Chapter 37

"Was it the Chairman's suggestion? Or Raxino's?"

In fact, within three seconds of Cerezio's proposal, Lin Sen had his answer, but he did not respond immediately. Instead, he asked with a hint of curiosity.

"A joint proposal," Cerezio smiled.

Old fox.

Lin Sen silently cursed in his heart. Joint proposal? This was a typical business-like response. Saying it was a joint proposal, but he believed the proposal came from Cerezio. The reason was simple: he had only heard of a head coach recommending an assistant to the chairman, not the other way around, especially not when the chairman had to personally step in. Moreover, Lin Sen was very sure that Raxino would not like him as his assistant coach.

"Will Xiao Hill agree?" Lin Sen threw out another question.

"Atlético Madrid is not a one-man show," Cerezio took another sip of wine and replied casually, "What is your answer? Or do you need to think about it? No problem, I told you now precisely because of this. You can take your time to consider it."

"No need," Lin Sen lifted his wine glass, gently swirled it, and said.

Lin Sen's answer was no.

Of course not, definitely not, there was no other possibility.

Almost everyone thought that Lin Sen's position as head coach was given by Cerezio, and even Lin Sen himself thought so, but in reality, a contract requires two parties to sign. Cerezio had to offer, and Lin Sen had to be willing to accept. How much temptation a temporary head coach could be for Lin Sen, only Lin Sen himself knew. His eyes were his most tangible external aid, but Lin Sen's greatest external aid was actually that segment of memory.

Ten years, not long nor short. Lin Sen could certainly use these ten years to become a patriarchal figure in a club, but what then? After that, Lin Sen would still have to explore the path ahead on his own. Don't think that being a patriarch for ten years would guarantee eternal glory. The two "La Liga" teams in Spain told everyone that having the best players in the world does not necessarily mean having the best team. Moreover, the key reason was that Lin Sen himself was not sure if he had the patience to wait for young players to grow.

This was why he said yes to Cerezio's temporary head coach position at first, and why he now said no to Cerezio. He said yes because the team had enough prestige to allow him to fully utilize his external aid in a short time. He said no because accepting the assistant coach position would mean wasting at least a year of his limited external aid.

"Really not going to consider it?" Cerezio frowned, seemingly unwilling to give up, "For you, this should be a better learning opportunity, and you will have the chance to become the head coach of this team again in the future. I can assure you, you will be the strongest contender for the next Atlético Madrid head coach position."

"I appreciate your consideration, Mr. Chairman," Lin Sen smiled, "But from the moment I signed that short-term contract, I never intended to be anyone's assistant."

"… Since that's the case, I can only wish you good luck." Hearing Lin Sen's words, Cerezio finally realized that Lin Sen had made up his mind, nodded, and raised his glass generously.

Lin Sen also raised his glass and clinked it lightly with Cerezio, then drank it all in one go. He then stood up and said, "Atlético Madrid is a great team, Mr. Chairman, one day you will be proud of it."

After saying that, Lin Sen politely bowed and left the Atlético Madrid chairman's office without looking back.

Leaving Cerezio's office, Lin Sen felt a great sense of relief.

The path of head coach began when he entered this office, and now, it turned at the point of leaving this office. Maradona was right, how could a team doctor be as interesting as football? In just two months, Lin Sen had already found his original profession of several years to be boring. This path was destined to be pursued, even if he had nothing to show for it, even if the future was uncertain.

However, Lin Sen was certain of one thing: from the moment Cerezio signed Raxino's contract, he was destined to regret it one day.

In Lin Sen's notebook, there was a list drafted when he first took over Atlético Madrid. Lin Sen was really grateful for the Football Manager game, which always allowed him to easily improve his list. Now, on this list that would occasionally be added to or removed from, several names would soon be added: Koke, De Gea, and a name that many Atlético Madrid fans might not even be familiar with yet: Diego Costa.

The last sentence Lin Sen said to Cerezio actually had a second half: one day, a team will be proud of me. Unfortunately, that team is not Atlético Madrid.

Saying harsh words is easy, but if they can be realized, they become a curse.

For Atlético Madrid, Lin Sen was not at the point of needing to curse. After all, this was a club that had done him a favor. Lin Sen believed that even when Mourinho left Barcelona, despite his dissatisfaction with the management, he must have been grateful to the club. As for the future, who could say? Of course, to put it nicely, this was a good parting. Realistically, Lin Sen did not deny that it was just to make it easier to poach players in the future.

Even in games, business is done, and good will is maintained.

Lin Sen returned to his office in a leisurely manner and, unexpectedly but not surprisingly, saw Dina with her long legs crossed.

Since returning to his residence, Lin Sen's interactions with Dina had decreased significantly. Even when they did interact, it was mostly work-related, and the jokes he used to make as a team doctor were few and far between. It wasn't that their relationship had become distant, but rather that work and time did not allow it.

"Did you see Cerezio?" When Lin Sen entered, Dina didn't even lift her buttocks, still twisting the swivel chair seductively.

"Uh-huh." Lin Sen, who was used to this, responded lightly and went to get some water.

"You even drank alcohol?" Dina seemed to smell the alcohol and opened her eyes wide.

"Making a big deal out of nothing. It was a farewell drink, did you want to drink too?" Lin Sen said irritably.

"It's not that simple, is it?" Dina finally stopped playing with the swivel chair, "Just you as a temporary head coach?"

"He said I could stay here," Lin Sen took a sip of water and said casually, "He wants me to be an assistant coach."

"And you?" Dina put her legs down, but immediately realized that her question was pointless.

Seeing Dina's expression, Lin Sen knew he didn't need to answer. Looking around the office, he suddenly smiled, "Speaking of which, this should be the last time I'm here."

"What? Do you want to be sentimental?" Dina raised an eyebrow, "If you're so attached, why not accept Cerezio's proposal? An assistant coach is not a head coach, but the pressure would be much less, and with this experience, you won't lack for opportunities even if you leave Atlético Madrid. At that time, maybe I can work with you."

"Stop trying to persuade me."

Lin Sen smiled bitterly and shook his head, but he was somewhat moved by Dina's last words. Work with him? This was not just a joke. With the development of modern football, the role of a head coach was no longer limited to training and directing matches. The manager-style coaches in the Premier League were a good example, and head coaches were gradually evolving from individuals to coaching teams. The best example was Mourinho, who everyone knew would never go to a team alone; his entire coaching team would follow. These people were nominally hired by the club, but in reality, they were only responsible to Mourinho. Unless they had personal plans, like Boas, if Mourinho left, they would follow.

Building his own coaching team, for the current Lin Sen, was less a distant dream and more a luxury he couldn't afford.

"I remember your contract with Atlético Madrid has two years left, right?" Lin Sen, of course, didn't take Dina's words seriously. Abroad, even spouses wouldn't easily interfere with each other's careers, let alone just friends.

"Actually, it's one year," Dina stretched, "When we signed the contract, we added a clause that both parties have the right to terminate the contract one year in advance. How about it? Are you interested?"

Interested, of course he was interested.

But at this moment, what Lin Sen was interested in was not just having the first member of his coaching team. The Dina in front of him, even a simple stretch was so alluring, her already full and rich chest becoming even more seductive with the movement. Lin Sen's eyes flickered, and he immediately felt dry-mouthed, quickly drinking some water.

This was really killing him.

"Shall we make a bet?" Lin Sen suddenly said.

A bet?

Dina looked at Lin Sen with a smile, knowing very well about the bets Lin Sen had with the players. Although she didn't know how Lin Sen won, it seemed he was confident in betting, and this did not stop her curiosity.

"Let's hear it."

"If I can secure a position in a team in a year, you come and help me."

"A team?" Dina rolled her eyes, "Do you think I'm easy to fool? A third-tier team is also a team. Unless it's one of the top five leagues."

"The top five leagues?" Lin Sen frowned.

"Yes. If you can secure a position in a top league team before my contract expires, not only will I help you, I'll even be your secretary." Dina looked at Lin Sen with an ambiguous expression and added, "A private one."

"Deal! It's settled." Lin Sen seemed to be waiting for Dina's words. He immediately said resolutely, almost without hesitation, then raised his hand to clap with Dina as a sign.

Dina subconsciously raised her hand and clapped with Lin Sen. But as soon as she clapped, she felt like she had dug a hole for herself.

It wasn't until she left Lin Sen's office that she realized why.

When she heard Lin Sen's bet, she subconsciously assumed that Lin Sen had to find a top league team first, but she didn't realize that Lin Sen didn't need to go to a top league team. He just needed to lead a second-tier team to promotion!