Chapter 804: The Palace’s Conspiracy

"Humph, isn't it just signing a head coach who is about to be fired in the Bundesliga? Is it necessary to make such a big fuss?"

In a mansion somewhere in Milan, Barbara Berlusconi was looking angrily at the bearded German man on the TV screen. He looked very rough and was not the type Barbara liked at all.

More importantly, some of his words and expressions when he spoke were really annoying!

But she just couldn't understand why the whole of Italy was in such a commotion?

It would be fine if other people followed suit, but even the TV stations and newspapers under the Berlusconi family’s Finnish West Group are joining in the hype. Is this necessary?

"It must be her. She wants to embarrass me on purpose!" Barbara said gritting her teeth.

When Barbara was extremely angry, she saw a fat old man slowly walking down the stairs at the far end of the living room.

Although he is not young anymore, he looks very proud at this moment.

No wonder, there were recent media reports that he hooked up with an Italian beauty in her twenties.

An old man in his seventies is in love with a beautiful woman in her twenties, so he should be very proud.

"What's the matter, my little princess? Who has provoked you again?" Berlusconi walked into the living room, came to Barbara, sat down, and asked with a smile.

Barbara raised her head and glanced at the TV, which was still broadcasting the live press conference at 24 Durini Street. She was so angry that she picked up the remote control, turned off the TV with a snap, and then threw the remote control on the table angrily.

"Who else?"

Although I just took a quick look, who is Berlusconi?

Although he is quite old, he is still quite smart. How could he not know about his precious daughter? Besides, the newspapers have been reporting on this matter recently, so it is hard for him not to know.

"Barbara, there's no need to get angry over such a small thing. It's not worth it!"

Unexpectedly, Barbara, who looked a lot like her father, stood up angrily and said, "How can it not be worth it? Ever since I took over AC Milan, the team's performance has been declining. You don't know what people outside are saying about me now!"

At the end of her speech, she looked as if she was about to cry out loud, and her expression was very miserable.

Barbara knows what the current situation of AC Milan is, and Berlusconi knows it even better.

However, many things are no longer under his control.

As soon as Berlusconi saw that his beloved daughter was about to lose her temper, his face suddenly darkened.

"Let people outside say whatever they want to say, and just focus on doing your own thing!"

But after hearing this, Barbara looked at her father and said, "Dad, I also want to concentrate on my work, but what else can I do now?"

"The team has not only grown over the years, but has also been increasingly struggling. The Milan laboratory has been closed, the scout system has been laid off, and all employees, staff, and coaching staff who can be laid off have been laid off. But even so, we are still in debt every year. They told me yesterday that if we can't raise funds quickly, this year's summer transfer will not work at all!"

Anyone who knows a little about football knows the importance of summer transfers to a team.

Given AC Milan's performance last season, if they are unable to invest in the transfer market this summer and strengthen the team's strength, what can AC Milan do in the new season?

Forget about competing for the Champions League qualification, it would probably be good enough to just maintain the eighth place in the league last season.

Seeing that Inter Milan, its city rival that has experienced the same low point as AC Milan in the past two or three years, is now making a big fanfare to introduce the famous coach Klopp and the French Ligue 1 striker Aubameyang, how embarrassed does Barbara feel?

"What is the team going to do now?" Berlusconi asked with concern.

After all, this is the result of his hard work over the past thirty years. How could it be possible that he has no feelings for it?

"The team is short of players now. We need to introduce players to the forward line, midfield, defense line, and even the goalkeeper. And most importantly, we need a head coach to lead the team!"

After Allegri was sacked, the head coach position of AC Milan has remained vacant.

If the matter of bringing in players can be delayed any longer, then bringing in a head coach is urgent.

Berlusconi frowned and asked: "Is there no suitable candidate?"

"Yes, they recommended Benfica's head coach, Jorge Jesus. He has a brilliant coaching record in the Portuguese Super League and is also interested in coaching our team, but his salary is as high as 6 million euros, which we can't afford at all!"

Six million euros?

There was a flash of surprise in Berlusconi's eyes, because this was really outrageous.

I heard that Inter Milan only offered Klopp an annual salary of 5 million euros, while Jorge Jesus wants an annual salary of 6 million euros, which is simply an exorbitant amount of money.

"Is there no one else?" Berlusconi was also a little angry.

"No, the ones we like don't like us, and the ones who can come are not famous, so..."

Berlusconi shook his head and sighed, "What about Thohir? What do they think?"

It would be fine if she didn't mention it, but once she did, Barbara got angry.

"Don't mention that group of bastards. They are not willing to give up until they see the rabbit. Apart from the payment for repaying part of the debt after the acquisition, they haven't paid a penny."

It’s funny to think about it. It’s a pity that my father and I thought he was a fool, but he is not a fool.

Not only is he not stupid, but he is actually very smart!

"This time, I asked someone to tell them about these things. They said that we should figure it out ourselves. If they are asked to continue to invest money, that's fine, but who to choose as the head coach and what players to bring in are up to them!"

At this point, Barbara cursed angrily, "These bastards are here to seize power!"

Berlusconi was also helpless about this.

He never imagined that he, the former Prime Minister of Italy, would have no deterrent power in front of Thohir and others.

"So what are you going to do?" Berlusconi asked again.

Barbara shook her head. "There's nothing we can do. We can sell a few players on the team and send away a few high-paid players to reduce the team's financial pressure. There should be a few free transfer players with good strength in the transfer market. Even if the salary is a little higher, it's acceptable."

"As for the head coach of the team...if we really can't find one, we can just find someone else. It doesn't matter who takes the position!"

The last sentence sounded somewhat like something said in anger.

But there is really no other way.

Because if AC Milan wants to maintain its status as a top club, it must have a few famous players to keep things under control.

This is also the reason why AC Milan introduced outdated stars such as Robinho in the past few years.

Without these well-known players standing there, would sponsors be willing to give you so much money?

As for who will be the team's head coach, it is impossible to be a big name. Even some of the top Serie A head coaches probably won't easily get involved in the muddy waters of AC Milan, so they can only pick a few from the team's past players.

As a famous player, isn't he here to respond to emergencies at this time?

"Dad, the team's current situation can be overcome if we hold on, but what I'm really worried about is the stadium."

Berlusconi remained silent, but was obviously listening carefully.

"Tohir and his team mean that the team should acquire land in other places to build a new stadium. They have already chosen a target. Although it is a little remote, it is better to develop it than the San Siro Stadium. However, building a new stadium requires a large amount of money. I am afraid that by then Marina..."

Having said this, Barbara stopped talking in moderation.

But the meaning has been made clear.

Berlusconi has a total of five children, born to his two wives. The eldest son Marina and the eldest son Pierre were born to his first wife. They are currently working for the Fininwest Group, and Marina is the chairman of the Fininwest Group.

It can be said that the brother and sister took over almost all of Berlusconi's property.

Even AC Milan's top steward, Galliani, is very close to them.

Barbara and her younger brother and sister were born to his second wife, and they are nearly twenty years younger than Marina.

The age gap has resulted in Barbara and her two siblings lagging far behind Marina and her brother in terms of successors.

Now Marina is a well-known female boss in Italy, a famous figure on the Forbes list, and is in charge of the huge Finnish West Group.

And what about Barbara?

He could only cling to his father's thigh and stay with AC Milan, hoping that through AC Milan he could follow his father's path to politics, and hope that one day in the future he could use the relationship between AC Milan and his father to enter politics as well.

Otherwise, she will have nothing!

This drama is no different from the palace intrigues of all the wealthy and powerful families fighting for power and profit.

So Marina originally wanted to sell AC Milan, but Barbara refused to do so and insisted on keeping AC Milan as its only stepping stone. The two sides even had a big fight because of this.

Because of this, the relationship between Barbara and Galliani was as tense as fire and water.

But now, Tohir and others are too shrewd. They are holding on to the purse strings and want to share power. They also propose to build a new stadium, forcing Barbara to invest, otherwise her shares will be diluted.

Once the shares are diluted, AC Milan's power will fall into others' hands and it will be impossible for the company to become a major shareholder. Will it make any difference whether the shares are sold or not?

Berlusconi also understood the twists and turns involved, and he understood the thoughts of his two daughters even better, but he could no longer change anything.

Over the past few years, the power of the Fininwest Group has gradually shifted to Marina's hands. As long as Marina doesn't give in, even he, as a father, will be powerless.

As for Barbara, she is still too naive when it comes to playing tricks!

Whether it was facing Galliani, Marina, or even Tohir and others, she was too naive!

But looking at Barbara's pleading eyes, Berlusconi's heart softened.

He not only doted on her, but also felt a little indebted to her.

"Barbara, I will find another opportunity to have a good talk with Marina about this matter."

Barbara nodded continuously, a glimmer of hope flashing in her eyes.

"But you also have to know that the economy is bad now, and she is not having a good time. AC Milan is spending too much money. If it continues like this, it is not a solution. It is better to sell it!"

"Sell it...forget it?" Barbara was a little dumbfounded.

She never thought that her father would tell her to just sell AC Milan?

Has he never thought about what he would have left after selling AC Milan?

I have nothing!

"If AC Milan is really sold, I will arrange for you to work in the group. I believe Marina will also properly arrange for you."

Having said that, Berlusconi also sighed and stood up.

"Think about it carefully again!"

After saying that, he left.

Barbara was left standing there alone, thinking that if AC Milan was really sold, she would have to go to the company and depend on Marina and her brother. She was extremely unhappy about this.

So, she decided to give it a try!