Starting With Real Madrid

How do you react when you see Zidane on the training ground?

That was the expression plastered across the faces of Napoli players when they saw Zidane walking onto the training ground. Their eyes almost bulged out of their heads, and their jaws nearly hit the floor.

David Luiz, the goof, couldn't help but ask an idiotic question: "Are we sure that's the real Zidane?"

Bonucci, unable to hold back, gave him a playful kick. 

Everyone burst into laughter, but underneath the humor was pure excitement. 

This was the power of a superstar!

While Guardiola was a star in his own right, even a legend, his influence wasn't on the same level as Zidane's. That's not to downplay Guardiola's talent or achievements, but Zidane was in a league of his own. Alongside the likes of Ronaldo, Zidane was one of those rare players who transcended football to become a global icon, breaking out of the football sphere to become a household name.

Players like Van Basten, Romário, and Figo great as they were couldn't rival the worldwide aura of Zidane or Ronaldo. These players had become legends, synonymous with greatness, adored by fans all over the globe.

That's why when Guardiola first showed up at Napoli's training ground, the players were excited, but when Zidane arrived, it felt like they were in the presence of a mythical figure.

It's Zidane, for crying out loud!

Before the training session, Gao Shen gave the Napoli players some time to run over and ask Zidane for autographs and selfies. He stood nearby, enjoying the spectacle with a grin on his face.

The players were ecstatic. Some of them could hardly believe their luck, looking at Gao Shen with newfound admiration.

They'd heard about other head coaches, but surely, none of them could pull off what Gao Shen had. First, Guardiola came as a student and assistant, and now Zidane was here.

Rumors spread among the team. Maybe one day Gao Shen would call up the entire squad of Real Madrid's Galácticos and have them play a match with Napoli. How awesome would that be?

After the brief fanfare, Gao Shen quickly put everyone to work and began the training session.

Zidane was already familiar with most of Gao Shen's coaching staff, except Guardiola. By the time Zidane moved to Real Madrid, Guardiola had left La Liga for Brescia in Serie A, so the two hadn't crossed paths.

But Gao Shen made sure to introduce Guardiola to Zidane with great respect, knowing the potential clash of titans this encounter represented. 

Zidane had only come to accompany Gao Shen and observe from the sidelines, but it didn't take long before he was impressed.

Though he had watched Napoli's matches before, seeing the training sessions up close was an entirely different experience. He could see how meticulously organized and disciplined the team was. Napoli's playing style, with its energy, tactical precision, and pressing, was a far cry from the more chaotic tactics Zidane had known during his playing days.

"I finally understand why you were so frustrated with Real Madrid," Zidane said with a bitter smile, realizing the depth of tactical sophistication Gao Shen had always wanted.

Gao Shen chuckled, shaking his head. "It wasn't frustration, really. Every team has its own strengths and weaknesses. At that time, I just had a lot of ideas in my head, and I wanted to see if I could implement them if they would work, if they would succeed."

Gao Shen knew full well that the level of control he had over Napoli was a rare and special situation. In almost any other club, it would be nearly impossible to tear everything down and build a team entirely from scratch, with complete authority.

But Napoli was his team, and here he had the freedom to create something entirely his own.

As Sacchi and Valdano had said: People must have ambition, a sense of pursuit. They must dream, but dreams alone aren't enough they must be put into practice. That's how progress is made.

Napoli would never be a perfect team, and it would always have weaknesses and problems to solve. But that was what made it exciting. The process of constantly reflecting, adjusting, and improving was how both the team and Gao Shen would grow.

While Gao Shen was basking in these thoughts, Zidane interrupted. "Where did you even find these players? How did you gather so many talented guys in such a short time?"

Gao Shen let out a deep sigh, smiling wryly. "You're not the first to ask that."

He laughed it off. "It's an industry secret, Zidane."

Zidane rolled his eyes, playfully gesturing as if to flip him off.

That night, Gao Shen hosted a dinner in Naples to welcome Zidane, and the entire Napoli coaching staff was present except Carlo, the assistant coach, who had politely declined.

Everyone understood. Carlo's relationship with Gao Shen and Zidane was sensitive. Even though they were on good terms, it was better to avoid any unnecessary awkwardness.

During dinner, Italian national TV aired a preview for the upcoming Coppa Italia matches, with various pundits analyzing the quarterfinals. Among the guests was none other than Arrigo Sacchi, who was predictably standing firm in his support for Gao Shen.

Sacchi was one of the few prominent Italian figures who had consistently defended and praised Gao Shen.

It was interesting to note how different Sacchi's approach was compared to someone like Ancelotti. Although Ancelotti had a good relationship with Gao Shen, he maintained a certain distance in public to avoid unnecessary controversy. Sacchi, on the other hand, wasn't coaching anymore and had no such qualms. He could say whatever he wanted, without fear of backlash.

"Sacchi's really doubling down on you," Zidane said with a laugh.

Everyone at the table shared a knowing smile.

Sacchi's support was genuine, but Gao Shen knew it wasn't entirely without self-interest. Sacchi's legendary status in Italian football was unquestionable, but he had been challenged and criticized throughout his career, even after his historic success with AC Milan.

By championing Gao Shen's cause, Sacchi was, in a way, reinforcing his own legacy. If Gao Shen succeeded, it would validate many of the ideas Sacchi had pioneered.

Of course, Gao Shen didn't mind. This was how the football world worked everyone had their own interests at play. What mattered was that both sides were getting something out of it.

Gao Shen mused to himself that no one would call him Sacchi's disciple forever. In time, if he continued to grow and achieve success, perhaps other young coaches would one day be labeled as Gao Shen's disciples.

Just like how Ronaldo and Ronaldinho had to shake off the "little" in their names and emerge as global stars in their own right, the same could happen for Gao Shen in the coaching world. 

And if he reached that level, it wouldn't be long before people started referring to Guardiola, Zidane, and others as Gao Shen's protégés.

Thinking about this, Gao Shen couldn't help but glance over at Guardiola, grinning to himself. Good, I've already got a powerful ally.

And then he looked at Zidane. This one's a potential recruit too. If I can rope him in, I will be unstoppable!

His mind wandered to the future, imagining a world where famous Italian coaches like Allegri, Conte, and Sarri might be under his influence too. While those three were still struggling in Serie B or Serie C, he could see their potential. But alas, these particular coaches didn't seem destined to join Gao Shen's "school of thought."

Still, the idea of creating a coaching empire, of building a school of coaches who would carry on his philosophy, was thrilling.

Gao Supreme, Only I Am Gao Shen!

The thought amused him, and he chuckled inwardly. But he knew this wasn't something that could be forced. Coaches weren't players; you couldn't just "recruit" them. They had to come to you willingly, with respect and admiration for your methods like Guardiola had.

Cough, Gao Shen thought to himself. It'll take time, but I'll get there.

It was all about the right opportunities and the right people coming together at the right time.

And for now, he was on the right path.