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Chapter 295 New Challenges
The match has reached the 75th minute, and Sven Heldon used all of his substitutions five minutes ago.

But the score remained unchanged, with the scoreboard on the big screen still showing 0-3, and the home team Ruhr United trailing.

The television broadcast once again focused the camera on Sven Heldon, which was probably the umpteenth time during the match.

He stood on the sidelines, his brows furrowed and his lower lip clenched.

The balding part of his head gleamed palely under the stadium lights, with white steam rising from it.

His brain must still be working at high speed right now, consuming a huge amount of energy, which is why it can generate so much heat...

But looking at the score and the scene, it's clear that his high-speed brain wasn't functioning as expected.

It's useless to just pose on the sidelines like "I'm very professional" or "I'm thinking of a solution".

Wang Lie turned his gaze back to the home team's coaching bench and saw Heldon standing there without moving an inch, truly like a statue.

He looked up at the game time on the big screen again.

It's the 76th minute of the match.

So Wang Lie finally made up his mind.

※※※

In the 78th minute, Ribeiro's dribbling breakthrough on the wing was tackled out of bounds by a Ruhr United player.

Although Ribeiro waved his arms to signal to the referee that he had been fouled after falling to the ground, the referee did not grant his request.

The whistle was blown, but it only signaled to Tyne to throw the ball inbounds.

Ribeiro didn't continue arguing with the referee. This kind of thing is something that happens when there's no chance of success, and it's a little trick that professional players would use.

For example, if you get knocked to the ground by an opponent, you'll definitely yell, even if the collision was legitimate. It's to put pressure on the referee.

If this tactic is used too many times, what if the referee is actually influenced?

It also serves as a warning to the opposing players, reminding them not to try and take advantage of them.

Players who are fouled but remain silent and get up from the ground are arguably unqualified in professional sports.

Because professional matches are battlefields, those who are "gentle, kind, respectful, frugal, and modest" on the battlefield are usually the ones who die the fastest.

Professional players are even taught these tricks and strategies by their coaches during their youth training phase.

In a professional match, besides the contest of football skills, there is a constant battle of wits and courage almost every minute.

Sometimes it succeeds, sometimes it fails.

Everything is normal.

Ribeiro didn't say much, and after getting up, he walked onto the field.

This kind of throw-in in the attacking third naturally falls to his teammate, right-back Barnabas.

However, when Barnabas ran up to ask the ball boy for it, Wang Lie, who was standing on the field, suddenly made a gesture to the coaching staff of Tyne on the sidelines:
He crossed his left and right index fingers and drew circles.

Sam McNeil, who was standing in front of the away team's bench on the sidelines, saw this gesture and his expression changed drastically!

His assistant coach, Cesar Varo, exclaimed in surprise, "What happened to Wang?!"

Not only them, but the commentators were also shouting and yelling:

"Wang Lie has made a substitution gesture! He has voluntarily requested to be taken off the field!"

"If I remember correctly, this is Wang's first time since joining Tyne, right?"

"As far as I remember, Wang would never ask to be substituted unless he was injured... So does this mean that Wang is injured?"

"...But we didn't notice anything unusual about Wang's performance in the previous matches. When was he injured?"

"...Injury is not out of the question. So far in this match, Wang has only scored two goals. But the last time he faced Heldon, he scored six goals and provided three assists, accounting for all nine of Tyne's goals. Compared to that, Wang's performance in this match... isn't even that good!"

……

That's right, that's exactly what McNeil and Varro were worried about—Wang Lie asked to be substituted, could it be that he was injured?

Otherwise, given Wang Lie's personality and temperament, how could he not have played the entire match if he hadn't been injured?
Previously, if you wanted to substitute Wang Lie or replace him early, you had to talk to him before the game, tell him why you wanted to do it, and hope to get Wang Lie's understanding.

Although McNeil is the head coach, he even seemed somewhat "humble" in front of Wang Lie.

Some powers that should belong to the head coach do not apply to Wang Lie.

Whenever Wang Lie is involved, everything must be discussed with him.

otherwise……

Sven Heldon, who is now standing dumbfounded on the sidelines, serves as a cautionary tale.

Why was Sam McNeil able to secure Tyne's position as head coach?

Because he was self-aware and fully respected Wang Lie's opinions, he never considered himself the head coach of the team.

Get your bearings straight and know who the real leader of this team is.

McNeil also knew that his biggest advantage in achieving good results was not the tactics in his mind, nor even the financial support provided by the club, but Wang Lie himself.

Without Wang Lie, he would have been just an ordinary head coach. Even if he had been able to implement his tactical ideas in Tyne, the team's performance would certainly not be what it is now.

During the transition to new tactics, the team's performance will inevitably fluctuate, sometimes for better, sometimes for worse.

How could they possibly remain undefeated like this?
How many times has Wang Lie relied on his personal strength to turn the tide and save him from dire straits?

If his coaching career were his life, then Wang Lie would be his savior, the kind who saved him multiple times.

So how could McNeil possibly have the illusion that he could be above his savior when facing Wang Lie?

※※※

In fact, Sven Heldon did not stand motionless on the sidelines, continuing to play the role of a statue.

Upon seeing Wang Lie make the substitution gesture, Heldon became excited. He turned to his assistant coach, Norbert Demos, behind him and asked, "Did you see that, Norbert? Did you see that?"

Demos nodded, giving him an affirmative answer: "I saw it, Sven!"

Heldon asked him excitedly, "So he's injured?"

Demos shook his head: "I don't know. But... he's only scored two goals so far in this game, and he hasn't been very aggressive since scoring the second one. So maybe... it's true."

Heldon got the answer he wanted, but after his initial excitement, he gritted his teeth and said bitterly, "Why did it take you so long to get hurt?!"

He really hates it.

Why did he have to get injured with just over ten minutes left in the game?
Why didn't you get injured sooner?!
If the injury had occurred just ten minutes into the game, the match wouldn't have unfolded the way it has now...

If that's the case... if that's the case... how could I be in such a sorry state?!

Upon realizing this, Sven Heldon's initial excitement at seeing Wang Lie injured quickly subsided.

All that remained was schadenfreude.

Thinking that after the match against him, Wang Lie would be unable to maintain his form due to injury, and his performance would decline, which would also cause Tyne's results to decline... Sven Heldon felt a sense of satisfaction.

Even if it doesn't change his own fate, he's happy to see Wang Lie and Tai En not doing well.

There's a sense of exhilaration in thinking, "Even if I die, I'll drag you down with me."

So even though he covered his mouth and half his face, the smile in his eyes still couldn't be hidden.

But right now, no one is paying attention to him; everyone's focus is on Wang Lie.

At the coaching bench, the team doctor had already brought his medical kit, ready to check on Wang Lie at any moment. Assistant coach Varo had already gone to call substitute striker Milton Tucker to the coaching bench.

The players from Tyne on the field also ran towards Wang Lie, wanting to show their concern for him.

A commotion erupted in the media section. Chinese journalists were panicked, and journalists from other countries were also somewhat bewildered by the sudden turn of events. Some were shocked, some were skeptical, and some were gloating.

The fans from both sides in the stands amplified all these emotions.

The Tyne fans, who had been singing nonstop because they had been dominating the game, all fell silent and watched the field with worry.

The Ruhr United fans became excited again, and their songs rang out.

The atmosphere on the scene changed abruptly just because of Wang Lie's gesture to substitute.

The competition itself seemed to have become less important; everyone was more interested in what had happened to Wang Lie.

Ribeiro was the first to rush to Wang Lie's side, anxiously asking, "What's wrong, Wang?"

Seeing his flustered appearance, Wang Lie knew what he was thinking, so he reassured him first: "Don't worry, Miguel, I'm not hurt."

Ribeiro still couldn't believe it: "Then why did you volunteer to come off the field?"

Wang Lie smiled at him and said, "You're tired. Don't forget I'm an old man who's almost thirty-nine."

After saying that, he walked to the sidelines. Milton Tucker was already standing there, looking equally surprised and uncertain. He had even forgotten to bring his competition pass, and it was Finley Hughes, the offensive coach from the coaching staff, who ran all the way to bring it to him.

There was a sense of chaos and disarray on the entire coaching and bench areas of Tyne.

Ribeiro, however, watched his retreating figure, forgetting to go up and help the nearly thirty-nine-year-old man...

Yes, if the king hadn't mentioned it, he would have almost forgotten that the king was almost thirty-nine years old!
Therefore, it is entirely reasonable for Wang to say that he was tired.

But based on my understanding of the king, how could it be because he was tired?

How could the king feel tired from slapping Heldon across the face?

Isn't this the opportunity he's been dreaming of and waiting for?
※※※

When Wang Lie walked to the sidelines, apart from Milton Tucker, who was about to replace him, the team's head coach, assistant coach, team doctor, and teammates on the bench were already waiting for him.

They all looked at him with anxious expressions and questioning eyes.

That expression reminded Wang Lie of when he first became a father, standing outside the delivery room, waiting for the door to open and the doctor in charge of the delivery to come out...

He never expected that his impromptu decision would cause so many people to be nervous about him.

But at the same time, he also felt a deep sense of care and love from the eyes and expressions of these people.

My love for him isn't because he's a top superstar who won the Golden Globe, nor because he can lead them to victory.

Perhaps it was related to status and self-interest in the past, but at least at this moment, it is not like that.

Wang Lie could sense that these people were standing outside the boundary line, leaning forward, mouths agape as if about to speak, eyes wide, waiting for him with concern, simply because he was their comrade-in-arms.

Yes, there were no complicated reasons or justifications; it was simply because they were comrades-in-arms. Comrades-in-arms who shared joys and sorrows and fought side by side.

In a united group, isn't this the natural thing to do?

Everyone genuinely cares about those around them and is willing to fight with all their might for their comrades...

Looking at his comrades, Wang Lie smiled at them and raised his hand in a gesture of greeting:

"Don't worry, I'm not hurt. I'm just a little tired."

※※※

"In a key match that concluded tonight, Tyne secured a resounding 3-0 away victory against last season's Europa League champions, Ruhr United."

"Although it was a fourth-tier team that defeated the seeded team in the group, in a sense, this match cannot be considered an 'upset'."

"Wang fulfilled his pre-match 'promise' and came here to take away a victory and three points."

"However, the most eye-catching aspect of this match was not the result, but rather that in the 78th minute, with his team leading by three goals, Wang voluntarily requested to be substituted! This immediately sparked numerous speculations and opinions..."

"Many people speculate that he may have been injured during the match. After all, his performance in the second encounter with Heldon was indeed much less impressive compared to the first meeting..."

However, in the post-match press conference, Tyne's head coach, Sam McNeil, denied these speculations. He said that Wang was in good health and was just a little tired.

"That makes sense. After all, Wang is a veteran who will turn 39 next February. With the recent packed schedule, his stamina is insufficient to play a full match, so it's reasonable for him to request to be substituted..."

"However, the general consensus is that this is just a smokescreen released by McNeil. After all, given Wang's style, unless he's injured, when has he ever asked to leave the field?"

※※※

When Tang Xingmei came out of the shower, she saw her husband sitting on the bed with his back to the headboard. Although he was holding a phone, he was obviously not looking at it, because his eyes were wandering into the distance and unfocused.

This wasn't the first time Tang Xingmei had seen her husband like this today.

After the match against Ruhr United, the entire Tyne team took a chartered plane and flew back to Newcastle overnight.

She herself flew directly from Dortmund back to Newcastle on a private plane, because her husband had to travel with the team and therefore returned later.

When her husband returned home, she was already waiting there, only to find him in a low mood.

Despite winning the game, they were disheartened.

Tang Xingmei thought it was because she was too tired.

After all, her husband should have been in bed by this time of day. He had just finished a game and then traveled by plane and car to get home.

It was indeed very tiring, so it's normal that he seemed a bit listless.

Even now, after she has finished showering, she sees her husband, who has already finished washing up, lying half-reclined on the bed but not asleep, looking preoccupied.

She then realized that her husband wasn't just tired, but genuinely troubled.

Considering the unexpected fact that her husband had voluntarily requested to be substituted in the last ten minutes of the match, Tang Xingmei simply asked:

"What's wrong? Are you really injured?"

Wang Lie snapped out of his daze and shook his head when his wife asked, "No, I'm really not injured."

"Didn't you say McNeil didn't believe you? He even scheduled a physical exam for you tomorrow..."

Wang Lie was speechless; Sam McNeil was being overly cautious about whether he was injured or not.

Although he stated at the time that he was perfectly fine, McNeil still had the team doctor give him a quick check-up on the spot.

The result, naturally, was that he was very healthy.

But McNeil still didn't believe it, so he arranged for him to go to the club for a more detailed medical examination the next day.

Wang Lie did not refuse—because he knew he was really not injured, but since no one would believe him if he said it, he would let the medical report answer for him.

Now, facing his wife, Wang Lie was very direct: "You said it yourself that Sam doesn't believe me, so how can you not believe me?"

Tang Xingmei wanted this answer, so she asked, "Then why do you look so listless?"

Wang Lie sighed: "Because it was too easy to win..."

Tang Xingmei didn't roll her eyes because she knew her husband wouldn't put on such a boring act in front of her.

As expected, Wang Lie continued, "Actually, I hoped that Ruhr Steel Union could cause us some trouble in the game... That's why I deliberately provoked them before the game. I thought that their anger would make them more tenacious, but... we not only won by three goals, but also completely dominated Ruhr Steel Union in terms of the game and the process."

"Isn't this a good thing?" Tang Xingmei asked.

Wang Lie shook his head: "In two matches against me, Heldon's team conceded twelve goals but didn't score a single one... Especially in today's match, despite leading last season's Europa League champions and Bundesliga 'mini treble' winners, they were completely dominated by us and posed virtually no threat to us... What does this mean? It means that Sven Heldon is just a pretty face!"

At this point, Wang Lie finally became emotional, and even his voice rose a little.

"Logically speaking, with his abilities, there's no way he could become the head coach of Ruhr United. So why is he? Because he previously managed Sofia United; he has experience coaching top clubs. So why is it that such an idiot can become the head coach of one of England's most successful clubs?"

"Not only did he become the head coach of Sofia United, but he also did whatever he wanted at the club! He told me to go to the youth team, and I had to go... What a powerful position! But who gave him that authority? Who told him to do this?"

"Sorford United did everything they could to support him, and what did they get in the end? They still failed to qualify for the Champions League. And my career at Sofia was forced to end because of such a piece of trash..."

At this point, Wang Lie couldn't help but laugh.

He shook his head and laughed.

His wife, Tang Xingmei, finally understood.

It turned out that the husband felt that everything he had suffered before was not worth it.

He has encountered many troubles and difficulties in his career.

These troubles and difficulties were mostly caused by powerful opponents.

He strives to improve himself, overcomes powerful opponents, and tackles all difficulties... He sees this as a challenge, and he is happy to embrace all kinds of challenges. Even if he loses because of it, he will simply pick himself up and start over.

He enjoys the feeling of challenging strong opponents.

But who could have imagined that the greatest hardship, setback, and lowest point in his career so far would be brought to him by a mediocre coach who only knew how to talk big at post-match press conferences?
He was kicked out of the team he once wanted to dedicate himself to by such a superficial and worthless player, becoming a laughing stock around the world, humiliated by countless people, and even his dream of winning the World Cup was almost shattered...

It did not lose to a powerful enemy, but to a wild dog.

How embarrassing for such a proud man as her husband!
She finally understood why her husband had volunteered to be replaced—because he didn't want to get entangled with this kind of trash anymore.

After laughing, Wang Lie's tone turned serious, even carrying a hint of sharp killing intent:
"So I've decided that we must ruthlessly defeat Sofia United in the League Cup next week. Let everyone know that Sofia United is safe just because they sacked Heldon. The real problems haven't been solved at all! The real culprit is still sitting comfortably in the chairman's seat..."

After all, the person who decided to make Sven Heldon, a dud, the head coach of Sofia United was none other than the club's general manager, Jonathan Hall.

As long as Hall is still in office, Sofia United will never get better.

Hearing her husband's murderous words, Tang Xingmei shook her head and poured cold water on him: "But according to your logic, Hall, who decided to make Heldon the head coach, should be held responsible. Then shouldn't Barker, the owner who decided to make Hall, the rugby manager, the general manager of Soforth United, be the person in charge?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Lie was taken aback. Logically speaking, that was indeed the case.

Every wrong has its perpetrator, and every debt has its debtor; Hall is just a working-class man.

but……

"After all, Barker is the club's owner. Changing the general manager is always easier and more likely than changing the owner, right? Changing the general manager is still possible. But to expect to change the owner in a few games in a short period of time is just wishful thinking..."

Wang Lie explained.

At the same time, it seems like he's trying to convince himself why he's only targeting Jonathan Hall, and not the club's owner and chairman, John Barker.

His explanation was met with laughter from his wife, Tang Xingmei, who simultaneously wagged her finger.

"It's not just a few matches, nor is it a short period of time."

"what?"

"Didn't you already renew your contract with Tyne for five years? So you still have plenty of opportunities!"

Wang Lie, who had been completely confused, suddenly brightened up.

Yup!

Even after the World Cup next year, I will not retire, but plan to continue playing for Tyne.

He himself knew that the real turning point for Sofia United's decline was after the American owner, John Barker, acquired the club.

Everything changed when the club's legendary manager Matt Perkins and legendary coach Yannas Biermann left the club.

As the saying goes, every wrong has its perpetrator and every debt its debtor, so who is this biggest "debtor"?

Of course, it's American businessman John Barker!
From the very first day he acquired Sofia United, countless people believed that he was merely using Sofia United as a tool to make money, and that he didn't love this prestigious club that held so many people's emotions.

So if one were to truly put their ideas into practice, John Barker would be an unavoidable figure.

If he doesn't dare to touch the club owner, then his previous claims of acting in Sofia's best interests are nothing but hypocrisy...

Of course, even if all the club owners were to step down, five seasons wouldn't be enough.

But what if you could inflict a devastating defeat on Sofia every time?
Is this enough?
Wang Lie, who had been feeling listless, suddenly perked up because he had found himself another career challenge: to transform Sofia United!

This may sound a bit outrageous.

But when he first arrived in Tyne, he said he wanted to get this relegation-threatened team into the Champions League. Was that outrageous?

Is it absurd that he told his teammates and coaching staff within the Chinese team that his goal for next year's World Cup was to win the championship?

They're all outrageous.

But he has already achieved the former.

And he will definitely do the latter.

So why is it impossible for them to beat Sofia United to a new owner?

Having regained his composure, Wang Lie looked up at his wife, who stood before him with a radiant smile.

She had just taken a shower, and her hair, not yet completely dry, clung slightly to her cheeks and forehead, making her face rosy, like a ripe peach...

It wasn't just Wang Lie who recovered his spirits; his brother did too.

So he got out of bed and hugged his wife.

This startled Tang Xingmei: "Hey, what are you doing...?"

She could no longer make a sound, because her husband had sealed her lips with his...

(End of this chapter)