World Cup of Great Powers

The 1999 season is over, but the year 1999 is not completely over yet.

Although the Jianglong team locked up a place to be promoted to A in advance, in the last few rounds, the Jianglong team did not let go or sell any favors to the team, and finally succeeded in being promoted to A with an undefeated result.

In addition to the Jianglong team, the Xiamen team also finally caught the last train to be promoted to A.

The dramatic scene in Class A that attracted the most attention from fans was the dramatic scene in the final round.

The more than 90 minutes after 2:35 pm on December 5 were a kind of torture for every Shandong fan.

They want to watch the match between Luneng Taishan and Wuhan King of Hearts broadcast on Shandong Channel to see when their team can score.

Secondly, I have to switch to TV 2 to watch the game between Guoan and Liaozu.

At the same time, some fans will take a look at Shandong Cable Sports Channel during the break between Shandong Channel and Zhuangmaer 2 to see how Qingdao Hainiu is playing.

After Luneng Taishan defeated the King of Hearts 5-0, Jingcheng Guoan and Liaozu were tied at 1-1.

There are 4 minutes left in stoppage time.

The Shandong fans in front of the TV spent the most painful four minutes.

The game went on second by second, and when the referee from the United States blew the whistle to end the game, Luneng fans began to feel that they were the happiest fans in the world.

As Liaoning Football Team was tied by Guoan at home in the final final, Luneng finally won the championship of this season's League A!

A week later, Luneng defeated Dalian Wanda with a total score of 4-3 in two home and away rounds and won the FA Cup.

So far, Shandong Luneng Taishan has become the first team to win the double crown since the launch of the Chinese Professional League!

It can be said that the Shandong team is the biggest winner this year!

...

On December 23, the Jianglong team held a grand and grand celebration party in the most luxurious hotel in Harbin.

In addition to all members of the club, some leaders of Harbin City and the principal of the Sports Institute were also invited to the scene.

In any case, Zeng Zheng has been traveling around the world this year, and his family relies entirely on the help of his leaders.

Even the training ground for the players was borrowed from other university campuses.

Of course, this is also indispensable for the strong support of fans, especially college students.

In just one year, the Jianglong team has accumulated more than 100,000 fans.

At the celebration party, people from all walks of life drank and drank, and the college student who composed the team song for the Jianglong Team was also invited to the scene.

This college student not only wrote the Jianglong team anthem, but also recruited a large number of college student fans to form a fan group called "Crossing the River Dragons".

Every time I go to the home court of Jianglong, I can see a group of well-dressed college students in the stands, waving flags and cheering for the team and cheering for them.

In addition to the "Dragon Crossing the River", there is also a folk fan group called "Ice City Devils".

Most of these fans are people from society who have already joined the workforce, consisting of working-class people, office workers and workers, and most of them follow the Jianglong team on away games.

Every time there is a game, they appear in fixed positions to cheer for the team.

Today, these two fan groups have become a beautiful scenery in the Jianglong stands.

According to the leaders of the two groups, the number of named fans under their command has reached two to three thousand.

In this era, in a remote city like Harbin, and for a new team like the Jianglongs that has just been established for one year, it is quite difficult to accumulate these five thousand die-hard fans.

...

"Everyone here is the hero of our Jianglong team's ability to successfully reach A!"

Facing the hall full of guests, Zeng Zheng stood up and raised his glass.

"This first glass of wine, I would like to pay tribute to the players who are fighting hard on the field!"

"Whether it's the main player or a substitute, whether it's a foreign player or a local player, whether it's Jianlibao or a veteran player."

"Without your personal hard work on the field, the team would not have been able to score wonderful goals, bring back key victories one after another, and have no final success in reaching A."

"Here, I would like to thank you on behalf of Jianglong Team!"

"Wow!"

More than 20 players raised their wine glasses together.

Everyone shouted the name of Jianglong Team in unison and drank the wine in their glasses.

"For this second cup, I want to pay tribute to all the members of the coaching staff."

With that said, Zeng Zheng poured another glass and aimed it at Gao Hongbo and others.

"Our team is in a special situation, and this is something we all know."

"During my absence, I have to rely on my colleagues to support this team."

"So this second cup, I toast to you!"

Gao Hongbo, Sun Xianlu and other coaches also stood up one after another.

The eyes of these recently retired veterans were filled with tears.

Being able to return to the field in this way after retirement is the dream of countless football players.

"This third cup is a tribute to all the staff of the Jianglong Team."

The conditions of the Jianglong team are not good. The canteen and dormitories are used at the expense of the Sports Academy.

So among the people named by Zeng Zheng this time, there were the cooks from the physical education center and the aunt who was sweeping the floor in the kitchen.

"Jianglong Team looks great on the surface, but in order to actually operate, it cannot do without you guys who work hard behind the scenes."

"Everyone has worked really hard this year."

"I hereby decide to double the year-end bonus of the logistics staff!"

The staff at the scene cheered in unison.

In particular, the chef in charge of the Jianglong team's meals saw the thumbs up from the president of the sports academy behind his back.

"This fourth glass of wine is naturally dedicated to those present here, as well as to all Harbin city leaders who have no time to be there due to official business."

"It is precisely because of your overall planning and green light that our Jianglong team, a foreign team, can take root in Harbin so quickly and give it a go without any hindrance on the court."

"In this generation, Zeng drinks first as a token of respect!"

Upon seeing this, the deputy mayor of Harbin City also stood up, raised his glass and laughed:

"Xiao Zeng, then I am more respectful than obedient. I also wish the Jianglong team to play better and better in the new year and strive to win the A championship when they come back, haha~~"

After finishing four glasses of wine, Zeng Zheng filled up another glass.

While everyone was stunned, Zeng Zheng walked up to two fan representatives again.

“The climate in Harbin is very cold.”

"Under these circumstances, the attendance at every game was almost full."

"None of this would be possible without the efforts of the fans."

"It is your support that allows the players to work harder on the field."

"You are the most loyal supporters of the Jianglong Team!"

"Here, I also toast you!"

Both fans were so excited that they were speechless.

One of the two people is a college student who has not yet graduated, and the other is a factory worker.

I was already extremely excited to be able to appear on such an occasion.

Now, in front of so many important people, the head coach of the National Olympic Games took the initiative to toast them. The two men were so excited that their hands were trembling.

"Zeng, Coach Zeng."

"Tell me the truth, we want to thank you!"

The old worker swallowed, "If it weren't for you, our Harbin city wouldn't even have a first-division football team!"

"Even if we fans have this intention, there is nothing we can do about it!"

"So, it's us, the fans, who should thank you!"

After saying that, the uncle drank the wine in his glass.

Received full applause.

Zeng Zheng drank five glasses of white wine in a row, and his stomach began to feel uncomfortable.

After briefly calming down, Zeng Zheng waved his hand: "Okay, I announce that the Jianglong Team's celebration will now officially begin."

“Everyone has a good time eating and drinking!”

...

After a brief shouting, Zeng Zheng gave several leaders a "small stove".

After all, he is a leader, so he cannot really hang out with players, staff, etc. to eat and drink.

After having dinner with them, Zeng Zheng arranged for someone to arrange the leaders' itinerary for the rest of the night.

As for whether they went to karaoke or took a bath, Zeng Zheng didn't care.

Anyway, just settle the bill then.

After sending the leaders away, Zeng Zheng stood outside the hall holding a cup of sobering tea.

Looking at the happy and laughing crowd in the hall, I couldn't help but feel a little sad.

The development of football is a torrent, and I am in it, and I have gradually become unable to extricate myself.

For more than a month after returning from the capital, Zeng Zheng has been thinking about what Xu Fang told him.

Although the national team games and club games are staggered, you can definitely take care of both when you are busy.

But if you take on the National Youth and National Olympic Games, it will be different.

The National Olympics has come to an end for the time being, and the Asian Youth Championship will start early next year.

In other words, he will also participate in the formation of a new batch of national youth teams.

When the time comes for the National Youth, National Olympics, and National Football Team to shoulder the burden, he really won’t have any other leisure time except playing for the national team.

The young Troussier next door is an example.

But it cannot be denied that their football level has indeed made a qualitative leap this year.

“You can’t have your cake and eat it too!”

Just when Zeng Zheng was sighing, the big brother on his waist rang.

"Hey, Coach Zeng? Why did it take you so long to answer the phone?"

Before Zeng Zheng could speak, the voice on the phone started questioning him.

"Miss Qian, I'm having a celebration banquet here, it's too noisy!" Zeng Zheng said with a bitter smile. "You can't just pick up the phone and not hear anything, right?"

"Oh~~~So that's it!"

After hearing Zeng Zheng's explanation, Miss Qian narrowed her eyebrows and laughed.

"Is the 'farewell party' over then?"

"Would you like to come out for a drink when it's over? I just happened to see the ice sculptures in Harbin."

Zeng Zheng frowned when he heard this, "What a 'farewell party', don't talk nonsense!"

"Cackle, cluck, cluck~~"

A burst of silvery laughter came from the other end of the phone.

"Coach Zeng, can you really veto it?"

Zeng Zheng was stunned for a moment, then sighed.

"Oh, okay. Where are you? I'll go find you."

...

After a while, Zeng Zheng arrived at the door of the Wanda Realm hotel.

Knocking on the door of room 1202, Zeng Zheng walked in.

"Coach Zeng, it's too cold in Harbin. I really don't know why you chose this home court!"

As soon as she entered the room, Miss Qian complained.

Christmas is only two days away, and the lowest temperature in Harbin has dropped to minus 23 degrees.

For southerners who are accustomed to wearing shorts and shorts in winter, this place is indeed like hell.

"If you feel cold, your opponent will naturally feel cold too." Zeng Zheng replied, "Only players who are trained in the severe cold can adapt to any situation!"

"Okay, okay, I agree with your theory. Stop talking like an old scholar!"

Miss Qian raised her eyebrows and opened a bottle of red wine.

"Since Coach Zeng is willing to come here, can we discuss the business?"

"Business? What business?" Zeng Zheng asked knowingly.

"The Jianglong team will play in Class A next year. For such a big team, we can't just rely on our enthusiasm like last year and get by, right?"

Having said this, Miss Qian picked up a glass of red wine and took a sip.

"As long as Coach Zeng accepts our investment."

"Professionals are responsible for player dormitories, training venues, restaurant meals, club management, team public relations, and investment promotion."

"At that time, Coach Zeng will be in charge of youth training selection."

“Isn’t it beautiful to have a professional counterpart?”

Zeng Zheng sighed without making a sound.

Ever since Xu Fang talked to him last time, he had been ready to delegate power to the Jianglong team.

Just like Miss Qian said, Jianglong Team's stall is too big.

I can still make do with A and B.

But now, the team has too many things for him to worry about.

In terms of income alone, there are four big contracts that require Zeng Zheng’s nod in the new season.

The first one is the stadium.

Since Zeng Zheng invested his own money to renovate the provincial stadium, it can be regarded as an investment and a shareholding.

Therefore, the Jianglong team and the Provincial Stadium do not directly transfer the home operating rights to the stadium like Liaoning Football Team.

The contract signed between Liaoning Football Team and the stadium is two million a year, and the income will be guaranteed during droughts and floods. The club can also focus on team management.

But the Jianglong team is different.

The Jianglong team rents the stadium and sells tickets themselves.

Although the highest ticket price is only 70 yuan, after twelve home games, it still brought more than 2 million yuan in revenue to the team.

This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! You know, the Jianglong team is an A-B team!

Guoan's ticket revenue last year was only about 5 million.

Secondly, the Jianglong team’s television broadcast ratings also remain high.

After Harbin TV spent millions, it also spared no effort in public relations for the team's games.

Coupled with the Jianglong team's unbeaten record this season, not only the local fans in Harbin are paying attention to the development of the Jianglong team, but fans from all over the country like to watch the games of this group of young people in the Jianglong team in their spare time.

As a result, after being promoted to A next year, the broadcast contract will be a huge sum of money.

The third one is the jersey advertisement.

From their jerseys to their socks, the Jianglong team is just like the dog-skin plaster advertisements on the telephone poles on the street this season. It can be said that "every inch of land is valuable."

But next season, the Jianglong team, which has successfully reached the A-level, will definitely find a big buyer to sponsor its jersey through a buyout.

There are a lot of things to say about which company to look for and how much to sell it for.

The last one is the team’s peripheral merchandise.

In this regard, while Zeng Zheng proposed ideas, he also tried his best to ensure property rights.

As a result, Jianglong's peripheral products have been selling like hotcakes, and there are more than a dozen fan bars operating under the Jianglong team's brand name.

Adding up these four types of income, the Jianglong team's income last year exceeded 20 million.

Such a big stall, with Zeng Zheng as coach, director and chairman, is too busy for one person.

Now, under the pressure from Xu Fang, Zeng Zheng may even step down as coach.

After thinking about it, Zeng Zheng did not intend to cling to these powers again.

It is better to delegate the power to professionals as Miss Qian said.

He is like a hands-off shopkeeper.

Seeing Zeng Zheng relent, Miss Qian continued to add insult to injury:

"Coach Zeng, think about it."

"Next year Jianglong will be an A-A team, and they still play their home game in a stadium with 13,000 people. Don't you think they are overqualified?"

"If I become a shareholder, the first thing I would do is build a big stadium, a big stadium!"

“Isn’t the one in the Magic City known as the 80,000-person stadium?”

"I'll build one for 100,000 people!"

"Haha, our stadium will be big and the weather will be cold when the time comes. Which team can beat us in the away game?"

Faced with Miss Qian's fantasy, Zeng Zheng remained silent.

If a football stadium with a capacity of 100,000 people is really renovated, there will definitely be heating inside the stadium.

It is impossible for 100,000 people to be directly exposed to temperatures of more than ten degrees below zero to cheer for the home team.

Of course, these are small things.

If Miss Qian could really renovate a football stadium with a capacity of 100,000 people for the Jianglong team, then the power he had at his disposal should have been dispersed long ago.

"Then let me first thank Miss Qian for your sponsorship on behalf of the old and young men in Harbin!"

Miss Qian was stunned for a moment, then narrowed her eyes and raised her eyebrows.

"In other words, Coach Zeng agreed?"

"Hey, you've already invested in building a market, what else can I say?"

"Ha! In this case, at such an important moment, of course you have to have a drink!"

Picking up the wine glass, Zeng Zheng grinned and touched it lightly with the other party.

“Happy cooperation! Cheers”

"cheers!"

Miss Qian provided money and people, while Zeng Zheng delegated power and provided ideas.

The more the two of them talked, the more they became more speculative, and the more they drank, the more they drank.

Gradually, the four bottles of red wine in the room were drank by the two of them.

"ha!"

"Coach Zeng, we will be a team from now on." Miss Qian burped from the wine.

"When the time comes, you will be responsible for youth training selection, and I will be responsible for selling them to Europe!"

"Let's make a lot of money together!"

"snort!"

"Let me see, old man, I, Qian Yueying, can also make a lot of money!"

"Hiccup~"

"Come on, Coach Zeng, have one last drink!"

"Ding!"

The two glasses clinked together again, Zeng Zheng raised his head and drank all the wine in the glass.

"Wow, Coach Zeng, you don't know."

"The old man at home doesn't like me at all."

"You must let me get married early and get married."

"I just want them to see that I can open a company and make a lot of money."

"Coach Zeng, it's great to meet you."

"I have the ability, and so many resources and connections."

"If not..."

Having said this, Miss Qian wanted to prop up the table and stand up. Unexpectedly, her feet softened and she was so drunk that she fell limply into Zeng Zheng's arms.

The next day, when Zeng Zheng opened his eyes, he found the two of them lying naked on the bed.

"What the hell, what's going on?"

Zeng Zheng first patted his head, then looked down at the body in his arms, and a strange thought came to him.

"Although I sold most of the power of Jianglong Team."

"But look at this..."

"It doesn't seem like a loss!"