Chapter 16

The British media is probably the least reliable in all of Europe, perhaps even the world. To attract attention, they can fabricate news at will and intrude into personal privacy without restraint.

What is the status of football in Britain? What is the most popular sport in Britain?

First is football.

Second is football.

Third, still football.

Therefore, football and the media are closely intertwined. One could say that the media can forge a glorious team, such as the Manchester United dynasty of the Busby Babes, which coincided with the time when football broadcasts entered British households, laying a broad fan base for Manchester United. If another team had dominated, the landscape of English football today might be very different.

Aldridge was well aware of the media's influence. Rationally, he knew he had to rely on the media to promote Millwall, so he needed to gain some recognition. On the day before the English First Division season opened, Millwall held a press conference. Aldridge hoped to give the team a chance to make an appearance before the new season, to make the team a bit more special, just to increase its visibility.

However, at the press conference, Aldridge was inwardly bitter. None of the major British newspapers, such as The Times, The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph, or The Independent, had sent reporters. In Britain, there are no famous specialized sports newspapers; most are general newspapers with sports sections. Therefore, not every event in the football world attracts attention; only sensational news draws the paparazzi.

Unfortunately, the Millwall first team held no interest for these paparazzi. Only the "defection" of Southgate from Crystal Palace was worth writing about, but that had already been hyped for over a week and was now old news. Previously, Aldridge had stirred up a storm at Millwall, even making the front pages of major newspapers, especially during the transfer window. But once the excitement died down, no one cared about Aldridge anymore unless he did something extraordinary.

There were only about ten media reporters at the press conference, and they looked as young as Aldridge, likely here to seek news where they couldn't find it elsewhere. Aldridge specifically inquired, and although The Sun, The Mirror, and The Daily Mail were represented, they were all interns, sitting there like obedient children. In the end, it was another journalist with more experience who asked Aldridge a question.

"What is Millwall's goal for next season? You have spent over ten million pounds in the transfer market, the most of any English club this summer."

Aldridge replied seriously, "We are a young team, and many players still need to grow through matches. The goal for next season is very practical: to stay in the First Division."

The few reporters in the audience exchanged glances, and the one who asked the question was surprised, countering, "Millwall spent over ten million pounds just to avoid relegation? If that's the case, why did you sell so many key players? They finished third in the First Division last season."

"Very simple. The previous team lacked growth potential. They could stay in the First Division year after year, but my current team can stay this year, be more mature next year, and perhaps challenge for promotion to the Premier League the year after. After that, I believe my team will be very competitive in the Premier League. In three years, the average age of the team will not exceed 24."

Aldridge said with a smile.

In his heart, he actually hoped more media would attend and spread his "relegation goal" to the ears of Millwall's competitors, to show weakness and lull the opponents. The reporters in the audience were even less interested. Millwall had caused a stir in the summer transfer market, but now their manager only wanted to avoid relegation. This news had no appeal, at best it might elicit a laugh.

The sparse press conference made the reporters somewhat sympathetic to Aldridge. One of them, not very enthusiastically, said, "Please talk about Ole Solskjaer, David Trezeguet, and Henrik Larsson, the three forwards."

Aldridge answered the reporters' questions without complaint. By the end, the reporters were no longer asking about Millwall but were more interested in Aldridge himself. After all, as a wealthy young man, Aldridge had a bit of a legendary aura. He had traveled across Europe, was determined to be a football coach, was young and rich, and handsome. Aldridge answered every question and even chatted amiably with the interns. He didn't care what would be published the next day; he needed fame, and his fame would benefit Millwall. As long as it didn't involve libel that would waste his time with lawyers, he didn't mind other speculative and fabricated news.

Sure enough, the next day, the tabloids gave Aldridge considerable space, but the information about him far outweighed that about Millwall. They subtly portrayed him as a playboy who treated the football club as a toy...

On August 12th at 3 PM, the Lion's Den was packed, the small stadium echoing with Millwall's team song. The home team Millwall was already ready in the dressing room.

The tactics board in the dressing room was blank. Aldridge, dressed in a simple and stylish suit with the top button undone, stood with his hands in his pockets, looking at the spirited players. Each player was eager, waiting for Aldridge's final instructions before the match.

But after entering the dressing room that afternoon, Aldridge had not discussed anything related to the match, only inquiring about the players' physical conditions.

"How to play the match, I've said countless times in training. Now, I don't want to repeat myself; it's meaningless. Just perform at your training level, execute the tactical requirements, and maintain focus and fighting spirit. That's enough. But before the match, I want to say something."

Aldridge's eyes swept over each player's face, and he said solemnly, "I believe in you. Even if someone puts a knife to my throat, I still believe in you. Ask me a hundred times, and I'll answer a hundred times: You are the best! But you, like me and this club with over a hundred years of history, have nothing! When you step out of this room and onto the pitch, you begin your journey here. I hope you can face the future with the same mindset as me. Leave something behind, don't come and go silently. For Millwall, for yourselves, write your names in the book of victory, and let your figures be forever etched in the history of this great sport. I believe in you, unwaveringly. Despite the room for improvement, as long as we persist, I believe we will defeat all those who stand in our way of reaching the top of Europe and the world. Let's achieve this dream together. Go for it!"

After speaking, Aldridge turned and opened the dressing room door, leading the way to the pitch. Behind him, the young players shouted in unison, "Go for it!"

The Millwall players, full of fighting spirit, began to leave the dressing room like lions out of a cage. Aldridge arrived at the end of the players' tunnel first, where the match officials and the visiting team, Shrewsbury Town, were already lined up to enter the pitch.

The Shrewsbury Town players fixed their gazes on Aldridge, curious about the young rich man's capabilities. Many wore smirks of disdain, seemingly anticipating Aldridge's eventual failure.

Aldridge stopped at the tunnel exit, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. Time seemed to slow, and the subtle sounds were stretched, entering his ears with crystal clarity.

Huff, thump.

He could feel his heavy but not hurried breathing, his strong and slow heartbeat, and then the rock-rhythmed team song gradually filled his ears. He closed his eyes, as if he were in the stands, where Millwall fans held scarves high, singing in unison...

Aldridge exhaled deeply, suppressing his nervousness, a feeling he had never experienced before, as if an invisible weight on his shoulders made it hard to breathe. He knew what awaited him after he stepped out of the tunnel: the true professional pitch and the support of the fans, which made him feel a sense of responsibility.

Opening his eyes with a confident and calm expression, Aldridge walked out of the players' tunnel, the bright sunlight making the passionate cheers even clearer.

Despite his best efforts to hide it, his nervousness still showed in his actions. Under the watchful eyes of the fans, Aldridge appeared on the pitch and, to everyone's surprise, walked towards the visiting team's bench...

After taking three steps, Aldridge saw a group of coaches and players he didn't recognize, realizing he had walked in the wrong direction. However, he didn't immediately turn around. Instead, he approached the visiting team's head coach, Peter Dawson, who was talking to his assistants, to cover his mistake by greeting him out of respect.

But things didn't go as he had planned...