Cassel had spent more than twenty years in Manchester United's youth academy and had been Eric Harrison's right-hand man. He knew the tactical core of Manchester United inside out.
As a centre-back, Bruce had played for Manchester United for nine years. He was one of the strongest witnesses of Ferguson's era at Manchester United and a first-hand participant in the club's step-by-step rise to the peak of glory. He likewise had his own understanding and insight into Manchester United's tactical system.
It was these two men, both so familiar with Manchester United's tactics, who sparked a fierce conflict over New Manchester United's tactical system.
Almost from the first day Cassel joined New Manchester United, he started picking apart Bruce's team tactics, and the two often ended up in heated debates.
Ethan and the others had long since grown used to scenes like this.
"I have always believed that off-the-ball movement is the core of a team's tactical structure. As long as we combine off-the-ball movement with passing and receiving, it will definitely make the team's tactics more fluid and more attacking, whether in defence or attack!" Cassel stubbornly insisted on his point of view.
In truth, his views had been inherited directly from Eric Harrison.
"That's true, but look at our players. Their passing accuracy simply can't compare with professional players. Even Darren Lyons, our best passer, can you guarantee that every time he plays a pass while his teammate is on the move, the ball will arrive right at his feet or into his path, so he can take it comfortably and keep moving without breaking stride?"
Bruce looked even more agitated than Cassel.
"Come on, Jim, this is an amateur league. In my view, even if you gave Lyons a hundred passes, maybe only 60 would come off. Think about it, if Lyons, our best passer, is like that, what about the others?"
"I don't deny your point, Steve. You are the head coach, and you have a lot of authority in this area, but that doesn't mean I agree with your philosophy of stressing physical confrontation while overlooking off-the-ball movement and passing combinations." Cassel remained just as firm as ever.
"Jim, no one is overlooking off-the-ball movement or passing combinations!"
"But that's exactly what your tactics are doing! Look at what the newspapers and fans are saying about our team. 'Mad pressing.' Oh, for God's sake, are you going to deny that?"
"That's because our team lacks the foundation for it. You should know, Jim, that passing, dribbling, and control all require talent, it's just that they require different kinds of talent. Take Michael Johnson for example. The moment I saw him, I was drawn to his control and passing. I think he's very gifted in that area. But look at our current squad, do you think there is anyone like Michael Johnson?"
"Listen to me, Steve, don't get worked up. I'm not criticising your team. On the contrary, I agree with how you've built the squad. At the very least, we are sitting top of the North West Counties League Division Two and are 14 points ahead of second place. That's an incredible advantage. But that does not mean your team's tactics are balanced and rational."
..."How long have they been arguing this time?" Ethan sat to one side and asked Walsh.
Because Bruce and Cassel's desks had been pushed back to back, their argument had turned into a face-to-face confrontation. The two desks were covered with messy training charts and tactical sketches.
Because he lacked professional knowledge, Ethan only had a vague understanding of what was on those diagrams. He could only make sense of a little now and then by listening in on their conversation.
Back when he was just a fan, Ethan had thought being a professional coach did not seem all that difficult. Just set up a formation like 4-4-2 or 4-3-3, arrange the players according to their positions, forwards up front, defenders at the back, then train them according to the demands of those positions, practise some so-called tactics, and then get ready for the match.
But in reality, being a head coach was nowhere near that easy.
At the very least, Ethan knew that for the movements of just the four midfielders alone, Cassel had drawn nearly a hundred diagrams. At the same time, those diagrams included different arrangements depending on the specific strengths of the players. For example, if a player was left-footed, the pass played to him had to take that into account, so the detailed instructions would differ from those for a right-footed player.
Then there was the defensive structure of the back line. The difference between using one defensive midfielder and a double pivot was enormous, and the extent to which the two full-backs pushed forward directly affected the construction of the whole defensive system. All of this was highly specialised knowledge.
As a fan, Ethan was experienced, but he could not understand any of it at all. Looking at Cassel's diagrams felt like reading some kind of scripture. That was the gap between a professional coach and a fan.
In the early days after his transmigration, Ethan had considered whether he should try being a head coach himself, but he later gave up the idea completely. He knew he simply was not cut out for it.
In this world, any team's tactics were incredibly complex. That was why it had taken Ferguson more than ten years to lead Manchester United to the summit, and why Cruyff's philosophy had taken more than ten years to be fully absorbed by Barcelona.
And now, Ethan hoped that Cassel and Bruce could establish a tactical system for the club that would be consistent with the youth academy, so that the club could continue along one tactical path.
Learning from Manchester United today, Arsenal tomorrow, Barcelona the day after, and Real Madrid the day after that, a team like that would never have a day of success. Even as a fan, Ethan understood that very clearly.
"Almost two hours now!" Walsh replied with a smile.
"Then it should be almost over!" Ethan said cheerfully. He did not think there was anything wrong with them arguing. At the very least, it allowed both sides to absorb each other's ideas more effectively.
Besides, while Steve Bruce had undoubtedly been glorious as a player, as a coach he was only just getting started. He still had shortcomings in many areas. After all, being a player and being a coach were two completely different professions.
"By the way, Ethan, it's Christmas the day after tomorrow. The team starts their break tomorrow. Why don't you come over to my house and spend it with us?" Walsh suggested.
"Christmas?" Ethan froze for a moment, then immediately realised that Christmas had arrived without him even noticing. "Better not. I'll find something to do on my own!"
Walsh's family of three was happy and harmonious. If he went along, he would just be an extra wheel. Besides, Westerners placed great importance on Christmas. It was one thing for him to be alone, but why bother other people?
Speaking of being alone, Ethan immediately thought of Curtis and Evra. He needed to find a chance to ask those two boys if they had any plans for Christmas.
As for Messi, Jorge had already moved the family over from Argentina a few days earlier. Ethan had arranged for someone to find them a house beforehand, so they could move in straight away. They would most likely be spending Christmas together as a family.
"Only I'm all alone. That's too miserable!" Ethan felt secretly downcast.
"Something to do? What could you possibly have to do?" Walsh teased with a laugh. "But seriously, Ethan, I think you should find a girlfriend and start a family!" Walsh knew Ethan's situation well.
Ever since his parents passed away, Ethan had been living alone. It might not matter much on ordinary days, but once a holiday came around and everyone else was gathering with family, he would definitely feel at least a little lonely.
"No suitable candidate!" Ethan shook his head with a smile.
"I think that female reporter is quite good!" Bruce had apparently reached some kind of preliminary agreement with Cassel at some point and walked over with a smile. "You two used to argue every time you met, but lately it seems like she's surrendered to you."
Walsh also nodded repeatedly from the side, clearly backing Ethan.
Ethan immediately shook his head with a bitter smile. "I couldn't handle a woman like that!"
"Then how about coming to my house? My son is always going on about wanting to see you!" Bruce laughed.
"I'll pass on that too. Don't worry about me, I'll definitely find something to do. If nothing else, I'll go upstairs and have a huge row with that woman. Anyway, we're already enemies. If I'm not happy, she shouldn't expect to be either!" Ethan joked in an exaggerated tone.
Everyone burst out laughing when they heard that, although they all knew very well that Ethan was definitely not the kind of person who would actually do something like that.
"By the way, Steve, Jim, what was the result of your discussion today?" Ethan quickly changed the subject.
Cassel looked at Bruce, who shrugged and acted as if he did not care. Cassel then smiled and said, "I've won for the time being. From now on, the youth academy training is under my control, and he can't interfere. As for the first team, they'll follow my suggestion and suitably add more off-the-ball movement and passing drills."
"Will that affect the team?" Ethan's main concern was still promotion.
"Don't worry, I'll keep it under control. I plan to use the league matches as training. You know, we have a huge lead in the league right now, we're 14 points clear after just 18 rounds. So we can afford to approach these changes with a relaxed mindset!" Bruce was not worried at all.
Apart from the league, New Manchester United had also been winning all the way through the FA Cup qualifying rounds and had reached the first round proper. Their luck had been good this time. They avoided professional sides from the Conference, League Two, and Division Two. Their opponent was Forest Green from the Southern League. This was also a long-established side, but their league finishes had never been especially high. Their current position was already the best in their history.
Although the Premier League has the busiest Christmas schedule, there is a one-week Christmas break in the amateur leagues. After that, there will be one round of league fixtures, followed by a home match against Forest Green.
Since the opposition came from a higher-level league, Bruce was taking this match very seriously. A win would mean reaching the second round of the FA Cup, where they would face professional teams.
And if they could keep going through the second round, then in the third round they would start to face Division One and Premier League sides.
Although Bruce did not say it outright, Ethan knew perfectly well that his target was the third round. He was hoping to draw a Division One or Premier League side, though not necessarily the Manchester United that the fans and media were all expecting.
(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.)