I wasn't expecting much when I dropped the event yesterday. I guess you guys are enjoying the book. Nice to see, so here's one more bonus for you guys xD.
Next bonus at 400 PS
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Designing a stadium involved an extraordinarily complex range of details. As someone with no professional background in architecture, Ethan could offer little technical advice.
However, as an admirer of the Allianz Arena, he had researched the stadium extensively in his previous life and could still offer opinions on certain aspects. He was also the club's owner, while the two Swiss architects had never designed a football stadium before, so they were naturally willing to consider his suggestions.
After the contract was officially signed, Herzog and de Meuron established a temporary base in Manchester.
They began surveying the land around the City of Manchester Stadium, as well as the surrounding road network. At Ethan's invitation, they also attended several Red Rebels home matches, including the Football League Trophy final at the end of March.
The match was held at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.
Mourinho attached considerable importance to the occasion and selected his strongest available lineup. Palacio continued in the attacking midfield role as New Manchester United used a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Unlike Blackburn in the League Cup final, however, Brighton posed little threat.
New Manchester United dominated the match from beginning to end and completely overwhelmed their opponents.
Despite his youth, Curtis performed with great composure against the departing Kitson and gave him no opportunity to make an impact.
Curtis then took advantage of a set piece at the other end to score, helping New Manchester United defeat Brighton 3-0.
The Red Rebels were visibly delighted after the match.
It was their second trophy of the season.
Although the Football League Trophy was contested only by clubs from League One and League Two, completing a cup double still thrilled New Manchester United's players and supporters.
Brighton's players were in a very different mood.
Despite enjoying a respectable season, they had already fallen behind New Manchester United and Brentford. Reading had also overtaken them to move into third place.
Brighton could now only place their hopes in the play-offs, particularly with several clubs still pursuing them from behind.
Kitson walked dejectedly towards the dressing room.
He glanced back at the New Manchester United players celebrating on the pitch.
At the same time the previous year, he had still been one of them.
Now...
A sudden wave of regret passed through him.
He deeply regretted allowing himself to leave New Manchester United.
According to what he had heard, the club had significantly increased its wage structure during the second half of the season. Several players were now earning more than he was.
More importantly, New Manchester United had won the League Cup and would compete in the UEFA Cup the following season.
By contrast, although Kitson had become an important player for Brighton, their results were nowhere near those of the Red Rebels.
The comparison left him disheartened.
But there was no turning back, so he could only bury his regret.
After the match, the Millennium Stadium seemed to become a Red Rebels stronghold.
The passion in the stands and the supporters' relentless singing throughout the full 90 minutes greatly surprised Herzog and de Meuron.
The two architects were so affected by the atmosphere that they decided to incorporate those emotions into the stadium's design.
When Ethan heard this, his curiosity immediately grew.
He wondered what changes they would make to the Allianz Arena concept.
Whatever they produced, he believed it would be even more distinctive and attractive than the original.
...
"My God, this design is extraordinary!"
Inside a meeting room at the City of Manchester Stadium, Ander, the president of Audi UK, stared at the stadium design displayed on the large screen.
He had been invited to attend the latest discussion regarding the new stadium.
The exterior still followed the basic design of the Allianz Arena that Ethan remembered from his previous life.
However, the lighting across the outer membrane was predominantly red, with green and gold lines incorporated into the surface in a distinctive pattern.
The colours echoed New Manchester United's shirts and created a striking visual effect.
The stadium would also contain the largest underground car park in Europe, with room for 10,000 vehicles.
It would serve not only supporters attending matches but also customers visiting the large shopping centre across the road.
Under Ethan's plan, New Manchester United members would be able to use the car park free of charge, while everyone else would pay a parking fee.
Everyone present, including Mourinho, Walsh, Ander, and the club's executives, stared intently at the image on the screen.
Even as a drawing, the stadium appeared magnificent.
They could only imagine how spectacular it would look once completed.
Mourinho was particularly excited by the thought of preparing his team to play inside such a stadium.
"This is an exceptionally distinctive building," Ander said admiringly.
"It is magnificent, dramatic, and unlike anything I have ever seen, Mr Yu."
He privately admitted that he had never encountered such a breathtaking stadium design.
"Thank you, Mr Ander," Ethan replied. "The proposed Audi flagship dealership will be located here."
At Ethan's instruction, the presentation shifted towards the nearby crossroads.
A uniquely shaped modern building appeared on the screen.
Its architecture complemented the stadium in the distance, giving the entire development a coherent visual identity.
To make the proposal clearer for Ander, the designers had even placed Audi's four-ring logo on the building.
Ander studied the full development plan and could not help admiring Ethan's ambition.
He was amazed that Ethan had managed to recruit such accomplished architects and produce such an ambitious proposal.
He did not know how to describe it properly.
"When viewed from a distance during a match, the entire stadium will resemble a giant ruby," one of de Meuron's assistants explained.
"Beyond its elliptical shape, the building will be enclosed within an air-cushion membrane.
"The exterior will consist of nearly 3,000 diamond-shaped panels.
"These panels will be self-cleaning, fire-resistant, waterproof, frost-resistant, and insulated.
"The structure will also help maintain stable air pressure inside the stadium, allowing supporters to watch matches in comfort."
The design team continued presenting the stadium's various features.
"To give every supporter the best possible view, we consulted numerous specialists before deciding to construct the stands at an incline of 34 degrees.
"Even if the stadium is eventually expanded to three full tiers, supporters seated in the highest sections will still have a clear view of every part of the pitch."
"In accordance with Mr Yu's requirements, we have designed the stadium structure to support three tiers.
"When fully completed, its capacity will exceed 80,000, and selected sections could potentially be expanded to a fourth tier.
"Initially, however, the stadium will accommodate only 35,000 supporters across two tiers.
"Every seat will be protected by the roof."
Ethan had already studied the stadium's internal plans.
Neither of the first two tiers would initially be filled to its maximum capacity.
The lower tier would contain 25,000 seats, while just over 10,000 seats would be installed in the upper tier, mainly along the north and south stands.
This was a necessary compromise.
If both tiers were completed in full, the stadium's capacity would immediately rise to 55,000.
New Manchester United would be unable to fill that many seats, leaving large empty sections and weakening the atmosphere.
It was better to begin with a smaller capacity, maintain high attendance, preserve the club's home advantage, and gradually install more seats as demand increased.
"When all three tiers are completed, the stadium will include 200 accessible spaces, 2,500 executive seats, and 150 private boxes.
"It will also contain 2,000 doors, 100 escalators, five lifts, 250 supporter bars, and 900 toilets.
"More than 6,500 square metres of additional space will be dedicated to entertainment and hospitality services."
"The club shop, museum, Hall of Fame, and supporter restaurants will also be fully integrated into the stadium.
"We have studied many leading grounds while refining these plans.
"In terms of facilities, this stadium will be equal to any five-star venue in Europe."
Walsh could not help expressing his admiration.
He had never dared to imagine that New Manchester United might one day possess such a stadium.
Now it appeared to be becoming a reality, which he found almost unbelievable.
"A stadium like this must cost an enormous amount," Walsh said worriedly.
"Of course, Mr Walsh," the architect replied.
"According to our preliminary calculations, the project will require approximately 120,000 cubic metres of concrete and 20,000 tonnes of steel.
"Once completed, the area between Ashton New Road and Alan Turing Way will be integrated with the stadium development.
"There will be a railway station to the west and the River Medlock to the north.
"The central area, with the stadium at its heart, will form a thriving new commercial district."
At that moment, Ethan felt the future he had envisioned gradually taking shape.
He firmly believed that once New Manchester United's stadium was completed, developments such as the Walmart shopping centre across the road would become secondary to it.
The stadium would drive the prosperity of the entire surrounding district, with everything centred upon the Red Rebels.
Ander was an experienced businessman and immediately understood the future Ethan had planned.
He had to admit that the proposal possessed extraordinary commercial potential.
Once the development was completed, property within the central district would become some of the most valuable in Manchester and would undoubtedly attract enormous demand.
He also believed Audi had made a wise decision by signing its lease agreement with New Manchester United before the project was publicly revealed.
The commercial value of the club's development could eventually surpass that of the district across the road.
Alan Turing Way might seem like a minor dividing line, but a single road could often separate two entirely different commercial worlds.
"At present, Audi have formally confirmed their intention to work with us," Mark said after the presentation.
"Nike and Adidas have also expressed an interest in leasing one of the other plots and opening flagship stores.
"However, because Nike have already reached an agreement with Manchester United, we have decided to proceed with Adidas."
"We are still evaluating suitable tenants for the remaining two plots.
"Many companies recognise the potential for these sites to increase significantly in value.
"At present, Citibank and Vodafone are the leading candidates.
"They intend to build a bank branch and a flagship retail store nearby.
"Once the agreements are finalised, no competing business from the same sector will be permitted to operate within the land controlled by the club."
Ethan was slightly surprised to hear Vodafone's name, but he quickly understood.
Vodafone had originally been expected to sponsor Manchester United in 2000, but the agreement had failed to materialise after the scandal involving Martin Edwards and a prostitute.
Ethan had not expected the company to become interested in investing beside New Manchester United's stadium instead.
(To be continued.)