Coaching legend

Goalkeeper: No. 1 Miller (34 years old, English), No. 22 Jussi Jaaskelainen (22 years old, Finn), No. 27 Martin Mims (22 years old, English).

Defender: No. 2 Grant (33 years old, English), No. 5 Mitchell King (34 years old, English), No. 4 Gary Breen (23 years old, Irish), No. 3 Daniel Morrison (19 years old, English), No. 17 David Ward (26 years old, English), No. 24 Armand Donaldson (27 years old, English), No. 28 Steve Finnan (21 years old, Irish), No. 33 Matthew Upson (18 years old, English).

Midfielder: No. 7 Frederik Ljungberg (20 years old, Swedish), No. 8 Matthew Holland (23 years old, Irish), No. 6 Ian Coyd (29 years old, English), No. 11 Ashley Chapman (20 years old, English), No. 13 Michael Ballack (21 years old, German), No. 19 Neil Lennon (26 years old, Irish), No. 23 Serra Mauro Camoranesi (21 years old, Argentine/Italian), No. 42 Solkamp (32 years old, English).

Forward: No. 12 Kevin Phillips (24 years old, English), No. 9 Robbie Keane (17 years old, Irish), No. 15 Klose (19 years old, German), No. 33 David McGurk (31 years old, Irish).

This is the player list of Burnley in the 97-98 season. Starting from this season, George will change the previous problem of attacking right and prepare a tactic of flying with both wings. Moreover, Burnley has always adopted the tactic of first stabilizing defense and then counterattacking.

But George is ready to change this situation, so he will not put three defensive midfielders like in the last two seasons. The traditional 4-4-2 has been restored, and Ljungberg has to sacrifice himself a little for this tactic.

Ljungberg is an all-around player who can play on the left and right, but his best position is still the right winger. But with Camoranesi, George is ready to let Ljungberg go to the left. Let Ljungberg and Daniel form the left wing, and Ljungberg can cut inside and shoot.

The bigger move is to liberate Ballack. George is ready to make Ballack a free midfielder. Depending on the situation on the field, Ballack should become a defensive midfielder when defense is needed. When attacking, it is not only necessary to control the rhythm of the midfield, but also to participate in shooting.

In George's tactics, Ballack should be the ruler from the 30-meter area of ​​his own penalty area to the 30-meter area of ​​the opponent's penalty area. Although it is a bit demanding for Ballack, who is only 21 years old now, George believes that Ballack can still do it in the English League One.

These are just tactical changes, but two old players will give up their starting positions this season. They are right back Grant and goalkeeper Miller, but these two and captain Mitchell King are the old players of the team.

Not only do they have a great influence in the team, they also have a high appeal among the fans. It is also George's job to appease them.

…………

"Mitchell, Grant, Miller, I want to thank you three first." George invited the three of them to the hotel in York.

These three have worked with George for a long time and have known each other for seven years. Like traditional English players, the three of them like to drink very much. So George poured a glass of wine for each of them. For these old players, drinking is the happiest thing.

These three people can abide by many of the regulations set by George at the beginning. The only thing they are not happy about is George's prohibition of drinking.

"Boss, what do you want to thank us for?" Mitchell was about to drink, but he put down the glass when he heard George's words.

"Thank you for supporting me. We were able to upgrade from the second division without the support of the three of you. It would have been impossible." George introduced eight new players at the time. Although they would all be great stars in the future, they were only 17 or 18 years old at the time.

And the three of them, as the veterans of the team, supported George, which allowed George to spend that period safely.

Mitchell shook his head, put down his glass and asked with a smile: "George, there is something I wanted to ask you a long time ago." Mitchell suddenly called George's name as usual.

"You say."

"I have always been curious, if I opposed you to clean up the players at that time. Would you put me on the list?" Not only Mitchell, but Grant and Miller next to him also looked at George.

"Yes." George answered affirmatively without hesitation. "But Mitchell, I am very sure that it will not go to that step. Because I know that you have more feelings for the club than anyone else, and you will never do such a stupid thing. If it really came to that step, you, me, and of course the club would be ruined."

"George, refreshing." Mitchell laughed and drank a glass of refreshingly. "Actually, George, you don't have to thank us. We can see hope for Burnley at the end of our careers, which is the best gift you have given us."

"Yes, George. We couldn't see the future of the club before, but you gave us hope. What you said at the press conference was really inspiring." Miller also echoed Mitchell.

Grant nodded, also in high spirits. "Yes. George, because of you, maybe I can go to the Premier League to take a look."

Although George is not an alcoholic, his alcohol tolerance is definitely not simple. He drank several glasses with the three people in a row, but except for being a little excited, he was still quite sober.

"Mitchell, Grant, Miller, you have all contributed your entire career to the club. However, I am looking for you today..." George was helpless about what they said. But professional football is so cruel.

"George, you don't have to say it." Mitchell interrupted George and sighed. "George, I understand. You are looking for the three of us old guys because you want us to give up our main positions. We all understand that when you asked the three of us to drink, we guessed it."

George looked up at the three of them, and he was old and shrewd.

"I'm sorry, I have to consider the development of Burnley. Grant and Miller will be replaced by Finnan and Jasklainen. I hope you can understand." George talked to the three of them very sincerely.

These three people are not only in George's consideration now, but also in the future. George and Kilby talked about the three of them. Burnley has been struggling in the lower leagues for decades, and there are few such old players. Now there are these good players who have played for the team for more than ten years, and the club should treat them well. This is also a process of cultivating a club culture.

Miller nodded and suddenly laughed. "George, I already knew it during training. You have a good eye. Jaskelainen is much better than me. Even when I was young, I didn't have his strength."

"George, thank you for preparing such an occasion today. Don't worry, I won't make trouble. I'm also over that age."

Grant next to him didn't speak, but nodded.

"Thank you, actually I wanted to talk to you a long time ago. Have you thought about what to do after retirement? If possible, I hope you can stay in the club. Or join my coaching staff, or become a staff member of the club." George was very grateful for the attitude of the three. If they were not convinced, then there would be another storm.

Grant and Miller heard it for the first time, so they looked at each other.

Football players are stars, and they are loved by everyone. But that is only for the stars. Ordinary players have to consider how to make a living after retirement. Now George has even thought of this for them, and of course they are very happy.

"George, it is our honor to stay in the club."

"Let's find a time to sign a new contract, a player/coach contract. Of course, if you want to continue to develop, you should study the coaching course well. If you want to be a scout, you can do it. Anyway, Burnley is now increasing the number of scouts."

(Today is New Year's Eve, I wish you all a happy new year.)