From the Czech Republic to England, passing through Germany and the Netherlands, crossing the English Channel was like stepping out of a cage that had confined his life and ascending into a broader world.
While New Manchester United were handling his transfer, Čech also investigated the club. It was a team with some renown in England and a certain level of fame in Europe. At least, after a quick online search, he soon found the club's history and background.
As Schmeichel said, this was a unique club, much like Bechyně.
While researching his new club, Čech also specifically visited New Manchester United's official website and found that the number of online members at the time was nearly five hundred, which was more than the total population of Bechyně.
He entered New Manchester United's supporter forum and found even more users online. Besides New Manchester United's official supporter forum, there were many other club supporter forums, all organized and managed by supporters themselves. Additionally, there were many sub-forums for casual chat and discussion.
He looked up information about this forum online and discovered that it was currently the most famous comprehensive football supporter forum in Europe. New Manchester United had even established a dedicated company to manage and operate it.
Entering New Manchester United's forum section, Čech found that the discussion atmosphere was very lively, with a large number of posts appearing every time he refreshed the page.
Currently, the hottest topic on the forum was the club's trip to Africa. It was said that New Manchester United planned to go to Africa during the summer pre-season to participate in a charity match organized by an African club. This charity match was specifically held to commemorate the supporters who died in a football match riot in Accra, the capital of Ghana, in May.
All proceeds from this match would be donated to the families of the deceased supporters. Currently, New Manchester United's Red Rebels Foundation was also engaged in charitable activities in Africa. The enthusiastic participation of supporters on the forum was to support the foundation and the team's good deeds, actively donating and carrying out various solidarity activities.
"This should be a very good club!" Čech thought to himself after reading a large number of supporter posts and administrator replies.
Even the supporters had such thoughts, which showed that the club should not be bad.
Gradually, he began to look forward to his new club, especially the owner, Ethan Yu, who regarded him as a genius goalkeeper!
With the help of Janek Robert, a hearing specifically for Čech's exceptional talent application was held in London. It went smoothly, and Čech obtained his work permit for England. He boarded a plane to Manchester that same day.
...
Jim picked Čech up from the airport and took him back to the Newton Heath training base, leading him to Ethan's office.
Čech saw the young owner, who looked to be about the same age as himself, with a kind smile on his face. If Schmeichel had not been standing beside him, he would have suspected he was meeting the owner's son, because he was simply too young.
"I'm sorry, Petr. Mr. José Mourinho has something urgent to attend to and cannot receive you, but when he returns, he will have a good, detailed talk with you. He is a very good person, and also a very capable and insightful manager. You will respect him!" Ethan said to Čech with a smile.
Čech nodded somewhat nervously. He would not dare disrespect his manager, especially when he saw the newspaper on Ethan's desk, which made him lower his head even further.
"I think you should look up, Petr!" Ethan sat down opposite him.
Čech raised his head slightly, but it was still not high enough.
Ethan turned the newspaper on the desk around, directly facing Čech. "Are you afraid to see these reports?"
Čech wanted to shake his head, but he did not. He just remained silent.
He was never one to talk more than he acted.
"I feel my confidence in you far exceeds your confidence in yourself, Petr!" Ethan said jokingly.
Schmeichel, who was accompanying them, could not help but laugh.
Čech's heart stirred, but he still said nothing.
"Do you know what our team likes to do most?" Ethan suddenly leaned forward and asked.
Čech shook his head. His understanding of New Manchester United was limited to what he had found online.
"Slap the media in the face, with ironclad facts, fiercely, with all our might. Preferably hard enough to make them lose a few teeth. Slap them so hard that it hurts, but they don't dare cry out. Don't you think that's incredibly satisfying?"
Čech's eyes lit up. He somewhat understood what Ethan was trying to say.
"I'm telling you, Petr, not just the media, I believe everyone has doubts about you. They'll be thinking, ah, that New Manchester United owner is crazy, he actually used an exceptional talent application on some unknown young goalkeeper. He must be mad!"
"Our players and manager will also have concerns about your ability. They don't know your ability and talent, nor do they know your potential. But you should be braver. Step forward, and with your attitude on the training ground, with your performance on the pitch, shatter all doubts about you. Tell them, I, Petr Čech, am a genius goalkeeper!"
At this point, Ethan clearly felt that Čech had been moved by his words, and his expression became very excited.
He was just a simple young man!
Then Ethan suddenly laughed. "I've entrusted my honour to you, Petr. You absolutely must not disappoint me, understand?"
It was originally just a joke, but to his surprise, Čech suddenly stood up, nodded heavily, and said, "Don't worry, boss. I will definitely not disappoint you!"
This made Ethan pause, then he smiled and nodded. "All right, you go to the laboratory first. They'll arrange your physical examination, then Jim will take you to your accommodation. Pack your luggage, and also tell the club staff your requirements for accommodation and diet. They will take good care of your daily life, and you just need to focus on training and matches!"
Čech nodded heavily in agreement, then turned and walked out of the office.
"Hey, Petr!" Just before he left, Ethan suddenly called out to him.
Walking out from behind the desk and coming to the side of a puzzled Čech, Ethan gently placed one hand on his forehead and the other on the back of his neck, raising his head high. "You should hold your head higher. When you're going for a high ball, it's very dangerous to keep your head down!"
Čech did not laugh like Schmeichel behind him. He nodded solemnly, then turned and walked out, his head no longer bowed, and the look in his eyes becoming very firm.
...
"José was right. You're getting better at managing people, boss!" Schmeichel said, genuinely convinced.
After seeing off Petr Čech, Ethan walked back to his desk with a smile. There were still several documents waiting for him to sign, all sponsorship contracts signed by Mark David's commercial department with sponsors. These were related to New Manchester United's revenue for the season, so Ethan did not dare take them lightly.
"This isn't manipulation, Peter. I truly believe he will become your successor. Otherwise, I wouldn't have used the precious exceptional talent application on him," Ethan said very seriously.
Schmeichel had heard Ethan talk about this matter for the second time. The first time, he had objected, but this time, his objection was no longer effective because it had already become a fact. However, he still had doubts about Petr Čech's ability.
He had once been a world-class goalkeeper, so his standards would naturally be higher than anyone else's, especially for players in the same position as him. Therefore, his impression of Petr Čech was not entirely good, as the latter had not received professional goalkeeper training.
"Peter, when a gem is first dug out, it's definitely covered in impurities that obscure its true nature. Only those who truly understand how to appreciate it, and are willing to do so, can see the treasure within. In my eyes, Čech is such a gem, but he needs you to appreciate, unearth, and polish him!"
Ethan could understand Schmeichel's arrogance. In fact, anyone who achieved success in football could not have a mediocre personality. They all had their own unique characters, and after achieving certain results and retiring, they would look back at their successors with a condescending gaze, commenting on who resembled them in their prime, or who had the chance to become their successor, and so on.
Pelé, Maradona, Cruyff, Platini, Beckenbauer, and others, were they not all like this?
The current Schmeichel was no different.
This was not wrong in itself, but the problem was that he was also a goalkeeper coach now, and he should look at his players with a calmer perspective, rather than a purely critical one.
Being strict and being critical were two completely different approaches.
"I understand, boss. Don't worry. If he truly is a gem, then I will definitely make him shine!" Schmeichel knew that Ethan was using this to enlighten him, and he was very grateful to him.
Sometimes, Schmeichel had to admit that Ethan's views and understanding of many things far exceeded his own. He could always remind him of certain details within an acceptable range, just as he had once reminded Mourinho.
Because of this, in the eyes of many outsiders, Ethan seemed to never interfere with the team, but in reality, those who truly understood the team knew that Ethan was the unique boss of this team. He had unquestionable authority within the team, not only because he was the owner, but also because everyone believed in him.
"Čech is here. José only needs one more player, a right-back!" Schmeichel said casually.
Ethan shook his head. "The right-back has already been found. You just don't know yet!"
"Really? Who?"
Ethan chuckled. "You'll know then!"
(To be continued.)
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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)