Born to be a coach [soccer]

Chapter 95

Sunderland's Stadium of Light has a total of 49000 seats, and the average attendance in the Premier League is about 30000, of which about 20000 are season ticket holders.

Last season, Sunderland was relegated to the British Championship, and the number of season ticket holders dropped to about 18000. The number of declines was limited, which showed the loyalty of Sunderland fans to the team.

Their loyalty has also been rewarded. Sunderland rebounded strongly in the second half of last season, and finally caught the last train of the Super League and won the FA Cup.In addition, the personal charm of the young marshal Anton also attracted a lot of fans for Sunderland.It is expected that the number of season tickets this year will increase slightly compared with the previous year, and the average attendance rate will also increase slightly after being promoted to the Premier League.

But there will still be a little gap from being fully seated.

That's why owner Short set his sights on season ticket prices.Although Short changed his mind after the fans' protests and Anton's fooling around, but where should the money come from?

After Short was "hijacked", he was finally sent back to the club by Anton and his driver Haosheng.There, CEO Martin and assistant coach Russell have prepared all the club's financial analysis for next season, prepared slides, and are waiting to explain to Short and Anton.

The club's "big steward" has calculated all the financial resources and expenses for the next season.

For a football club with stable operation, the sources of income are just those types: broadcast income, game day income, and commercial income.

Sunderland's broadcast income has rebounded significantly because it reached the FA Cup final all the way last season.In the Premier League next season, the broadcast income will also increase significantly. As for the broadcast income of the Europa League, it depends on how far Sunderland can go in the Europa League.

Game day income mainly comes from fans who come to watch the game.When seeing this item, the boss Short is always a little bit resentful. He had a good idea. Once the price of the season ticket increases, the club will immediately earn an extra million pounds.

But this idea was photographed back by Anton and the fans-and Short thought he couldn't speak to this group of people.

What Anton means: Although their matchday income is not high enough, there is room at the Stadium of Light.This great stadium has nearly [-] seats. As long as there is a way to increase attendance, even if the season ticket revenue is flat, the overall gate revenue still has the opportunity to increase.

But there seems to be no better way to increase the attendance: Allocating more seats to away fans is a good way, but it is estimated that it can only solve up to 5000 to [-] seats.

So Russell looked up at Anton: "Do you want to consider asking Miss Chloe to call for her fans to come to the game?"

Russell thought of his wife.

Anton had no choice but to roll his eyes at him—this idea is too unreliable.

Although the spirit is commendable.

Therefore, in Anton's notes, how to increase the attendance can only be left blank.

The next step is to increase commercial income: the main source of commercial income is commercial sponsorship, including jerseys, chest badges, armbands, and main equipment.Some clubs are still willing to accept sponsorship such as stadium naming rights, but not Sunderland-their stadium will only be called the "Bright" Stadium, and it will not be changed under any circumstances.

Sunderland's chance: their shirt advertising contract expired at the end of last season.Therefore, a new value-added contract can be re-signed with the help of the promotion.

The challenge for Sunderland is: they are newly promoted in the Premier League, and the advertisers are not sure whether they can last until the end of the season without being relegated. Therefore, Sunderland cannot get a good contract price before the Premier League achieves results.

So Anton said ruthlessly: "Don't talk about jersey sponsorship first, everyone is holding back. Wait until the Community Shield is over."

The Community Shield is an event before the start of the new Premier League season, with the league champions from last season playing against the FA Cup champions from last season.This means that Sunderland will face Chelsea again with a new lineup in mid-August.

This thing is risky, because Sunderland may not be able to win again against Chelsea.

But as long as he shows his mental outlook and technical level, he will definitely be able to get a better contract than the current one.

Both Martin and Russell supported Anton's decision.

Boss Short: ... Is there anyone listening to my words?

After looking at the income, we also need to look at the expenditure.After Sunderland is promoted, operating expenses will increase significantly.

The first is the salary of the staff: after the promotion, everyone has a salary increase.

Russell: I will be the first one to quit without a salary increase!

In addition, under the auspices of Martin and Anton, Sunderland adjusted the business structure and added some professionals in key positions.

The increase is mainly in the medical and physical training of the team. The team of the chief nutritionist Joe’s mother has added six newcomers at once; All players from the first team down to the youth academy.

There has always been a joke about team doctors in English football: the number of medical teams of the top Premier League giants may reach about 100; when it comes to ordinary clubs in the English Championship, they may only have three team doctors; There are only three ice packs and a medicine box.

It can be seen that different levels of leagues have a huge gap in medical investment.

But in order to protect the health of the players, Anton believes that it is worthwhile to invest in this area.

Others can't hold him back, and they don't dare to hold him back.

In addition, if Sunderland introduces new players, the player's "value", that is, the cost of "player registration rights", will be included in the team's intangible assets and amortized within the contract period.

If Sunderland recruits too much and too quickly this year, or signs the contract too short, it will lead to a substantial increase in expenditure in this financial year-but the team's performance next season is closely related to the results of the signings. At this juncture , No one dared to stop Anton from signing.

The only thing the boss Short can say is: the signings must be more reliable!The real gold and silver spent... It's all money!

The whole room has calculated all the income and expenses, and there is still a gap between the income and expenditure.These smart people can no longer find a way to increase revenue or reduce expenditure.

The boss, Short, is a worry.

In front of a large crowd of fans and the media, he was "declared" that season ticket prices would not increase.

Even if I wanted to regret it now, it was too late.

Anton comforted his boss: "Don't worry, if there is still a gap, the club can consider a loan!"

Short: ...The example of Liverpool is right in front of us, you still persuade me to take out a loan?

Anton continued to comfort: "If you want a loan, I can guarantee the club and provide an interest-free loan, which will never increase Sunderland's financial burden."

In the end, there was really no other way, so Anton had to come forward and provide the club with a "coach" loan to help his "employee" tide over the difficulties.

It’s just that such an approach “pulls out the radish with mud”, no matter how the shell company is set up to operate, it will inevitably “expose” the family behind Anton in the end.Unless it was a last resort, Anton would not be willing to take such a method.

But in this way, how can the club's funding gap be closed?

One day after the big discussion about finances, Anton unexpectedly received an application for an interview.

The person who applied for the exemption was a big boy named Jon Flanagan, who came from Liverpool's youth training and was about to turn 18 this year.

Anton just received this interview application, the club CEO Martin came over to take a look, said "Oh", and said, "Oh, Flanagan!"

After speaking, Martin left.Russell on the other end came over, leaned over his head and glanced at the resume, and said "Huh", "So it's Flanagan!"

Russell was gone too.

Anton: What's the point of both of you?

Before he had time to look up information related to this Flanagan, the call came in.

"What? Take all the vacant seats at the Stadium of Light this season?" Even Anton, who was used to seeing big scenes and was always so calm, felt a little turmoil in his heart at this moment.

He kind of understood how sacred the little boy who sent his resume to his subordinates was.

The Flanagan family owns the largest listed company in the Northwest of England and has strong financial resources.Jon Flanagan, the prince of the family, loves football very much. He doesn't want to go back and inherit tens of billions of assets, but wants to carve out a world on the green field.

"His ideal is to join the Liverpool first team." The man on the other end of the phone said to Anton in Liverpool English with a strong accent, "but we don't want him to join the club of 'dog blood and two bears'."

Anton thought to himself: How many people hate Liverpool's pair of American live treasure owners!

"How is it? Dear coach! Our Jon won't accept anyone last season, but you." The other party said with full sincerity, "It's just a little immature suggestion from us to book the empty seats at the Stadium of Light. If you have other ideas, you can discuss with us at any time, everything is easy to talk about!"

Anton quickly passed through his mind: "Do you have any requirements for Jon's playing time?"

This is a typical "rich second generation" airborne, descending to be the VIP in the team, Anton worried that the request made by the other party would affect his command and tactical arrangements for the team.

"No, no, no request!" The other party said quickly and anxiously, "If you can put Jon on the bench and make him give up football, we can only be grateful to you..."

Anton: ...

"The last question, Jon is good at playing the position... Are you parents clear?"

"Jon is good at full-back, he is more balanced on both feet, but he is more good at using his right foot."

It seems that although the parents do not agree with his ideals, they respect and understand his career path.

Anton let out a sigh of relief: "That's great!"

——He is a kid who can play right back, he has been looking for a long time!

"Please tell Jon that I am his coach Anton. I am waiting for his arrival at Guangming Academy."

When Jon Flanagan stood in front of Anton, there were three people behind him.

"This is my personal trainer who has been guiding me. If you have any questions about my daily training, you can ask him." The prince pointed to one of them.

"This is my personal nutritionist. I hope he can stay here during my stay in the team. But if you don't want him, he won't express any objection."

The nutritionist's facial muscles stiffened immediately.

"The last one is my personal assistant and translator. If you can't understand my Merseyside English, he will repeat it to you."

The author has something to say: Anton: This is really a "trench" prince!