Born to be a coach [soccer]

Chapter 278

In the summer of 2011, Sunderland's young midfielder Jordan Henderson transferred to Liverpool Football Club for a price of 2500 million pounds. For a long time after that, his performance did not match this price, and he was called the All-British Football Club. The most "parallel imports" midfielder, so he got the nickname "Shui Shao".

Henderson returned from the Premier League upstart Sunderland to the declining giants Liverpool. This deal was facilitated by Sunderland boss Short.

In order to keep big-name players like Ibrahimovic and introduce new blood to maintain the competitiveness of the team, boss Short advocated "selling, selling, selling" in this summer window.When English players of the same age and technical level as Henderson were generally worth just over 1000 million pounds, Henderson was called out for a high price of 2500 million pounds.Boss Short made a fortune in blood.

Next door to Liverpool, Manchester City fans jeered: "The players that Ferguson gave up back then, you bought them like a treasure. You spent such a large amount of money, and you turned around and realized that you were taken advantage of."

Liverpool fans: "Don't be kidding, the vice-president of the Premier League champions...you can't eat grapes if you don't buy it, say grapes are sour!"

But over time, Liverpool fans also discovered: ... It seems to be a real "parallel import".

The reason is that Henderson is too "English" as a player.

Henderson's advantages are very prominent: strong physique, full of energy, very accurate long pass, a typical "household registration" player.But his shortcomings are also very "English". This young man's way of playing football is very "straight line". Compared with southern European and South American players, his foot skills are very rough.

After he joined the "King" Dalglish, the first task he got was to gain weight-so the young Pianpian became a tough man, and his confrontation ability on the green field has been greatly improved.

However, the weight gain has brought side effects. Henderson's body flexibility has deteriorated, and he often moves stiffly when touching the ball and cannot hold the ball.Coupled with his already rough foot skills, once the opponent steps forward, Henderson, who can't hold the ball, can only pass back.

When there are too many passes back, the smooth progress of the Liverpool team can easily get stuck in him.Again and again, young people immediately attracted numerous criticisms, and even "infamy".

"Sunderland won the championship last season because they had Messi first, then Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and the blessing of the talented marshal Anton. This cannot explain how strong Henderson is!"

"Liverpool's purchase this time may have been fooled by Sunderland."

"Let's put it on the bench in the future, don't start, it's embarrassing."

"..."

"But this is a world-class celebratory midfielder! If you watch his celebration, you will probably think that he scored all the goals for Liverpool." There are also fans who like the young man's simple and honest energy. He celebrated for his teammates like an idiot, with a silly look on his face.

Together with Henderson, who was packaged and sold to Liverpool, there was also Liverpool native "rich second generation" Flanagan.Flanagan was sold for 800 million pounds, and it is said that a large part of the transfer funds came from the sponsorship of the rich second-generation family business.The Flanagan family will be hoping to see the heir perform on the pitch at Anfield.

Flanagan was a little bit aggrieved by his teammates, "Jordan, you run so hard every game, even with injuries, can't those 'spots' see it?"

Henderson has plantar fasciitis, and running hurts when the inflammation flares up.When the plantar fasciitis broke out, he still gritted his teeth and ran hard, running endlessly.But no matter how he runs, he cannot make a positive contribution to the team. Even if his efforts are seen by fans, they will only be regarded as "useless work".

Football is such a "consequence-only" competitive sport. As the direct executor of the head coach's tactics, the players are under greater pressure. If they win the game, the sky is full of flowers, and if they do not perform well, criticism will flood in.Especially a young player like him who has transferred from an upstart in the industry to an established giant at such a high price.

Henderson thought for a while but said to the rich second generation: "Jon... I think, I might prefer to listen to negative voices."

Rich second generation: ...

"It's great if others affirm, praise and praise me, but these are not what I need." Henderson thought for a while and said, "Actually, I prefer criticism..."

Flanagan was completely speechless: there are people in this world who like those sunspots?

"Because criticism makes me want to prove these people wrong from the bottom of my heart. If these criticisms are always there, I can use them as my energy and motivation."

Henderson said so.

As he said this, Flanagan looked up at him and saw a light in his teammate's eyes.

Despite Henderson's efforts, Liverpool's performance has been falling all the way this season.At the end of the season, the Liverpool club ushered in a turning point with mixed feelings: the team's record was not good this season. Although the team won the trophy in the League Cup, their performance in the Premier League fell too far. It dropped too badly in the standings, ranking No.1 even than rivals Everton in the same city.

Their "king" Kenny Dalglish resigned as head coach.The heroes of the past have come to an end, and the invincible tactics that once dominated England's top league are also incompatible with the new era-this has made many fans very sentimental.

Dalglish did not feel much regret, he said: "Let us give the right position to the right person!"

When the old man left office, he said that he was still burdened with the burden of 96 lives unresolved. From now on, he will continue to fight against the British government and strive for justice to be done.

So, who will take over the team left by Dalglish?

Two days later, without any warning, Liverpool Football Club officially announced Anton's joining.

The social media immediately exploded: Anton... Who would have thought it would be Anton?When this young marshal just reached his peak, he turned around and immediately "hidden away". Since then, the football world has heard little about him, even worse than the game world.

But it's not surprising when you think about it. Anton's family seems to have a close relationship with the investment group behind Liverpool.

At the end of last season, after Anton won the double at Sunderland, he handed over the team to assistant coach Russell Black.The "Black Cats" led by Russell are also very fierce. This season, they have been in the top four of the standings. It is still unknown whether they can win the championship again, but at least it proves that Anton has left Sunderland a very precious property - a complete system , a tacitly coordinated player and coaching staff, a big-name star who can stand alone.

No one dares to question Anton's ability. If there is, it is only because of the disastrous defeat of another young coach, Villas-Boas, at Chelsea, which makes people wonder whether the young and inexperienced young coach can adapt to the Premier League "rich".

But it is said that Sir Alex Ferguson from the Manchester city next door was very regretful when he heard the news: If he had known that Anton would come back so soon, he should have contacted him earlier—after all, after Anton became the head coach of the Red Army, he might switch to the Red Devils. Sex is almost zero.

When Henderson heard the news, he was relieved and anxious at the same time.What is gratifying is that the coach who discovered him was in the same club as him. What is anxious is that he is familiar with Anton's temper. If a player does not perform well, he does not perform well. It is impossible for Anton to give him extra money just because of his old relationship. Opportunity.

Henderson was right to be concerned.

After Anton entered Anfield, he found Henderson and handed him a scouting report.

Henderson looked at the headline of the scouting report at a loss: "Report on the introduction of Fulham player Dempsey".What does this have to do with him?

Anton stared at his former general with sharp eyes, as if forcing him to read the report.

So Henderson put his head down, tried to finish the report, then looked up with hurt eyes—

In this scouting report, it is recommended that Liverpool introduce Fulham players in the upcoming summer window, using Henderson as a bargaining chip, hoping that Fulham can release them at that time.

"This is the scout's suggestion, but once the entire coaching staff nods, the transfer manager will operate the matter, and this report will be transformed into an offer." Anton said calmly, "I want to hear What are your thoughts."

When Anton said this, he might be suggesting that Henderson accept this arrangement and leave the team voluntarily; or he might want to use this to stimulate Henderson.But when Henderson saw the report, his mind was so confused that he couldn't even think about Anton's possible intentions.

Coming out of the head coach's office, Henderson didn't even know what he said in front of Anton. He only remembered that he was holding back tears, and it was very hard.

The young man then found an empty room and sat alone for a while.There he couldn't bear it anymore and cried for a while, then he took out his mobile phone and called his agent.

On the phone, he told his agent: Liverpool has consulted his opinion, whether he is willing to leave the team during the summer window.

As he spoke, Henderson no longer cried.He made it clear to his agent that he wanted to fight, he wanted to try, and he didn't want to leave.He wants to prove Anton wrong.

The agent comforted him a little and promised to tell Anton about Henderson's decision.

Henderson then called his father, Brian.Brian heard about it and supported his son's decision: "Go on, boy, since you think this is not an option at all, then stop thinking about it and put all your energy on proving yourself Bar."

So Henderson went to Anton and told the head coach his decision.

"Very good," Anton nodded. "Jordan, you are already an adult. Now that you have made a decision, you must face the consequences of your decision. After that, you will face more difficult training and even more difficult choices." .Are you ready?"

Of course the young man nodded and said he was ready.

But when he really faced the test, Henderson realized that he was far from ready to face the trials of fate.