Chapter Nine: The Team

After ending the call with McNeil, Wang Lie stared at his phone still resting on the wireless charging dock and sighed. Tonight was destined to be a busy one...

Once the thought crossed his mind, he immediately called his agent, Clement—despite having just spoken a moment ago—afraid another call might come in and disrupt their discussion.

What McNeil mentioned was important; he needed to discuss it thoroughly with his agent.

After Wang Lie recounted everything he had talked about with McNeil in detail, Clement asked, “What are your thoughts, Wang?”

Wang Lie spoke candidly—after all, they had worked together for fifteen years and knew each other well; there was no need to hide his feelings.

“My wife convinced me, and I also think we should pay more attention to mid-tier teams. But I’m not sure if Tyne is the right choice... Their situation is complicated. McNeil is rebuilding the team but also clearing out some players... However, he reminded me that if a team like Tyne is interested in me, maybe other mid-table clubs are interested too?”

“So you want me to reach out to more mid-table teams?”

“Yes, just to see if they’re interested.”

Clement pondered for a moment and said, “Wait, Wang. I think we should hold a video conference and discuss this together. Because your suggestion might be our last resort.”

“Alright, you set it up,” Wang Lie agreed. He understood Clement’s request for a meeting—it was sensible to gather collective wisdom and proceed with caution.

Soon, Clement convened an internal video meeting with their team. Present besides Clement and Wang Lie was Melissa Ross, the head of public relations.

During the meeting, Clement thoroughly explained the situation Wang Lie had described. Then he shared his opinion first: “I’m actually against us reaching out to just any mid-table teams, Wang.”

Wang Lie was a bit surprised. “Why?”

Clement explained, “Previously, we contacted European giants but were repeatedly rejected. That severely damaged your image. Every rejection became a viral news story online, bringing ridicule as if you were unwanted. It turned into a vicious cycle—the more we pursued those giants, the less willing they were to negotiate... Melissa, you agree, right?”

Melissa Ross, the PR lead, spoke up: “Exactly, Wang. Clement is right. I analyzed the online reactions during that period, and 71% were negative. Even your fan base grew weary of the transfer rumors. Many felt you appeared desperate, as if begging to be taken in. Some even preferred you to return to China rather than linger between European giants...”

“Moreover, during those frequent contacts with European giants, rumors in the UK circulated that you were clashing with the coach because you had no Champions League to play in, expressing dissatisfaction about not being allowed to leave for the Champions League last summer. Our actions coincided with these rumors, unfortunately confirming them. Since our targets were all Champions League teams, many believed the rumors strongly... This is one major reason for the recent wave of negative online sentiment.”

After Melissa’s analysis, Wang Lie remained silent. Clement continued, “I admit we made mistakes before—acting too hastily... So we cannot afford to repeat them. If we start searching all over Europe again, it will seem like we’re 'lowering your value.' Our standards have indeed dropped—from giants to mid-table teams. This severely harms your personal image and commercial value. Under such unfavorable public opinion, finding a genuinely helpful club is uncertain. We must be extremely cautious when choosing your next team—it’s the last chance.”

“What you said... makes sense...” Wang Lie admitted, persuaded by the two key figures in his agency. He realized he had oversimplified the situation at first.

That was probably why Clement proposed the meeting—he might have feared he couldn’t convince Wang Lie alone.

Seeing Wang Lie agree, Clement asked, “So, Wang, are you really unsure if Tyne is where you want to go?”

This time Wang Lie didn’t answer immediately but fell silent.

During his silence, neither Clement nor Melissa said anything; they waited for Wang Lie’s decision.

Just then, Wang Lie’s Chinese agent, Ran Hanming, joined the call: “Sorry, sorry, Fernando woke me up from bed... He already left me a message about the details—where are we now?”

Clement briefly updated him on the discussion so far. Ran Hanming had no objections: “I agree with you. We can’t cast a wide net now; we must focus. I think once this news spreads, many teams will be interested in Wang Lie, but that doesn’t mean we should talk to all of them. We need to consider factors like team strength, financial aspects, tactical role... and more.”

After giving his advice, Ran Hanming remained silent, joining the others in waiting for Wang Lie to speak.

“As for whether I want to go to Tyne, I’m not really keen right now—I don’t know if there are better options. But Tyne is the first team to show genuine interest, at least indicating they have hope for me...” Wang Lie broke the silence, his voice hesitant.

“I remember you and Sam McNeil were teammates at Sofolun?” Ran Hanming asked.

“Yes, but only for the 2027-2028 season. I transferred in 2027; he left in 2028. Besides being teammates, we weren’t close. After he retired, he returned to Sofolun as a youth coach—we didn’t keep in touch.”

“No wonder you never mentioned him before... Seems like you two really had little connection,” Ran Hanming nodded.

“I recall he played as a deep-lying playmaker?” Clement confirmed with Wang Lie.

Wang Lie nodded. “Yes. But when I joined Sofolun, he was already a rotational substitute. He was 34 then, had injuries, and was not in top form. He retired one season after leaving Sofolun, around 36 years old... Yes, 36.”

He thought for a moment to confirm the age.

Meanwhile, Melissa Ross had found some information online about Sam McNeil: “After retiring, McNeil took a year off, then got his coaching license. He returned to Sofolun as U16 head coach and was promoted to U18 before leaving. He did well with youth teams; some speculated he’d become Sofolun’s academy director...”

Wang Lie recalled, “Oh, yes. Harris’s U16 and U18 coaches were McNeil. He was the one who nurtured and promoted Harris.”

After Wang Lie’s addition, Melissa continued, “But McNeil never became academy director. He left two years ago to coach West Rosian in the Scottish Championship. In his first season, he led them to promotion to the Scottish Premiership. On November 12 last year, he signed with Tyne, taking over a team then in the relegation zone.”

“Sounds like his record is not as good as Helden’s...” Ran Hanming joked. “At least Helden took a team to the Champions League quarterfinals.”

Before coaching Sofolun, the Swede Sven Helden’s résumé was modest by big club standards, so his appointment surprised many. Compared to Helden, Sam McNeil’s coaching experience was almost a blank slate.

After joking, Ran Hanming asked, “So we can’t gauge his level by previous coaching experience?”

Melissa replied, “Under McNeil, Tyne moved from 19th to 13th.”

Ran Hanming was unimpressed: “Only four league games—nothing conclusive. They just escaped relegation.”

Melissa was just reporting facts and didn’t argue.

Wang Lie added, “McNeil’s nickname as a player was ‘The Thinker.’ We weren’t close, but he was quiet in the locker room, liked reading, and felt a bit out of place compared to others. I remember rumors at the club that they planned to groom him step by step—from youth coach to academy director, then first team assistant coach, and finally head coach of Sofolun’s senior team.”

“Obviously, he didn’t accept that path...” Ran Hanming speculated with a smile, “Did he have conflicts with the club?”

“No idea. I never heard anything about that,” Wang Lie shook his head.

Clement, who had been listening quietly, said, “At least he has one advantage—he knows you well, Wang. I think that’s why he reached out to you.”

“I was only his teammate for one season, and we weren’t close,” Wang Lie stressed again, wary of anyone thinking they were longtime friends.

Clement laughed, “After hearing what he told you, I think he understands you very well.”

Wang Lie wanted to argue but couldn’t, recalling how McNeil said, “Tyne needs a true leader to inject soul into this team. And you, Wang, World Footballer of the Year and European Ballon d’Or winner, are the perfect candidate.”

His heart had indeed raced at that moment.

There is a Chinese saying: “A warrior dies for those who understand him.” Wang Lie felt McNeil was exactly that kind of confidant.

He was genuinely moved by this ‘kindred spirit’—both in rhetoric and in literal meaning.

In Sofolun’s locker room, he seemed like a troublesome burden. But in the north, in Newcastle, someone still passionately needed him...

Thinking this, Wang Lie found it hard to claim indifference toward the Tyne option.

If he were eighteen or nineteen, he would have immediately agreed on the phone without hesitation.

But now, he knew he couldn’t be reckless. This was his last chance to continue playing in Europe. Approaching forty, he understood that actions mattered more than words. Pleasant talk was meaningless if not backed up by deeds. He couldn’t be swayed by flattering words alone.

Seeing the flicker of emotion on Wang Lie’s face, Clement knew he’d struck a chord. Without waiting for Wang Lie’s reply, he said:

“Alright, I think Tyne is currently the top candidate—after all, they’re the only one on the list. I’m sure many teams will contact us soon—some weaker, mid-to-lower table; some unwilling to pay high wages; others just taking a chance... We don’t have to engage all of them. My team will prepare detailed analysis reports for each interested club, then shortlist a few. After confirming with you, Wang, we’ll proceed. If nothing works out, returning to play in China remains an option.”

He glanced at Ran Hanming, who looked to Wang Lie.

Wang Lie didn’t object and nodded: “Okay.”

Ran Hanming said, “No problem domestically. Clubs have been contacting me, but I haven’t closed the door.”

“Good, I’ll start filtering potential teams and discuss with Wang later...” Seeing Ran Hanming raise his hand, Clement asked, “What’s up?”

Ran Hanming asked, “One question... Wang’s contract with the club doesn’t expire until the end of this season. What if the club refuses to release him before then?”

Melissa Ross requested to speak: “Everyone, that’s exactly what I wanted to mention. Previously, Wang’s public image was negative, especially after the FA Cup match with Drayton. But since Helden sent Wang to train with the youth team, I noticed some online backlash—even from people not in Wang’s fan base. So, why not use this to our advantage? We can turn bad news into good by pressuring the club and showing the world the unfair treatment Wang is receiving.”

She continued, “I hope Wang can take some photos of his youth team training tomorrow and post them online...”

Before she finished, Wang Lie laughed: “Funny you say that—I was just telling my wife on the phone earlier that I’d film a video of me eating in the youth team cafeteria!”

Melissa’s eyes lit up with excitement: “Perfect, Wang! Take the videos and we’ll post them across platforms. Just don’t mention the first team or complain about the club’s decision. The audience will speak up for you.”

Wang Lie had no objections. Even if not for PR, he wanted to film something to tease coach Helden and general manager Hall.

Now that it served two purposes, he certainly had no reason to refuse.

Clement also liked Melissa’s suggestion and added, “Everyone knows Wang can’t stay at Sofolun. So we must prepare two tracks: contact potential new clubs and accelerate negotiations with Sofolun for early contract termination. If we can apply moral pressure on the club, that would help.”

Ran Hanming proposed, “Maybe we can plant some smokescreens? For example, publicize that Wang is returning to China. That might reduce resistance when negotiating termination with Sofolun.”

Clement considered and agreed, “We can try, but don’t expect too much.”

Ran Hanming laughed, “It doesn’t cost much. Who knows if Sofolun will really worry about Wang joining a league rival? They’ve always been petty...”

※※※

The video conference finally ended. Wang Lie looked at his phone, still charging, and noticed no new calls had come in. Checking the time—10:11 pm—he decided it was time to sleep.

Since returning from Heaton Sports City, he had done nothing but make calls all evening...

But it wasn’t without gains.

At least someone had extended an olive branch, though he found the situation somewhat puzzling.

He and his agent team had arranged the direction and focus of their next steps.

Maybe thanks to some external help, he felt more confident about his future.

He was grateful for the professional team behind him, taking care of many details.

Just as the traveler had said, he only needed to focus on scoring goals. That was precisely his strength.

However... it felt like it had been a long time since he’d experienced the thrill of scoring.

Thinking of this, Wang Lie earnestly searched his memory for the last time he scored.

Coincidentally, it was against the very team now interested in him—on November 16 last year, in the 11th round of the Premier League, Sofolun hosted Tyne. He came on as a substitute and scored his only goal this season.

That was fifty-five days ago.

Fifty-five days without scoring was the longest drought of his career, except for two serious injuries.

Previously, critics used this drought to argue Wang Lie was too old to score in the physically demanding Premier League.

Wang Lie thought they were talking nonsense. Why not consider how much playing time coach Helden gave him, or whether the tactics supported him?

He firmly believed that with enough trust and time on the field, he would repay it with goals.

Since he couldn’t get that trust at Sofolun, he would leave to start a new adventure.

Snapping back to reality, Wang Lie saw his phone screen go dark, knowing no one would disturb him tonight—everyone knew it was nearly impossible to reach him after 10:30 pm.

He got up to wash and prepare for bed.

Although relegated to the youth team, he still maintained his original schedule to ensure good physical and mental condition for training tomorrow.

This had become a habit, ingrained over thirty years—starting before his professional career, except during late matches in La Liga, he rarely went to bed after 10:30 pm.

His father had always told him, “Wang Lie, remember, if you can’t even go to bed early, how do you expect to win the World Cup? Dream on!”

As a child, he didn’t understand why going to bed early was so simple. He felt energetic and eager to play, and didn’t see the connection to winning the World Cup... But his father repeated this over and over, forcing him to follow the routine.

He had cried, thrown tantrums, acted like a child.

But in the end, his father ingrained the habit of going to bed before 10:30—a precious legacy.

Because of this discipline, he never suffered major injuries in his career.

Even minor injuries were rare, which Wang Lie attributed to his father’s valuable habit—adequate rest allowed his body to heal hidden damage.

※※※

P.S. During the new book’s release, please continue to vote, bookmark, and support!

Thank you!