Nicholas Marjan, known as Niels, was an Asian football-obsessed loner in the modern world. A master of FIFA Career Mode, addicted to YouTube tactics videos, and followed every twist of the transfer window like it was life or death, he lived the beautiful game from behind a screen.
Until the day he died.
And woke up in the late 2000s, in the body of a once-promising young player at a lower-league English club. A player whose career had been cut short by a brutal ACL injury. With his playing career over before it could truly begin, his second life offers no glory on the pitch.
But Niels still has one weapon: his mind.
Armed with future knowledge of football's evolution, and guided by a mysterious, almost cheat-like instinct for scouting raw talent, Niels steps into the world of coaching. As an assistant at a struggling lower-league club, he begins to reshape the team from within challenging outdated tactics, unearthing hidden gems, and reigniting hope in the dressing room.
His methods are unorthodox. His instincts, uncanny. And soon, whispers about the "young coach with a gift" begin to spread.
This isn’t the story of a player chasing glory. It’s about someone reborn to change the game from the sidelines. From forgotten training grounds to Europe’s biggest stages, Niels is on a mission, 
not just to win, but to rewrite what it means to lead.
He once dreamed of lifting trophies as a player.
Now, he'll do it as a coach.

When Niels got off the plane at Gatwick Airport, the damp English air felt familiar. The sounds of Rotterdam's canals slowly disappeared from his mind.


He thought about everything he had learned on his trip: Milan's strong tactics, Genoa's calm approach, Utrecht's long-term vision, and Eindhoven's youthful energy.


At the same time, he remembered Emma's message about Levante's bold offer for Max, Parma chasing Luka, and Baxter going back to Everton.


Niels's old backpack hung over one shoulder, feeling heavy not from weight but from meaning. Inside were his notebook and a book about football psychology.


The Gatwick terminal was busy with travelers, families with suitcases and businessmen talking on phones but Niels moved quietly through the crowd. No press, no fans, nothing to mark his return.


Chapter 107 - A Quiet Return