Born to be a coach [soccer]

Chapter 167

During the period when Sunderland went to London to play against Tottenham and Chelsea, the Stadium of Light completed a small-scale "renovation", renovating the entrance of the stadium and the souvenir shop.

It's not that the owner Short is willing to spend the money, but the club's financial team has made a prediction that the extra income from the souvenir shop after the renovation will cover all the costs within a few weeks.

Anton's team returned to Sunderland after the victory over Chelsea, and it was their duty to be the ribbon-cutting guests of the new store.Witnessed by countless fans and the media, they cut the ribbon for the store, and as the first batch of "customers", they visited the souvenir store.

Stepping into the store, the most conspicuous wall of the store was sprayed with a huge color spray painting, drawing full-body portraits of all Sunderland first-team members.

The portrait of Anton himself stands in the middle. He is wearing a hunting suit and a red and white Sunderland scarf around his neck. He is looking at the guests with a smile through his pair of classical wide-rimmed glasses.

Around him are members of the first team: Royce, Vardy, Eriksson, Shaqiri... They each appeared on the field running and shooting, but Crouch was the only one who appeared behind Anton. He raised his head and seemed to be diving to the top.

"Hey, where's Messi?" Everyone couldn't find Messi's portrait.

Soon Messi found himself. He was painted on the square column opposite the huge painting. He was wearing Sunderland's home jersey, running with open arms, and making a celebratory gesture. .

The Sunderland club also has its own considerations for listing Messi's portrait separately-there is one month left, and Messi's lease is coming to an end.Painting Messi on this column is to prove that he has been here, loved by fans, and will always be loved like this.

In front of this column is the Messi memorabilia area, and the best sellers are naturally Messi's jerseys.The store has just reopened this time, so it is fully stocked; if it is put away, it will be out of stock last time.

In addition to jerseys, there are also various "Messi" souvenirs, such as key chains with Messi's head, bottle openers, beer mugs and so on.The fanciest one is a little resin figure of Lionel Messi, holding a coal mine safety lamp – the emblem of the Stadium of Light.Just press Messi's little hand, and the safety light will light up.

Messi himself couldn't put it down, so he ran to Anton and asked him if he could move one home.

Anton certainly agreed: "The premise is that you shoot a short video and post it on Twitter, calling on everyone to buy these 'authentic' souvenirs. It's okay to give you one of each of these."

Without further ado, Messi started to shoot the video.His teammates all ran over to make fun of him.

At this time, several media that have a cooperative relationship with Sunderland were allowed to enter the store to shoot.Anton meets his old acquaintance, Mirror reporter Jack McQueen.Jack was still an intern at the "Daily Mail" at this time last year, but now he is a full-time employee of the "Mirror" sports section, responsible for reporting Premier League news.

But Jack came to Anton with something urgent.

"Do you remember a reporter named Mark Gary?"

How could Anton forget this, Mark Gary had been checking his family affairs to Professor Friedrich.

"He wants to see you," Jack told.

Anton shrugged: "Is he still working at The Sun?" He only remembered that this reporter was once scolded by him in public at a press conference.

Jack shook his head quickly and said, "No...you refused to answer questions at the time. He resigned from the "Sun" after that."

Anton didn't know about this. After thinking about it, he felt a little sorry for the unlucky Mark. He was actually targeting the "Sun" instead of Mark himself.

"Then he found another job, he went to the Daily Mail and worked for the sports editor Ruben Smith."

Reuben Smith! ——Anton narrowed his eyes, this is an old friend.

Sunderland completed two tasks last season, promoted and won the FA Cup. Ruben Smith was willing to gamble and published a full-page "Sunderland" special edition in the "Daily Mail" for This club "sings praises".But with the arrival of the new season, the "Post" has no voice.

Sunderland had a lot of trouble before, and it was a "miracle of light" and a winning streak.Anton originally thought that Ruben Smith would jump out again to predict an "impossible", but he didn't expect that Ruben would be discouraged.

"But two days ago Mark voluntarily resigned—"

Since he resigned voluntarily, it is likely that he had a bad quarrel with his boss Ruben.

"He met me when he came to the "Mirror" for an interview. He remembered that I had written an interview for you, so he asked me to bring you a message-he has something very, very important and wants to tell you in person."

"About what?" Anton was a little strange. Generally, reporters hoped that Anton could tell them something, but this one was the opposite.

"About Mr. Reuben Smith." That's all Jack knew.

Anton nodded.

The calmness of the "Daily Mail" during this period is really not like Ruben Smith's style.That Mark Gary would leave the Post even if he resigned, maybe there is a reason related to him.

"Please tell me that he can call the club's front desk, and the front desk will arrange a time."

But Jack said, "He wants to meet you privately, not in a club."

Anton lowered his head and thought for a few seconds, then nodded: "Please tell me his contact information!"

So, Mark Gary, a young reporter who had been humiliated by Anton in public, was actually invited by Anton to Messwood Road.There, Anton brewed a cup of Earl Gray tea and handed it to him: "Lemon, milk and sugar are all here, you can add whatever you like, please feel free to do so."

When Mark saw Anton, he didn't know why he seemed very nervous. He threw a cube of sugar into the teacup tremblingly, and when he stirred it with a tea spoon, Anton heard a series of crisp "ding ding" sounds.

"Take it easy, Mr. Gary, I don't know how to eat people." Anton joked.

Unexpectedly, Mark suddenly opened his mouth, raised his head and said to Anton: "Mr. Coach, Ruben has already got a big explosive news about you."

So the "Daily Mail" has been dormant for so long, just to prepare for this big news?

Anton stared into his eyes to make sure that this person was not lying, and he immediately asked, "What news?"

Mark was speechless: "...I can't say it!"

His face was flushed red, and he seemed to have a strong sense of justice, and he came to inform innocent people, but in front of them, he only had the three words "can't say", just like a liar.

Anton nodded clearly: "You signed a non-disclosure agreement in advance. If you tell me, you will be suspected of breaching the contract, right?"

He is very knowledgeable about this type of industry insider.People who are engaged in a career like Mark will sign a non-disclosure agreement before joining the job-for "exclusive" news, even if he personally collects it, due to professional ethics, he cannot disclose it to the outside world, even if he leaves the job. .

Mark breathed a sigh of relief, nodded slightly, and said in a low voice: "Because of the 'truth' you mentioned, I left The Sun, which violates the professional ethics of journalists. I can't tell you what kind of information Ruben has."

"I have also advised Ruben before that this so-called 'scandal' has involved you, your family, and your personal privacy, especially during your coaching season... the consequences of this incident may affect many Man. But Ruben... Ruben, he just wants to make a big story."

Anton frowned: "So, your visit to Professor Friedrich in London is also part of this so-called 'crazy news'?"

According to the confidentiality clause, Mark should not answer Anton's question, but he hesitated for a while and finally said softly: "Yes..."

Anton's gray-blue eyes narrowed and stared at Mark.

"Because of this, you feel ashamed? So you chose to resign, and secretly came to see me through someone who knew me, and warned me... But you can't tell me what news you guys want?" Anton His tone changed and became sarcastic.

Mark's face was gloomy, and he shook his head and said, "I... I don't know what else I can do. Once the selection of this news was handed over, I was powerless to stop it. In fact, even Ruben couldn't control it anymore. The whole thing, Ruben said to me personally, he felt that this had become a monster, he once wanted to stop, but even he found that he couldn't control it, so he just let it go..."

Speaking of this, Mark raised his head and said in a trembling voice: "Mr. Coach, I know that your brother's misfortune has brought you a great blow, but I can only say sorry to you..."

Unexpectedly, Anton suddenly stood up at this moment:

"Enough! Mr. Gary." He seemed to be suppressing his anger.

"So, you think that Bernard is bedridden unconsciously, so you are full of pity for our family?" Anton's tone suddenly turned sharp, "I can tell you, Mr. Gary, you and Your boss, you self-righteous fellows, you're all so wrong."

"My family and I have a clear conscience and are not afraid of any so-called 'revealing'! And I can tell you clearly, Smith or you, you self-righteous media people, I don't believe you can see clearly It's the 'truth'."

"It would be best if Mr. Smith reined in from the brink. If he insists on going his own way, I'm afraid he will end up humiliating himself."

Mark was tongue-tied, not knowing what to say.He suddenly wanted to tell Ruben this sentence. I am afraid that what Anton said is true, and they will only humiliate themselves...

Anton pointed to the door and said, "Mr. Gary, I ask you to leave my house. I will pretend that you have never been here today, and naturally I will not remember anything you said today. Of course, you I can also completely pretend that the whole thing didn't happen..."

mark:……?

——Why did the last words sound like the other party was helping me?

He didn't have time to think about it, he hurriedly put on his coat and hat, and left Anton's house. He didn't even bother to say hello to two Sunderland players (including superstars) at the door .

Messi and Eriksson: ... Hey, this guy is so strange!