Starting With Real Madrid

If you were to ask what are the advantages of being a veteran player of FM (Football Manager), the answer would undoubtedly be having a lot of scouting data on all kinds of hidden gems.

Gao Shen is no exception.

When he played FM Football Manager, the most enjoyable part was scouting hidden gems and recruiting various great coaches. He would maximize all the training facilities until he was satisfied.

This also trained him to know the data and resumes of many outstanding stars and to be very familiar with the great coaches.

Take Rodolfo Borrell in front of him, for example.

Gao Shen still clearly remembers that there was a team in Borrell's resume, the Greek club Iraklis Thessaloniki, where he worked as an assistant coach. The head coach of this Greek team at that time was Angel Pedraza, who also came from Barcelona's youth academy.

That was in 2008.

In other words, Rodolfo Borrell was not satisfied with his work in Barcelona's youth academy. He wanted to make a breakthrough, but unfortunately, this trip to Greece only lasted until December 2008. Before the winter break, both of them were dismissed, and he returned to Barcelona to continue coaching the U16 youth team.

Then, the story is familiar to everyone. In 2009, Benitez restructured Liverpool's youth training system, bringing Rodolfo Borrell to the Premier League's Liverpool and making him a technical consultant for Liverpool's youth training.

This is also why Gao Shen was willing to come to Barcelona.

…

"Rodolfo, I believe you should have guessed my purpose."

Gao Shen looked at Borrell and smiled faintly.

Being aware of Gao Shen's intentions and being willing to meet him is a signal in itself.

"I won't beat around the bush. As you know, I am forming a core coaching team for a team. It consists of five people, and I have already identified four. You are the fifth I want to invite."

After chatting for a while, Gao Shen decided to be straightforward.

"Juventus?" Borrell asked with concern.

After receiving Gao Shen's call, he had been following Gao Shen's movements. The latest news was that the Italian media reported Gao Shen meeting Juventus general manager Blanc and sporting director Secco in Madrid.

Therefore, the entire world believes that Gao Shen is likely to coach Juventus.

Gao Shen shook his head. He said that he had indeed been in contact with Juventus, but the differences between the two sides were too significant to reach an agreement.

"I'm going to coach Napoli."

"Napoli?" Borrell was very surprised. He frowned and thought for a moment. "Isn't this the team that went bankrupt?"

"Yes, it went bankrupt in 2004, but it was acquired and restructured by a man named De Laurentiis, and now it's back in Serie B."

Upon hearing it was a Serie B team, Borrell's brows furrowed even deeper.

Especially since it was a newly promoted team.

"Is this team reliable?" Borrell asked with concern.

Mid-level and lower-tier teams have too many issues, and there have even been cases where teams went bankrupt and couldn't pay salaries after winning championships.

"I'm responsible for the coaching staff's salaries," Gao Shen replied with a light smile.

Borrell felt a little reassured because Gao Shen was, after all, a well-known figure in European football and wouldn't mess around with the reputation he had worked so hard to build.

To put it bluntly, the value and security of being a double champion coach outweigh Naples' past glories.

"The reason I didn't go to Juventus and chose Napoli is that I want more room to operate. I want to build a team based on my vision. I've already made a commitment to Napoli's management that I will build a strong Serie A team in three years."

"Three years?" Borrell was shocked. "How is that possible?"

In three years, taking a newly promoted Serie B team and making it a strong Serie A team?

Does he really think he's playing Football Manager?

Gao Shen smiled confidently, "See, you don't believe it. It was like this before, and it's still like this now. But it doesn't matter; I will prove once again that the promises I make will definitely be fulfilled."

Hearing Gao Shen's resolute tone and thinking about Gao Shen's time coaching Real Madrid, Borrell had to reconsider the possibility.

After all, Real Madrid won the double last season, and even in Barcelona's youth academy, Borrell felt the shock.

Rijkaard went mad at the training complex!

Wasn't that impossible at first?

And hasn't Gao Shen achieved the impossible multiple times at Real Madrid?

"Why are you looking for me?" Borrell asked another important question.

Gao Shen didn't hide his intentions, "I believe that in the coming years, possession-based football will receive more and more attention. The number of teams playing possession football will gradually increase, and I believe that elements of possession will become increasingly important. So, I need to adapt to this trend sooner."

"Barcelona's possession system has its uniqueness. You have been immersed in it for many years. I believe you can help me in this area. Also, your ability to train players is very strong, especially with someone like Messi."

"He's always been our little Maradona in the team!" Borrell smiled proudly when he mentioned Messi.

"I don't plan to play possession football in Serie A or any other team like Barcelona's style. My style will be more direct, faster, and sharper, but there are many similarities, especially one-touch passing. So, I need a great technical coach like you to train our players in technique and passing."

When Gao Shen said this, it became very clear, and Borrell basically had no doubts.

He couldn't speak for other aspects, but as far as the points raised by Gao Shen, those were his best skills.

According to Gao Shen's coaching team setup, Carlo would be the assistant coach, responsible for daily training and overall planning; Buenaventura would handle physical training; Borrell would take charge of technical training; Llopis would be in charge of goalkeeper training; and Lucas would focus on intelligence gathering and match analysis.

It could be said that this is a well-rounded setup.

And now, Borrell just needed to nod.

But the Barcelona youth academy coach did not give an immediate answer. He simply said he would consider it.

Gao Shen gave him a week to think about it but said, "But I hope to get a positive answer from you."

A week to consider is enough.

More importantly, Gao Shen's time is also very valuable. Although it's the off-season, he still has a lot to do.

For example, once the coaching staff is formed, they need to start working on a season plan and training program.

The coaching staff members must get into their roles as soon as possible, and Gao Shen also needs to start working on player signings.

This is reality, not a game.

In FM Football Manager, things that can be done with a click of a mouse often take time in reality, sometimes even a very long time.

In Gao Shen's plan, some players could be directly handled by Marino, but for some players, he would need to step in personally and try to persuade them.

To put it plainly, Napoli currently has nothing just a newly promoted Serie B team.

De Laurentiis claims he has money, but who knows? Who believes him?

But Gao Shen is different. He is the former head coach of Real Madrid and the double champion of La Liga and the Champions League. He is much more convincing when he steps in.

Especially with the young players Gao Shen developed at Real Madrid, which makes it easier for him to persuade players to join.

Napoli used to be a big name, especially during Maradona's era, but now, it's no longer what it used to be.

…

After meeting with Borrell, Gao Shen and Carlo did not stay in Barcelona but returned directly to Madrid.

That night, Gao Shen gathered all four of his assistants in Madrid and used Carlo's house as a temporary office to discuss plans for the new season. Gao Shen also shared some of his expectations and requirements for the upcoming season.

For example, his tactical requirements include pressing high up the pitch and completing the transition from offense to defense in the shortest possible time, firmly playing through the wings on offense, and then cutting back into the center from the wings.

"So, I need one or two tall center-forwards. Roberto Sosa is good, but he is a bit old 31 years old. The other forward, Calaiò, is only 1.72 meters tall, which doesn't meet my requirements."

"The two wingers must be able to break through, pass, and cut inside. I need a forward midfielder with excellent running ability, a pair of central midfielders who can both attack and defend, and the two full-backs must have the ability to join the attack from the back while maintaining solid defense. The two central defenders need mobility and passing ability. As for the goalkeeper, they need to have a wide range of control and some passing skills."

He listed all his requirements in one breath, leaving Carlo and the others stunned.

This is a huge undertaking.

It's like a complete overhaul of Napoli!

What's even more daunting is that meeting so many high-level requirements would mean bringing in a lot of players all at once, right?

When Carlo raised this concern, Gao Shen nodded understandingly.

"The summer training camp is crucial, and I'll compile a list as soon as possible. I want the transfer department to operate swiftly, aiming to have at least half of the players in place before the camp starts. Then, we'll transfer the existing players - remove the weak ones and keep the strong ones.

" Gao Shen exuded confidence. "I hope everyone understands that I'm reorganizing Napoli, not just to get promoted from Serie B. That's never been my goal, as I'm confident we'll upgrade."

"This season, I have two objectives: first, beat Juventus, and second, integrate the team. Next season, I want Napoli to be the most formidable newly promoted team in Serie A history!" Lucas was electrified, admiring Gao Shen's unwavering confidence and vision. 

"I'm not aimless or exaggerating; I'm genuinely confident. I'll lead everyone, lead Napoli, and charge into Serie A, turning it upside down!" The room erupted in enthusiasm, with Lucas jumping up and others nodding in agreement. Even Carlo was excited, filled with anticipation.