The first thing that caught the eye was a huge, dark red executive desk. On the desk sat a computer, a pen holder, a telephone, and a few books—nothing else. Behind the desk was a wide swivel chair, which should be his own seat. It was just that both the desk and the chair looked a bit worn, with a strong sense of history.

Dunn shrugged. That’s English football for you—they always emphasize their history.

He walked over and plopped down in the chair, spinning around in all directions, looking at the neatly organized office and the empty training ground behind it, and felt just one thing: Awesome!

Wahaha! Who would have thought that I’d see the day when I became the head coach of a professional football team! Those people who used to mock me in teahouses and bars—if they knew that Dunn was now sitting in the head coach’s seat of Nottingham Forest, I really wonder what their expressions would be... Dunn stroked his chin and chuckled to himself.

Suddenly, Dunn stopped smiling, put on a serious face, and, facing the door, said in a deep voice, “Mr. Chairman, I promise to bring you a shiny trophy by the end of the season. Yes, I promise...”

Then he stood up, turned toward the training ground, pinched his chin, and frowned tightly: “Hmm, I think that number 7 doesn’t seem to be in form. Should we send him to the reserves?”

Immediately after, he suddenly raised his voice and waved his arms: “Idiot! Cut inside, don’t just keep going down the wing! Didn’t you take a nap at noon? Cut inside and shoot, break in from the opponent’s flank... drive it in hard! Disrupt their defense, tear their carefully organized backline to shreds, finish the fight quickly and unexpectedly! Moron!”

After shouting, he lowered his arms, feeling bored. Although he was called the head coach, in reality, he was a rookie. He didn’t even know his own team; this was his first day of training. He felt anxious and uneasy inside. He didn’t know how his players would view this head coach who had just made a fool of himself. Would they laugh at him? Look down on him? Secretly despise him?

Dunn was just like a fresh graduate waiting for a job interview with the boss—this was about whether he could land a job, a matter of lifelong importance!

He sat back down, leaned against the chair, and stared blankly at the training ground. He didn’t know how long he could stay in this position—maybe a week, maybe two? Or until the end of the season? That would be a good ending. An inexperienced, clueless rookie head coach, facing a huge challenge—could he succeed?

A knock at the door startled Dunn. He turned around, not knowing who would come looking for him at this time. He straightened his clothes, put on what he thought was the most appropriate expression, and cleared his throat: “Come in.”

The door was pushed open, and a dozen or so people poured in all at once. The office, which had seemed spacious, instantly became crowded.

“What’s this about...” Dunn was baffled, not understanding what was going on.

The young man who had pulled Dunn back to the sidelines to coach the match the other day stepped forward: “Tony, Chairman Doggett thought it was necessary to reintroduce you to your colleagues.”

Dunn recalled yesterday at the entrance to the training base, when that old man had gently patted his shoulder and said, “I won’t put any pressure on you, Tony.” The old man was certainly thoughtful, but this scene... wasn’t it a bit too formal?

“Uh, I appreciate the chairman’s kindness. But actually, I don’t really need...” As Dunn said this, he observed the crowd’s reaction and noticed some people showing mocking expressions—fleeting, but he still caught them. “You all can get back to work, training is about to start.” He pointed at his watch.

The crowd hesitated for a moment, then dispersed. But the young man stayed behind.

After the last person left the office, Dunn closed the door and said to the young man, “Des, I know you mean well. But doing this puts me in a tough spot.”

Des Walker looked puzzled. “Why?”

“I’m the team’s coach, the manager. In front of them, and the players, I have to maintain my authority and dignity. To be honest, I really hate it when people look at me like I’m crazy—sympathy, mockery... all of it. If this keeps up, how can I lead the team? The players won’t listen to a head coach who needs to be reminded of everything face-to-face.”

Des Walker wasn’t a fool; he understood what Dunn meant. “Sorry, Tony, I didn’t think it through...”

“I told you, I don’t blame you. Right now, you’re the only one I can trust. The rest of them...” Dunn glanced at the door, “they’re all waiting to see me make a fool of myself. You have to help me.”