In Portugal, many media outlets commented that this year could be considered an election season in football, almost as lively as a US presidential election, because many clubs were holding elections and changing presidents.
Barcelona, for example, saw Gaspart replace Núñez as the new president of the La Liga giants. The cost was Van Gaal's departure, and Mourinho also left Barcelona because of it, even though the current Mourinho did not yet have much fame in Spain, Portugal, or England.
Real Madrid also held elections this year. Former president Sanz, who had just led the team to Champions League glory, unexpectedly lost to real estate magnate Florentino Pérez. It was truly an astonishing and strange event. As soon as Florentino took office, he immediately opened everyone's eyes with several breathtaking moves, including the signings of Figo and Makelele.
In Portugal, Benfica also held presidential elections this year. However, unlike the history Ethan remembered, President Azevedo, who had originally been expected to suffer an unexpected defeat, successfully defeated his opponent and secured re-election. But Benfica's head coach was not so lucky. Under his leadership, Benfica's results were very poor.
Under those circumstances, Benfica's newly re-elected president naturally thought first of changing the manager.
So, who should replace him?
Paramés, a former reporter for O Globo and currently Benfica's director of communications, recommended his good friend Mourinho, who was coaching an English Third Division side in chilly England, to Azevedo.
"He worked at Barcelona for many years and was Van Gaal's capable assistant. At the same time, he has a lot of experience working at big clubs. Even Cruyff and Van Gaal spoke highly of him. He is excellent. The timing just hasn't been right.
"After leaving Barcelona, he was invited to manage an English Third Division team. Look at what he has done. He led a newly promoted club, one founded less than three years ago, to seven consecutive victories in the professional league and into the promotion playoff places. That is an incredible achievement!"
Clearly, in Paramés' eyes, Mourinho's identity as a former Barcelona assistant was far more impressive than his current identity as New Manchester United's manager.
At least in Portugal, everyone knew Barcelona. But if you mentioned New Manchester United, most people would probably ask curiously, "Where did that team come from?"
"Do you really think he is excellent?" Azevedo asked cautiously.
"Of course. I believe he would be the most suitable manager for us. He is Portuguese, has experience at big clubs, knows how to deal with the media, and deeply understands the essence of Barcelona's system. He will succeed at Benfica. I guarantee it, Mr. President!" Paramés naturally praised his good friend highly.
Azevedo thought for a moment, then nodded.
"All right, then. Please arrange it. I would like to meet him."
Some people said the football world was a very difficult circle to understand.
A transfer worth tens of millions, or the appointment of a manager to lead a squad worth hundreds of millions, often required only one word, one phone call, or one meeting, with no prior evaluation.
That was rarely seen in other fields.
"Of course, Mr. President!"
So, three days later, on an evening in a luxurious restaurant in Manchester city centre, Mourinho appeared punctually at the entrance.
Accompanying him, besides Paramés, was another close friend of Mourinho's, Luís Lourenço.
"Sorry. Even though I've been here for half a year, I'm still not familiar with the traffic," Mourinho apologized with a smile.
He was quite happy that his good friends had come to visit him.
"All right, José, everyone knows your mind is only on football. Next time you go out, it's best to take a taxi!" Paramés' words immediately drew laughter, and even Azevedo was amused.
"José, let me introduce you. This is Mr. Azevedo, the president of Benfica. We came all the way from Portugal!" Paramés said, pointing to his president.
Mourinho was startled and looked at Lourenço.
Lourenço smiled back at him, as if to say, "You're about to get lucky, my friend."
Mourinho immediately understood why they had suddenly appeared in Manchester.
"I heard that New Manchester United, coached by Mr. Mourinho, were only founded less than three years ago?" Azevedo asked casually.
Mourinho nodded.
"Yes. It is a very young club, but a very strong one. The players, the staff, and the owner are all very capable and ambitious."
"Oh, I'm quite interested in meeting Mr. Yu. I heard he is very famous on Wall Street in America, a young and promising tycoon, only twenty-five years old this year. Is that right?" Azevedo asked with a smile.
Mourinho nodded with a smile.
Whenever he thought of his boss, he always felt respect, especially because Ethan had given him absolute trust and support during his most difficult period, while also granting him great authority over the team.
The only area where Mourinho had relatively limited power was recruitment.
Unlike Ferguson's sweeping authority at Manchester United, although Mourinho was highly valued by Ethan and could make his own requests, the actual selection of players was handled by Ethan and the club's scouts.
Of course, Ethan always selected players according to Mourinho's requirements, so Mourinho had no dissatisfaction with that at all. On the contrary, he found it acceptable because the players Ethan brought in were all very good.
For example, Rodrigo Palacio, who had joined that season.
His technique was excellent, but his physique was weak, which made Mourinho hesitant to use him boldly. He only deployed him as a surprise weapon. In addition, the laboratory was developing a strengthening programme for him to help him meet the demands of English football as soon as possible.
Paramés, who was sitting beside them, probably noticed that the conversation between Azevedo and Mourinho had become focused on Ethan and secretly felt that this was not good. So he immediately stated the purpose of their visit.
"José, I know you have always wanted to return home to develop your career. I understand your ability very well. At present, Benfica's results are very poor, and Mr. Azevedo hopes to hire a capable and decisive manager who can help the team turn things around. I recommended you to him!"
Although Mourinho had been mentally prepared, his heart still could not help stirring when he heard those words.
Benfica were a major club in Portugal.
To say he was not tempted would be impossible, especially for someone like Mourinho, who was ambitious, extremely eager for success, and desperate to prove himself. Coaching Benfica was undoubtedly a shortcut to instant recognition.
Perhaps it should be said that if this had been Mourinho right after leaving Barcelona, he would definitely have agreed without hesitation, then immediately gone home to pack his bags, taken his wife and children, and rushed back to Portugal that very night.
But the current Mourinho would not be so impulsive.
He thought of many things.
He remembered what Ethan had once told him, and the promises Ethan had given him. Now, those words and promises were being fulfilled step by step.
"Are you going to be one of the stars in a glittering galaxy, or are you going to forge a magnificent galaxy where future generations can stand?"
"Only those who can afford to lose can achieve final victory, José. You can afford to lose. You absolutely can. I support you, the supporters support you, and the players support you. With that, you can afford to lose. Besides, you haven't lost yet. The season has only just begun!"
Ethan's words still echoed in his ears.
For Mourinho, it felt as if they had been spoken only yesterday.
He was not a person without emotion. Ethan was right. Mourinho simply did not like to show his emotions, so he always put on a cold, aloof, and serious front to intimidate people. In reality, he was deeply emotional and understood the importance of repaying kindness.
Moreover, at New Manchester United, Ethan could provide him with a very large platform for development.
He could lead the team to League One, then the Championship, then finally the Premier League, before moving on to Europe. Perhaps he would even have the chance to touch the Champions League, something ordinary people would not dare dream of so easily.
But at Benfica, would all of that be realistic?
"José, what's wrong?" Lourenço saw Mourinho in a daze and gently nudged him.
"Oh, nothing. I was just thinking about some things," Mourinho apologized, trying to cover it up.
"Is it about the team?" Azevedo asked.
Mourinho knew that the answer to this question was very important, but surprisingly, he did not hesitate.
He nodded.
"Yes, Mr. Azevedo. My team is currently facing some trouble. Two players have been attracted by clubs from higher divisions and want to leave. Mr. Yu and I are both very troubled by it!"
After hearing this, Azevedo shook his head.
"It is indeed difficult for lower-level clubs to keep their players, especially the excellent ones. But I can see that you already have a way to deal with it, don't you?"
Mourinho nodded.
"Yes, Mr. Azevedo. But I am even more confident that even if those two players leave, my team will not be affected too much, because our boss will definitely solve this problem for me."
After hearing that, Azevedo laughed softly.
"To be honest, Mr. Mourinho, after hearing you say that, I suddenly really want to meet Mr. Yu. I hope you can introduce me to him. Perhaps he and I will become friends."
"That will certainly be no problem, Mr. Azevedo. I believe our boss would also be very happy to meet you. He is a very hospitable person, and you will definitely become good friends!" Mourinho said with a smile.
At this point, even a blind person could see the result of the meeting.
But it was also at this moment, in another part of the restaurant, that Scarlett was having dinner with a close friend and happened to see Mourinho and Azevedo laughing knowingly together.
She was immediately startled and called Ethan, which led to the conversation just now.
"No matter who it is, Miss Reporter, I trust my manager. He is a frank person, just like me. We talk about everything. If he has any problems, he will definitely tell me immediately. But before that, I won't make wild guesses, and I hope you won't either, Scarlett!"
Ethan's two forms of address were different.
With the latter, he was clearly treating Scarlett as a friend, which made Scarlett understand that Ethan was telling her it would be best to pretend she had not seen this matter.
She was smart enough to do so.
Therefore, she deliberately chose an inconspicuous corner where Mourinho could not see her, and she could not see Mourinho either.
As a result, she unfortunately missed Mourinho's next words.
(To be continued.)
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