Born to be a coach [soccer]

Chapter 265

In just a few days, Anton's residence on Mayswood Road has become the temporary "command post" of Sunderland Football Club.

The community at Mayswood Road made a concerted effort to keep all reporters and media out of the community to ensure they would not interfere with the work of Anton and the coaching staff.

The coaching team was divided into two groups. One part stayed at Guangming Academy and led the players to train. The other part worked out the next training plan and game tactics at Anton's home with the support of huge data and materials, and repeatedly demonstrated and finally confirmed them.

A teleconferencing system was installed in the living room of Anton's house to ensure that all instructions from the temporary "command post" could be communicated to Guangming College in a timely manner.The application results and all feedback of the players on the tactical design after training can also be fully grasped by the coaching staff.

The logistical work of the temporary "command post" was completely taken care of by Mother Qiao. She drove to Maeswood Road three times a day, provided three meals a day to everyone in the command post, and checked Anton's spirit and body by the way. state.

Anton's main battlefield is in his own bedroom on the second floor. With only a laptop computer, he is connected to the European server of "Green Life", constantly mining the underlying data of this so-called most complex competitive management simulation game in history. with the code.

In the past few days, Anton has never slept, and except for being interrupted by Qiao's mother forcibly, taking him down to eat, and answering the coaching staff's questions by the way, he spends all his time on "green life".

On the third day, Mother Qiao looked at Anton's face that had become thinner and pale, and couldn't help but get angry:

"Young man, your body is the capital of everything. If you suffer like this, even hardened people can't stand it!"

Russell had just finished eating, put down the knife, fork and napkin in his hand, and hurried over to look at Anton: "Little brother, are you okay! Have you encountered any bottlenecks? Tell us what we can help you share. "

Anton laughed when he heard this, reached out and pushed the glasses on the bridge of his nose, and said, "There is no bottleneck..."

As the saying goes, interlaced lines are like mountains. Although football competition is the content theme of "Green Life", the underlying code of virtual reality simulation games is simply a book for ordinary people.Anton has dabbled in this industry before, but he hasn't contacted it for a while, and he still feels a little unfamiliar.

Fortunately, in the past three days and three nights, he has sorted out the general procedures, and locked the general location of the "program for development" specially developed by Bernard. where it is.

Qiao's mother patted Anton's shoulder speechlessly, and said, "We all understand your feelings. If I were in your position, I would probably go crazy myself..."

Russell hurriedly winked at Joe's mother, thinking that the more he said this, the more crooked it was!

"...But like I said before, don't take all the burden on yourself! You still have us, and so many people who care about you..."

Anton patted the back of Qiao's mother's hand, and finally smiled happily: "Yes, Qiao's mother, I understand!"

He has already told Papa Lin and Starway's game development company about this matter, and both parties have arranged special personnel to help, but Anton is the only one who is most familiar with "Green Life", and he will inevitably have to pay more.

Qiao's mother kept her face straight and said, "Sleep well tonight, go out for a walk tomorrow when you are free, or go to the club to see your team with your own eyes."

Club CEO Martin disagreed: "It's best for Anton not to leave the Mayswood community at will. After all, the outside world reacted fiercely to that announcement. I'm afraid...I'm afraid that he will meet some extreme people."

There are peaceful "Buddhist" fans in the world, and there are also radical "extreme" fans.Two days ago, some "extreme" Sunderland fans slipped into Mayswood Road with a big rock in their pockets, trying to smash the windows of Anton's house, but they were spotted by neighbors and called the police to let the police uncle It has gone to criticize and educate.

This is an exception, but Martin still has lingering fears about it.

"When we win the championship!" Russell patted his chest. "When we win the championship, they will forget all these things. But before that, Anton, you'd better not go out easily."

However, there were times when Anton had to go out.

One of the Sunderland club's "best fan" title winners, Mr. Nelson Horton, has passed away a few days ago.His family called the Sunderland club, hoping that Anton could attend his funeral.

Anton didn't think too much, and agreed directly.But Martin and Russell were worried, so Sunderland's top management and the entire coaching staff went with Anton.Everyone was wearing black dresses, and they looked so crowded, which shocked Mr. Horton's relatives.

The old gentleman's funeral was a small, private one, held in a chapel at Sunderland Cathedral.Just as the old man had arranged in advance, after Horton died of illness, his family changed him into a Sunderland jersey, with a dark dress outside the jersey, and the small "Best Fan" medal pinned to the chest of the dress.

Anton sent a bouquet of flowers on behalf of the entire coaching staff, and secretly prayed that the old man is alive and can continue to appreciate and enjoy football.

The elderly can enjoy a long life, full of children and grandchildren, and have no regrets.But according to his family, the old man was speechless before he died, but he kept pointing to a stack of newspapers on the side of the sick bed.

At that time, the whole family was puzzled, but later a great-grandson had a flash of inspiration and asked, "Grandpa, do you want us to show you the newspaper that won the championship after we won the championship in Sunderland?"

There was light in the old man's eyes, and he nodded with all his strength.

Anton heard this, his eyes were a little hot, he nodded and said: "We will definitely do our best to win the next game—"

Russell was standing behind Anton at the moment, grinding his teeth until he was in command of the next game. He must not disappoint Anton and the expectations of so many people—even though the next draw would win the championship, But he told himself in his heart that he must, must win.

When the funeral was over, Sunderland and his party sat in the chapel to rest.

At this moment, Horton's great-grandson, a boy in his early ten years, came up and asked Anton, "Mr. Coach, may I ask you, are you really planning to leave Sunderland?"

Anton shook his head: "At present, I have no plans to leave, but my family has encountered some problems, and I have to help him solve them. There is an old saying in China, which is 'the palm of the hand is meat, and the back of the hand is also meat', I don't want to give up on either side. But if one day I have to leave Sunderland for unavoidable reasons, will you blame me for it?"

The little boy tilted his head and thought for a long time, then shook his head and said, "No, but I will remember you."

The century-old football club, the iron-clad camp and the flowing soldiers, everyone has a day to leave.But if it can be firmly remembered by those who love this club, it will at least prove that the time he stayed here was not wasted, and it is meaningful and valuable.

Because of this sentence, Anton sat in the chapel in a daze for a while longer.The rest of Sunderland's coaching staff rushed to leave first, and only Martin accompanied him.

Then the hymns in the church began.

Martin went out to have a look, and came back and said to Anton: "The pastor said that today he will host a prayer for Sunderland Football Club. But there are many people outside, should I take you back first?"

Anton stood up when he heard the words, and said to Martin: "Come on, let's take a look." He walked out of the chapel on his own, and outside is the place where the daily mass is held in the cathedral.Martin hastened to follow.

At this time, many people had gathered in the church, and many of them were wearing Sunderland jerseys, red and white arrow shirts, and Sunderland's double lion team emblem embroidered on the chest.

Obviously, the people who came to pray were all Sunderland fans.

Martin was very worried that Anton would be recognized, and he didn't let go of his suspended heart until he saw Anton safely seated in the last row.

At this time, the hymn was about to be played, the pastor tapped the microphone lightly, and the church fell silent immediately.The priest in the pulpit spoke:

"Guys, we are united here in our common faith to take our prayers to the Lord. Please let us all pray for Sunderland Football Club and our city."

"Thank God for allowing us to understand what football means to this city."

"Thank God for football that brings us all together."

"Thank God for letting us enjoy the harvest when our team wins."

"Thank God for helping us overcome our anger and loss when our team lost."

"Merciful Lord, please continue to support Sunderland's coaches and players! Their diligence and loyalty deserve our respect and love!"

"Merciful Lord, please give them the ability to win the game, give them self-confidence and persistence!"

"Because the success of the team will bring success and prosperity to our city."①

Under the leadership of the pastor, all Sunderland fans prayed, loudly or whispering, and a warm and firm atmosphere naturally emerged in the church.

Martin sat next to Anton. It was also the first time he had experienced such an occasion. Tears filled his eyes at the moment, and he reached out to wipe the corners of his eyes.

Unexpectedly, at this time, a Sunderland fan turned around and saw Anton and Martin at a glance.He was probably also very surprised, so he called Anton's name loudly.

Now, all the Sunderland fans in the church turned their heads and looked at the head coach and CEO of their club.Even the pastor noticed that the person he led people to pray for was sitting in the last row of the church.

Martin was panicked again for a moment, thinking that if someone criticized Anton again, or even retaliated with punches, he alone would not be able to protect Anton.

Unexpectedly, at this moment, a Sunderland fan suddenly stood up, turned to Anton's direction, and shouted loudly: "Anton, please come on!"

Anton also stood up, put his right hand on his heart, nodded in greeting, and responded to the other party.

As a result, more and more Sunderland fans stood up and applauded Anton.Perhaps it was the pastor’s prayer that influenced the fans here. At this moment, no one stood up to criticize Anton and complained about his departure; instead, they encouraged Anton together and blessed him to maintain hope and courage.

"Anton, no matter what happens, please do your best!"

Whether you stay or go, you are already in the memory of this city, please be sure to work hard in your life.

The author has something to say: ① This prayer is from the beginning of the Netflix documentary "My Heart Is With Sunderland", which has been deleted and slightly changed.