Chapter 1

On June 3, 2004, this was the most bustling period for European football, as the European Championship was about to kick off in Portugal, with sixteen top European teams ready to present a grand football feast to the world.

In contrast, London seemed much quieter, with a peaceful life that seemed unaffected by football. Only the Cobham training ground near the Thames exuded a faint football atmosphere.

The Cobham training ground belonged to Chelsea FC and was not open to the public. However, the group of 15-16-year-olds training there did not involve many tactical secrets. Thanks to Chelsea's immense popularity, a crowd of spectators gathered around, and the sound of camera shutters could be heard from time to time.

In a remote corner, a young man in his early twenties stood, seemingly out of place. He did not join the crowd but chose this inconspicuous, remote spot. He had a yellow complexion, a face with sharp features that exuded a maturity and steadiness beyond his years. He watched the children playing football with intense focus. He wore a white and floral shirt, dark blue jeans, and brown leather sandals, his hands in his pockets, looking somewhat lonely.

His name was Qiao Wanxian, a Chinese-British man, and his profession was a football coach. To be precise, the "he" from his past was a football coach. Those who knew him well were aware that his habits and behavior had changed significantly over the past two months, as he had been possessed by a soul from 2034 two months ago.

Fortunately, his name remained unchanged, still Qiao Wanxian.

In his previous life, he lived in China and had a very sensitive profession—pharmacist. Yes, a pharmacist who formulated various stimulants!

In 2034, stimulants had been almost completely eradicated worldwide, and any blood-related drugs could be detected instantly. Qiao Wanxian, coming from a family of traditional Chinese medicine, relied on the principles of the human meridian system and a deep understanding of Chinese herbs to finally develop a new drug—Shengyuan 1! A stimulant that could increase an athlete's ability fivefold in a short time with no side effects!

At the 2032 Shanghai Olympics, he used this method to help the Chinese team win an unprecedented 400 Olympic gold medals, creating a legendary Olympic feat!

However, Qiao Wanxian was obsessed with pharmacology. After developing Shengyuan 1, which could increase ability fivefold, he was not satisfied and planned to develop Shengyuan 2, which could increase ability tenfold! During a critical drug test, an unpredictable chemical reaction caused a violent explosion...

When he woke up, he found himself 30 years in the past, no longer the original him, but a Chinese-British man with the same name, living in London. Strangely, this man's profession was a football coach!

The explosion in his previous life had made Qiao Wanxian lose all interest in pharmacology, even feeling a deep aversion. So, he had been studying football-related things, intending to follow the aspirations of his new body. Fortunately, he retained his English skills.

On the training ground, the children's play lacked much in terms of technique and tactics, but it was full of fun. Qiao Wanxian, however, watched with great interest, completely engrossed.

Qiao Wanxian did not know that behind him, in an even more hidden spot, stood a middle-aged man wearing black sunglasses, curiously staring at him.

He noticed that whenever a player took a shot, Qiao Wanxian would clench his fists, and his right leg would tremble involuntarily when a save was successful. He found it amusing and became increasingly curious.

"I see you've been watching that goalkeeper closely," the middle-aged man finally couldn't resist his curiosity and approached Qiao Wanxian with a smile.

Qiao Wanxian was startled, seeing a middle-aged man with a heroic appearance, about 35-36 years old, wearing sunglasses, who looked like a football enthusiast.

Qiao Wanxian nodded and said, "Yes, I think the youth team coaches of Chelsea are really terrible."

"Huh?" The middle-aged man's face showed a hint of displeasure, and he said sternly, "Young man, you should consider your position when you speak."

The implication was clear: who are you to criticize Chelsea's coaches?

Qiao Wanxian remained calm and said, "It's precisely because I considered my position that I said this."

"Huh?" The middle-aged man's expression grew colder.

Seeing his unfriendly demeanor, Qiao Wanxian laughed and said, "Brother, don't get angry. I'm also a football coach, but I lack the opportunity to showcase my talent. It's a pity to see such good players being wasted by mediocre coaches."

"Oh? You're also a coach?" The middle-aged man was curious.

Qiao Wanxian nodded, watching the goalkeeper being repeatedly breached, sighing helplessly.

The middle-aged man smiled mockingly and said, "Young man, from what I see, it's not that you lack opportunities, but that your talent is limited!"

"What did you say?" Qiao Wanxian's eyes widened, and he clenched his fists.

Seeing him get angry, the middle-aged man found it even more amusing, "Look at that goalkeeper, who has already conceded nine goals in such a short time. Such a player can't be coached by any coach."

"Who says a coach can't do it?" Qiao Wanxian retorted, eyes wide with defiance.

The middle-aged man patted Qiao Wanxian's shoulder and said with a chuckle, "Young man, don't be too ambitious. Even José Mourinho couldn't coach such a player!"

Qiao Wanxian sneered, "Mourinho? That arrogant guy? Just because he can't do it doesn't mean I can't!"

The middle-aged man laughed heartily, "Yes, yes, you're a football coach... I remember now."

The middle-aged man didn't want to waste more time with Qiao Wanxian, adjusted his sunglasses, and turned to leave. Suddenly, he heard a mocking voice from behind.

"I heard that Abramovich plans to fire Ranieri and spend a fortune to bring in Mourinho. What a fool! A genius coach is right here in London, and he doesn't hire him but goes for Mourinho. What a waste of money!"

The middle-aged man's face turned red with anger, his lips trembling. He turned around angrily and said, "Young man, watch your words, or I'll sue you for defamation!"

Qiao Wanxian shrugged, looking innocent, "What defamation? I'm just telling the truth! If Abramovich hires Mourinho instead of me, he's a fool and a waste of money!"

The middle-aged man was so angry that his lungs almost burst, and his scalp tingled. He said sternly, "Hire you? What qualifications do you have?"

Qiao Wanxian said seriously, "I have the qualifications. Not just Mourinho, I have talents that no coach in the world has! I can bring out the best in players!" He pointed at the beleaguered goalkeeper and said calmly, "Take him, for example. Chelsea's youth coaches are trash. Such a good player will be wasted if used like this!"

The middle-aged man laughed, nodding, "Alright, I'll give you a week to see what you can do. If you're better than the youth coach, I'll... I'll recommend you to the club's management to become the youth coach!"

Qiao Wanxian looked at the middle-aged man curiously and asked, "Do you have the authority to do that?"

The middle-aged man said proudly, "Rest assured, I've never broken my word in my life!"

Qiao Wanxian smiled contemptuously and said, "A week is too long. Give me five minutes, and I'll make him as good as Mutu!"

Mutu was a striker Chelsea had signed from Parma for £15.8 million last season and had become Chelsea's top striker, even more consistent than Crespo.

The middle-aged man had never seen such an arrogant young man before. People said Mourinho was a madman, but compared to this guy, Mourinho was nothing.

The middle-aged man was thoroughly enraged by Qiao Wanxian. If not for his sunglasses, his eyes would have been red with anger.

He took a deep breath, clenched his fists, and said fiercely, "Alright, if you can really make that goalkeeper as good as Mutu in five minutes... forget Mutu, even if you can make him as good as the best player here, I'll definitely recommend you to become the head coach of Chelsea's first team!"

Qiao Wanxian's eyes widened in disbelief, "Who... who are you?"

The middle-aged man said calmly, "I... I am the club's technical director. Abramovich trusts me. Rest assured, if I recommend you, you will definitely become Chelsea's head coach!"

Qiao Wanxian felt his heart pounding and his blood boiling. He stared at the middle-aged man for a while, then stomped his foot and said seriously, "Is this... a bet?"

The middle-aged man nodded.

"What if you break your word?" Qiao Wanxian still had some doubts.

The middle-aged man said loudly, "May I be struck by lightning if I break my word!"

"Alright!" Qiao Wanxian shouted, feeling a surge of energy. He looked at the iron fence outside the training ground and said to the middle-aged man, "You're the technical director, right? Tell them to let me in. I... will show you a miracle!"

The middle-aged man shook his head, amused. Young people these days were so impatient. Blowing hot air was one thing, but did he really intend to coach that hopeless goalkeeper?

Seeing the middle-aged man's contemptuous expression, Qiao Wanxian felt even more determined, silently encouraging himself, "Whether this guy is a fraud or not, I will make all those who look down on me gasp in surprise!"

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