A Mole Leaks Secrets? The Sun Strikes First with a Shocking Scoop!
"I Agüero, will never forgive Nasri!"
After watching Tang Long's brilliant performance against Juventus in full on television...
In front of Ranocchia, Agüero deliberately dialed CEO Begiristain's number and loudly proclaimed this declaration.
He shouted it on purpose for Ranocchia to hear, or rather, he shouted it on purpose for Tang Long to hear.
Once December arrives, Christmas will be just around the corner, and before we know it, this year will be over, and we'll be welcoming 2016.
Agüero was aware of his injury, and Gracie told him that he would not be able to return to play this year.
Every professional player thinks about two things when they get injured.
The first thing is to hope that the injury recovers quickly so that I can return to the court as soon as possible;
The second concern is how well I'll perform after my return, whether I can return to my pre-injury level, and integrate into the team as quickly as possible.
Bony scored again today!
Seeing Bony improve as the starting center forward during his injury, Agüero, though he didn't say anything, couldn't possibly be without worry!
Although he applauded and cheered when Bony scored, he was also extremely anxious inside!
As a professional player, Agüero understands that players come and go, and in Manchester City, no one is irreplaceable.
Although he remains a hero in the hearts of Manchester City fans and will be regarded as a legendary figure in the club's history for a long time to come;
Agüero is well aware that he did not come from Manchester City's youth academy, and he was not a child developed by the team. As a player who transferred from Atlético Madrid to Manchester City, he is essentially a mercenary!
Don't be fooled by his prolific goal-scoring when he's healthy; he's an irreplaceable weapon on the front line.
If you return to the court and your form doesn't improve, you can't score, and you go through a four- or five-game goal drought, do you think the fans won't criticize you?
Fans buy tickets to watch the game live, not to see some so-called legendary figure; they come to see someone score a goal and bring victory to their team!
From the club's perspective, paying him a high salary, a top-tier salary, what's the point of him as a striker if he can't score goals for the team?
Even the seasoned Agüero was captivated by Tang Long's assists to Bony during the match!
In that position, at that angle, surrounded by so many Juventus players, he was able to anticipate Sterling's attack three seconds in advance, creating a huge gap between Bonucci and Barzagli, and then unexpectedly chipping the ball there with precise footwork, assisting Bony to score.
Tang Long deserves 90% of the credit for this goal.
After my return, let alone whether I can immediately oust Bony, even if I do get on the field, will I be able to get the same support from Tang Long as Bony?
These are all hard to say, Agüero couldn't draw any definitive conclusions.
Therefore, he had to take the initiative and maximize his support for Tang Long to express his stance.
As the gang leader, his attitude represents the attitude of the entire Spanish-speaking Faction!
He not only wanted to support Tang Long himself, but also wanted to bring Silva, the number two figure in the Spanish-speaking Faction, to join him.
Manchester Evening News: Nasri's words reveal the key to victory – unity is our secret to success!
<24 Hours News>: The entire Manchester City team is united and of one mind!
The Guardian: Nasri calls for a public boycott of the Sun by the entire team!
Der Spiegel: Manchester City with Tang is unstoppable, they've already secured first place in the group!
The next morning.
Manchester City CEO Begiristain sat in his office, looking at the various freshly printed newspapers covering his large desk, his brow furrowed in worry.
Commercial Director Berrada, chewing gum and with his hands in his suit trouser pockets, stood in front of the glass window, overlooking the Manchester City team's training session.
His gaze was deliberately focused on Nasri.
"Nasri was really motivated in training today," Berrada said with a smile. "He always slacked off on the last meter of the 30-meter shuttle run, but today he stretched every step of the way and even touched the white line. Interesting."
Begiristain nodded slightly, then inquired about Berrada's attitude.
Both men are executives of City Football Group, also part of the Abu Dhabi United Group, and were appointed as managers with full control over Manchester City Football Club.
Their attitudes toward Nasri will directly determine the France's fate in the team.
"Attitude? I've already reiterated that my attitude is very clear."
Berrada walked back from the window and sat down opposite Begiristain.
"Terminate his contract immediately, without any conditions."
But Begiristain shook his head, disagreeing.
"That's too reckless! We can choose to sell him in the winter transfer window. After all, he's still worth 20 million euros on Transfermarkt, and we can at Dodo recoup some of our losses."
Begiristain then discussed UEFA's upcoming Financial Fair Play policy with Berrada.
"You know, things haven't been peaceful these past few years. Our Abu Dhabi United Group is hated because we're rich; people resent the wealthy."
"Financial Fair Play regulations will be implemented soon. From then on, clubs can no longer enjoy endless free funding from their parent companies. They must be commercially self-sufficient, otherwise they will face UEFA bans and transfer restrictions."
"Under these circumstances, Nasri remains a valuable asset to the team, and it would be very unwise for us to simply let him go."
Begiristain deliberately emphasized the phrase "from a business perspective."
This was clearly meant for the business director Berrada.
As the business director, don't you know that players are listed as asset figures in the team's financial statements?
Seeing Berrada's dismissive expression, Begiristain patiently used an analogy to explain to him:
You have many cars in your garage, too many to drive, and you want to get rid of one. Would you choose to smash it to pieces with a hammer, or sell it to a used car dealer?
Even if Nasri's car is in the worst possible condition, it still has value!
However, Berrada insisted on his opinion that Nasri must be released from his contract.
"The decision to terminate Nasri's contract on the spot was not only the opinion of our core player, Don, but also of captain Kompany, Agüero, Joe Hart, and other team leaders. If we go against these people, it will only be detrimental to the unity of the locker room."
Upon hearing this, Begiristain knew that this subordinate of his was going to oppose him.
Despite feeling that his dignity as the head of the team's management was threatened, Begiristain still considered the bigger picture and patiently continued to explain to Berrada.
"Berrada, I have served as the sporting director of other teams for many years. This experience taught me a lesson: the players' opinions are important and must be listened to, but you can't listen to everything. As a manager, you must have a long-term vision and your own overall considerations."
"Nasri earns Pound Sterling 3 million a year with the team, and his contract has two years remaining."
"If we terminate his contract now, we'll have to pay Pound Sterling 6 million for nothing. The boss once told us that Manchester City is indeed very rich, and no one should talk to Manchester City about being rich, but we never support fools. Are you willing to be that kind of fool?"
Business Director Berrada's eyelid twitched.
Begiristain's words are laced with barbs!
The word "Fool" sounds particularly jarring, almost like it's an insult directed at him.
"Nasri dares to ask for Pound Sterling 6 million? He's dreaming!"
"He violated the clause in the contract that prohibits intentionally damaging the club's social reputation. I've been merciful enough; otherwise, with our powerful legal team, he wouldn't have gotten a single penny, and he would have had to pay us compensation!"
Berrada assured Begiristain that with a budget of just Pound Sterling 3 million, his exceptional negotiating skills would be enough to get Nasri to leave.
Moreover, this money was to be included in the termination agreement as hush money, ensuring that he would never discuss the matter of being secretly filmed with anyone else.
After explaining for a long time, his subordinates still couldn't grasp the point, and Begiristain felt that they were talking at cross purposes and that it was incomprehensible.
His tone became impatient, and his voice rose an octave.
"Ridiculous! You have a master's degree, yet your teachers didn't teach you math, Berrada!"
"We could have easily sold Nasri to a mid-to-lower-tier Premier League team for over Pound Sterling 10 million, but now you're saying we have to pay Pound Sterling 3 million to terminate his contract? Do the math, which approach is more cost-effective and better for the group's interests?"
They couldn't agree on what to say and started arguing in the office.
The argument grew louder and louder, so much so that Begiristain's secretary in the next room couldn't help but tiptoe over and listen intently by the door.
With a "bang," Business Director Berrada suddenly put both feet up on the table.
Seeing his subordinate's two big feet pointing at him, the mud from the soles of his shoes flying onto the table and even splashing onto his nose, Begiristain could no longer hold back—he slammed his fist on the table and stood up!
"Get out! Get out of my office!"
Berrada put her legs down, stood up, shrugged, and strode confidently toward the door.
Before leaving, he stopped and turned to his superior, coldly saying:
Since we can't agree, let's consult the Abu Dhabi United Group together.
Berrada graduated from the European Business School with a degree in Business, and earned a master's degree in E-commerce from the Ramon Llull University in Spain. She later pursued further studies in General Management at IESE Business School.
His career path is quite unusual. Before 2004, his job had nothing to do with football; he worked as a product manager and business development manager at a Spain telecommunications company.
After 2004, he entered the football field at Barcelona and served as the head of sponsorship for seven years, responsible for helping Barcelona attract sponsors. In 2011, he was recruited by Manchester City to serve as the head of international business development.
After eleven years of dedicated work in the football industry,
This season, he was promoted to Commercial Director of Manchester City, officially stepping into the core management of a team!
Back when he was participating in a Manchester City management meeting to discuss whether to choose De Bruyne or Tang Long, Berrada astutely recognized that the Asia market behind Tang Long would bring more business opportunities and cooperation to Manchester City. Therefore, he advocated signing Tang Long rather than De Bruyne.
He has lived in six different countries, is fluent in four languages, has an extensive global industry network, and has traveled to Asia multiple times to secure sponsorships.
He knew that Tang Long's arrival was an excellent opportunity for Manchester City to attract new players;
This is also a significant opportunity for me to get a promotion and a raise!
If this opportunity is seized, Manchester City's reputation in Asia will experience a qualitative leap, and his status within the club will also rise rapidly.
People strive for higher positions, and Berrada set her sights on the position of her superior, Begiristain.
He was unwilling to merely work in business operations at this rising Premier League powerhouse; he aspired to be the CEO, managing and operating the club comprehensively, and realizing his ultimate dream of transitioning into the football world!
To achieve this, he must make the most of Tang Long and ensure he enjoys playing for Manchester City.
Although he is the commercial director, Berrada has high standards for himself; he watched every single one of Manchester City's matches this season.
Even if I can't watch the live stream on the plane, no matter how tired I am after getting off the plane, I will immediately watch the full 90-minute replay in the hotel.
Berrada observed that, in most cases, Manchester City only played well when Tang Long played well!
Tang Long's individual form plays a significant role in the fluctuations of Manchester City's performance.
If Manchester City wants to go far, they must establish Tang Long as the absolute core of the team – this cannot be said outright in the locker room, but it requires action.
If they can't do it—if even a scumbag like Nasri can't heed the call to be released, and they even have to keep him until the winter transfer window to sell him— Tang Long will definitely be unhappy.
This China man was someone I strongly advocated for signing, so we must resolutely protect his interests, as this is also protecting Berrada's own interests.
Moreover, according to Begiristain's words, he was determined to sell Nasri for over 10 million Pound Sterling.
How ridiculous!
Can Nasri be sold for that price given his current form?
Nasri is definitely not going to any big clubs right now; they wouldn't even consider him.
Mid-to-lower-tier teams might want to, but they absolutely must, cut salaries!
His annual salary is a whopping Pound Sterling 3 million; how could most small teams afford that?
Therefore, these smaller teams will definitely demand significant concessions from Manchester City on transfer fees.
More than 10 million Pound Sterling?
You probably couldn't sell it for 5 million!
If they can't sell him in the winter transfer window, he'll have to wait until the summer transfer window next year, which means Nasri will have to stay with the team for another six months.
What good does it do you, us, and the entire City Football Group to have such a ticking time bomb planted within the team?
Isn't there enough internal strife within the team already?
Begiristain, for such a small amount of money, you've probably lost the big picture for a small gain!
The meeting between the two ended unhappily.
The decision regarding Nasri has been temporarily put on hold.
This delay led to a major incident!
Just one day before the weekend league match against Queens Park Rangers,
The Sun, the newspaper that started Tang Long's sex scandal, has once again dropped a bombshell!
They somehow found out that Nasri was the Manchester City mole who secretly sent the photos;
The report also recounted, through the words of an informant, how several bigwigs of the team's clique gathered late at night at Kompany's house to discuss how to criticize Nasri.
The editors at the Sun were so excited they couldn't sleep, working through the night to embellish the story and preemptively break a major scoop!
[Nasri, the mole, faces a dressing room trial! Manchester City faces an unprecedented internal conflict!]