Time had certainly marked the faces in those images. The players were growing, and the team was becoming stronger alongside them.
Yet as Marina laid out her reasoning, Richard's expression darkened. Perhaps he had a gift for running the club from the footballing side—spotting raw talent, negotiating transfers, predicting which young player might one day rise to greatness.
But when it came to the management side of the business, to the art of turning victories into influence and building a lasting brand, he knew—if he was being honest with himself—that he needed someone else. Someone who could see beyond the pitch, someone who could handle what he could not.
Marina paused for a moment, her eyes flicking toward Karren before turning back to Richard. Her tone hardened into something serious.
"You know," she began slowly, "I'm not technically responsible for the club's publicity. But this thought has been weighing on me ever since I became director here."
