At the end of March, the capital has begun to get warmer, but sometimes the wind is still biting.
Zhu Guanghu walked out of the haze wearing a coat. Looking at the shoe building in front of me, I walked in without thinking.
In the office with shoes and bamboo mats, Lao Xie leaned on the boss's chair with his legs crossed, feeling very uncomfortable.
"Bamboo mat, coach Zhu is here."
"Okay, Arrogant, you can go out first." Lao Xie waved his hand.
"Bamboo mat, are you looking for me?" Zhu Guanghu politely hung his hat and coat on the coat rack at the door, and then sat upright at Lao Xie's desk.
The football atmosphere in recent years has not been what it used to be, and veteran coaches like Zhu Guanghu have to behave themselves.
After the secretary closed the door from the outside, Lao Xie said, "Lao Zhu, how are the preparations for the Asian Cup? Have you decided on the players?"
"Not yet." Zhu Guanghu shook his head honestly.
In the past two months, except for two days at home during the Spring Festival, Zhu Guanghu has been out patrolling and surveying, just to select the best candidates for the Asian Cup.
From Dalian to Suzhou, to Shanghai, to Guangzhou, and then to Macau, from the Chinese Super League to the National Youth Team and then to the National Football Team, Zhu Guanghu traveled all over the country, but he has not finalized the candidate.
The reason is simple. At the end of the month, he will fly to Europe and start inspecting players in Europe from the Netherlands.
"This is going to be hard on you." Lao Xie gave a false condolence, "The task of inspecting players is a long way to go, and it really requires you, the head coach, to travel around the world more."
"Professional football has been developing for so many years. Don't we have to keep up with the pace and send more outstanding players to play in Europe? At this point, we cannot lose to Japan and South Korea!"
Hearing Lao Xie's official accent, Zhu Guanghu couldn't help but smile bitterly in his heart.
As the coach of the Brazilian Jianlibao team, how many people went to Brazil that year? How many players are playing abroad now?
He knows it better than anyone else.
They say they are not inferior to Japan and South Korea, but in fact, in terms of local players traveling to Europe, they have long lagged behind their two old neighbors.
At this time, Sun Xiang had just established himself in Eindhoven, and the overwhelming domestic reports almost convinced some old fans that the Chinese could also play in the Champions League.
"We lost at home in the last Asian Cup. In this Asian Cup, we have to work harder and take back the championship to comfort the fans!" Lao Xie said casually, and Zhu Guanghu's forehead was dripping with sweat. down.
champion? To comfort fans? Put simply!
In any competition, don’t you all run for the championship?
But swimming ability is indeed limited.
The last local Asian Cup was originally the best chance to win, but in the end the opponent used a despicable method to win.
Now the old national football players are retiring one after another, and the young Zheng Zhidu has become the captain of the national football team.
Things have changed in this Asian Cup, and there is a big question mark in terms of performance as to whether they can still play at the same level as before.
"Bamboo mat, now the national team is dominated by young players and lacks competition experience. In this Asian Cup, we will try our best to reach the semi-finals."
"The semi-finals? This is not possible! Wasn't it the runner-up last time? How come the more you play, the more you retreat?" Lao Xie was obviously dissatisfied with Zhu Guanghu's answer, "Lao Zhu, I know this is a very difficult thing. . But it’s because of the difficulties that we need veterans like you to step in and resist the banner, right?”
"If you have difficulties, just overcome them!"
"Besides, aren't our players playing well in Europe?"
"If we call them all back, will we still be unable to defeat Japan and South Korea?"
"Uh... Well, I'll try my best." Zhu Guanghu took out a handkerchief and kept wiping the sweat on his forehead.
Playing against Japan and South Korea in the first two years was okay. Although we lost, the momentum was still there; but in the past two years, football has been getting worse and worse. Everyone can see that it is going downhill, but those in high positions are all A layman who doesn't understand football makes fans and coaches extremely anxious.
Seeing Zhu Guanghu's hesitant agreement, Lao Xie also waved his hand, "Okay, Lao Zhu, don't be under so much psychological pressure. Our strength is still good, don't always talk about the old national football team. Now Sun Jihai , Li Tie are still mentioning it? They have played in the World Cup! Don’t worry, with them here, our football will be able to break out of Asia and go to the world sooner or later!"
"Yes, yes, break out of Asia and go to the world." Zhu Guanghu agreed, but in his heart he despised Lao Xie.
"Lao Zhu, why do you look so sad? What? Are there any other difficulties?"
"It's not a difficulty. Zhu Guanghu said, taking out a newspaper from his arms."
He had already prepared the newspaper before Lao Xie summoned him.
"On the top ten international football players with the best skills today, you will never expect the last one"
The ten best international football players?
Dong Fangzhuo? Zheng Zhi? Sun Jihai?
The names of each international player studying abroad in Europe flashed through Lao Xie's mind. When he looked at the last person's name, he couldn't help but frown.
"Wang Xiaodong?"
"Bamboo mat, look, this kid Wang Xiaodong..." Zhu Guanghu asked tentatively.
"Isn't he only 18 this year? He's too young." Lao Xie said subconsciously.
Since Wang Xiaodong's debut, Football Shoes has recruited Wang Xiaodong several times, but he was rejected all times, resulting in a mess in the Asian Youth Championship.
For things that are beyond their control, these people would rather miss it than hire them, so they keep suppressing the matter.
But seeing as the Olympics will be held next year, this year's Asian Cup is also regarded as a major training ground for the Olympics.
If Wang Xiaodong is not recruited into the team, Wang Xiaodong will miss the best opportunity to develop a tacit understanding with other international players.
However, from beginning to end, Lao Xie never took Wang Xiaodong seriously.
"How can He De, such a young man, become the best Chinese player in the game?" Lao Xie snorted.
Zhu Guanghu quickly took out another newspaper and handed it across the desk.
"European League quarter-finals draw, La Liga giant Sevilla becomes Tottenham's next opponent"
"European League quarter-finals? Tottenham? I remember this is..."
"Yes, this is Wang Xiaodong's team." Zhu Guanghu said seriously, "Just a few days ago, Wang Xiaodong just helped Tottenham win the League Cup and eliminated Chelsea in the FA Cup. Entering the semi-finals. Now, they defeated Bugala in the second round and successfully advanced to the Europa League quarter-finals."
"Not only that, Tottenham are currently third in the Premier League and still have hope of competing for the Premier League championship."
"so..."
"So what? It's just an unruly little baby, what's so big about it!" Lao Xie slapped the newspaper on the table, still looking disdainful.
"Lao Zhu, you are an old comrade." After Lao Xie calmed down for a moment, he said with a look of "hating iron but not steel", "I'm not telling you, you are so old, why are you not stable? Some? This is the Asian Cup! A proper international competition, not just a competition for cats and dogs! You have been in the system for so many years, don’t you still know?"
A cat or a dog?
Zhu Guanghu scolded Lao Xie in his heart again.
All Chinese fans know the level of the Premier League and Europa League, but Wang Xiaodong’s status in Tottenham is something that only you, a stupid person, don’t know.
What kind of small league do you think the Premier League is?
Wang Xiaodong is now a world star!
The whole world recognizes it, but you don’t recognize it!
Zhu Guanghu knew that Lao Xie was angry that Wang Xiaodong was not recalled to the country to play in the Asian Youth Championship, which resulted in the National Youth League being eliminated early.
But he has a career plan, and he is not a football player registered with you, so of course he doesn't need to look at your face.
Youth competitions are generally a place for youth armies of various countries to train. Since it is training, of course, the higher the level, the better.
Wang Xiaodong can play as a main force in the Premier League, but he still wants to play in a competition like the Asian Youth Championship?
His strength is enough to achieve the double jump of U19 and U23, and be directly selected for the national team.
As long as he lowers his profile this time, says something nice, and uses his emotions to reason, and with his status in the Asian Cup, he might be able to persuade Wang Xiaodong to return home.
Moreover, the Asian Cup schedule does not conflict with the Premier League schedule, so Wang Xiaodong has time to return to China to compete.
But if you don't take the initiative to express your position, it's simply impossible for Wang Xiaodong to offer to return to China and join the team!
Just by reading the domestic news reports, Zhu Guanghu could guess what kind of player Wang Xiaodong was.
Players like this have to smooth things over. If there is any conflict, Wang Xiaodong can give up and leave at any time.
To be honest, Zhu Guanghu, who has coached within the system for so many years, does not like Wang Xiaodong's thorns. But from another perspective, the top talents in the industry do have such "arrogant" capital.
Today, Wang Xiaodong is the most vocal player in Chinese football.
What Sun Jihai, what Li Tie, what Zheng Zhi and Sun Xiang...
These team members are not on the same level as Wang Xiaodong at all!
Now Wang Xiaodong helps Tottenham advance in various arenas and win the League Cup for two consecutive years.
Having such a star player join the national football team will definitely improve the overall strength of the national team.
If a player like this doesn't use it and still puts on a stinky air, who is to blame for losing?
What's more, the Internet is so developed now that every issue of World Football will select a period of time to report specifically on Tottenham's trends and Wang Xiaodong's situation in the past week. Moreover, more and more fans in the developed areas along the southeastern coast watch the Premier League through satellite signals. Now Wang Xiaodong's voice among the people is getting louder and louder. It is not something that can be easily fooled by shoes.
If the Asian Cup football shoes are messed up again this time without even mentioning it, it will be strange if the fans don't make a fuss!
"Is this little doll so influential now?"
After listening to Zhu Guanghu's statement of interests, Lao Xie had no choice but to pick up the newspaper again and look carefully at Wang Xiaodong's pretty face on the main page.
"Of course it is." Zhu Guanghu nodded quickly, "When I went to the morning market to buy fruits this morning, I listened to the old men running the stalls nagging Wang Xiaodong. Bamboo mat, Wang Xiaodong is not a simple defensive player. He can even play as an attacking midfielder and has the same offensive ability."
Looking at Zhu Guanghu's thumbs up, Lao Xie fell into deep thought.
He is a shoe-in, not a softie, so he can do whatever the fans say.
But he also understands that water can carry a boat and also capsize it. If there is really no news at all, the fans and media may not say anything by then.
"Lao Zhu, do you mean that we will also recruit him to join the team this time?"
Hearing Lao Xie's words, Zhu Guanghu almost jumped up from his chair and nodded yes.
But when he raised his eyes and saw Lao Xie's probing gaze, he quickly changed his words: "What I mean is that I am going to Europe to inspect players this time, and I will also observe Xiaodong's situation. Then I will bring all his information back to China. If you think he is suitable, we will recruit him. If not, let him go. This will also give the fans an explanation. What do you think of the bamboo mat?"
"Okay! Let's do it!" Seeing Zhu Guanghu say, Lao Xie immediately showed a proud expression.
"Then let's do it this way, Lao Zhu. Let's examine him now. If he fails to pass the trial, we will tell you later."
"Yeah, yeah." Zhu Guanghu wiped away the cold sweat and responded repeatedly.
"Then it's settled! Let's hold a press conference before you leave in the next few days. Once you announce the players who will travel to Europe for inspection, we will see the fans' feedback. If they don't respond, then this kid will not be admitted. The national football team is nothing. After all, it’s a carrot and a pit. If he comes, the veteran players will definitely be squeezed out, don’t you think?”
"Yes, yes, yes, yes." Zhu Guanghu did not dare to say anything else.
"In this case, Lao Zhu, you should go back and prepare first. I will contact you by phone in a few days. Whether the new formation does not have suitable players or the old formation needs substitutes, in short, in this personnel selection, you will definitely be strong. backing!"
"Okay bamboo mat, then on behalf of Chinese football, I would like to thank you in advance!" Zhu Guanghu put on his clothes, bowed his waist and exited Lao Xie's office.
Now he is the coach of the national football team, but he knows his own strength better than anyone else.
In fact, starting from the "Qi Jiajun" back then, the head coach of the national team was the representative who took the blame.
If the game is played well, it is the credit of the top and bottom. If the game is not played well, the head coach will reflect on himself and then resign.
"Oh! I hope the fans can understand my hard work!" Zhu Guanghu said to himself as he walked out of the Football Shoe Building, "I also hope Wang Xiaodong can give me some face. If he doesn't loose his tone, Football Shoes There’s really nothing we can do against him!”
Just like that, in the midst of talking to himself, the figure of the national football coach disappeared into the haze of the capital.
