaldo continues to uphold this concept in serving his clients.

This year, his agency company added a new client, Tang Long and Bonazzoli's good friend, the Italian Ranocchia.

Ranocchia did not choose to renew after his four-year contract with his previous agent expired but rather accepted Ronaldo's olive branch and transferred under his name.

Counting Tang Long, Bonazzoli, and Ranocchia, Ronaldo has three clients under his wing.

Ronaldo has grand ambitions for his agency company.

In his player days, he was the best striker, and as an agent, he must also be world number one.

However, as a 41-year-old, Ronaldo has lengthy plans; he decided not to rush into expanding his territory but rather remain a niche boutique agent for now.

Especially considering the situation where all clients are in the same team, it's crucial to seize such opportunities.

Because with three players in the same team, whether in terms of transfers or salary negotiations, Ronaldo finds it more convenient, and it also helps him better grasp Manchester City's internal affairs through the players.

The best players deserve the highest pay, so Ronaldo plans to first extend Tang Long's contract by one more year, from four years to five, increasing his salary further to surpass Agüero solely in terms of weekly pay, making him the highest-paid player in Manchester City, then proceed to discuss the contracts of Ranocchia and Bonazzoli with the club.

"£300,000, this number isn't high, you get the highest weekly pay!"

At Tang Long's home, Ronaldo stated this figure in front of Tang Long, Ranocchia, and Bonazzoli.

"£300,000 weekly pay, my gosh, that's an astronomical figure!"

Bonazzoli practically listened with eyes lighting up, gazing at Tang Long with full admiration, even with a slight trace of envy, pondering: "We are both forwards, about the same age, why do differences between people have to be so vast? Is God truly fair?"

Compared to Bonazzoli, the former Inter Milan captain Ranocchia has a deeper understanding of Tang Long's capabilities and judgment on his future development potential.

He firmly believed the number isn't high!

"Look at Rooney, he's already 32 at Manchester United, with his weekly pay at £300,000, earning the highest at United. Now whether in terms of current fame and ability level, or influence in the football world, Tang has surpassed Rooney. One can even say no one in the Premier League matches him; currently, Tang is the sole marquee player in the Premier League, and he deserves a marquee salary." Ranocchia said.

Ronaldo slapped his thigh, their thoughts coincided.

"Ha ha, indeed someone who captained a giant club like Inter speaks with such calibers." He praised Ranocchia with a thumbs-up.

In reality, Ronaldo's current aim to be a small but exquisite agent doesn't mean he doesn't want to establish his name; having a top-paid Premier League player under his management would greatly benefit his agency both in terms of income and reputation industry-wide, also increasing Tang Long's income level.

However, Tang Long, after pondering for a moment, smiled slightly and rejected Ronaldo's request.

"Not considering this matter for now."

Ronaldo, Ranocchia, and Bonazzoli were all taken aback, each puzzled, could anyone not want to earn money? Impossible.

Especially Ranocchia and Bonazzoli, who are actually standard European styled professional players; they diligently work on the pitch, train meticulously, are kind to fans, and respectful towards the club's management, but that doesn't mean they don't wish to earn more salary.

Tang Long identified their surprise and candidly stated his reason.

"In 5 days it's the Champions League final, I don't want to be involved in renewal disputes at this time. Moreover, negotiating renewal before the final is like strangling the club's throat, isn't it? Mr. Belada treats me very well, I can't do that."

"I can completely discuss this matter post-Champions League final; moreover, if I win the Champions League, your negotiation space naturally becomes larger."

Tang Long's careful thinking also made Ronaldo sigh.

"Alright, there are very few players like you in this era." Ronaldo then looked at the other two, "Well, how about I go discuss your contracts with the club now?"

Ranocchia and Bonazzoli exchanged glances, shrugged simultaneously, and laughed.

"Tang's spoken, what else can we do? Let it be until after the Champions League final. By then, we defeat Real Madrid, win the Champions League title; as Tang just said, you'll have greater negotiation space!"

Ronaldo is also a straightforward person; seeing the two promptly reply, he snapped his fingers.

"Fine, then let's talk after the Champions League final!"