Starting with saving Manchester United

Few people know that Manchester United actually has two training grounds.

Carrington Stadium, which is familiar to football fans all over the world, was actually opened in 2000 and is located in the western suburbs of Manchester.

Prior to this, Manchester United's training ground was located in the northern suburbs, at the Cliff training ground east of the Kessar Wetlands Park.

After Manchester United moved to Carrington in 2000, Cliff became an under-18 youth academy.

When Yang Fan returned to Manchester from London, he did not go back to Carrington, but instead went to Cliff.

This is also one of the Level 1 and Level 2 coaching training centers in the Manchester area.

When Bryan McCuller, Manchester United’s academy director, saw Yang Fan’s application form in Cliff’s office, his expression was truly hilarious.

Who would have thought that the manager of Manchester United would have to receive the lowest level of coaching training at his own youth academy?

"What? No classes lately?" Yang Fan noticed Brian McCuller's expression.

"We are indeed one of the training centers, but we rarely hold training courses of this level. Usually, other small clubs or country clubs are responsible for them."

Yang Fan thought about it and realized it made sense.

Manchester United's training ground is the dream of many fans.

For just £155, you can attend classes at Manchester United's training ground. How attractive is that to local fans?

Besides, Manchester United's coaching training is generally geared towards advanced courses.

Level 1 for beginners...

"It's alright, I'll register at another training center then." Yang Fan didn't want to make things difficult for the other party and replied readily.

McCallis's expression changed, and he quickly tried to dissuade him, "You've misunderstood, Yang, that's not what I meant."

"Then you are...?"

"We'll hold a class on Saturday, but we won't be accepting students from outside the school," McCuller decided.

"What?"

Are you opening a training course specifically for me?

"No need, I can attend classes at other training centers without any problems."

McCallie gave a wry smile. "Do you really think this would be better?"

The fact that the manager of Manchester United is attending Level 1 coaching training is big news in itself.

Why would they go to other training centers to take classes?

Isn't this tantamount to humiliating Manchester United?

At that time, the media across Britain, no, across Europe, will probably be celebrating.

"Don't worry, I'll organize it within the team. There should be quite a few players and staff who want to participate. Even if we don't recruit from outside, it won't be a problem to put together a class just among our own people."

Yang Fan nodded. "Since it's a family-run event, let's choose Carrington as the location for the classes; it'll be more convenient."

"Okay, I'll arrange it."

McCallis worked from both ends, so it wasn't difficult for him.

After completing the formalities, the Manchester United legend looked up, looked at Yang Fan awkwardly, and said with a wry smile, "You are the first working coach in Manchester United's history to receive low-level coaching training at the club."

These words made Yang Fan feel somewhat embarrassed.

Is it my fault?

"By the way, we're going to London for a match on Saturday. What about your class schedule...?"

"Don't worry, the courses will proceed as usual. I'll make all the arrangements. I'll have someone prepare the materials in advance. Just take some time to review them and watch the video lessons. Passing the exam shouldn't be a problem."

"That level 2..."

"Once you pass Level 1, we'll immediately start Level 2 training courses. We'll definitely be able to complete it before the end of the season."

Ha, a guaranteed spot within the team!

Yang Fan said, "I really enjoyed it!"

……

Since the Champions League match is held on Wednesday night, Manchester United will have a rest day on Thursday morning, with recovery training scheduled for the afternoon.

When Yang Fan hitched a ride with McCallis back to Carrington from Cliff, training had already ended.

The players all went home.

Yang Fan, carrying a bag of gifts, walked through the revolving door and arrived at the front desk.

Cass Phipps, in his seventies, was slowly packing his things, preparing to leave work.

When she saw the gift Yang Fan handed her, her wrinkled face immediately broke into a joyful smile.

How did you know I like Freya's chocolate?

"I'm going to Cleveland on business, and there happens to be a chocolate shop nearby, so I thought I'd bring you some."

Cass Phipps held the chocolates in one hand and adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses on the bridge of his nose.

She could tell at a glance that Yang Fan had specially prepared this for her, catering to her preferences.

"Thank you, Yang! I really love your gift."

"You are welcome."

In the movie "Cold War," Li Wenbin once said a line.

Whether in a company or a department, there are many unspoken rules, both overt and covert.

As a newcomer, the first step is to find the clues within the existing rules of the game.

Although Cass Phipps is just a receptionist, she has worked at this club since 1968, from Cliff to Carrington.

In addition to greeting guests at the front desk and answering phones, she was also responsible for cleaning the head coach's office.

Only the club's most loyal employees can earn such trust.

In his previous life, Yang Fan had read Ferguson's autobiography.

In the opening preface, he thanked many people, but the first to be thanked were two female employees.

Lynn Raffen and Cas Phipps.

Kas Phelps can be seen in Beckham's documentary, as well as in many Manchester United documentaries and player biographies; she gets along very well with everyone.

From the former Cliff training ground to the current Carrington training ground, this unassuming receptionist has always been the person most trusted by the head coach and players.

This in itself speaks volumes.

Later, on his first day in office, Solskjaer sent Cas Phelps chocolates.

Therefore, she was the clue that Yang Fan found.

"Fria's chocolates are all very unique. The sea salt flavor is salty and fragrant with a hint of freshness, while the orange flavor is sweet and sour. Taking a bite is like biting into the whole sunny summer."

"Everyone has their own preferences and tastes. My favorite is still the milk flavor, which is rich and smooth."

Cass Phipps looked down at the chocolates in the gift bag and said meaningfully.

When Yang Fan heard this, he saw Cass Phipps's meaningful look and immediately nodded.

"Yes, everyone has their own tastes and preferences, and so do clubs. What special tastes does Cass and Manchester United have?"

Cass Phipps shook his head. "I don't know, things have changed."

Before Yang Fan could ask any further questions, she slowly sat back down in her chair.

"Since moving to Carrington in January 2000, Sir has worked here for 13 years. Everything here, from the layout to the decoration, and even from the initial planning stages, was done according to Sir's ideas."

"David is a good man. In his first month here, he wanted to completely change everything, but he forgot that renovations, even for a small head coach's office, take time, let alone a huge place like Carrington."

Yang Fan understood what Cass Phipps meant: "Perhaps he was too confident, convinced that he could stay here for a full six years, so many things and actions stemmed from that."

If your starting point is wrong, many things will follow suit.

Moreover, the harder you try, the more outrageous your mistakes become.

"Perhaps you are right, Yang, but he didn't firmly believe in himself either; instead, he kept contradicting himself."

"What about me?" Yang Fan asked the question that concerned him the most.

"Last night's victory was very encouraging; the fans' attitudes are changing, and so are the players'!"

After a pause, Cass Phipps smiled at Yang Fan and said, "I received a notice this afternoon that I should tidy up the head coach's office. Starting tomorrow, you should work in there. It's much more spacious than your small office."

"Thank you, Cass. It was a pleasure chatting with you. I hope we can talk every day from now on."

"It's my honor, Yang. You should get up earlier from now on. I'll be responsible for cleaning the head coach's office every day."

After leaving the front desk, Yang Fan went up to the second floor via the spiral staircase.

Jackie Kay came to inform him that the head coach's office and room had been prepared and he could move in and work at any time.

Without hesitation, Yang Fan immediately entered the office that once belonged to Ferguson and Moyes.

His first order was to call the temporary team together for a meeting.

Now that he has become Manchester United's interim manager and has managed to establish himself, he needs to start taking action.