Chapter 4

Kenyon and his team visited Jowan Xian early in the morning, but they waited at the Hyde Hotel all day long, and it wasn't until they were about to leave in the evening that they finally saw Jowan Xian's figure.

Kenyon sat on the sofa and handed the two copies of the contract to Jowan Xian, who was sitting on the side. Jowan Xian glanced at it hurriedly and saw that the contract stated that Chelsea FC was offering him a one-year contract as head coach with a weekly salary of £20,000!

The contract was about seven or eight pages long, mostly detailing the responsibilities of the head coach and the consequences of breach. A club like Chelsea would never cheat its head coach, so Jowan Xian didn't read it carefully.

As long as Jowan Xian signed the contract, it would be the most absurd, mysterious, and easiest football signing in the history of football, unprecedented and unparalleled!

Signing was a certainty, but when Jowan Xian picked up the pen, he found his hand was shaking.

Jowan Xian took a deep breath and thought to himself, "No, I need to relax. I can't let these people look down on me!"

Jowan Xian put the contract on the table, clenched his hands, and asked calmly, "Mr. Kenyon, every head coach has players and coaching staff they admire. I wonder how much funding the club is willing to provide to help me build a new team?"

Kenyon smiled and said, "Mr. Jowan, you can rest assured. Mr. Abramovich has repeatedly promised to invest £200 million over two years to transform Chelsea into a top Premier League team. So, this year's transfer budget, conservatively, is at least £100 million!"

Jowan Xian drew in a sharp breath. This Russian billionaire was truly formidable! He frowned and pointed to the number on the contract, saying lightly, "Mr. Kenyon, as the head coach of Chelsea FC, the weekly salary of £20,000 you're offering is a bit low, isn't it?"

Actually, for Jowan Xian, a weekly salary of £20,000 was already quite a lot. Converted to an annual salary, it was over £1 million! This would completely change his lifestyle. He was secretly overjoyed, but he tried to remain calm.

Kenyon apologized, "Mr. Jowan, this is Mr. Abramovich's decision. Well... I'm sure you understand the reason. After all, you are very young, and whether you have the ability to manage a top club like Chelsea..."

"Alright, I understand. I will surprise all of you!" Jowan Xian waved his hand, picked up the two copies of the contract, and signed his name with a flourish.

This was definitely the smoothest signing Kenyon's team had ever done. They barely exchanged a few words, and the deal was done. Kenyon was very pleased, stood up, shook hands with Jowan Xian, and smiled, "Mr. Jowan, the club will hold a press conference in three days to announce your arrival. I hope you are well-prepared."

Jowan Xian nodded with a smile, but he felt a bit bitter inside.

What would be the reaction of the global football community when they heard this news?

Would Chelsea fans gather in the streets of London to protest?

Would the British media or the world media dig up all the bad things about him from his childhood?

Would the Chinese media again claim this as a brilliant decision by the football association, a hope for the rise of Chinese football?

Thinking about how the English media mercilessly mocked Arsène Wenger when he was appointed as Arsenal's manager after coming from Japan, Jowan Xian felt a chill run through his bones.

Of course, Jowan Xian wasn't entirely worried. He had the secret weapon, Source 1, and he could at least fulfill his one-year contract with Chelsea. Even if Chelsea didn't want to renew it, his experience at a top club would certainly make him a sought-after head coach in Europe.

In that case, he wouldn't have to worry about his life anymore!

June 11, 2004, was destined to be a historic day for Chelsea FC, the day Jowan Xian first stepped into Stamford Bridge.

After a brief tour of the stadium, the staff took him to the apartment the club had rented for him.

It was a detached house in a wealthy neighborhood near Stamford Bridge, with red tiles, white walls, green grass, and flowers, exuding a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere. Such a manor-like building was rare in the bustling city of London.

The house had two living rooms, seven bedrooms, two garages, and a swimming pool, like a villa with all the facilities. Compared to where Jowan Xian used to live, this place was heaven!

After resting for half an hour, the staff finally took Jowan Xian to the Chelsea FC board meeting.

This was Jowan Xian's first appearance before Chelsea's upper management, and he confirmed that the middle-aged man he had seen that day was indeed Roman Abramovich!

Abramovich was speaking confidently, and the board members were sitting upright, creating a harmonious and serene atmosphere.

Jowan Xian curiously scanned the English gentlemen present, marveling at Abramovich's power. Such an absurd and bizarre appointment had been unanimously approved by the board!

Chelsea FC was indeed Abramovich's private property!

"Gentlemen, let's welcome our new head coach, the young and talented Chinese, Mr. Jowan Xian!"

After a long speech, Abramovich finally called out Jowan Xian with an enthusiastic voice and led the applause, which soon filled the entire meeting room...

After the board meeting, Abramovich met with Jowan Xian privately.

"Mr. Jowan, after seeing your miraculous coaching ability, I decided to take a risk and break the rules to make you our head coach. I hope you won't disappoint me!" Abramovich was very friendly, his attitude much better than that day.

Jowan Xian touched his nose and said sheepishly, "Not because of the bet?"

"Haha..." Abramovich laughed heartily, and Jowan Xian also smiled.

Abramovich tapped his fingers on the table and asked softly, "Mr. Jowan, the press conference is this afternoon. Do you have any requests? I'll have someone arrange them immediately."

Jowan Xian was a bit nervous about the press conference. British journalists were like vultures, ready to pounce on any mistake and blow it out of proportion. What if he said something wrong and got fired?

Jowan Xian asked hesitantly, "Can we skip it?"

Abramovich smiled and said, "Dear Jowan, are you joking? Our goal is to become a world-class club, and we must maintain a close and friendly relationship with the media. Moreover, holding this press conference is a responsibility to all Chelsea fans."

Seeing Abramovich's enthusiastic expression, Jowan Xian felt a bit uneasy. Wasn't this pushing him to the edge? Imagining the grim and terrifying expressions of the media when they heard this shocking news, he felt a chill run up his spine.

Jowan Xian sighed and nodded helplessly, "Alright!"

Abramovich nodded and said, "There's one more thing. I believe Kenyon has already mentioned it. As the new head coach, I hope you can quickly build your coaching staff, or... do you want the club to take full responsibility?"

"Coaching staff?"

Hearing this, Jowan Xian's eyes lit up, and he had an idea.

That's right, I don't have any assistants yet! Assistant coaches, fitness coaches, goalkeeping coaches, tactical coaches, technical coaches... I'm new to London, so I'll have to rely on the club to help me.

Just as Jowan Xian was about to nod in agreement, he thought of something. The assistant coach was a crucial position! With my coaching level, I need a powerful assistant coach to support me, or I might struggle with on-field decisions.

But who should I choose as my assistant coach?

At this moment, Jowan Xian's foresight played a crucial role.

He recalled that in the early 21st century, three young and talented managers emerged: Mourinho, Guardiola, and Boas!

Mourinho, known as "The Special One," would definitely move to a top club after leading Porto to the Champions League title this summer. Guardiola was still a player and hadn't retired yet, so the choice... was the talented master, Boas!

Calculating the timeline, he should still be Mourinho's assistant coach. Should I poach him to support me?

Jowan Xian squinted his eyes, hesitated for a long time, and finally said, "I want Boas!"

"Boas? Who is this person?" Abramovich frowned, puzzled.

Jowan Xian said solemnly, "This person is very important to me. I hope the club will do everything to poach him. He will be a valuable asset to the club."

Abramovich smiled and said generously, "Don't worry about that. Just tell me who this person is, and I'll have Kenyon handle it."

Jowan Xian said, "Poaching this person will be difficult. It's not just about the buyout fee; the key is to convince him. He is currently Mourinho's assistant coach!"

"Ah?" Abramovich was stunned, looking at Jowan Xian in shock. When did you meet such a person?

But then Abramovich smiled. It was interesting; this summer, he had planned to poach Mourinho as the club's head coach, but due to a bet, he hired Mr. Jowan. Now, not being able to get Mourinho, poaching his assistant to Chelsea was also quite amusing.

Abramovich replied straightforwardly, "No problem, I'll have Kenyon and the sports department handle it for you. Remember, the press conference is at 2 PM. I hope you can attend on time. Have you seen the apartment? Are you satisfied with the facilities?"

Jowan Xian smiled, "Satisfied, everything is perfect!"