However, before officially starting player transfers, Zhao Zhao had to secure one person first.
Xavi Alonso.
To have a strong fighting force, an excellent coaching team is essential.
The Breswell and Alan Tate that Zhao Zhao currently had were clearly not enough.
This was not to say that they had any problems on the tactical or execution level, but rather that their names were not yet well-known.
But Alonso was different.
This top player, who had won two Champions League titles, two European Cups, and one World Cup, was a household name worldwide.
His playing career included Real Sociedad, Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich. Simply put, he had been to society, joined the Red Army, entered royalty, and was a good person.
If he could be brought to his side, it would undoubtedly be of great help to both the stability of the locker room and the attractiveness to new players.
Of course, even if Alonso's playing career was set aside, he was also extremely impressive in his coaching profession.
It is generally believed in the football world that players who served as midfield conductors on the field during their playing days are more likely to become famous Coaches after retirement.
Because they are Coaches with the ball on the field, they must constantly observe on the field, observing the positions of teammates, the positions of opponents, observing the distance between themselves and teammates' positions, and observing space.
They are always turning their heads to observe, always thinking. They possess both intelligence and football IQ. Without a good brain, one cannot play this position, and with a good brain, it is very helpful for being a Coach.
And indeed, this was the case.
Alonso was interested in tactics during his playing days, and he also learned a lot under world-renowned Coaches like Benitez, Aragonés, Bosque, Mourinho, Ancelotti, and Guardiola.
He studied tactical research with Teacher Benitez, TIKI-TAKA with the wise old man, midfield control with Teacher Bo, defensive counterattacks with Teacher Mourinho, emotional intelligence management with Teacher Ancelotti, and formation evolution with Teacher Guardiola. In the classroom of each mentor, Alonso was an excellent class representative.
So when he obtained his first contract for an adult team in his coaching career in the future, when he was officially appointed as the Coach of Leverkusen, he led the team to sweep Leverkusen's historical records.
He even led the team to defeat the invincible Bayern Munich, winning Leverkusen's first Bundesliga title in 120 years, and it was with an undefeated record!
If such a Coach could assist him, Zhao Zhao's future work would certainly be much easier.
Of course, besides that, Alonso was also impeccable in terms of his character.
Wherever he went, he was a legend there; no matter where he was, he could gain people's deep affection.
He was a treasure that emerged from Real Sociedad, he was Alonso who forever deeply loved Liverpool, he was the eternal commander of the Bernabéu, he was a legend who ended his career at Bayern Munich, he was the creator of the Spain dynasty, he was the greatest Coach in Leverkusen's history...
Alonso also had a happy family and a beautiful wife. He married his wife, Aranburu, in 2009 and they had one son and two daughters.
Alonso and his wife met in their youth, enjoyed visiting museums together, and going for drives in the mountains.
Alonso lived a low-key and disciplined life, refused tattoos, and enjoyed collecting watches. He said he was a bit old-fashioned and had a somewhat classical lifestyle.
Why was Alonso so popular, loved by fans, teammates, Coaches, and disciples alike? It was because he had strength, yet was low-key; he treated people sincerely, and... he was very handsome.
"But his looks shouldn't threaten mine, right?" Zhao Zhao touched his face, then stood up:
"Depart immediately, Spain!"
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In San Sebastián, Basque Country, Spain, Zhao Zhao met Alonso.
This was a football field in the suburbs, where a children's football match was currently taking place.
The reason for meeting here was because Alonso's 9-year-old eldest son, Hontxu, was playing in the match.
Alonso, who had officially announced his retirement, was wearing a handsome casual outfit and sitting on the side watching the game as a parent.
"You asked to meet me, is there something you need?" Alonso said to Zhao Zhao, who was sitting beside him.
"I want to invite you to Sunderland Club to be my Assistant Coach." Zhao Zhao didn't waste words and went straight to the point.
"Are you joking?" Alonso turned his head, looking somewhat disbelieving, "I just retired a few days ago and have no experience whatsoever."
"I believe in you." Zhao Zhao smiled, "With your ability, I believe it won't take long for you to adapt to coaching and become an excellent Coach!"
Alonso also smiled: "I've long heard that you don't follow the rules much, and now it seems that's entirely true. And yes, how can someone who can go against Mourinho be judged by common sense?"
"So, what's your decision?" Zhao Zhao looked into Alonso's eyes.
Alonso, however, looked towards the field: "Actually, I originally wanted to rest for a while and spend more time with my family. Besides that, I would also use this time to obtain a UEFA Pro License with Raúl and Xavi…"
Zhao Zhao said: "You can get it after you come to Sunderland. My team has two Coaches with A-level certificates, and with you, that makes three. You three can take the exam together then!"
As Zhao Zhao spoke, he secretly chuckled in his heart: It's estimated that when Alonso passes, Alan Tate and Breswell will be holding their heads and crying again… After all, for them, the coaching certificate is as difficult as advanced mathematics!
He could also tell that Alonso was a bit tempted, otherwise he wouldn't have said "originally".
After all, from the first day of his retirement, no, perhaps even while he was still playing, Brother Long had already planned to become a football Coach in the future.
He even obtained an A-level professional certificate before retiring, already qualifying him to be a team Coach.
And if following the normal trajectory, he might need to first Coach a team's youth academy, slowly honing his skills before moving to the B team, and finally the first team.
But now, Zhao Zhao, this guy who doesn't play by the rules, directly wanted him to come to the Sunderland first team!
This would undoubtedly accelerate Alonso's progress toward becoming a top Coach.
And this Zhao Zhao, the coaching ability he showed at the end of last season, indeed made Alonso look forward to it.
Following such a Coach to play in the most intense Premier League in the world, how could he not want to?
Just then, Alonso waved to the distance and shouted:
"Hey, Mikel, here, I'm here!"
Following the direction Alonso waved, Zhao Zhao saw a familiar face:
Mikel Mikel Arteta.