Coaching legend

"John Williams?" George put down the phone, very confused. How could this person find him? He and he have no friendship at all.

This person is not a big shot in the English football circle, but the one behind him is a very famous person. John Williams is the owner of Blackburn, the representative of the famous steel tycoon Jack Walker.

He is a powerful figure in Blackburn. Even if people from other Premier League clubs don't know about such a person, George, as the head coach of Burnley, Blackburn's century-old rival, knows him clearly.

Now John Williams personally called George, which made George confused for a while. But George did not refuse. Anyway, the matter in Sweden has been completed, and there is no big problem to meet him.

…………

"Hello, Mr. Williams." John Williams has a unique appearance. Although he is not very old, his beard is gray.

When George arrived in Blackburn, he found that John Williams was waiting for George at the door. George smiled and walked over, took off his sunglasses, and stretched out his hand.

This time when George came to Blackburn, he was camouflaged all over. Although George coached only one game between Burnley and Blackburn, he was very unpopular among Blackburn fans. George didn't have the courage to run rampant in Blackburn City. If he was attacked by one or two emotional Blackburn fans, it would be no joke.

"Hello, Coach Levi. Sorry, it should be me who went to see you." John Williams has all the characteristics of a British gentleman, elegant, gentle, and his smile makes people feel like spring breeze.

"It doesn't matter." George smiled and shook his head. "Mr. Williams, I don't quite understand what you mean by looking for me." George didn't want to beat around the bush, after all, the identities of the two should have no intersection.

John Williams didn't blame George for being direct. He still kept a gentle smile. "Coach Levi, this time it's not just me. There is another person who wants to see you."

George frowned. George was very dissatisfied with this nonsensical invitation. What was even more dissatisfied was that this invitation was a kind of impoliteness. But seeing that Williams' attitude was very pleasant, George didn't care and followed in.

This is a high-end restaurant in Blackburn. George followed Williams to the third floor. When he saw the person sitting there waiting for him, he was a little startled. Because the person sitting there was Jack Walker, the owner of Blackburn.

Although Burnley and Blackburn have been enemies for a century, George still has great respect for the owner of Blackburn. As a steel tycoon, Jack Walker sold his family steel company in the early 1990s for 330 million pounds. Even in the 21st century, Jack Walker was still one of the 30 richest people in England.

George was familiar with Jack Walker's affairs in his previous life. After all, the first championship built with money since the establishment of the Premier League was born in Blackburn.

He has been a loyal Blackburn fan all his life. In 1986, he was invited to serve as the vice chairman of the club and donated money to build a new stand at Ewood Park Stadium, which is the so-called "Jack Walker Stand", now also known as the "Riverside Stand". Walker also paid for the salaries of two big-name players at the time, Adiris and Archibald. In the winter of 1991, he took full control of the relegated Blackburn. In the first three years of his tenure, he invested 25 million pounds to recruit stars such as Shearer and Sutton for the team at a then-high price. He then invested another 20 million pounds to rebuild Ewood Park, and the new Jack Walker Stand was born. Walker's important move at Blackburn was to successfully persuade Dalglish to come out and coach. In the 1994-95 season, the third season after Blackburn was promoted, Dalglish led the team to the top of the Premier League! This miracle is also known as the "Jack Walker Revolution". After that, Walker, who was in his seventies, fell into a battle with cancer. In the summer of 2000, Walker, who was respected by fans as "Uncle Jack", passed away. Blackburn, which had been relegated again, comforted the old man's soul in heaven with the victory of the promotion battle. Walker also left a will before his death, saying that he would continue to use his assets to help Blackburn, his beloved club.

Before the Indians entered Blackburn, Blackburn's operating capital had always been managed by the foundation left by Jack Walker. George did not hate such an old man who worked hard for a club just because he was a hostile club.

When he saw George, Jack Walker stood up with a smile on his face and stretched out his hand. "George, I'm sorry. I should be the one to visit you. I hope you don't mind." Jack Walker had a loud voice and laughed loudly when he spoke. He was very generous.

"Hello, Mr. Walker." George shook Jack Walker's hand.

"George, please sit down." Jack Walker gave up a seat, and George was now extremely confused. What was worth Jack Walker's personal visit to him.

As soon as George sat down, John Williams poured wine for George. This made George even more flattered. Now George was just a small coach who had just coached the second division. Not to mention compared with a tycoon like Jack Walker, even compared with Williams, he is at a disadvantage.

"George, I won't beat around the bush." ​​Jack Walker didn't waste time and got straight to the point. "Dalglish has resigned as coach of Blackburn Rovers. I hope you can come and coach Blackburn Rovers."

George was stunned. Although Blackburn Rovers declined last season, they were still the Premier League champions the season before last. There are many options for hiring a coach. Many famous coaches would be willing to coach Blackburn Rovers. How could they find him?

"George, although you are young. But I admire your coaching performance in Burnley for a year. I know your work in Burnley very well. You are very capable. I believe you can be the coach of Blackburn Rovers. Your stage should not be in the lower leagues, but on a broader stage." Jack Walker said to George very seriously.

George looked at Jack Walker in amazement. He never thought that Blackburn Rovers would come to him.

But it would be a lie if he didn't feel moved. No matter what Burnley is now, it is just a team that has just been promoted to the English First Division. Moreover, the Burnley board is obviously unwilling to continue investing, so Burnley's development is also limited.

But Blackburn is different. As the Premier League champion of the previous season. Although Shearer left this year, the championship team still exists. More importantly, Blackburn itself has a tycoon like Jack Walker to support it. As long as some players are bought and the lineup is improved, it is still a strong contender for the Premier League championship.

Being able to coach Blackburn will definitely make George's coaching career a big step forward.

Seeing George's changing expression, Jack Walker smiled and continued: "You should have heard that Shearer will transfer to Newcastle. I won't move a penny of Shearer's 15 million pounds. I will definitely wait for the new head coach. George, if you are willing to take over as the head coach of Blackburn, then in addition to Shearer's 15 million pounds, the club is willing to invest another 10 million pounds as your transfer fee in the new season."

Jack Walker's words tempted George like a devil. 25 million pounds is still a huge sum of money in this era. In the 21st century, especially after Abrahimovic took over Chelsea, a wealthy club would be embarrassed to say that it is a strong team if it does not invest 30 or 40 million pounds a year. But in 1996, it was absolutely rare to be able to invest 25 million pounds in a transfer period.

George fully felt Jack Walker's sincerity and was slightly moved.

But then he thought of Old York and Miranda, as well as former rugby player Burns, Daniel Morrison, who he trained himself, and Ballack, who gradually became a general. Thinking of them, George found that he was reluctant to leave Burnley and the group of players he had completed.

Looking at Jack Walker in front of him, George sorted out his thoughts. "Mr. Walker, first of all, thank you very much for your trust in me. But I'm very sorry, I still have a contract with Burnley. And I like Burnley, I want to lead Burnley back to the Premier League. This is my dream since I was a child, I'm very sorry."

"George..." John Williams heard George's answer and wanted to persuade George anxiously. But Jack Walker stopped Williams. "George, I respect your choice. But I hope you can consider my suggestion carefully. I am very sincere."

"I'm sorry, Mr. Walker." Once George made up his mind, he felt ashamed for his hesitation just now.

Now he has everything ready in Burnley. As long as the time is right, he will soar to the sky. Why go to Blackburn just to get a bargain.

"Okay, George. Although it's a pity, I respect your decision. But George, I hope you understand that if you change your mind, you can come to me at any time." Jack Walker was very generous, and there was no concealment in his expression.

…………

Just one day later, a big headline appeared in the football section of The Sun: "New coach of the former Premier League champion: 28 years old?"