Chapter 61

At the Football League Managers' Association dinner, Aldridge received the League One Manager of the Season award, making him the second most eye-catching figure of the evening, after Nottingham Forest's head coach, Frank Clark.

Nottingham Forest had been promoted to the Premier League last season and, under the leadership of Frank Clark, a disciple of Brian Clough, they had bravely secured third place in the league, a small miracle for the club.

During the dinner, Aldridge also had brief exchanges with several Premier League managers. Many Premier League clubs were interested in acquiring players from Millwall, so they came to sound out Aldridge. For those clubs without a strong pedigree, Aldridge directly declared that any player on his team was non-transferable.

When the season finally concluded, Middlesbrough secured the last Premier League spot, bringing the season to a complete end.

Aldridge then began his operations in the summer transfer market.

He entrusted the sponsorship negotiations to Adam, including the Barclays Bank sponsorship, the Puma sponsorship, and the stadium advertisements, which were expected to bring in around three million pounds for the team at the start of the season.

Early in the morning, after having breakfast, Aldridge called Andrew from home, arranging to meet him at the street corner.

At ten in the morning, a white BMW parked by the roadside. Aldridge saw Andrew sitting in the driver's seat, and a beautiful woman in a thin dress sitting in the passenger seat, whom he did not recognize. He greeted her with a smile.

"Ah~ What do you want this morning?"

Andrew was dressed casually, his shirt not even tucked into his trousers. After getting out of the car, he took out a cigarette, leaned against the car door, and lit it, then offered one to Aldridge.

Aldridge lit his cigarette and chuckled, "I was going to ask for your help with some transfer matters, but you seem busy. Forget it, just introduce me to an assistant from your company. I might be traveling abroad for the next one or two months, but I'll be running around domestically first. I need an intelligence person."

Blowing a smoke ring, Andrew turned and leaned into the car, saying, "Honey, get out and go home. I have to do some serious work."

"Huh? Didn't we plan to go on vacation in France?"

"Sweetie, I have to work. Go home first; we can go on vacation anytime."

"Andrew! Your promise is bullshit!"

"Ha, maybe. You can take the car. Oh, and don't contact me anymore. Bye."

Andrew, showing no manners to the angry woman, put his arm around Aldridge's shoulder and walked forward. He took out his phone and called for another car.

Aldridge laughed, "So it's over?"

Andrew squatted by the roadside, smoking casually, "Yeah, it's over. She thought she was a princess. I can only apologize. The prince who would indulge her isn't me."

Aldridge admired his brother, despite his playboy image, he always knew how to prioritize.

Thinking he only needed some intelligence and didn't need Andrew to accompany him the whole time, Aldridge squatted by the roadside and said, "You really don't have to come with me. Go on vacation."

Andrew flicked the cigarette butt away and turned to laugh, "What a joke. Our family's money doesn't grow on trees. If I don't help you make money, what's the point of living? You're looking to buy players, right? As the head of the agency, I should go with you. Money doesn't walk into my pocket on its own."

Aldridge laughed and nodded, "Alright, let's go together."

Soon, Andrew's assistant arrived in an Audi. Andrew took a tie from the assistant and put it on, then tucked his shirt into his trousers and combed his hair, all while standing by the roadside. He polished his shoes on the car tire and, in less than three minutes, transformed into a well-dressed and impeccable man, a speed that left Aldridge amazed.

"Where to?"

"Check the information on four people in your company's database: Joe Cole, Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, and Frank Lampard."

After saying this, Aldridge looked out the window and waited quietly.

Andrew called the office. The intelligence and information were stored and updated regularly in the company. His scouts were no fewer than those of top clubs, or rather, they were more like detectives.

Every year in England, the media hyped up new talents, but few truly made it to the big stage. Joe Cole, the first name Aldridge mentioned, was one of them, or perhaps it was better to call him by his more famous name: Joe Cole.

Joe Cole was a talent, his football skills from a young age attracted attention.

Aldridge didn't have much to offer besides money, but for many players, that was a temptation. There were people who could resist the lure of money, but for most, it was a matter of the amount.

Andrew put down the phone. Not to mention that all four were in London, he could find out about them anywhere, as they were potential clients.

"Both Coles haven't joined any club yet. As for Ferdinand and Lampard, it's a bit more complicated. The latest news is that West Ham United is preparing to offer them adult contracts this summer."

Aldridge thought for a moment with his eyes closed and said, "Let's go see them first. Interesting, poaching from a rival, why not? How much weekly salary is West Ham offering them?"

"Maybe 600 pounds, or 60 pounds."

"I'll offer 3000."

"Ha, you'll be seen as a rich fool again!"

"Time will tell who the fool is."

Andrew drove Aldridge straight to Rio Ferdinand's house.

Aldridge didn't see it as lowering himself to visit in person. Some transfers required the head coach to personally persuade the player.

Back in the day, the Manchester City manager waited in his office for Ryan Giggs to sign, but Giggs never showed up. The next day, it turned out that Manchester United's manager, Alex Ferguson, had visited Giggs and poached the left-wing legend who dominated English football for twenty years...

In London, Aldridge had already gained a significant reputation. He was the standout League One manager last season, and with Millwall set to enter the Premier League next season, the media had already started hyping up news about him and the club.

So, when Aldridge and Andrew visited the Ferdinand family, it was taken seriously, even drawing the attention of relatives. Aldridge's sincerity and the high weekly salary in the contract won over Ferdinand.

Frank Lampard's transfer was a bit more complicated because his father held a position at West Ham United, though their relationship with the club was not good. Aldridge also offered a position at Millwall to the elder Lampard and used the high salary to poach Lampard.

West Ham United, which had planned to offer contracts to Lampard and Ferdinand in July, was furious to find that their star prospects had been lured away by their rival, Millwall, with high salaries.

The youth revolution at Millwall last season was the biggest attraction for Aldridge to sign players. He might not have achieved anything in the Premier League yet, but in terms of developing young players, each young player in his team seemed to have great potential and performed impressively under his guidance.

As night fell, Aldridge and Andrew drove to the outskirts, eating fast food and drinking beer, leaning against the Audi, chatting. That day, Aldridge had signed four young players for the club.

Although Joe Cole was only 13 and Ashley Cole was 15, Lampard and Ferdinand were already 17. With a couple of years of development, they would be valuable assets.

The success of the first day boosted Aldridge's confidence, but the next day, when he and Andrew went to Merseyside in northwest England, they faced a series of rejections.

Manchester United had the Class of '92, and Liverpool, another traditional English powerhouse, had the Class of '96, with three standout players.

Aldridge spent the morning being politely declined by Jamie Carragher and being shown the door by Michael Owen's parents.

The only one left was Steven Gerrard, whom Aldridge met in a café.

The young and slightly awkward Gerrard, dressed casually, tried to appear mature, but his darting eyes betrayed his mischievous nature.

"Reject? Why? Steven, if you have any issues, you can tell me. Is it the salary? Two thousand is too little? I can offer 2,500. If it's accommodation, the club can provide an apartment..."

"Um, sir, thank you for your offer, but I don't want to sign with any team other than Liverpool."

Gerrard lowered his head, his gaze avoiding Aldridge's.

Aldridge scratched his head, puzzled, "Hmm? Why are you trying out with other clubs then? And why agree to meet me? You could have just rejected me over the phone."

Aldridge had high hopes before the meeting, especially after hearing that Gerrard was trying out with various clubs but none had signed him. Aldridge thought the others were blind, not seeing the gem.

Gerrard said apologetically, "I'm trying to put pressure on Liverpool to give me a contract."

Aldridge was speechless.

Damn!

I've been played by this kid!

And I've been used as a stepping stone!

Without a doubt, the news of Millwall trying to poach Gerrard would soon spread, even if the media didn't discover it, Gerrard would spread the word to get it to Liverpool.

Aldridge left Merseyside disheartened, his poaching efforts suffering a significant blow.

On the way back to London, Aldridge laughed bitterly. He should have known that the prospects of top clubs wouldn't be so easy to poach. Why would well-bred players from prestigious clubs want to wander outside?

Only a club like West Ham United, with no ambition or history, could be easily poached. He thought of Paul Ince...

After his lament, Aldridge regained his spirit and continued his plan to poach the next player. It wasn't just the top clubs that had good prospects; it was just a matter of finding the gold in the sand.