Chapter 884 Target: Champions League!
The day after the Europa League final, afternoon.
The red Audi R8 sped along the north-south highway.
The route from Cheshire to Manchester city is the same as the route from Manchester Airport to the city.
As they sped along, the scenery along the way was rapidly receding, just like the memories of last night's championship parade in Su Dong's mind.
In the Europa League final, after defeating Porto 3-0, Manchester City won the Europa League championship without any danger and achieved the treble. It was also the first Europa League championship in the club's history. The first treble created the club's historical peak and also caused a heated response throughout Manchester and even in the UK.
Last night, when the team flew back to Manchester from Dublin overnight, the fans who came to pick them up almost packed the Manchester Airport. Fanatical Manchester City fans even drove themselves and followed the team bus all the way north.
The Manchester City Council had made preparations early on and planned the route for Manchester City's championship parade.
The team bus arrived directly at the most central area of the city, Albert Square on the west side of the City Hall. This is the most central area of Manchester and it was also the venue for Manchester City’s last championship celebration more than 40 years ago.
Heading east from Albert Square, the team bus slowly drove on Manchester's city roads.
There are only three lanes, and the middle lane is the tram line.
Therefore, only Manchester City's bus was allowed to pass, and all other players had to walk. Traffic control was also implemented along the way, and other motor vehicles were prohibited from entering.
Pass the Manchester Monument, go to the Manchester Art Gallery, pass by the statue commemorating computer scientist Alan Turing, and then go northeast all the way to the Etihad Stadium.
The whole journey took more than two hours, and it would not be an exaggeration to describe the bus as moving at a snail's pace.
When the team arrived at the Etihad Stadium, the venue was already packed with Manchester City fans who had been waiting for a long time. They welcomed the team with the warmest applause and cheers, and watched with their own eyes the three captains, led by Su Dong, display the three championship trophies and send them into the club's honor room.
Manchester City's Hall of Fame is quite empty, but winning three trophies in one season has filled all the fans with confidence and expectations, and they all firmly believe that the team will be able to fill this Hall of Fame with various trophies soon.
They all believe that Manchester City will one day become one of the top teams.
From the moment Su Dong joined, they were very sure of this.
…
Su Dong did not follow the team's route last night. He did not enter the city center, but went directly from the ring road to the Etihad Stadium.
After sending Su Dong to the place, Wang Chuqing asked him to call her in advance when he wanted to go back, and then left.
So far, Su Dong is the only person in Manchester City who cannot drive.
According to Pepe, people have been talking about learning to drive for nearly ten years, but he has never gone to learn.
"Of course, if there was such a beautiful driver picking me up, I wouldn't want to learn how to drive if it were me," Pepe always joked.
Everyone in the club has become accustomed to Su Dong's "shortcoming". When they saw him walking into the administrative office, they were not surprised at all. Instead, they all greeted him with a smile.
The team won three championships. Although it was only the Europa League, it was already the most peak season in the club's history.
It can be said that in Manchester City’s more than 100-year history, it has never been as glorious as this season.
So, everyone had a smile on their face, and they were particularly enthusiastic when they saw Su Dong.
Everyone knows that Su Dong is the number one contributor to Manchester City's treble.
…
I came to the office of technical director Begiristain, knocked on the door, and found that head coach Guardiola was also there.
Su Dong was not surprised. He greeted them and went in.
As soon as he sat down, Su Dong expressed his attitude.
"Don't count me in the awards ceremony at tonight's celebration party."
When Su Dong suddenly said this, Soriano, Begiristain and Guardiola were stunned for a moment, and a complex look flashed across their faces, including admiration, surprise, strangeness, and relief.
The celebration party was something Manchester City had decided on early on. Regardless of whether the team could win the championship in Dublin, the club would hold a celebration party, and some internal club awards would also be presented at the celebration party.
For example, the best player of the season, the golden boot of the season, the most popular award by fans, the best goal of the season and so on.
These awards are all internal selections, or selections by fans on the official website, and are not very authoritative, but the club has still prepared a considerable bonus, and it is also a special honor.
Judging from previous public opinion, there was basically no suspense about Su Dong winning several major awards.
For example, when fans voted for the most popular award on Manchester City's official website, he was far ahead. All the other players combined did not get as many votes as him. So who else could it be given to? And the Golden Boot Award of the Season. All the other players combined did not get as many goals as Su Dong alone. What else could it be given to? What about the best goal of the season, the best player of the season...
In the end, it is probably just some awards like the best rookie of the season, which have nothing to do with Su Dong. Otherwise, the really important awards would have basically been swept up by Su Dong.
Then wouldn’t this celebration banquet become Su Dong’s personal show?
Begiristain, Soriano, Guardiola and others have also considered this issue before. The prize money received from winning the award is only part of it. The real problem lies in the distribution of the award.
It was a celebration banquet, and all the important awards were won by Su Dong. It's unacceptable.
Originally, they wanted to create more sub-awards, but unexpectedly, Su Dong took the initiative to give in.
This is equivalent to solving a big problem for Begiristain, Guardiola and others.
"Let me make it clear first, I will not participate in the selection, but as the captain of the team, I will be the one presenting the awards." Su Dong said with a smile.
This is not too much to ask.
Soriano, Begiristain and Guardiola smiled at each other and breathed a sigh of relief.
"How about you take two too?" Begiristain thought for a moment and suggested.
For example, the most popular award among fans is chosen by fans after all.
"Goodbye, I will explain the situation in person before the celebration banquet and awards ceremony. And to be honest, I really think this will be fairer to other players." Su Dong said very sincerely.
He is the team's top star, scores the most goals and performs the best, which is his job.
What does it mean for him to win an internal award?
That little bonus is a lot for other players, but does Su Dong care?
In this case, it would be better to just help the other party and withdraw voluntarily, saving a lot of trouble. You can also gain a good reputation among your teammates, which will also help with the subsequent locker room management.
When Guardiola heard Su Dong say this, he simply admitted it directly. If Su Dong withdrew, things would be much easier for them.
From the current perspective, it is only natural that David Silva won the Player of the Season award.
People like Sanchez, Pepe, Kompany and Busquets also won awards, and everyone was happy.
Especially Kompany and Pepe, they are the best central defender combination in the Premier League this season, and Kompany himself has played at the highest level in his career.
Pepe, Kompany, David Luiz and Jerome Boateng, Manchester City's four central defenders are all strong and have the best reserves in European football. They are the most satisfactory position on all fronts of Manchester City.
"The awards must be given out, but the bonuses promised previously must also be paid out as soon as possible. It would be best if it could be paid out this afternoon. That way everyone will be happier in the evening." Su Dong urged Soriano with a smile.
The general manager of Manchester City is also in charge of finance. After hearing Su Dong's words, he smiled and promised that the funds would be transferred to each player's account this afternoon and he would never go back on his word.
The arrears of salaries and bonuses are very common, not to mention in other leagues, even in the wealthy Premier League.
Many teams have done this before, and even Manchester City did it before the Abu Dhabi consortium took over.
There's nothing I can do about it. I'm poor and sometimes I have problems with cash flow.
…
"What are your plans after the holidays?" Guardiola asked casually.
After the season ends, all that’s left is a celebration party before the team is disbanded.
Everyone had just gone through a busy season, so the natural topic they sat down to talk about was vacation.
Guardiola said he wanted to go to the United States to accompany his wife and children. He actually likes visiting the United States very much.
"Back to China." Su Dong replied with a smile, "I have been playing football in Europe for many years. I have traveled to many places during the league suspension, winter break or other times, including Northern Europe, Africa, the United States, etc. I have been everywhere, but there are many beautiful landscapes and cities in my motherland that I have not been to yet."
"This time, I plan to take advantage of the holiday to go back to my country and have some fun."
Guardiola agreed, "Of course. If I have a chance, I would also like to go to China and visit your hometown."
"Call me in advance and I guarantee that I will provide you with the best service." Su Dong promised with a smile.
When Soriano and Begiristain heard them talking about vacation, they immediately looked miserable.
"You guys are happy. When you are on vacation, that is often when we are busiest."
This is absolutely true.
After the team is disbanded, the management team will begin preparing for the summer transfer war.
After winning the treble this season, Manchester City must go one step further next season and introduce strong reinforcements, especially in the midfield and frontcourt. Only in this way can Manchester City be at ease in the multi-line operations in the new season.
For now, the configuration of the midfield and backcourt is okay, but the depth of the bench in the frontcourt is not strong enough.
Adam Johnson has even gradually lost Guardiola's trust and his playing time is getting less and less.
Next, it depends on whether the management team can finalize strong reinforcements for Manchester City as soon as possible.
This even affects the club's performance next season.
After all, the intensity of the Champions League games is completely different from that of the Europa League.
Moreover, Manchester City is competing in the Premier League, League Cup and FA Cup as the defending champions. The intensity of attention they will receive will be higher than this season, and the pressure they will face in the game will be greater.
These are all things that need to be dealt with this summer.
(End of this chapter)
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