On the morning of May 9, Manchester was blessed with a rare clear and sunny day.
Ethan struggled out of bed, his head still foggy from the previous night's drinking. He rubbed his aching temples, then turned and saw the empty space beside him, leaving him with a sudden sense of loss.
Since confirming their relationship, Eva had often slipped back to England in secret. The two lovers did everything they could to hide their dates and the fact that they were living together from the reporters. The thrill of secrecy added excitement to their relationship, while their feelings for each other deepened rapidly, making them almost inseparable.
It would have been wonderful if she had been here last night.
Just as the thought crossed his mind, the mobile phone on the bedside table began to ring.
"Darling, first of all, shouldn't I congratulate you? Your team has won the double again!" Eva giggled from the other end of the line.
Her beautiful, radiant smile immediately appeared in Ethan's mind.
"Where are you? I want to see you!" Warmth spread through Ethan's heart.
"In Hawaii!" Eva kissed the phone lightly.
Ethan immediately remembered that Pearl Harbor was indeed being filmed in Hawaii. If he went there now, he could take a holiday at the same time.
Once the idea entered his mind, it became impossible to suppress.
People really could not afford to become lazy. Once the desire to take a break appeared, not even ten horses could drag it back.
"Are you coming?" Eva asked expectantly.
"Mm. I'll call and book a ticket right away, but I'm afraid I can only stay for a few days. This summer is going to be very busy!"
Eva smiled in understanding. "I know. Filming here is almost finished. I'll go with you to watch the European Championship afterward. I know you definitely won't miss a football feast like that, will you?"
"Ha, no one understands me better than Eva!"
"Then it's settled. I'll arrange the hotel."
Although they had only been apart for just over two weeks, the way they spoke on the phone made them sound like lovers who had been separated for years. That was hardly surprising. After all, a single day apart could feel like an eternity.
"Ah, it's already past eight! I need to get to the training ground, Eva!" Ethan suddenly glanced at the time and jumped in surprise.
Time truly flew when people were talking about love.
"Hasn't the team finished all its matches? You still need to train?"
"No, but there are still a few things to deal with. I'll call you after I book the ticket!"
After reluctantly saying goodbye, Ethan hurriedly hung up. He washed his face, brushed his teeth, took his car from the garage, and drove straight to the Newton Heath Training Base.
Since the team had been given the day off and there was no training, the players had gathered in the lounge of the recently completed training building. They were all dressed casually and chatting in small groups, clearly in excellent spirits.
Only a few seemed slightly distracted, but among so many cheerful players, they did not attract much attention.
Ethan entered from outside, followed by Andy Walsh and Jim Cassel, a smile on his face.
"All right, lads. I originally thought that since you were going on holiday, there was no need to make a ceremony out of it. We could simply let everyone go home. But Jim said that wouldn't do because this is a football club tradition, so I had no choice but to come!"
For the final sentence, Ethan imitated Cassel's tone perfectly, making everyone in the room burst into laughter. Cassel stood behind him with a helpless expression.
"I think I should begin with some bad news. Judging by the fact that we're all standing here, many of you have probably already guessed it. Yes, Coach Steve Bruce has decided to leave us. I deeply regret his decision, but he has been offered a better opportunity, so all I can do is wish him well."
Just the previous day, Birmingham had been eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, falling at the crucial stage for the third consecutive year. It was undoubtedly a tragedy, but it had also prompted Bruce to accelerate his move to Birmingham. The news would most likely be officially announced within the next few days.
Rather than allow the players to learn about it through the media, it was better for Ethan to tell them himself. At the very least, it showed the club's professionalism and made it easier to maintain squad morale.
"Steve is an outstanding manager. He led New Manchester United for two years, and during those two years, the team achieved excellent results. But from now on, we must begin adapting to life without Steve and prepare to work with our new manager. At the same time, I can promise every one of you that New Manchester United will remain one of the strongest contenders for the League Two title next season!"
Ethan clenched his fist firmly as he spoke.
Although the players were surprised by Bruce's departure, Ethan was right. It was already decided, and they could only accept it. That was the ruthless nature of professional football. Besides, even without Bruce, another manager would take his place.
"Now that I've delivered the bad news, let me share something good to cheer everyone up!" Ethan seemed completely unaffected by Bruce's departure and remained as optimistic as ever.
The players were quickly influenced by his mood. They began laughing again and urged him to hurry up and continue.
"The first piece of good news is your holiday. From today until June 26, you'll have nearly two months off. After working hard for an entire season, you've certainly earned it. You can go on holiday with your girlfriends. Those of you without girlfriends can use the time to find one. Just don't forget that next season, you'll officially become professional footballers competing in the Football League. That's all!"
The words professional football immediately excited the players.
Many of them had started in amateur football before Ethan brought them to New Manchester United. The chance to play in a professional league now felt like a dream come true.
"The second piece of good news is that I've asked Andy to transfer this season's double-winning bonuses into your accounts. As I promised, the entire £50,000 prize for winning the FA Trophy will be distributed among you. On top of that, I've personally added bonuses for winning the National League and securing promotion to League Two, bringing the total to £300,000. Don't forget to check your accounts!"
The players reacted even more strongly to this news than they had to the previous announcements. After all, this directly concerned their own pockets.
Based on the current size of the squad, the regular starters would each receive at least £20,000. That was a considerable sum, and the bonus package was undoubtedly the most generous in the National League. Even many professional clubs might not offer rewards of that size.
The National League was an amateur competition and did not offer championship prize money like the professional leagues. In other words, Ethan had taken £250,000 from his own pocket to reward the players.
That amount was almost enough to buy two players like Žigić.
Seeing the impatient expressions on their faces, Ethan shook his head and laughed. He knew they were eager to leave, so he wasted no more time and dismissed them immediately.
Before departing, the players shook hands with Ethan, Andy Walsh, and Cassel one by one, then said their goodbyes.
Whether intentionally or not, Krzynówek remained until everyone else had left.
"Is something wrong, Jacek?" Ethan's heart sank. He immediately realized that the situation he had least wanted to face had finally arrived.
Krzynówek seemed unable to meet Ethan's smiling gaze, as though he felt slightly guilty. After hesitating for a moment, however, he finally raised his head.
"Boss, there's something I want to discuss with you. It's about my contract."
"Oh, is it a salary issue? That's easy enough to deal with. Have your agent speak to the club. You know that you're our first-choice left winger and that you've made a major contribution to the team. I hope you'll stay, and I'll do everything possible to meet your demands."
Krzynówek shook his head.
"I'm very grateful to you, Boss, for bringing me to England. I still remember what you told me over the phone. You said that if I performed well here, I would earn the chance to play on a bigger and better stage. Now that opportunity has arrived."
Ethan said nothing. He walked to the side of the lounge, pulled out a chair, and sat down before gesturing for Krzynówek to do the same.
Krzynówek remained nervous for a moment, but eventually sat obediently.
"Are you unhappy here?" Ethan asked without expression.
"No, Boss. I'm very happy here. But the other club plays in the Championship. They want to sign me, and their manager thinks very highly of me."
Ethan frowned.
"Is it Birmingham?"
Krzynówek froze in surprise, then nodded.
"Yes. Mr. Bruce spoke to me last night. He said that if I agreed, he would come and speak to you personally. But I felt that I should first make my position clear to you, Boss."
"Who else is planning to leave with you?" Ethan asked, his expression darkening.
"I don't know, Boss. I really don't know!" Krzynówek did not dare look him in the eye.
Ethan sighed.
In truth, he had known for a long time that something like this would happen. Although Bruce had promised to notify him before making any move, that did not mean he would not first speak privately with the players.
Regardless of whether Bruce had deliberately encouraged Krzynówek to declare his position, Ethan knew this had only been a matter of time.
When someone wanted to leave, no amount of persuasion could make them stay.
Likewise, there were people who wanted to remain, yet Ethan still had no choice but to let them go.
Whenever he thought about such helpless situations, Ethan could not help remembering the club's early days. Manchester United supporters had come from every direction, and some had even given up higher salaries to play in the lower leagues because of the belief they carried in their hearts.
Football had seemed purer then.
However, Ethan would never allow himself or his team to settle for mediocrity. That meant he had to accept situations like this.
"All right, Jacek. I understand. I'll seriously consider Birmingham's offer, but they haven't contacted me yet, so I don't know what terms they intend to propose. Still, I can promise you this. As long as the price is right, I'll let you leave."
After speaking, Ethan patted Krzynówek on the shoulder, sighed, and walked out of the lounge.
(To be continued.)