Chapter 864: Defeat Bayern Munich

"According to the exact information our reporter received from the Hamburg prosecutor's office in Germany, Karl Edgar Kerkhove, chairman of the Hamburg club's board of directors, was taken away from his home by the German prosecutor's office this morning and is currently assisting in the investigation at the prosecutor's office."

"It is reported that along with Kekhov, nearly 20 board members including football director Kruse and the club's senior management were also taken away. This will be the largest corruption case in the history of Hamburg club."

"Since several media outlets have revealed corruption issues at the management of Hamburger SV not long ago, even though Khoff and the Hamburger SV board have publicly refuted the rumors, they still haven't been able to quell the doubts of the media and fans."

"Early this morning, Bild was the first to reveal inside information, exposing Hamburg's debts over the past years and corruption in the team's operations. The German prosecutors also received intelligence and clues yesterday evening and made the decision to arrest people overnight. Obviously, they have sufficient evidence."

"Since the start of the new season, Hamburg has changed its poor record as a relegation team in the past two seasons. Under the leadership of new coach Thomas Tuchel, it has won consecutive games and remains unbeaten so far, keeping pace with Bayern Munich, which makes Hamburg fans feel very gratified."

"But at the same time, the corruption of Hamburg management has become an indelible shadow over the fans' heads."

"Now, the arrest of the board members headed by Karl Edgar Kerkhove has made Hamburg fans applaud, but also made them worried, fearing that the team will be caught in turmoil again."

"To this end, we have specially connected with the famous Deloitte Bundesliga chief researcher, Dan Jones, to let us hear what the experts have to say."

The scene on TV changed and a middle-aged German man appeared.

"Hello, Jones."

"Hello, host!"

"We all know that you are responsible for studying the Bundesliga. What do you think about the Hamburg management's incident this time?"

"I'm not surprised at all."

"Not surprised?"

"Yes, because the news has been circulating for a long time. In fact, as early as a few years ago, the problem of Hamburg's management has always existed. How did the predecessor Hoffman get fired? How did Khoff take office?"

After a pause, Dan Jones continued: "In fact, in recent years, Hamburg's management has been bad, which is well-known in the Bundesliga. The management headed by Kekhoff has not done anything. There were even some scandals when Van der Vaart was bought."

"Oh, what scandal?"

"The Hamburg board first released the news to stir up the fans' emotions, and then they almost had their say with Van der Vaart. Then they invited several wealthy fans including Kuhn and Otto to come over, saying that the club had no money and asked them to pay for it."

"In recent years, the reason why Silk, the marketing manager whom Khoff trusted, was able to take charge of the marketing department was not because of his outstanding ability, but because he had a good relationship with Kuhn and Otto. This is something everyone knows."

"Well, Jones, so the hamburger problem has been going on for a long time, then?"

"Yes, but in the past professional teams have always adhered to the principle of internal resolution. So, once there is a problem with Hamburg's management, when fans and sponsors make a fuss, or when the team performs poorly, the management will be replaced. But each time it is replaced, it is worse than the last."

"Then what do you think of Khov? Some people say that his accident this time was due to an internal power struggle. What do you think?"

"First of all, I have to say that this is definitely an internal power struggle, but I think that's normal."

"What do you mean?"

"When Hamburg was carrying out the shareholding reform, I once said that people like Kekhov and Hamburg's poor management would definitely cause problems. At that time, either investors would run away or people like Kekhov would fall."

“It turns out that my prediction was correct.”

"Investors who come to invest in Hamburg certainly don't want to see the same type of corruption problems reappear. At the same time, they also hope to establish a professional and efficient management team. So we see Thomas Lake, who previously worked at Deutsche Bank, join the core management team. To be frank, he is the most professional elite talent in Hamburg's history."

"Then there was the return of former Hamburger FC star Beiersdorf, who was highly praised by Hamburg fans, as the technical director. He was kicked out in the power struggle, and his return immediately showed results."

"The head coach, Tuchel, several new players in the team, and players on loan from various teams have all shown surprising strength. More importantly, he has made drastic changes to clear out a large number of high-paid but incompetent players in the team. Therefore, the entire spirit of Hamburg in the new season is completely new."

"You mean to say that Hamburg's excellent performance this season is largely due to the investors and the new management team?"

"Of course, that's for sure."

"But now some people are also worried that once Kekhov and others fall, will investors take this opportunity to acquire Hamburg?"

"I can't say for sure, but as far as I know, the German Football Association has corresponding rules and regulations, and investors won't just buy the company whenever they want. But on the contrary, I think it might be better to be bought by investors than by Kekhov and others."

"But it is difficult for fans to accept that the team they believe in is owned by foreign investors."

"This is a process of getting used to it slowly, just like the Premier League. Most of the Premier League teams are now foreign-owned, but this does not prevent Premier League fans from continuing to be loyal to their teams and continue to enjoy the professional league."

But at this point, Dan Jones changed the subject, "But I also think that it would be difficult for foreign capital to acquire the club. The fans factor does need to be considered, and if it is not handled well, Hamburg will likely continue to make moves, which is a situation that no one wants to see."

“Well, okay, thank you Dan Jones for the great analysis.”

…

At noon, during the break, in the player entertainment room of the Hamburg training base, the first-team players were staring at TV blankly, and a worried look appeared on everyone's face.

They only received the news after the morning training session and learned that so many people from the board of directors and management had been taken away by the German prosecutors. This was no less than a major earthquake.

They say they are assisting in the investigation, but what is the reality?

The new players are fine, but from the perspective of the old players, few of them are clean.

Therefore, they are all very worried. With such a big earthquake happening in the team, what will happen next? Where should they go from here?

Many people called their agents, wanting to know more.

But in reality, the agents may not get more information than them.

"Don't worry, nothing should happen!"

As the team's new captain, Croatian midfielder Badelj felt that he should stand up and say a few words.

After the big purge in the summer, he was probably one of the few veterans in the team, so he was appointed captain.

On weekdays, he behaves well and is the core of the team's midfield, so everyone respects him.

"Yeah, it'll be okay!" Veteran Drobny also spoke.

"It's just a change of management, isn't it? This happens to Hamburgers every three or four years, it's no big deal."

But having said that, everyone still had doubts.

Those players on loan are better off. Even if they can't stay in Hamburg, they can return to their parent team early.

But for some players of Hamburg, this is related to their future. How can they not worry?

At this moment, a group of people were seen from afar, walking from the People's Park Stadium opposite, passing the gate and heading straight for the training building.

There were quite a few people, about a dozen or so, led by a young man in his early twenties, including head coach Tuchel, youth training director Bernhard Peters, technical director Dietmar Beiersdorf, and CEO Thomas Rek, plus several other club executives, all surrounded him, forming a large formation.

"Hey, who is that?"

"Yeah, it looks familiar..."

"Master Huan!" said Januzaj.

He recognized it!

"Master Huan?"

"Which Master Huan?"

"Adnan, are you talking about..."

Januzaj nodded heavily, "Yes, that is the boss of our Saints, Yang Huan, Master Huan!"

Everyone was shocked at once, because most of the people present had never seen Young Master Huan before.

Even Badley had only heard the voice but never seen the person.

As for players who were loaned to Hamburg like Godino, Hojbjerg, Coman and Douglas Costa, they basically had no chance to meet Master Huan. It would be good enough if they could meet Ron Gourlay.

It was not until Yang Huan and others approached that people like Jedvaj, Krasi, Alderweireld, Emre Can, Thorgan Hazard and others who had occasionally seen Young Master Huan recognized him.

As for the others, they had all seen Yang Huan in the newspaper, so they also confirmed it.

It turns out that Master Huan is really a shareholder of the Hamburg team.

With that said, everyone felt relieved.

Who in Europe doesn’t know that Young Master Huan is rich and powerful?

Looking at the Southampton team he runs, who wouldn't want to play under him?

When Yang Huan and others walked into the training building and arrived at the players' lounge one after another, they saw that a group of players had been waiting there for a long time and couldn't help but chuckle.

"How is it? Are you surprised to see me?" Yang Huan asked with a smile.

The players on the opposing team were in a mess, some shaking their heads, some nodding.

This also made Beiersdorf, Tuchel and others smile, as they were not prepared in advance.

"I came here specially to see you today!"

Yang Huan walked up to the players with a smile.

"I know there are a lot of news and even rumors out there, but I want to tell you that the situation is under control, Hamburg will be fine, and the rice borers such as Kekhov have been eliminated. This is good for Hamburg, the fans and us!"

"I am here to promise all of you that everything in the team will remain the same. Even the team's benefits and bonuses will be better and more complete than before. Our team will be more professional. Many of you must know my philosophy, which is that I want our players to play without any worries!"

This is also Southampton’s philosophy!

"The match against Bayern Munich is coming up soon. I hope everyone will not be affected by this management turmoil and will be able to focus on the game without distraction and strive to beat Bayern Munich at home!"

To beat Bayern Munich at home?

The players looked at each other and felt that the goal was a bit too big.

Who is this Bayern Munich?

Bundesliga champions!

Can you just take it down?

Yang Huan looked at them and laughed, "The club's finance department has already started to calculate the accounts. The salaries and bonuses owed to the players will be paid out within two days."

When Master Huan said this, all the players looked delighted.

Which employee would like to have their boss withhold salary and bonuses?

"In addition, I personally promise here that if we can beat Bayern Munich in this game, I will personally give out another 5 million euros as a bonus, which will be paid out immediately after the game. I will never break my promise!"

What?

Five million euros?

Prize money for a game?

The players were all stunned and dumbfounded!

Isn’t this too tycoon?

If you don't fight hard even for this, then when will you fight hard?