Chapter 938: Disguised Rejection

?The post-match press conference at the Berlin Olympic Stadium, right next to the press center.

So, as soon as the award ceremony was over and the players went back to the locker room, media from all over the world immediately poured into the press center from all directions, and after finishing their work, they all gathered at the press conference.

The head coaches of both teams were also very punctual and showed up on time without too much delay.

It was already close to dawn, so the organizing committee did not make too many arrangements and got straight to the point.

"Hello, Marcelo, we would like to know, what do you think of this game?"

The reporters immediately asked the first question to Marcelo Bielsa, who won the championship.

The Argentine madman sat on the stage, smiling slightly.

"It was a great game, we performed very well. Bayern Munich is a top team and caused us a lot of trouble, but we also created a lot of opportunities. So, in the end, the team that performed better won the championship!"

"There is no doubt that we have not only created history for Southampton, but also for English football and European football. We all have reason to be proud of this."

After hearing this, the reporters immediately looked at Guardiola who was sitting next to them, "Pep?"

Guardiola should have been prepared for this. After hearing the question, he smiled at Bielsa and nodded: "Yes, Southampton played a great game. They executed very well during the game and seized opportunities very well. They put us under a lot of pressure throughout the game. They deserved to win."

"I would say it's a shame we didn't win, but me and my players went into the game believing we had a chance and we fought hard for it, but Southampton were better."

"This season has been an extraordinary season for us as well. We were just a little bit away from winning the treble, just a little bit, which will make everyone who supports us feel sorry for it, but this is football."

“The Saints have very strong players, especially their offensive players, who are quite outstanding. They are the strongest team on the planet. It is always very difficult to face such an opponent, but I think we did a good job. Although we still lost the game in the end, we have tried our best.”

The reporters immediately asked again, "Marcelo, we all know that you have a good relationship with Pep, do you have anything to say?"

Bielsa nodded and thought for a moment. "I think Pep is a great head coach. He has done an excellent job at Bayern Munich. In this game he did the best a head coach can do. He and his team should be respected."

"Pep? What about you?" the reporter asked again.

"Marcelo is a great coach!"

As soon as Guardiola said this, the whole audience burst into laughter.

Unexpectedly, Guardiola, who usually doesn't talk much, is not completely without a sense of humor.

"Southampton's tactics are very thought-provoking and worthy of our study and deep thinking. This team has overturned many of our past perceptions of football. This game is bound to change European football!"

Many people present began to talk about it.

Obviously, many people feel that the two of them are just praising each other.

But in fact, only those who really understand football in depth can understand what these two European coaches mean.

If we simply look at the coaching results of the two, it would be difficult to say who will win and who will lose.

Over the past few years, Bielsa's success at Southampton has made him one of the world's top coaches.

But was it the Saints who created Bielsa?

Or did Bielsa create the saint?

Many people who remain neutral would certainly say that the two complement each other.

But in fact, the Saints factor is undoubtedly crucial to Bielsa's success, especially the management headed by Yang Huan's heartfelt trust and support for Bielsa, as well as the huge investment every year.

In terms of team lineup, the Saints are slightly better than Bayern Munich, which is recognized by everyone before the game.

In this game, Bayern Munich lost 0-3, which seemed to be a complete defeat, but if you look closely at the process of the game, Guardiola has tried his best to save Bayern Munich from defeat.

Unfortunately, the Saints were too strong.

So, Guardiola lost, but it was not because of his own lack of skills, but because of Bayern Munich's lack of strength.

As for Bielsa, his success is certainly due to his own strength, but it is also inseparable from the Saints platform.

So, after asking a few more questions, the topic quickly focused on the future of the two famous coaches.

"Marcelo, you publicly stated before that this season will be your last season coaching the Saints. Now that the Saints have won two consecutive championships, I wonder if this can change your mind?"

Reporters are very concerned about Bielsa's future.

The Argentine madman smiled slightly, "To be honest, I never thought we could defend the Champions League, but I will not change the decision I made after careful consideration. I will not continue to coach the Saints."

"There is news that both Manchester United and Real Madrid are considering inviting you to coach." the reporter asked again.

Bielsa shook his head. "No, I haven't received any invitation. For the time being, I am considering adjusting my role. I hope to have more time to rest so that I can think about something that interests me."

It can be seen that the Argentine has decided to leave, which is also expected by the reporters on the scene.

"Marcelo, we respect your decision very much, but from your perspective, who would you most like to see succeed you as Saints head coach?"

After hearing this, Bielsa was a little embarrassed. "It's hard for me to answer this question. There are too many issues to consider when hiring a head coach. I believe the club management should be prepared."

"The Sun once conducted a survey on this point. Among all the famous coaches who succeeded you, Guardiola, who is sitting next to you, is the most popular candidate and the most anticipated by Saints fans. What do you think?"

When Bielsa heard this, he immediately looked at Guardiola, and the two of them immediately understood each other.

After all the talk and twists and turns, it still comes back to the two of them.

"I still say that the selection of the head coach should be decided by the management." But at this point, Bielsa changed the subject, "But if you ask me for my opinion, I would say that Pep would be the most ideal head coach for the Saints. He will take the Saints to a new and greater height. I have no doubt about it."

Everyone was a little surprised. They didn't expect Bielsa to have such a high opinion of Guardiola.

"Pep, what about you? Have you ever considered accepting Southampton's offer?"

Guardiola smiled and nodded, "I believe that no one in this world can refuse the invitation of the Saints, including me." But at this point, Guardiola changed the subject, "But I still have a contract with Bayern Munich."

"There is only one year left, Pep, and you should know that if you want, the Saints can help you negotiate with Bayern Munich and even pay the penalty."

But Guardiola shook his head. "This is not my style. I respect my contract with Bayern Munich."

Is this a disguised rejection of Southampton?

The reporters below were all nervous.

This is the end of the topic about the two famous coaches.

Soon, the problem shifted to the players.

As many players in the Saints are currently being poached to varying degrees, Bielsa believes that Southampton should not let go of their players easily, but should consolidate their achievements in the past few years.

"Both Pogba and Kovacic will not leave the team. They have always been in the team's plan. So is Ravel Morrison. He has a lot of affection for the team. And don't forget that he is only 22 years old. He should stay at Saints and continue to grow."

"Yes, Kaka will leave the team after the end of the season and go to the United States to play in the Major League Soccer. If you ask me to evaluate his career in the Saints, I think it is a success because he has brought us a lot of help, many of which are still beyond the understanding of the outside world."

Kaka was brought on as a substitute by Bielsa in the last few minutes of the game, which made Kaka a player who won three Champions League titles and reached the Champions League final four times.

Although Kaka's status in Southampton has gradually declined this season, no one will forget the help he brought to Southampton last season, and he also set a positive example for his young teammates in normal training.

This is exactly what Bielsa wanted to say.

From a club perspective, after Kaka joined the Saints, the club's commercial value has been improved, driving the growth of the club's interests and commercial income, especially the Saints' influence in South America and Asia, which has increased by leaps and bounds.

So, from a transfer perspective, the Kaka deal was a success.

As for the competitive level, two Premier League titles, two Champions League titles, especially last season's Premier League title and Champions League title, Kaka has made a significant contribution, so it can be said that he is basically satisfied.

This season, with Pogba, Kovacic and Oscar gradually taking on the responsibility of midfield, coupled with the rise of young player Prowse, the Saints' midfield lineup is extremely luxurious. Kaka has difficulty getting opportunities, let alone performing well.

This was something no one had expected when Kaka joined the team.

So, when Kaka decided to leave, the Saints management did not put up too much resistance.

In recent years, the Saints have seen a surge in talent and their metabolism has accelerated. Not to mention Kaka, even someone like Matic has been under great competitive pressure.

This season, because Toni Kroos has no injuries and is in good shape, Matic is more focused on the Premier League, but with the rise of Kovacic, his position has also been affected.

In many games, Bielsa even replaced Matic with Kovacic.

In some dispensable cup competitions, the team also focused on cultivating Youri Tielemans, which affected Matic's number of appearances and he was also caught up in transfer rumors this summer.

Even the Saints management is considering whether they should let Matic go?

Although Matic plays a rotation role in the Saints, based on his performance in the Premier League, the authoritative organization estimates his value at 30 million pounds. However, it is simply impossible to get Matic at this price.

Because now almost all of Europe is scrambling for this type of defensive midfielder.

But in Southampton's tactical system, Matic is gradually exposing his weaknesses and shortcomings.

If Matic's greatest weapon at Southampton is his defensive ability, then with the Saints' unparalleled offensive power, the importance of his defense has been gradually weakened.

Even in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich, Toni Kroos' role as Southampton's defensive midfielder was more about ball control and overall coordination. On the defensive level, his role was not obvious.

It can even be said that it is not very necessary.

This is why Bielsa sometimes replaces Matic with Kovacic.

Times have changed and European football is changing rapidly. It is normal that the main players of last season have become substitutes or even relegated to the sidelines this season.

I believe that all professional players have already had this awareness!