As the locker room buzzed with excitement, Captain O'Shea approached Zhao Zhao and solemnly said, "Coach, I want to apologize to you."
Everyone looked at O'Shea in surprise.
Zhao Zhao was also very surprised. Why apologize?
"When you subbed me off at halftime, I was actually very annoyed," O'Shea admitted candidly.
"As a captain, being subbed off after only playing half a game, even though you explained it was because I had a yellow card, I still felt a bit embarrassed."
"But the facts proved me wrong. You were right! If I had still been on the field, I would definitely have gotten a yellow card like Kone, and then I would have been sent off, making it very difficult for the team to turn the game around."
"Also, to be honest, I've always been skeptical of you as the team's Coach. I thought we should get a better Coach, not a… rookie like you."
"Now, I realize I was wrong."
"Because for a game like today's, I can guarantee, with all my years in professional football, that no other Coach could have done better! You are the perfect Coach for Sunderland!"
"So, I was wrong, Coach. I sincerely apologize to you!"
O'Shea was a straightforward Irish man, and his words were from the heart.
Zhao Zhao smiled and extended his hand to O'Shea: "Thank you for your honesty. But you don't need to apologize; such doubts are normal. Let alone you, sometimes even I can't believe I could do so well!"
Hearing Zhao Zhao say this, the players all burst into laughter, and the locker room was filled with a joyful atmosphere.
For Zhao Zhao, he certainly wouldn't blame O'Shea for his initial thoughts.
After all, in competitive sports, being bad is the original sin.
If you are truly bad, and truly unable to win respect with your strength, how could you possibly gain the trust of others?
Only through such a stirring game could the players firmly believe that he had the ability to lead the team out of the mire!
At this moment, after waiting for Zhao Zhao and O'Shea to finish their embrace, Lescott also stepped forward: "Alright, Coach, to be honest, I used to see you the same way as the Captain, and I apologize to you too."
"Haha." Zhao Zhao opened his arms and embraced Lescott as well.
As a result, one player after another came forward. Larsson, Cattermole, Borini, Anichebe…
Zhao Zhao could only embrace these shirtless men one by one, and his suit was instantly covered in the sweat of various big men…
"By the way, where's Defoe?" Zhao Zhao suddenly asked.
He only then realized that among the players who came to hug him, the goal-scorer was the only one missing.
"He went to the hospital," O'Shea said with a smile. "He scored a hat-trick, so he kept the match ball. And as soon as the game ended, he said he was going to give that ball to Bradley!"
Zhao Zhao nodded.
Defoe was indeed loyal and valued his friendship with Bradley.
"Then let's work together and strive to dedicate more victories to Bradley!" Zhao Zhao said, clenching his fist.
"Yes, for Bradley, fight!" The players also roared one by one.
After today's victory, the team's atmosphere was indeed completely different from when they were on a losing streak!
There was joy mixed with soaring fighting spirit!
And for Zhao Zhao, he could now say that he had essentially taken control of the locker room.
Although the situation for relegation remained difficult, Sunderland was now on the right path!
-----------------
At this moment, the locker room door opened again.
This time, it was the club's owner and chairman, Ellis Short!
This American owner was generally well-regarded by everyone at Sunderland.
The foundation he established, including the total value of the shares he controlled, could reach up to $13.3 billion. For him, a football enthusiast, investing in football was almost without hesitation.
Since Short took over Sunderland, he had invested $335 million in the team!
As a result, the team had largely managed to stay in the Premier League.
However, for Short, the "Black Cats'" performance couldn't be considered outstanding; in fact, his investment could be said to have yielded minimal results.
Although they could stay in the Premier League, it was very difficult for the team to make further progress, and they could only fight for survival every year.
And this year, they had been at the bottom of the table, almost securing a relegation spot in advance!
This prompted Short to fire David Moyes's team and have Zhao Zhao temporarily take over as Coach.
At the same time, Short was also actively looking for a new Coach.
In fact, he had already contacted the team's Coach from two years ago, the famous Dutch Coach Advocaat, preparing to have him return to Coach.
After all, only with a good Coach can the team achieve better results!
But today's comeback victory against Manchester United made Short hesitate.
After all, even if Advocaat were coaching, it was unlikely they would play such a brilliant game! The fans' cheers also indicated their support for Zhao Zhao.
So he came to the locker room to see how much support the players had for Zhao Zhao, this rookie Coach—this was also an important reference standard for whether a Coach could establish himself in the team.
Then, he heard the shouts of "sunderland 'til i die" from outside, and soon saw all the players eagerly embracing Zhao Zhao…
And the passion and fighting spirit emanating from the Sunderland players, which Short hadn't seen in a long time!
Short now had a good idea of the situation.
"Congratulations, everyone, on winning today's game. It showed Sunderland's tenacity and spirit!"
Upon entering the locker room, Short naturally gave the highest praise and affirmation for today's victory.
Then, he turned to Zhao Zhao: "Your performance today also made me look at you in a new light. I will reconsider your position in the team."
This statement was very clear: the initial two consecutive losses had already led Short to issue an ultimatum to Zhao Zhao;
But today's victory could give Zhao Zhao more time to prove himself.
However, before Zhao Zhao could reply, Captain O'Shea on the side said: "Mr. Chairman, I think with Coach's performance today, he can already be given a formal contract, can't he?"
The players immediately followed suit, chanting: "No interim Coach, we want a permanent one. No interim Coach, we want a permanent one!"
Short smiled and waved his hand, then held up one finger: "Just one more, just one more game, how about it? If you win the next game against Middlesbrough, I'll immediately prepare a brand new formal contract for your Coach, no problem, right?"
"Okay." Zhao Zhao immediately took the cue and agreed readily.
Zhao Zhao also understood Short's thinking.
Mainly, Zhao Zhao had indeed performed poorly in the previous two games, leaving a bad first impression on the owner.
Although today's game was impressive, Zhao Zhao actually only performed for half the game.
To make the owner decide to make Zhao Zhao permanent based on just this half-game was indeed a bit hasty.
Therefore, it was quite reasonable to prove his strength with one more game.
And the opponent for the next game, Middlesbrough, was quite special for Sunderland people.
It was not only Sunderland's direct relegation rival this season but also one of their arch-enemies, a derby match!
If they could defeat Middlesbrough, it would undoubtedly be of great help in solidifying Zhao Zhao's position among everyone at Sunderland!
Signing a permanent contract after such a victory would also be a more natural progression.
"Gentlemen, the post-match press conference is about to begin." Just then, a stadium staff member came to inform them.
"Alright. I'll be right there." Zhao Zhao replied.
It was well-known that Manchester United could lose a game, but often their Coach would achieve a comeback in the press conference.
And Zhao Zhao, today, wanted to press on while the iron was hot, to make sure that didn't happen either!