Starting With Real Madrid

Gao Shen, De Laurentiis, and Marino only finalized the general framework of the contract. However, the specific rules and terms still needed to be negotiated by the lawyers of both parties. Once these were confirmed, a formal contract would be drawn up.

When Gao Shen went to Naples to sign the contract at the agreed time, he would officially become the head coach of Napoli.

Initially, Gao Shen didn't have a representative lawyer. When he renewed his contract with Real Madrid previously, he didn't use a lawyer and signed directly with Real Madrid.

But this time, signing a contract with Napoli, especially when facing an old fox like De Laurentiis, Gao Shen had to be cautious. Therefore, he invited Carlo's representative lawyer to step in and negotiate with Napoli's representative lawyer.

The law firm where Carlo's representative lawyer works specializes in football-related legal matters. They are very familiar with these contract terms, especially some standard contracts and special clauses in La Liga, Serie A, and even FIFA regulations.

After meeting De Laurentiis, Gao Shen, accompanied by Carlo, went to the law firm to sign the contract. He then discussed the specifics with his representative lawyer, leaving the rest for the professionals to follow up on.

After almost wrapping things up with Napoli, Gao Shen made a special call to Butragueno to discuss Luis Llopis, particularly regarding the issue of contract termination fees. Gao Shen hoped that Butragueno would show some leniency.

"Alright, since you've asked, how could I refuse?" Butragueno responded with a cheerful smile.

Although Gao Shen was no longer coaching at Real Madrid, the two championship titles were still fresh in everyone's minds, and Butragueno was happy to do him a favor.

The football world is neither too big nor too small, especially for top coaches who move around frequently. There will always be a time when they cross paths again, so no one wants to offend a promising talent like Gao Shen.

Secco of Juventus is an exception.

Butragueno was surprised to hear that Gao Shen was going to take over at Napoli.

With Gao Shen's current status as a double champion coach, why would he go to a newly promoted team from Serie B?

"Firstly, for me, the team's level is not that important, and the existing strength isn't my primary consideration. I value the club's support for me and whether they are willing to invest," Gao Shen explained.

There were indeed some mid- and lower-level teams from Serie A, La Liga, and even the Bundesliga that had contacted Gao Shen, but they weren't willing to give up their transfer rights. No one bothered to make an offer.

Obviously, they were either not very interested or were lowering their demands to raise Gao Shen's interest.

Some of these teams have set a low position for themselves. They don't want to take risks to compete for a better ranking but just want to comfortably survive in the mid-to-lower tiers of the league. This is also a way for them to survive.

Competing for a better position?

That's certainly a good thing, but it requires investment.

Just like Osasuna.

The former head coach of this team was Aguirre, the best coach in La Liga last season. But after coaching Osasuna, Aguirre immediately switched to Atletico Madrid with little hesitation.

Osasuna quickly turned around and contacted Gao Shen, hoping to invite him to coach there. The pay was decent, the requirements weren't high, and they could play in the Champions League. Doesn't that sound great?

But beware, nothing in the world is that perfect.

First of all, Osasuna managed to finish fourth in the league last season, so they do have some strength. Gao Shen investigated further; youth players like Raul Garcia and Azpilicueta are pretty good.

Osasuna even told Gao Shen directly that they didn't have many requirements for the new season's results, as long as they didn't get relegated. There were no expectations for results in European competitions either, but they also wouldn't invest any money in transfer signings and might even sell one or two players to cash in.

Their idea was to loan some high-level players from Real Madrid's youth team through Gao Shen's connections.

In fact, Osasuna's remarkable performance last season was partly due to several loan players.

At this point, many people might start to criticize.

Isn't Osasuna too unambitious?

Last season, they finished fourth in La Liga. If they can play in the Champions League, why not push a bit harder?

Actually, the fans misunderstand.

Osasuna's fourth-place finish in the league last season was more of an accident. The team's overall form just clicked, and Aguirre's adjustments were on point, so the results came through.

Want to push harder?

Fine, but you have to invest.

Transfer fees and annual salaries should be increased. For a team like Osasuna, which has limited financial income, spending one or two million is a significant amount. It will take at least two or three years to recover.

Even a little carelessness could plunge the club into a debt crisis.

This is the tragedy of small clubs.

As for the Champions League, let's not kid ourselves. With Osasuna's strength, even if they finished fourth in the league and entered the qualifiers, would they stand a chance against strong teams from the Netherlands, Portugal, Austria, and other leagues?

If they don't make it to the Champions League group stage, they won't earn much money at all.

The situation for these small teams is becoming increasingly difficult. Almost all the teams in La Liga, except for Real Madrid, are in debt, including Barcelona.

Therefore, it's not that Gao Shen didn't receive an olive branch from Osasuna; he just felt that, comparatively, Napoli had a better chance to grow bigger and stronger.

Even if Napoli is currently just a newly promoted team from Serie B.

Butragueno agreed with Gao Shen's analysis, but he still felt that the media and reporters would probably explode over this, ridiculing and sneering all over.

"You know, many media reporters have long dismissed your coaching achievements. Now that you're coaching a newly promoted Serie B team, won't that just further confirm their beliefs?" Butragueno said with a bitter smile.

Gao Shen was quite open about it. "It's okay. I'm mentally prepared and have plenty of experience dealing with that."

Indeed, during his time coaching at Real Madrid, he had slapped the reporters in the face many times.

This time would be no exception.

…

After negotiating Luis Llopis' contract, Gao Shen flew to Barcelona with Carlo.

On the way, Gao Shen brought up the idea of inviting Carlo to join his coaching team.

Previously, Gao Shen thought Carlo would at least think about it, but unexpectedly, Carlo agreed almost without hesitation.

This surprised Gao Shen.

However, both sides agreed like gentlemen that if Carlo received an invitation to coach a suitable team independently in the future, Gao Shen would release him.

Of course, Gao Shen wouldn't set any obstacles and agreed immediately.

By this point, the only missing piece in Gao Shen's coaching team was Rodolfo Borrell.

…

In a restaurant in Barcelona, Gao Shen met the "data emperor" from Football Manager, Rodolfo Borrell.

Somewhat surprisingly, he was very tall.

Interestingly, Lorenzo Buenaventura, who specializes in fitness training, isn't tall or muscular, but Rodolfo Borrell, who specializes in technical training, is a sturdy man with a close-cropped haircut and a stubbly face. Coupled with his muscular build, he gives off a very rough impression.

Not only Gao Shen, but when Carlo first saw him, he also wondered if they had found the wrong person.

But as it turns out, things in this world are just that strange.

Gao Shen had read Messi's autobiography and knew that Rodolfo Borrell was Messi's first coach after he came to Barcelona. He also coached players like Cesc Fabregas, Piqué, and Iniesta. His training skills were beyond question.

As soon as they sat down, the burly man looked at Gao Shen with a smile and said, "You know what? My whole family loves you, Gao!"

Gao Shen was a little surprised.

"Yes, my whole family are Real Madrid fans, including myself." After a pause, Rodolfo Borrell realized this might sound inappropriate, so he added with a smile, "I mean, we were Real Madrid fans before. Now... I quite like Barcelona too."

Both Gao Shen and Carlo burst out laughing.

The 35-year-old technical coach looked rough, but he was actually quite careful.

However, Gao Shen was very curious what was it like for a Real Madrid fan to work in Barcelona?

Rodolfo Borrell frowned, thought for a while, then shook his head and smiled bitterly, "It was a bit uncomfortable at first, but after a while, it's not a problem. It's just a job."

Carlo nodded in agreement.

Coaching is a job, and playing football is a job.

Gao Shen remembered that when Cesc Fabregas, Piqué, and others insisted on returning to Barcelona, many people claimed it was out of loyalty to Barcelona, but Gao Shen never believed that.

The real reason was that their academy home team was Barcelona.

If their academy team wasn't Barcelona but Espanyol, would they still desperately want to come back?

So, Rodolfo Borrell was right it's all just work!

…

Although it was their first face-to-face meeting, after several phone calls, Borrell was actually a very talkative person, and he wasn't as rude as he looks, he was very kind.

Gao Shen gained insight into Borrell's work experience at Barcelona. Borrell shared that he had spent ten years at the Barcelona youth academy, starting as a scout, then coaching youth teams, and gradually rising to his current position with the U16 team.

 However, he felt stifled by the abundance of talent and the presence of former players turned coaches, who had an advantage in securing positions. Borrell expressed his frustration with the limited opportunities for advancement.

Despite the comfort of working for a top team, Borrell yearned for a breakthrough. Gao Shen sensed that beneath Borrell's calm demeanor lay a desire for professional growth. Borrell, who had lived in Barcelona for ten years but maintained strong ties to his hometown of Madrid, felt constrained by his age, resume, and family responsibilities, including a young child and a wife who was a full-time caregiver. 

However, Gao Shen recognized that Borrell was eager to move beyond coaching youth teams and seek new challenges.