As if he had anticipated this question, Li Shiguang turned his head and stared intently into Simeone's eyes as soon as Simeone finished speaking, and said, "Diego, I've been following you since you first arrived in Italy. I like your style on the field—focus, fighting spirit, and indomitable will. I hope you can bring these qualities to Leeds United!"

"Furthermore, I love football, and my goal is to build Leeds United into a club that surpasses all the current European giants. But to achieve this goal, I need like-minded people who understand football well to work with me. That's why I've been in contact with you and have been trying my best to invite you to Leeds United!"

As this was mentioned, Li Shiguang's expression gradually became serious, his face turned solemn, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

Influenced by Li Shiguang, Simeone's heart was also stirred, and he replied with a slightly trembling voice: "No problem, boss, thank you for your high regard. I will definitely pass the coaching qualification exam as quickly as possible! I will strive to provide more help to the team as soon as possible!"

When Simeone mentioned coaching certification, Li Shiguang advised him not to rush and to take his time with the exams. He explained that the Premier League is quite lenient on this matter, and Li Shiguang had previously heard a gossip from an anonymous citizen that a certain old man at Manchester United had initially found someone with a certificate to hold a nominal position.

As they chatted, the car finally arrived at the Thorpe Arch. From afar, Li Shiguang saw a crowd of reporters gathered at the base entrance, which confused him. He quickly asked Lina, "Lina, are we holding a press conference today?"

Hearing Li Shiguang's question, Lina also looked blank, turned around and shook her head: "No, boss, I'll go take a look first, you and Mr. Simone can go in first." After saying that, she asked the driver to stop the car and ran towards the reporters.

A short while later, just as Li Shiguang and Simone sat down in the office, Lina knocked on the door and came in. She looked at Simone next to her and said somewhat awkwardly, "Boss... those reporters want to interview you."

Seeing that the reporters wanted to interview him, Li Shiguang was even more puzzled: "Interview me? Interview me about what? The match isn't until the day after tomorrow. Besides, I didn't see this many people rushing to the training base to interview me during the League Cup match..."

Lina gestured towards Simone again before saying, "Um...they're not here for a pre-match interview, but rather to ask you why you hired Mr. Simone as your assistant coach..."

This completely baffled Li Shiguang. He thought to himself, "I just wanted to hire an assistant coach, and now so many people are asking me why? Is hiring an assistant coach a cardinal sin?!"

Simone, who was drinking water, was also stunned and turned to look at Lina in surprise.

Seeing that both men were staring at her with wide eyes, seemingly unaware of why these reporters had asked this question, Lina cautiously reminded them, "Um, boss, Mr. Simeone, I just heard something about the World Cup and David in the crowd..."

Simone was the first to realize what had happened. He slapped his forehead and flopped onto the sofa. He'd been so careless! He hadn't expected this at all before he came!

Li Shiguang's reaction was a little slower, but seeing that Simone seemed to have realized something, he frowned and thought for a moment. Suddenly, a dead memory appeared in his mind!

Holy crap! Those old-fashioned, vengeful British!

Seeing a hint of unease creeping onto Simeone's face, Li Shiguang first gestured for him to calm down with his eyes, then said to Lina, "Go and refuse their interview for me. Tell them I'm busy processing Simeone's onboarding! Then, tell them that I'm the owner of Leeds United! I'm also the head coach! Who I hire as my assistant is none of their business! Let these reporters stop meddling in other people's business!"

Before joining Leeds United, Lina didn't watch football and didn't know anything about Simeone's history with English football. So when she heard Li Shiguang say that, she quickly turned around and ran towards the door.

As soon as Lina left the office, Simone said to Li Shiguang with an embarrassed look, "Boss, I really didn't think of this before, otherwise..."

“No! Diego! Don’t think I didn’t watch that game. The referee has already punished you for the foul. What happened afterward has nothing to do with you! Don’t worry, I’ll stand behind you!” Before Simone could finish speaking, Li Shiguang interrupted him in a very firm tone.

Simone was deeply moved by Li Shiguang's strong support, which made him even more determined to help Li Shiguang build an invincible team.

····

Li Shiguang's refusal to meet with reporters and his tough stance conveyed by Lina thoroughly angered the reporters who had been waiting outside the training base all morning. That evening, a barrage of public criticism was launched against Li Shiguang. At the same time, fans who had learned of Li Shiguang's stance also attacked him on the Leeds United website and various fan forums.

The next day, employees who came to work at the club felt that the temperature in the entire office building had dropped by two degrees.

But as the saying goes, one wave subsides only for another to rise.

Just when everyone was still criticizing Li Shiguang for bringing in Simeone as an assistant coach, Li Shiguang dropped another bombshell.

While everyone was busy attacking Li Shiguang last night, Liverpool had already transferred the transfer fee for Chiellini into Leeds United's account. Subsequently, Li Shiguang also had his finance department transfer the fee for Alonso to Liverpool.

So as soon as I got to work today, Leeds United's official website was updated again, announcing the departures of Chiellini and Deisler and the signing of Alonso!

Giorgio Chiellini transfers to Liverpool for €10 million.

Sebastian Deisler transfers to Liverpool

Welcome Xabi Alonso to Leeds United

When these three messages appeared on Leeds United's official website, Leeds United fans who hadn't joined the previous online feud went completely crazy!

He's gone mad! Li Shiguang has truly gone mad!

How dare he! Chiellini and Deisler are Leeds United's core players! Anyone with eyes could see how well Deisler performed in the first half of the season! He was involved in almost every goal Leeds United scored! But now, this Asian has actually let him go in the winter!

Leeds United are completely finished now~~~