Gu Ran ran to find Coach Carter immediately.

"Coach, everyone is celebrating, why are you here alone?"

Coach Carter quickly wiped away his tears and said with a smile, "Oh, Gu! I just... want to enjoy this happy moment alone."

Gu Ran smiled. He could understand Coach Carter's mood at the moment.

This victory was so difficult, so hard-won, and so...unrepeatable.

Coach Carter did not win any medals, but he was already a legendary high school coach.

Coach Carter is absolutely top-notch in terms of his understanding of the team, tactical arrangements, control of the locker room, and discovery of young players.

It can be said that without Coach Carter, the Bucks Steelhorns would never have won today.

Gu Ran took off his gold medal and hung it directly around Coach Carter's neck, "Coach! This belongs to you!"

Coach Carter was stunned for a moment, and then tears could not stop flowing down his face. "Oh! My child! Thank you! Let me hug you!"

Gu Ran took the initiative to give Coach Carter a big hug.

Although they had not been together for a long time, although Coach Carter had a bad temper and although Coach Carter loved PUA, Gu Ran benefited a lot from Coach Carter.

This is very, very important for Gu Ran, who is just starting out and has not yet officially entered the professional league.

Coach Carter said excitedly: "Gu, thank you! Thank you so much! You helped me achieve a great goal that I never dared to imagine in my life. More than 20 years... From when I was still a player as old as you, to today when we won the national championship, it really feels like a dream. To be honest, before leaving this morning, I asked myself in the mirror: Can we really do it? When the final whistle blew, I got the answer - we really did it!"

"Gu, this is all because of you. Because of you, the Milwaukee Bucks have been able to get to where we are today! You are the best gift God has given me! Forgive me for crying, because I really can't control my emotions. I am so happy today. This is the first time I have lived so long that I feel that the ultimate happiness is crying!"

"Gu, with this national championship, my life is complete. Even if I die now, I will have nothing to regret!"

Holy shit…

It turns out that foreigners have no taboos when speaking.

Gu Ran quickly patted Coach Carter on the shoulder and said, "Coach, you are the best coach I have ever seen. I even think that you should become a coach for a professional team."

This is not entirely a compliment, Coach Carter does have the ability.

Coach Carter smiled and shook his head. "Gu, I'm really happy you said that. But my greatest strength is that I know myself. Being a high school coach and a professional coach are two different professions. Being a professional coach is not just about leading training off the field or arranging troops on the field. Let's not talk about the professional football experience, the professional head coach's team building ideas, and the power struggles with the club's top management. Just talking about controlling the locker room, I can't do it."

"For a team, the atmosphere in the locker room is very important. If the coach cannot control the locker room, then the team will have no cohesion."

"At the Bucks Steelhorns, I can completely control the locker room, so even if the other players' level is not high, our team's belief is on the same page - this is also the basis for us to win."

"But when it comes to professional teams, my God..." Coach Carter smiled and shook his head, "Professional players are not so obedient. Especially professional players in lower leagues, they have too many personal problems, too many factional struggles, and they don't play football entirely out of love - some people may love it at the beginning, but later they increasingly regard playing football as a job, or a way to make money and become famous. And if someone like me with little professional qualifications is to coach professional players, they will not obey me."

Gu Ran nodded slightly, thinking to himself: In fact, it is not easy to fool people, and it is not easy to PUA...

"So, I might as well stay at Southampton High School and teach some amateur high school students."

Coach Carter grinned and said, "Besides, with this victory in the national finals, I will be more motivated when I scold them, hahahaha!"

Gu Ran was suddenly at a loss for words, and felt deeply worried for the younger students behind him.

However, Coach Carter can indeed see the current situation clearly, especially his views on professional teams, which are really to the point.

The locker room of a professional team is definitely not a harmonious home.

After talking about himself, Coach Carter said to Gu Ran earnestly, "Gu, you are amazing. I know you will become a football superstar in the future. However, the road to professionalism is not easy. You must be mentally prepared for this. Southampton Club's preference for you may cause some players to be jealous. They will unite to attack you, isolate you, make things difficult for you in training, and refuse to cooperate with you when you are on the field, until you bow to them and become their vassal, or you leave."

"People always bully the newbies, especially in football locker rooms."

"You are a Chinese, you have no compatriots, no factions, which means you will inevitably suffer greater discrimination and hostility in a stadium full of British people. It also means that when you are bullied, basically no one will stand up for you."

"You have made a qualitative leap from an amateur team to a professional team. Now, the fans in the Millennium Stadium like you and love you, but you also have to stay calm. You have to understand that the love of fans is the shortest and most ruthless. Today you won a victory for them, and they call you Chinese daddy, but if you don't play well in the next game, they may scold you, boo you, and call you Chinese trash."

"This is the reality. Never bring the purity and beauty of your high school team into a professional club. No one cares how you are treated in the locker room. You can only rely on yourself. Only if you continue to succeed in the professional arena can you truly conquer the hearts of the fans."

Gu Ran nodded thoughtfully.

Coach Carter's words came from the bottom of his heart. To Gu Ran, he is not only a football coach, but also a mentor in his football career.

Gu Ran was really fortunate to meet such a mentor after his rebirth.

Coach Carter paused and smiled, "Alas, why am I saying these words to you at this moment of victory? Sorry, Gu!"

Gu Ran quickly said, "No, Coach Carter! Thank you for teaching me this lesson! What you said is really useful to me. When I officially join the professional club, I will definitely remember your words all the time."

Other professional players bully me? Haha, come on! Fight me!

At worst, they will be banned, demoted, or have their money deducted! If they do this a few times, the whole locker room will behave themselves!

My motto is to kick the crotch open to prevent a hundred punches!

Gu Ran sneered in his heart! Coach Carter smiled with relief and said, "That's great, Gu. Remember, if you have something you can't handle, don't worry, go find Old Rice. You may not know that Old Rice absolutely treats you as his favorite. He will not let you suffer any grievances in Southampton Club."

Gu Ran smiled and said, "Okay, coach."

Coach Carter sighed quietly, "Gu, I feel like I've only known you for a short time, and you're leaving. You're growing too fast. At your rate of growth, I believe it won't be long before the whole world knows your name. And I... I don't know when I'll see you again."

Gu Ran smiled and said, "Coach, even if I leave Southampton High School, I will come back to see you from time to time."

Coach Carter smiled happily and said, "That's great! Oh, by the way, when you come back to see me, don't come empty-handed. Remember to bring a few signed jerseys. I can use your jerseys as rewards to encourage the next year's school team players to train hard."

Gu Ran: ...You want to take advantage of me so early and use me as a PUA teaching material?

Gu Ran immediately smiled and said, "No problem!"

Coach Carter stroked the gold medal on his chest and said reluctantly, "Gu...I can't take your gold medal. This is your honor."

As he spoke, Coach Carter wanted to take off the gold medal.

Gu Ran held Coach Carter's hand and said sincerely, "Please accept it, coach. The honor of this game is in my heart, not on my neck. It is just a memorial, a testimony. It testifies that you gave me the opportunity to become a member of the Bucks Steel Horns. It testifies that you boldly activated me to play in the game. It testifies that you gave me unlimited firing rights, allowing me to quickly grow into the core of the team in just a few games."

"Coach, you've given me far more than you can imagine! You've taught me far more than you can imagine!"

"Without you, I wouldn't have this gold medal. Without you, we wouldn't have won the championship!"

Gu Ran said firmly: "You deserve this gold medal."

Coach Carter burst into tears again, "Gu... my good boy! You are so kind! I am proud to have a student like you! Thank you! Thank you! Then I will... accept it!"

It’s been more than 20 years... Coach Carter didn’t get the gold medal when he was a player, but he got it more than 20 years later!

Coach Carter happily opened his arms and gave Gu Ran a big hug.

Gu Ran was almost strangled to the point of being unable to breathe.

"You're welcome, Coach."

"By the way, you have to give me a Milwaukee Bucks jersey—" Coach Carter hugged Gu Ran tightly and said, "I saw you exchange jerseys with that guy Pratt."

Oh shit!

Coach Carter, are you jealous of the opposing coach?

Speaking of which, the Bucks Steelhorns have a total of three sets of jerseys. One of the shirts was torn, and another one was given to Pratt. Now there is only one shirt and three pairs of shorts left.

Gu Ran quickly said, "Okay coach, I'll give you the last shirt when we get back to the locker room."

"We've got a deal!" Coach Carter then let go of Gu Ran and smiled happily.

At this time, a young female media reporter trotted towards Gu Ran with a microphone for interviews.

Gu Ran's nerves suddenly tensed up. "Reporters? Why are there reporters here? Shouldn't they leave after taking pictures?"

Coach Carter smiled and said, "The reporters who can enter the venue at this time are all official reporters allowed by the English Football Association. Judging from the microphone logo on her hand, she should be a reporter for the official newspaper of the Southampton Club - that is, your own family. Gu, I suggest you accept her interview, so that you can also leave a good impression on the Saints fans. You know, the Saints fans are huge, in no way comparable to the Southampton High School fans. Moreover, as for interviews, when you become a star in the future, you will have to face various interviews every day, so why not start now."

Gu Ran quickly said, "Coach, I don't know what to say. Why don't you do it yourself?"

Coach Carter laughed and said, "They want to interview you and introduce you to the Saints fans. Interviewing me is useless!? Wait, Gu, are you nervous?"

Gu Ran wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, "No... I just want everyone to know you."

Coach Carter smiled and said, "That's not necessary, Gu, just handle it yourself."

After saying that, Coach Carter patted Gu Ran on the shoulder and quickly ran towards the direction where the genius trophy was.

Gu Ran shook his head helplessly.

The female reporter ran up to Gu Ran at full speed in her high heels.

Gu Ran couldn't help but comment secretly in his mind.

The female reporter lifted her golden hair by her ear and smiled sweetly, "Hi, Mr. Gu Ran! I'm Evelyn Adelaide, a reporter from the Advance Saints."

This female reporter was the one who made the missionary team smile when they received the silver medal.

Gu Ran had some impression and good impression of her at that time.

Now, looking at Evelin face to face, Gu Ran's favorable impression of her increased a little bit—definitely not because of Evelin's figure.

Gu Ran nodded slightly and said politely, "Hello, Miss Adelaide."

Female reporter Evelyn laughed excitedly and said, "Mr. Gu Ran, I just graduated from college this year too! I am very excited to be able to interview you on behalf of the official newspaper of Southampton Football Club - by the way, my dad also went to Southampton High School, and he was also a member of the Southampton High School team!"

Shit, this is almost a trap.

Your dad and I are schoolmates, so you should call me uncle?

Gu Ran smiled wickedly in his heart.

Evelin said excitedly again: "In addition, I have trained in the U15 women's team of Southampton Club for two years. My father is one of the shareholders of Southampton Club."

Holy shit…

There are quite a lot of BUFFs.

No wonder you were able to come for an interview on behalf of Southampton Football Club right after graduating from university.

There is a backdoor!

But are you really here to interview me? Or are you here for a blind date? Why are you introducing yourself?

Should I ask if I have a house or a car, how much I have in savings, and when I plan to have a child? Gu Ran was amused by this "newbie" female reporter.

Perhaps she felt that the way she introduced herself was a little inappropriate, Evelin blushed and said, “Sorry, haha, I’m so excited! To be honest, I’ve heard of your name before, Mr. Gu Ran, but today is the first time I’ve seen you play football—it’s so shocking! As a member of the women’s football team who has undergone professional youth training, you really shocked me from the inside out.”

Evelin's eyes were full of little stars, just like a little fangirl.

Southern girls are really passionate.

Gu Ran was a little embarrassed by Evelin’s enthusiasm, and he didn’t know where to put his eyes.

Gu Ran cleared his throat, "Ms. Adelaide...why don't we get to the point quickly and finish it sooner? I have other things to do."

Evelin said quickly, “Oh! Of course! I’m sorry, Mr. Gu Ran, for taking up so much of your time! It’s all because I’m a newbie. I just wanted to build some relationships before we officially start.”

Gu Ran thought: I understand this...

Gu Ran said seriously: "Come directly."

Evelin said, “By the way, can I call you Gu? You can also call me Evelin, so that it will be easier for us to communicate next time.”

Gu Ran smiled and said, “No problem, Evelin.”

Evelin smiled happily and turned on the recording device she carried with her, "Well, first of all, congratulations to you, Gu. You led the Bucks Steelhorns to win the first national championship trophy in the history of Southampton High School. This is really amazing. Can you tell me how you felt when you held up the genius trophy?"

Gu Ran thought about it for a long time and said, "I feel...very good."

Evelyn was stunned.

Gu Ran looked calm.

The only thing that Gu Ran is not very good at is giving interviews.

Although Gu Ran has 12 years of life experience ahead of him, and although he is also absolutely confident, he is still a little nervous when accepting interviews as a celebrity, even if it is just a recorded interview with newspaper media.

After all, I had never been a celebrity before my rebirth, so I have no experience in this area!

It's impossible for a person to be without weaknesses.

Apart from answering "I'm in a good mood", Gu Ran really didn't know what to say.

At this time, Gu Ran really envied those who could write online novels. Their ability to compose words and sentences was like the endless flow of the Yangtze River...

Gu Ran felt that this wave of interviews was going to fail, and the Saints fans' impression of him would definitely be ruined...

Evelin let out a breath of cold air and spoke very quickly, "Gu, do you mean that you are very excited that you can win the national championship, so excited that you can hardly speak? Are you saying that the opponent's team is very strong and the confrontation on the field is also very high. Logically, you should be very tired after the game, right? But when you held up the trophy, your whole body was filled with endless energy! Are you trying to say that you are very happy, you are very excited, and you have created an almost impossible miracle! At present, there is nothing more exciting for you than this...right?"

What the hell?

Yes, yes, yes! That’s what I meant! Gu Ran nodded quickly!

Evelyn, you have a bright future!

Gu Ran was ecstatic in his heart, but his face remained composed and realistic, "...Yes."

Evelin admired him so much! She breathed heavily with excitement, "Gu, you are so cool!"

Gu Ran gave Evelin a charming smile.

…

(End of this chapter)