After arriving in Brussels, the place Ethan most wanted to visit was undoubtedly the battlefield of Waterloo. He had always admired Napoleon, just as he admired Caesar. Yet despite that admiration, Ethan had never become as ruthless or uncompromising as either of them. In fact, he often found himself paying close attention to how others felt.
There was nothing wrong with that. He could be tough when necessary, but he preferred to consider other people's feelings, which made it easier for them to accept his words and decisions.
The opening match of the 2000 European Championship was held in Brussels. The tournament's slogan was "Football Without Borders," and the entire opening ceremony revolved around that theme. When the enormous white balloon slowly rose into the air, the atmosphere inside the stadium immediately came alive.
The opening fixture was Belgium against Sweden. The result was exactly as Ethan remembered from his previous life, with Belgium defeating a Sweden side led by Ljungberg 2-1. The Arsenal winger was completely contained and failed to show his usual quality or pose any real threat to Belgium.
The only disappointment came after the match, when celebrating Belgian supporters clashed with police in Brussels city centre. Reports said the situation became extremely chaotic, with officers even using tear gas and several people being injured.
"I suppose we should be thankful we didn't arrange to meet in the city centre, José," Ethan said with a smile inside a quiet café.
Sitting opposite him was José Mourinho, a stern-looking Portuguese coach who had previously served as Van Gaal's assistant at Barcelona.
However, following a change in Barcelona's presidency, Nuñez, who had supported Van Gaal, stepped down and Gaspart took control. Van Gaal chose to resign, and most of his coaching staff left with him, including Mourinho.
Van Gaal himself was not short of options. Several clubs had already expressed interest in appointing him. There were also reports in the Netherlands that people had concerns about the national team's prospects under Rijkaard at the European Championship. The possibility of Van Gaal temporarily taking charge could not be ruled out, especially since Rijkaard's record with the Dutch national side had not been particularly impressive.
This reminded Ethan that Rijkaard's time in charge of Barcelona would almost certainly become the high point of his managerial career. After leaving the club, he would never again achieve truly satisfying results.
Speaking of Barcelona, Ethan greatly admired the club's structure. Their academy and first team were integrated almost perfectly.
As Van Gaal's former assistant, Mourinho currently had no clear destination. In Ethan's previous life, he would take charge of Benfica in late September, resign three months later, remain unemployed until the summer of 2001, and then begin the extraordinary journey that would eventually see him conquer European football.
Ethan had chosen Mourinho not because of the remarkable achievements he knew the Portuguese would later accomplish, but because managers like Ferguson were becoming increasingly rare, and Mourinho was the one he admired most among them.
Even Bruce could not compare in that respect.
"I think the pressure of the European Championship has driven both the police and the supporters mad. Otherwise, how could football hooliganism have become such a serious problem?" Mourinho said in a grave tone.
A few days earlier, the Netherlands had deported a group of English supporters suspected of being hooligans. It was a problem that had plagued English football for years and might even damage England's chances of hosting a future World Cup.
"Perhaps you have to experience English football first-hand to understand it. Hooliganism has become part of the culture surrounding the game there. Even so, I've always believed that the overwhelming majority of supporters genuinely love football."
"I've been to England. The supporters are passionate, but the football itself is poor, especially tactically and technically," Mourinho replied, clearly holding strong prejudices against the English game.
"No, José, that was true in the past. But think about what has happened over the last few years. Since the Premier League was established, more and more foreign players have arrived, and more foreign managers have entered English football. Before long, it will become the centre of European football."
Ethan leaned slightly forward.
"And you should understand that the Premier League has one enormous advantage the other leagues do not. Its commercial development. Just look at the annual television revenue."
Mourinho could not refute him.
The two men were looking at the subject from different perspectives. Mourinho approached it as a football professional, while Ethan viewed it as a club owner. Their priorities were different, so naturally they saw different things.
"Would you be interested in coaching in England?" Ethan asked suddenly.
Mourinho was not surprised. From the moment he received Ethan's call, he had understood the purpose of the meeting.
He had also asked friends to investigate New Manchester United. Founded only two years earlier, the club had won the double in both seasons. Its owner, Ethan Yu, was reportedly extremely wealthy, owned several businesses in the United States, and was also known as a fanatical football supporter.
What impressed Mourinho most was Ethan's decision to break away from Manchester United and create a new club, which had caused a major sensation in England at the time.
Another notable incident was Ethan's television interview the previous season, when he mocked Manchester United chairman Edwards. The interview had become one of the catalysts for Edwards's downfall, while also making many die-hard Manchester United supporters resent both Ethan and New Manchester United.
"Honestly, no," Mourinho replied without hesitation.
Although he respected some of what Ethan had done, that did not mean he was willing to accept the job.
Mourinho was proud enough that he never worried about running out of opportunities.
Even though, up to that point, no club had actually offered him one.
After being rejected so directly, Ethan did not become angry. Instead, he laughed.
"You really are arrogant, José. I admit that, given where our club is right now, you have reason to look down on us. But you will regret this decision. I can guarantee that within five years, you will regret what you said today."
Ethan's tone was even more arrogant than Mourinho's.
You want to be proud? Then I'll be prouder.
"In that case, it seems we have nothing more to discuss, Mr. Yu," Mourinho said coldly.
"So it seems, Mr. Mourinho," Ethan replied, his tone hardening.
"I had thought you were a man of vision, but today's meeting has completely changed my opinion. With such a narrow outlook, I don't believe you're suitable for our club. I'll consider other candidates. Sorry to have wasted your time."
With that, Ethan stood and turned to leave.
But as he passed Mourinho, the Portuguese suddenly spoke.
"What exactly do you mean by that, Mr. Yu?"
Ethan stopped, turned back, and gave him a cold, mocking smile.
"Isn't it obvious? You rejected us because we've only just been promoted to League Two. You believe your ability is already good enough for any major club in Europe. You probably think I'm ridiculous for being arrogant enough to ask you to become our manager."
The string of questions left Mourinho momentarily speechless.
In truth, he had not thought about it in quite those terms.
But he had indeed felt that managing New Manchester United would be beneath his ability, which was why he rejected the offer without hesitation.
Even so, he could not deny Ethan's accusation.
"Let me tell you something, Mr. Mourinho. From the moment I decided to create New Manchester United, this club was destined to become extraordinary. Not because of you. Not because of Steve Bruce. Certainly not because of Manchester United."
Ethan stared directly at him.
"Because of me."
The words were shamelessly arrogant, even more so than anything Mourinho had said.
"Yes, we're in League Two right now. But we'll win promotion this year, and we'll win promotion again the year after that. Within five years, we'll reach the Premier League. Within ten years, we'll become a club feared across Europe, perhaps even European champions."
Ethan's voice remained firm.
"When that day comes, Mr. Mourinho, will you still have the right to look down on us?"
The reason Ethan dared to speak so confidently was simple. Mourinho had no idea what he himself would achieve over the next ten years.
In fact, Ethan was the only person in the world who knew that Mourinho would still be just as arrogant a decade later.
"You can manage a powerful team. You can work for one of Europe's great clubs. But let me tell you this, Mr. Mourinho. At those clubs, you may be nothing more than a passing figure in their long history, one star among countless others."
Ethan gestured sharply.
"But New Manchester United are creating a history of our own. A universe of our own. We are building landmark after landmark that future generations will look back on with admiration."
"Do you understand why Ferguson is great? Because he created the Manchester United dynasty with his own hands."
"And now New Manchester United are searching for our own Ferguson, someone who can lead the club in creating a Red Rebels dynasty."
Ethan narrowed his eyes.
"But what have you seen? Nothing beyond the fact that we are currently a League Two club."
"Frankly, Mr. Mourinho, perhaps you will lead some team to impressive results. Perhaps you will achieve things that earn widespread admiration."
"But with such limited vision, you will never become a Ferguson."
"And it will be difficult for anyone to call you truly great."
Of course, Ethan did not genuinely believe that only managers like Ferguson deserved to be considered great.
He was simply using the comparison to provoke Mourinho.
Even after Ethan left, Mourinho remained seated in the same place, staring ahead in silence.
No one knew what he was thinking.
Perhaps Ethan's words really had struck a nerve.
Ferguson was one of the managers Mourinho admired most. He was strong, intelligent, adaptable, and had recently achieved something almost everyone in football respected.
Mourinho could not help comparing himself to him.
Even years later, when he managed Chelsea, Mourinho would judge Ferguson by a very different standard from Wenger.
Perhaps that was because Ferguson and Mourinho shared many similarities in temperament.
Would Mourinho become merely another star in someone else's universe?
Or would he create a brilliant universe of his own?
(To be continued.)