Chapter 95

The post-match interview was grand, not the usual quick and casual affair in the mixed zone. At Anfield, a press conference setup was arranged.

When Audrich appeared, the reporters immediately began taking photos, the flashbulbs making it uncomfortable for the eyes.

"Let's keep it brief, gentlemen. I don't want to miss the bus, so if you have any questions, ask them quickly."

The *Echo* is the voice of Merseyside, not particularly favoring Everton or Liverpool. However, when the two clubs have new policies or news, they are often first disclosed in the *Echo*, either to gauge fan reactions or to break exclusive stories.

The reporter from the *Echo* was hostile towards Audrich and directly asked, "Why did you do that? Provoking the Anfield fans! Your team won, yes, but shouldn't you show some grace?"

Without hesitation, Audrich replied, "The stadium was noisy, clearly Liverpool doesn't welcome me, and I don't mind. Just like when they go to London, no one welcomes them either. Next question."

The *Echo* reporter was taken aback and wanted to continue, but his colleagues were not accommodating. They were happy to hear some headline news from Audrich, and he had just provided it.

Who can blame them, given his current red-hot status!

Before the season, it was predicted that Millwall would have a tough start in the Premier League, with a grueling schedule. However, after three of the five toughest matches, Millwall had two wins and one draw. Among the traditional English powerhouses, only Manchester United managed to secure a hard-fought point against Millwall at home.

After the interview, Audrich led the team back to London. That evening, he waited at the club for the medical report.

He received a headache-inducing message.

Southgate was out for 5 to 7 weeks, and Trezeguet had a sprained ankle, needing 6 to 8 weeks to recover.

With two key players out, he began adjusting the lineup. Four days later, in the League Cup match against a weaker opponent, cup matches are often the breeding ground for upsets. To ensure a smooth run, Audrich planned to field his strongest lineup in cup matches, regardless of the opponent.

Dean Richards would replace Southgate, and Solskjaer would replace Trezeguet, but the team's strength at both ends would definitely be reduced.

After the afternoon training session, Audrich returned to his apartment, took a shower, and changed into a neat suit to attend a dinner.

It was the beginning of the month, and it was Harlow's birthday. However, the Spice Girls had just started their career and had some commercial activities. She planned to have a birthday party tonight, as they would soon begin working intensively on their first album. So, this was their last chance to relax.

Audrich was invited, and Melanie was sitting on the sofa downstairs, playing the Spice Girls' single on repeat. She was enjoying it, feeling a sense of accomplishment.

Audrich, dressed neatly, came downstairs, and Melanie looked him up and down, frowning. "Isn't this too formal?"

Audrich shrugged. "What else? Should I dress in hip-hop style? Don't be ridiculous. If I'm seen like that, how can I work?"

After thinking for a moment, Melanie agreed with him.

She took Audrich's arm and walked out. Just as they opened the door, they saw Andrew standing outside, ready to knock.

"Hi."

Andrew was taken aback for a moment, then raised his hand in greeting.

Audrich asked, puzzled, "What's up?"

Andrew waved the letter in his other hand. "Nothing, I just got home and found an international letter for you. I brought it over. It's from a friend abroad, right?"

Audrich took the letter and glanced at the sender's address, his expression becoming serious.

He walked back into the house and opened the letter, his face growing increasingly grim as he read.

"What's wrong?"

Melanie was startled by Audrich's expression, which looked like the end of the world.

"Audrich, help me out. I need to go abroad. Get me a visa as soon as possible, to Hungary."

After reading the letter, Audrich's chest heaved, and Melanie and Andrew could even see the tears in his eyes.

He turned to Melanie. "Sorry, I can't make it to Harlow's birthday party. Please tell her I'm sorry."

"Hey, what's going on?"

Melanie was affected by Audrich's state and looked anxious.

"No time to explain, I need to pack."

"Wait, I'll go with you. Your state worries me. I'll go with you."

Audrich looked back at her, hesitated for a few seconds, then nodded.

Andrew watched Audrich run upstairs, shrugged, and pulled out his phone to start contacting his network in the city.

That night, Audrich and Melanie boarded a British Airways flight to Budapest, the capital of Hungary.

Before leaving, Audrich called Jensen and told him: If I can't be back by Wednesday, you'll have to take charge of the match.

As the plane ascended, Melanie sat next to Audrich and noticed his right leg trembling, clearly anxious. She placed her hand on his leg and said softly, "There's no point in being anxious now. The plane has taken off, and we'll arrive in Budapest soon. Can you tell me what happened?"

Audrich closed his eyes and took a deep breath, placing his right hand on hers. He said in a heavy tone, "Last summer, before I returned to London, I was a football coach for the Hungarian national team. There, I met a mentor who taught me the soul of football."

...

Budapest, after the collapse of Eastern Europe, gradually became the largest black market in the world. It was filled with mysterious black gold and stolen goods, and the rich often sent their minions to buy rare treasures that couldn't be found elsewhere.

Audrich was clearly not there for tourism or shopping. After landing, he and Melanie took a taxi to a hospital in the capital.

After asking at the front desk for the room number, Audrich hurried upstairs. In the corridor outside the room, he saw an elderly woman with white hair and simple clothing.

The woman looked sad and looked up at the sound of footsteps. Recognizing Audrich, she stood up immediately, and they embraced.

"Elizabeth, how is he?"

Audrich's voice was trembling.

"I don't know. He suddenly fainted at home. Audrich, thank you for coming. He will be very happy."

At that moment, a nurse came out of the room and said the patient was awake.

"Child, go see him. He will be very surprised to see you."

Audrich nodded, composed himself, and entered the room.

Melanie took the elderly woman's arm, and they stood by the door, watching everything inside.

Audrich forced a smile and walked into the room. He saw the elderly man with white hair lying quietly on the bed, his eyes slowly adjusting to the surroundings.

"Huh? Audrich, what are you doing here? What happened to me?"

He tried to sit up, but Audrich quickly went over and gently pressed him down. "Hehe, what are you doing? Lie down and rest. You're sick, and you're not a young man anymore. Don't be stubborn. Remember what you told me: on the training ground, I listen to you, and in the hospital, you listen to the doctor."

The elderly man sighed and lay down, curious. "Didn't you go back to England? Are you coaching a team now?"

Audrich sat on the edge of the bed and smiled. "Yes, I am. My team is called Millwall."

"Millwall? I haven't heard of it."

"It's not as famous as Real Madrid, but maybe it will be in the future."

"Ha, you're so confident, but no team can surpass Real Madrid, none."

"Is that so?"

...

Melanie, standing by the door, whispered, "They have a good relationship."

"Ferencz treats Audrich like his own child. In the past, when Audrich upset him, he would criticize him severely."

"What's wrong with him?"

"The doctor said it's Alzheimer's."

Melanie didn't understand and didn't ask further.

However, a strange scene unfolded in the room.

In just a blink, the elderly man on the bed looked out the window, then turned to Audrich and said, "Audrich, why are you here?"

Audrich's expression changed dramatically, and he forced a smile, his voice choked with emotion. "I came to see you."

"Did you achieve your dream? Did a hometown team invite you to coach? Those who didn't invite you will regret it."

"I've found a job, coaching a small team."

"What's it called? I know a few English teams."

"Millwall."

"Huh, I haven't heard of it."

...

Melanie, standing by the door, was stunned. She looked at the elderly woman, Elizabeth, who smiled bitterly. "Alzheimer's is dementia."

Melanie covered her mouth, watching the repeated scene in the room. Behind Audrich's forced smile, the struggle and pain were heart-wrenching. Her eyes welled up with tears, and she covered her mouth to prevent herself from crying out.

Half an hour later, Audrich sat in a chair outside the room, his head hanging low, his hands on his thighs, tears falling uncontrollably.

He had just had the same conversation with the elderly man in the room three times.

"Audrich, you and Ferencz are close, right?"

Melanie, with a sad expression, held Audrich's hand. Seeing this man's true emotions, she didn't feel he was weak, but rather, very real.

Audrich straightened up, raised his head, closed his eyes, and said in a choked voice, "His name is Ferencz, and his surname is: Puskas!"

PS: Thanks to "Tuo Tuo Xie Hei" and "Lala I am a big piece of wood" for the support!

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