It was another rare sunny day, and Ethan arrived at the Newton Heath Training Base early.
The main structure of the training building at the base had already been completed. All that remained was the interior renovation and the installation of equipment. As for The Lab at the training base, it had been in use for some time, and Ethan had invested a considerable amount of money into it, though the results were not yet obvious.
But that was how research worked. When you dealt with it every day, it was difficult to notice its value, but once you lost it, you realized how important it had been.
Wasn't that a bit like Real Madrid losing Makelele?
"Morning, Ethan!" Bruce arrived at the training base with his usual punctuality.
Whenever there was training, Bruce would arrive at the base right on time, then begin arranging the training content with the coaching staff while personally setting up the training pitches.
But today, he broke from routine and came to find Ethan.
"Morning, Steve. Is something up?" Ethan asked with a smile.
During his days in Manchester, as long as he could see the sun, he was in a good mood.
"There is something. I think I need to give you a heads-up!" Bruce looked as if he wanted to smile, but could not quite manage it.
"About the team?" Ethan asked with a smile.
Bruce shook his head. "About the coaches!"
"Oh, don't worry. I'll start working on expanding the coaching staff and hiring youth-team coaches as soon as possible. But you know this isn't something that can be done overnight. I need some time. You know I've been busy with the new stadium."
With the improvement in the club's results, many young players from the surrounding area had come to sign up, hoping to enter the club's training programme. New Manchester United welcomed all of them. As long as they had a certain level of talent, they would be accepted.
In addition, the club worked with nearby schools, sending coaches to provide football training. This also allowed the club to discover younger players and develop them.
These were all part of the youth development system for teams in England. Those who could actually train at the Newton Heath Training Base were usually the outstanding players among their peers in the area, while the others were spread across the schools.
As New Manchester United's youth teams continued to expand, the coaching staff was becoming increasingly stretched. Bruce had previously mentioned to Ethan that they should expand the coaching staff and hire more youth-team coaches.
"No, Ethan, that's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about myself!" Bruce hesitated for a moment, but ultimately decided to say it. After all, he did not want to catch Ethan off guard when the time came.
"About you? What is it, Steve?" Ethan asked with concern.
"You know, back in June, while I was on holiday, a Second Division club contacted me. They wanted me to become their manager, but I turned them down."
Ethan nodded. Bruce had mentioned this in passing before. At the time, Bruce had an agreement with Ethan that he would coach the club for another year, so he had refused the offer.
Now that Bruce had brought it up again, a bad feeling rose in Ethan's heart.
"Did they come to you again?"
"It's not them. It's Birmingham. You know, I find it hard to say no to that club!"
After Bruce left Manchester United, he went on to play for Birmingham. Later, he became their manager and made a name for himself at that club. It could be said that, in Ethan's previous life, there was an inseparable link between Bruce and Birmingham.
But he had not expected the club to actually come knocking.
"Birmingham's performances in the First Division over the past few years have been excellent. They came close to promotion in each of the last two years. Although their form has dipped this year, they still have a good chance of going up. Are they planning to change manager at this point?"
Bruce shook his head. "No, not now. At the end of the season. Whether Birmingham are promoted to the Premier League this season or not, they will be changing manager. They believe I am their best candidate. You know, they're tired of falling short at the final hurdle three years in a row."
Ethan thought about it and realized it made sense. Over the past year or so, Bruce's success with New Manchester United had been clear for all to see. Although Ethan's signings had played a major role, Bruce's management had also been crucial. At the very least, he had forged New Manchester United into a fearless, iron-willed team.
Anyone who had doubts only needed to look at New Manchester United's record against strong teams over the past two seasons, as well as their performances in key moments. They were almost unbeaten. In the twelfth round of this season, they had even secured a big away win against Kidderminster, which was hailed as the best match of the first half of the season.
In that match, Bruce's tactics had completely suppressed Kidderminster, which further proved his ability.
"Six months from now?" Ethan gave a bitter smile. He felt he should thank Bruce for telling him this news half a year in advance so he could prepare.
Birmingham's sincerity toward Bruce was beyond question, and Bruce's loyalty to Ethan was also not in doubt. What really deserved the blame were the damned rules that forced New Manchester United to climb up step by step.
If New Manchester United were a Premier League team now, would Bruce still leave?
"I know. I'm sorry, Ethan, but you know I don't want to give up this opportunity. However, you can rest assured that over the next six months, I will help you lead New Manchester United into the Third Division, and I will also win as many trophies as possible. This is my promise to you."
After hearing this, Ethan could not help but smile bitterly.
"Steve, it looks like you've really made up your mind. There's no room for negotiation?"
Bruce shrugged. "Although it's only a verbal agreement, you know I won't go back on my word!"
Indeed, Steve Bruce was not the type of person to break his word.
At this point, Ethan knew that Bruce's determination to leave was unshakable, and there was no point trying to keep him. He would not turn back. Even if Birmingham did not change their manager at the end of the season and he ended up unemployed, he would not stay at New Manchester United.
He was proud and ambitious. He had long felt that New Manchester United could no longer satisfy him. So even if Birmingham did not want him, he would rather be unemployed and wait for an opportunity at a higher-level club than continue leading New Manchester United as they climbed the divisions one step at a time.
As a former world-class centre-back, his eyes were always fixed on the very top of the league. That was the realistic Steve Bruce.
Could anyone say he was wrong? This was his ambition, and besides, he had already done everything he could.
"I understand, Steve. I respect your decision, and at the same time, I hope you might change your mind, although I know that's unlikely!" Ethan said with a bitter smile.
Bruce smiled. He felt that Ethan understood him quite well. If it were not for the fact that New Manchester United were still at such a low level, working with Ethan would have been quite pleasant. At the very least, he would readily bring in outstanding young players without interfering with the team's tactics.
There were not many club owners like that.
"I hope you can keep this a secret, Steve. You know I don't want the team to be distracted!" Ethan said after thinking for a moment.
Bruce nodded. "Rest assured. As of now, apart from Birmingham's owner, you, and me, no one else knows."
"I also want you to promise me one thing!" Ethan suddenly thought of something very important.
"Hmm, go ahead!"
"After the season ends, don't take any players from the team!" Ethan stared at Bruce.
At New Manchester United, there were young players like Žigić, Krzynówek, Poulsen, and Abidal who had already shown outstanding ability, as well as future stars with limitless potential like Essien, Messi, and Curtis. Given Bruce's familiarity with them and understanding of their ability, he naturally would not fail to see their talent.
In managing New Manchester United, Ethan could honestly say that when it came to the team, he had completely entrusted everything to Bruce. So, if Bruce decided to leave and move to another club, Ethan could accept that, but he would not accept him poaching the players Ethan had brought to the club.
Ethan would not do all the hard work just for someone else to benefit.
Facing Ethan's intense stare, Bruce was clearly hesitant. It was obvious that he had his eye on more than a few players at the club. Once he went to Birmingham in the First Division, with transfer funds and higher wages available, Ethan was genuinely worried. Could these players resist that kind of temptation?
"I can only promise you this, Ethan. If I'm interested in any New Manchester United player, I will definitely discuss it with you first. Unless you decide to sell, I won't take anyone from here!"
Ethan gave a helpless, bitter smile. He knew that Bruce being able to make such a promise was already not bad.
Back then, when Van Gaal's contract with Ajax expired and he went to Barça, he had solemnly promised the Ajax chairman that he would absolutely not take a single player from Ajax. But what happened in the end? The De Boer brothers, Litmanen, and others were taken to Spain in the very season he took charge of Barça.
In his previous life, the reason Ethan had always had a terrible impression of Van Gaal, despite his brilliant success, was because of that betrayal.
But this was reality, a reality Ethan could not change no matter how capable he was.
"Steve, I think the coaching staff should focus more on training Crouch's heading from now on. In addition, I'll talk to Professor Fryer and the others to see if we can arrange a physical conditioning programme for Crouch as much as possible."
Bruce was taken aback at first, but he quickly understood and nodded in agreement, with a hint of shame.
Žigić, the young Serbian and Montenegrin player who had performed very well this season and was strong, tall, and physically imposing, was probably someone New Manchester United would not be able to keep. The only question was whether, after this season, he would be taken to Birmingham by Bruce, or whether another club would snatch him away for a high price.
At the same time, Ethan had to start considering in advance who would replace Bruce as the team's manager in six months, as well as the trouble that might arise after Bruce left the club.
(To be continued.)
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