Chapter 18 Two Madmen

Some people say that he is a madman.

But now, the man sitting in front of Yang Huan, who was wearing glasses and had a slightly plump middle-aged body, did not look like a madman at all. Instead, he looked like a scientist doing research in a university.

Some people also say that he is a scientist in the football world and he has spent more time studying tactics and formations than anyone else.

He is a football scientist who can become extremely extreme because of his perfectionism.

Marcelo Bielsa, a man who doesn't even talk much.

In the just-concluded World Cup, although the Chilean national team did not perform well, their offensive football conquered fans all over the world.

And Bielsa is the head coach of the Chilean national team.

"I hope you can become the head coach of Southampton!" Yang Huan solemnly invited.

He believes that Bielsa is the kind of head coach who can bring about a complete transformation to Southampton, even though in the eyes of many people, the Argentine madman is a freak known for his extremism and difficulty in getting along with others.

But Yang Huan believes in one thing: geniuses are all crazy before they succeed!

"I'm sorry, I still have a contract with the Chilean Football Association." Bielsa shook his head lightly.

There was no expression on his round face, as if nothing could cause any emotional change in him.

"I know." Yang Huan nodded, "But there is a solution, right?"

The worst that could happen was paying liquidated damages, but Yang Huan really didn't care about that amount of money.

"It's not that problem, the main thing is that I don't want to leave Chile." Bielsa said calmly.

This kind of calmness can even be described as indifference.

Yang laughed, "What's the reason?"

Without waiting for Bielsa to answer, Yang Huan began to speculate, "Contract? I don't think you will be tied down by the contract."

"Salary? The salary Chile gives you doesn't seem to be very high, which shows that you don't value salary."

"That's friendship? Oh, yes, I heard that you have a very good relationship with the President of the Chilean Football Association, so that's possible."

For the first time, Bielsa looked at Yang Huan seriously. He knew that the other party understood him and was not completely ignorant of football as described in the news from British and European newspapers.

Just yesterday, he received a call from Hidalgo and drove to Buenos Aires from his home in Rosario, 300 kilometers away. He also learned about Southampton and Yang Huan.

This team was acquired by Yang Huan a few days ago. In the past four days, it has appeared in newspapers and media every day, and it has been very eye-catching because there are so many topics. This time it was because Yang Huan fired the head coach on the first day he took over the team.

"Can you tell me why you fired Alan Padew?" Bielsa asked.

Yang Huan thought this was a very good start and smiled.

"Do you want to hear the truth or a lie? Or do you want to hear something superficial or something deep in the heart?"

Bielsa remained calm, "Just say what you want to say."

"All I want to say is that I don't think Alan Pardew can help me achieve my plans. He can't bring the team I want or the style of football I appreciate."

Without waiting for Bielsa to say anything, Yang Huan stared into Bielsa's eyes and said with a provocative smile: "I think we are the same kind of people. I don't believe that you have never thought about going to the European professional league. Give those guys who think you can't make it in Europe a slap in the face and wash away the shame of the past!"

Yang Huan's words made Bielsa's eyes flash with a strange color.

Bielsa once visited Europe and coached the Spanish La Liga team, but this coaching record lasted only six games, including the pre-season warm-up match, and he did not win a single game. After that, he received an invitation from the Argentina national team and returned to South America to coach his own country's team, but suffered a disastrous defeat in the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan.

This move by Espanyol was seen by everyone as Bielsa's Waterloo.

Especially after the Argentine national team suffered a crushing defeat in the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan, almost everyone believed that Bielsa was no longer able to perform on the top football stage.

After listening to Yang Huan's words, Bielsa lowered his head slightly and said, "Do you think I can win everything against Southampton?"

"In the short term, you can't win anything, but if you look at it from a long-term perspective, what's wrong with the League One team? The competitive environment in the League One is not bad at all, and the lower-level leagues can give you ample time to adjust your team. When we return to the Premier League, we will surprise everyone and then trample all the top teams under our feet."

Bielsa raised his head again, looked at Yang Huan, and lowered it again, "You are a very competitive person."

Yang Huan was stunned, then laughed, "Don't you have a competitive spirit? The professional league is a life-and-death battle, don't you have the slightest ambition to win? Aren't you fascinated by this bloody fight at all?"

This time, Bielsa raised his head again.

The national team and the club are two different fields.

In a way, the national team is more like a leisurely vacation, with a big competition only every once in a while.

But the professional league is different. It is very tense and very deadly. There are games every week. One careless move could lead to a disastrous outcome. Any mistake in decision-making may lead to the collapse of the entire season, so you have to be careful and cautious and take every step carefully.

To some extent, the professional league is the most fascinating and bloody arena in football.

It is also the best stage that all professional head coaches dream of and where they can showcase their talents.

One of Bielsa's football creeds is to do everything for a game!

"You are right. After the World Cup, it is difficult for me to bring more to Chile. That is the limit of this team. I also feel a little empty. Going to England to coach is also an option."

But Bielsa changed the subject, "But I have another very important question, what can you give me?"

"You don't have to worry about the autonomy of football, player transfers and commercial operations. You just need to tell me what you want, and I will give it to you. Even if you want the best football star in the world, I will do my best to get it for you!"

"In Southampton, you belong to me alone!"

In the traditional head coach position in England, player transfers are within the authority of the head coach. Even coaches such as Wenger and Ferguson are involved in the team's commercial operation plans and have great power.

However, Yang Huan intends to reorganize Southampton's power structure because the traditional power structure of British teams will lead to uncontrolled power of the head coach. For example, Ferguson's position in Manchester United is unshakable and even overrides the team owners, which Yang Huan cannot accept.

If Southampton can only have one leader, it must be Yang Huan.

Bielsa listened without any reaction, as if it was a matter of course, and nodded: "Yes, those things are too annoying." It seemed that not having these powers was a good thing for him.

"By the way, do you think Adam Lallana should play on the wing or in the middle?" Bielsa suddenly raised his head again and asked seriously.

From his tone and eyes, you can tell that this is not a test, but a very sincere inquiry.

Adam Lallana, a local star in Southampton, has excellent skills and strong awareness.

"If we play in the middle, I think it will be difficult because the defense in front of the penalty area is very tight now." Yang Huan replied with a smile.

Bielsa nodded when he heard this and said, "Well, it would be much better if there was a strong center forward in the penalty area to suppress the opponent's two central defenders."

"I think this route is feasible, but in this way, there will only be one Chamberlain on the wing, and Lambert can't play on the wing. But if Lallana goes to the wing, there will be no one in the midfield, and Schneiderlin can't press forward..."

Yang Huan finally understood why everyone said Bielsa was a football madman.

Although this guy doesn't talk much, he will talk nonstop when talking about football. He may even mutter to himself, arguing with himself about the team's tactics and the players' positioning.

Southampton is the team that attaches the most importance to technology in English football. This can be easily seen from Southampton's youth training. Several young players in the team, such as Lallana, Chamberlain, Luke Shaw, Chambers, etc., have footwork skills that are much higher than the average level in England.

Let’s look at the players who came out of Southampton, Shearer and Le Tissier who are further away, and Walcott and Gareth Bale who are closer, all of them are the type with solid basic skills and good footwork.

The reason why Yang Huan chose Southampton was actually because of this point.

There is no doubt that the technical route of ground coordination based on the continental system is the way out for English football in the future.

Bielsa's madness shows no signs of stopping. He started with Southampton, but as the conversation went on, he actually talked about the traditional style of English football.

I heard him muttering to himself that if he could integrate England's football passion and tenacity into his tactical system, the effect would be greater, and Southampton's outstanding youth training gave him such an opportunity.

"Well, that's all." Belsaro talked a lot for a full hour, and suddenly stood up.

"What do you mean?" Yang Huan looked at Bielsa.

"I think that although you may have many shortcomings and problems, at least you are very honest. Unlike many high-ranking people in the football field, you are hypocritical and have no integrity. You always make a lot of promises that you can't fulfill. Dealing with people like you is at least less troublesome."

Bielsa spread his hands and said, "I have analyzed it over and over again, and then thought about it carefully and seriously. I feel a little annoyed, but I think some of your ideas, some of Southampton's style, and the challenges of English football are all quite interesting."

"So..." Bielsa took the initiative to extend his hand, "...I decided to accept your invitation!"

Yang Huan was a little confused. What was the structure of this guy's head?

Doesn't he need to think about this carefully and deeply?

Or, doesn't he want to go to Southampton to see it in person?

Or is there another reason that prompted him to leave the Chilean national team?

But since they had already agreed, why would Yang Huan bother to study it in detail?

"I'll take care of the Chilean Football Association." Bielsa obviously hopes to negotiate in person, "Then, I will arrange for someone to go to the UK to negotiate the contract. You can talk to him about the salary. I will probably fly to London the day after tomorrow. There's not much time left before the start of the new season."

Unexpectedly, this madman got into the role so quickly.

"Do you have any players you want?" Yang Huan asked.

Bielsa thought for a moment and said, "I don't know the situation yet, so you decide for yourself."

"Oh, you just met Carlos Porter. Are you interested in James Rodriguez?"

Yang Huan nodded, "Yes, I signed it."

“Oh, it’s a bit troublesome, this guy has a position conflict with Lallana!” Bielsa shrugged and smiled for the first time since they met. It felt like this should be his Bielsa humor.

"But it's okay, I can handle it."

But just as he finished speaking, he felt something was wrong, "It would be better to bring in a strong center. I'm afraid Lambert can't handle it alone."

Yang Huan laughed after hearing this, "How about Ibrahimovic? Can you defeat him?"

Bielsa laughed when he heard it. "You are such a lunatic, you thought of that!"

"But I'm starting to like you!"

Yang Huan had a helpless look on his face. Being praised as a madman in front of others, that feeling...

Zhang Ning had been beside Yang Huan the whole time, without saying a word, but when he heard this, he couldn't help but giggle and cover his mouth.

Football Giants