The system quest had given me a new sense of purpose, a clear objective in a situation that had seemed hopelessly, depressingly bleak. I wasn't just a manager anymore; I was a club builder.
The challenge was no longer just about winning football matches; it was about saving the very institution I had come to love. The financial crisis was not an obstacle; it was a boss battle. And I was determined to win.
The problem was, I had absolutely no idea how. My skill set was limited to football tactics and a burgeoning, awkward grasp of man-management. I knew how to set up a low block, but I didn't know how to balance a budget. I could spot a high-potential teenager in a park, but I couldn't write a grant application. I was a football man, not a businessman.
But I had an ally. A secret weapon. A person who was smart, who was creative, and who was as passionate about saving this club as I was. I had Emma.
