After Wigan manager Brad stormed out of the press room, all eyes turned to Juninho D'Alessandro.
The tone shifted.
Gone were the combative, dismissive questions that had colored his first press appearances. This time, even the harshest reporters couldn't hide their respect—or their curiosity.
The female journalist who had grilled Brad now faced Juninho with a smile.
"Coach Juninho," she began, "before kickoff, I don't think anyone predicted a 4–0 victory over Wigan. Would you call this result a surprise—even for you?"
Juninho didn't posture. "If I said no, it would sound arrogant. So yes—maybe a little," he said, smiling. "But we came in confident. Nobody in our squad came here expecting to lose. That matters."
The room chuckled lightly, more with him than at him.
Another reporter stood. "Coach, many club owners across England have been vocal about their doubts in your decisions. Would you say this was a statement win—a response to them?"
Juninho nodded without hesitation. "Yes. But not just this match. Every game we play is a message to anyone who doubts what we're building. And when we beat their teams—that's the loudest answer we can give."
The reporters scribbled furiously.
"Winter transfer window," another chimed in. "You've hinted before that Morecambe will be active. Can you give us a name?"
Juninho shook his head, grinning. "No names. But the profile hasn't changed—young, hungry, intelligent. Players like Ronaldinho, Ibrahimovic, Vidic."
One reporter raised an eyebrow. "Why youth? Wouldn't it be more pragmatic to sign League One veterans or experienced Premier League castoffs?"
"If the goal is just to survive, maybe," Juninho replied. "But I'm not here to survive. I want to build a top-tier club from the ground up. To do that, we need players who will peak with us—not players who peaked years ago."
The room stilled.
It wasn't the kind of answer lower-league managers usually gave. Not in England. Not without fear.
Not like this.
Pens scratched. Heads nodded.
For the first time, Juninho wasn't just an intriguing upstart.
He was news.
---
That night, the town of Morecambe celebrated like they'd won a title.
News of the win had spread fast. By the time the team's train pulled into the station, fans in red jerseys lined the platform, flags waving, scarves raised, chants echoing.
"Morecambe! Morecambe! Morecambe!"
Juninho led the group out, suitcase in hand, a modest smile on his face. Around him, players grinned, high-fiving supporters, embracing the moment. Tired legs forgot they were tired. These were the nights every lower-league club dreamed of.
Back at the station entrance, someone shouted: "Coach, take them out! Let's eat!"
Juninho laughed. He didn't hesitate.
"Barbecue's on me!"
---
Meanwhile, across the country, the football world had taken notice.
Major outlets were already running headlines:
> "Morecambe Humiliate League One Side — Manager Declares Long-Term Project"
"D'Alessandro's Blueprint: Youth Over Veterans, Future Over Fixes"
"League Cup Shocker: Who Are These Kids in Red?"
And among those watching... was a name that commanded football respect.
London, Arsenal HQ — Arsène Wenger's Office
It was past midnight, but Wenger was still working.
He removed his glasses, eyes dry from scanning tactical documents, when there was a knock at the door.
"Come in," he said without looking up.
A staffer entered briskly, a tape in hand.
"Boss, I know it's late—but you'll want to see this. Wigan were just thrashed. Four-nil. By a League Two side."
Wenger raised an eyebrow. "Was it a youth team they fielded?"
"No. Full-strength. And they got torn apart."
Wenger leaned back. "That bad?"
"It wasn't luck. Tactically sharp. Clinical in transition. And... their midfield has this Brazilian kid—Ronaldinho. He's different."
Wenger gestured toward the screen. "Let's see it."
He wasn't the kind of man who dismissed lower-league teams out of hand. In fact, he made a career off finding the ones everyone else overlooked.
Tonight, a new name had entered his radar:
Juninho D'Alessandro.
And the club everyone had mocked a month ago?
Morecambe.
---