The Godfather of Football

December 4, 1999, Saturday, October 27 of the lunar calendar, sunny.

Ye Qiu will remember this day, because it was on this day that he and Huang Chu dated!

Well, okay, to be honest, this is not a date!

The main reason is that a certain man was very despicable and shameless, and abandoned his two assistants, Ricklink and Roland, for the sake of beauty, but pretended to be lonely and pitiful in front of a certain woman, which aroused the sympathy of the certain woman and she agreed to watch the game together.

The date time is 3 pm, and the location is the chairman's stand of the Arena Stadium in the southeast new town of Amsterdam.

Today, Huang Chu wore a red cardigan, with a white V-neck knitted long shirt inside, and the exposed pink and white neck was wrapped with an Ajax scarf. Ye Qiu bought two when they were outside, one for each person.

She wore a pair of light blue whitish tight jeans, which showed her long legs and graceful curves to the fullest. She wore a pair of flat boots. She didn't have any jewelry on her body, except for a white leather watch on her left wrist, which gave her a very youthful and beautiful feeling.

"Did you see that? They are all staring at you!" Ye Qiu secretly glanced around and found that they were all staring at him like wolves and tigers. Even Ye Qiu himself was unlucky. He must have been scolded by countless people in his heart.

Huang Chu glared at him, "If you keep talking nonsense, I will go out with you next time!"

Ye Qiu smiled. This was a warning, but it actually revealed a little meaning, that is, they could date again next time.

Who said that you don't know how to pick up girls if you haven't been in love?

This kind of thing depends on talent and hard work!

"Hey, do you think the first team can win today?" Huang Chu also works for Ajax and hopes that Ajax can win.

Ye Qiu took out a notebook and a pen from the bag beside him, frowned and shook his head, saying, "It's hard to say. It depends on how Waters arranges his troops. If he fights against PSV Eindhoven, it will be dangerous!"

No matter from which aspect, Ajax has not yet challenged PSV Eindhoven's strength. This is not to boost others' ambitions and destroy their own prestige, but a kind of rationality.

PSV Eindhoven is strong, and my team is not as strong as them. Why can't I say it? Don't dare to say it?

But when Ye Qiu saw the starting lineup of Ajax, he secretly said in his heart that it was not good.

After the game started, Ajax wanted to use their home court to launch a round of attack on PSV Eindhoven.

Waters' calculation should be to use the opportunity of the opening to seize the initiative in one go and suppress PSV Eindhoven's momentum. It would be best if he could score a goal. Even if he couldn't score a goal, at least he could suppress PSV Eindhoven's spirit and boost his fighting spirit.

Such a start cannot be said to be bad. It should be said that all tactics are double-edged swords. There is no absolutely good or absolutely bad.

Just like Waters' start, it was indeed good, which frustrated PSV Eindhoven at the beginning. Although they failed to score, they were passive on the scene and could not organize an effective offensive, and were suppressed by Ajax.

From the beginning of the game, Ye Qiu put himself in the role of Waters. He did not care about the beautiful woman sitting next to him. He threw himself into the game, simulating in his mind what he would do at this moment if it were him, and then studied PSV Eindhoven's changes.

Eric Gretz was a well-known right back in Europe. He helped Belgium win the runner-up of the 1980 European Cup and reached the semi-finals in the 1986 World Cup. In terms of clubs, he won two championships in Standard Liege and six championships after coming to PSV Eindhoven. He was also the main force of the 87/88 Champions League champion team.

This PSV Eindhoven star also took charge of PSV Eindhoven this summer. This season, the team was cleaned up and adjusted, and a group of powerful players in their prime were introduced, which greatly strengthened the team's offense and defense.

Ye Qiu has studied Gretz's preferences. He feels that Gretz, who was born as a striker and became famous as a defender, first seeks stability, which leads to a balanced offense and defense for his team. Although there are offensive experts such as Korka and Romedal in the midfield, there are also players with excellent defensive abilities such as Van Bommel, Van der Dooren, and Hochlov to balance the offense and defense.

After the start, Ajax took the initiative to attack and occupied a considerable initiative, but it was unable to break through PSV Eindhoven's defense. This is because Ajax's offensive ability is not strong enough, and because PSV Eindhoven's defense is excellent, especially the central defender combination of Nikiforov and Faber is very solid.

In this case, Ye Qiu feels that after attacking for a while, it should be appropriate to stop.

"It's the same old problem. The distance between the two flanks is longer, and the defense is pressed higher, exposing the full-backs to the two fast players of the other team. This is a dead end!" Ye Qiu looked very nervous, but he didn't know if Waters saw it.

After hearing what Ye Qiu said, Huang Chu didn't know if it was right or not. She knew nothing about football, especially professional football tactics, so she couldn't discuss these with Ye Qiu. She could only watch the game with him and listen to his mumbling from time to time.

When the game reached the 19th minute, PSV Eindhoven intercepted the ball in the backcourt and passed it to Van Bommel, who passed it to Korka on the left. Korka took the ball and turned around, facing Vieira directly. In a one-on-one situation, he used his speed and skills to pass Vieira and then passed the ball.

Van Nistelrooy, the super striker who has frightened all the Eredivisie teams this season, will naturally not miss such an opportunity. He overpowered Ajax defender Virat in the penalty area and scored the first goal for PSV Eindhoven, 1:0!

When PSV Eindhoven scored, the stands of the entire Arena Stadium issued a deafening boo. Obviously, the fans were also dissatisfied with the development of the game, because Waters' team actually let PSV Eindhoven score the first goal in the Arena Stadium.

And anyone who knows a little about football knows that if a team like PSV Eindhoven scores a goal, the next game will be more difficult!

"To restrain these two fast wingers, it is not enough to rely on one person alone, so the distance between the midfield and the backcourt cannot be too far, and the three lines must be kept compact, and we cannot fall into single-soldier combat!" After watching PSV's first goal, Ye Qiu felt that his previous judgment was correct.

Korka and Romedal have excellent personal abilities and fast speed. When facing such players, defenders are always passive, and they will definitely suffer in one-on-one situations, so they have to work as a team and squeeze the space to prevent their speed from being exerted, so that this pair of angel wings cannot fly.

It must be said that after more than half a month of studying Rehhagel's overall defensive tactics, coupled with the previous gains, Ye Qiu now has a certain foundation for how to limit the opponent's offense and compress the opponent's offensive space.

This cannot be said to be smart. The books and analyses sold by the Godfather system all adopt a more in-depth and easy-to-understand explanation, and there are rarely complex and difficult theories. Therefore, Ye Qiu has studied deeply and basically mastered them, but a deeper understanding needs to be verified with more games and practice.

He started slower than others, but fortunately with this system, he could catch up with others step by step.

"Why were we able to attack before we lost the ball, but after we lost the ball, we didn't even score a decent goal?" Huang Chu was more and more confused, because after the goal, Ajax's situation was quickly reversed and began to become passive.

Ye Qiu smiled bitterly, "In such a game of great importance, neither side wants to lose, because losing a game is not just 3 points, but also many other aspects, such as team morale, players' fighting spirit and confidence, etc."

"After two consecutive defeats, Ajax can't lose this game again, so the pressure on the players and coaches is very high. They were completely defeated after just being scored a goal!"

"What should we do?" Huang Chu was also anxious. She is now a typical Ajax fan.

"Defend!" Ye Qiu said helplessly. This is a last resort in the most desperate situation, and it is necessary to stabilize the situation first.

If you can't even stabilize the situation and the opponent has scored goals one after another, what else can you talk about?

Just as Ye Qiu was talking, PSV Eindhoven scored again.

This time, Romedal cut into the penalty area from the right, and Nilis passed the ball. The latter shot hard, and Ajax goalkeeper Grim saved the ball, but Van Nistelrooy made a supplementary shot and hit it, 2:0!

The Ajax fans in the stands of Arena Stadium completely turned into a sea of ​​​​anger!

When PSV Eindhoven scored again, Ajax fans rushed out of their seats frantically, and shouted at Waters, who was hiding in the home team coaching seat and dared not come out.

"Dismiss! Dismiss!! Dismiss!!!"

"Waters, go away!"

"Get out, Waters, we don't need you!"

"You are bringing shame to Ajax!"

In the huge Arena Stadium, shouts of dismissal continued.

As early as the last game, when Ajax lost 0:2 to Real Mallorca at home, the fans of Ajax could not help but shout that Waters should be fired. Now in this game, PSV Eindhoven scored two goals in less than half an hour. The morale of the team and Waters' coaching ability are very obvious.

For a team like Ajax, no matter how well you perform against other weak teams on weekdays, the fans will take it for granted. However, if you perform poorly in a strong dialogue, you will become the target of everyone's attack.

Last time against Feyenoord, Waters' team lost 2 goals, and the defeat was ugly. Now, he encountered PSV Eindhoven, and the start was also a nightmare, so the fans immediately attacked.

"If the people's hearts are scattered, it will be difficult to lead the team!" Ye Qiu suddenly said this.

"Do you sympathize with Waters?"

Ye Qiu shook his head, "It's hard to put all the blame on Waters. Many people should take responsibility, including Chairman Van Praag. It's just that Waters' mistakes are too obvious and too stupid!"

At the beginning of the season, when the team won three consecutive games, Ye Qiu reminded him not to just think about power and profit. The most important thing is the game, but he obviously didn't listen. Instead, he was wary of Ye Qiu.

Now, it has been proven that it is difficult for Waters to stay.

"Will he really be fired?" Huang Chu thought that being booed by tens of thousands of fans should be miserable, right?

"Yes!" Ye Qiu is very clear about the current situation of Ajax. He can say with certainty that if he cannot win PSV, he will definitely be dismissed, because Ajax today cannot give him any more time.

In March 2000, Ajax will celebrate its centenary. At that time, Ajax fans all over the world and the entire Amsterdam will celebrate. If at this time, Waters' team suffers a defeat. , what will that look like?

Traditional European clubs attach great importance to these things. Ye Qiu still remembers that Real Madrid also lost its centenary celebration because in that game, Florentino fired the famous coach Vicente Del Bosque. Maybe many people thought that it was just... An excuse, but at the time, the fans' anger was so great that even the chairman had to consider it.

Van Praag is not a decisive chairman. He also knows very well that a new coach needs time. Firing Waters now and leaving the entire winter break to the new coach is undoubtedly the best way to ensure the centenary celebrations. good idea.

"Do you think it's cruel?" Ye Qiu looked at Huang Chu and noticed the unbearable look on her face.

"Is not it?"

Ye Qiu chuckled, "Risks and rewards are fair. If Waters coaches well, he will become famous in one fell swoop, with an annual salary of over one million. He will become famous directly and live a lifetime of food and clothing. This is irresistible to anyone." The temptation, but at the same time, if you fail, the price you pay will definitely be heavy.”

"So, I think it's fair!"

"That's what you men think!" Huang Chuke disagreed with Ye Qiu's view.

"What do you women think?"

Huang Chu thought for a while and shook his head, unable to say anything.

"Silly girl, there is no business in this world that is guaranteed to make a profit. It is precisely because there are risks and crises that we are urged to go all out and do our best in everything, so that after reaping the results, we can Very rewarding and satisfying.”

Gradually, Ye Qiu seemed to like this feeling.

Huang Chu glared at him angrily, and reached out to gently pinch his arm, as if to blame him for calling her a stupid girl. Ye Qiu took the opportunity to protest loudly, but he was happy in his heart. of.

…………

…………

Ruud van Nistelrooy scored twice in the first half to help PSV take the lead.

Waters made adjustments in the second half, but the team still failed to improve. Van Bommel's goal in the 51st minute helped PSV rewrite the score to 3:0, which also completely defeated the Ajax players who had only one goal in the end. With only a glimmer of hope left, they completely lost their fighting spirit.

Waters sat in the coaching bench from beginning to end and did not come out, and no one saw what his expression looked like.

Perhaps, it may be that he is heartbroken, or he may be resentful and resentful, or he may be unconvinced and ready to shirk responsibility, but none of this can stop PSV from continuing to pursue Ajax. .

Romedal's goal locked the score at 4:0!

This is also the most painful game Ajax has lost at the Arena this season!

In the end, Waters failed to turn corruption into magic, nor did he lead the team to create miracles.

After being eliminated from the UEFA Cup, and now being massacred by PSV in the league, suffering three consecutive defeats, and almost losing the right to compete for the league title in advance, Waters has no hope of staying.

Arena Stadium was filled with the overwhelming voices of fans venting their dissatisfaction. They tried every means to attack coach Waters, even though this man was once their hope, but what they got in exchange was deep despair.

No one will attribute all this to the aftermath of the Bosman Act, and no one will attribute all this to a painful process of the team's metabolism, and no one will regard all this as a sign of the team's metabolism. Jax The Dark Before Dawn.

What they need is to vent their anger and dissatisfaction!

In fact, this fire not only burned Waters, but also ignited the fans' dissatisfaction with Van Praag.

This family heir who once brought Ajax to its peak of glory, this great chairman who once led Ajax to a comprehensive renaissance, now, no one will consider his past achievements.

In the eyes of fans, Van Praag's actions in recent years can only be described as stupid, because he was unable to retain a single star in the team, and he was unable to improve the club's debts and tight financial situation. , he could only watch the team's performance decline step by step, but there was nothing he could do.

Just after the loss to Eindhoven, Ajax fans gathered at the gate of the Arena Stadium and refused to leave. They demanded that the club give reasonable and satisfactory explanations for this. explanation of.

Van Praag finally had to stand up and said that he had just accepted Waters' resignation and that Ajax would usher in a coaching change. Without finding a suitable head coach, assistant coach Westhoff Will temporarily take over the first team and become the team's acting head coach, Super Bobby will once again become Westhoff's chief assistant coach.

"I love Ajax. Everyone, please believe that I have no less affection for this club than any of you!" Van Praag's voice spread through the radio to every corner inside and outside the stadium.

He once took on the responsibility and the burden decisively when Ajax was in the most critical moment. At that time, he promised to lead Ajax to achieve the same brilliant results as his father Jaap van Praag. In the end, he did not break his promise. Ajax ushered in a revival in the hands of Van Gaal.

At this moment, he was abandoned by this group of comrades who supported him in the past, but what can he say?

Complain about the cruelty and ruthlessness of football?

"Please also believe that I will leave the position of Ajax chairman one day, but that will definitely not be now, and it will definitely not be the current turmoil of Ajax!"

"I will leave, I will give all of you an explanation, but that will be when I bring Ajax to the top again!"

Van Praag's words convinced many fans and many people.

In the end, this palace coup came to an end with this emotional plea!

But no one knows what kind of fate will be waiting for Ajax next.