Chivu flatly refused, "Where Tang is, I will help him grow!"

Chivu paused, glanced at Mancini, and then declined.

"I don't have that idea yet, thank you for the invitation."

Chivu's voice was steady and firm.

Mancini had assumed Chivu would agree immediately, after all, this was a rare opportunity, and given his personal relationship with Zamparini, he was almost certain to secure the deal.

The Italy smiled, slightly adjusted his tie, and tried to appear more composed.

At this moment, the setting sun outside the window shines through the dappled leaves, casting patches of light and shadow on them.

This is a rare sunny day in Manchester.

Mancini initially thought that Chivu was afraid of Zamparini's reputation, which was why he dared not take the job.

Zamparini is known in Italy football circles as "Big Mouth Zamparini," as he enjoys criticizing and attacking the media.

Of course, that's nothing compared to what Zamparini is most famous for: bringing one coach back to the helm three times in the same season.

"If your concern is about Zamparini himself, you can rest assured. I guarantee you'll stay until the end of this season, at least experiencing a full Serie B season."

Mancini leaned forward slightly, a hint of expectation in his eyes, trying to persuade Chivu.

For a moment, the England national team manager even found his own persistence unbelievable; he was doing this entirely to make up for the trauma he had inflicted on Chivu.

This is a form of compensation; Mancini hopes Chivu will accept it so that he can feel more at peace.

So Mancini briefly explained Palermo's current situation to Chivu, saying that Zamparini was not in a hurry for the team to return to Serie A immediately, and that there were many promising young players in the team. Chivu, being a former youth team coach, would definitely be able to discover their talents and achieve great success!

However, Chivu politely declined Mancini's offer, saying he didn't want to consider the matter at the moment.

The Romania bowed slightly, apologetic, but his eyes revealed an unwavering determination that was difficult to dissuade him from.

Mancini frowned slightly, his smile instantly freezing, replaced by a hint of displeasure.

He took another cigarette from the pack and put it in his mouth, his fingers trembling slightly.

He thought to himself, "Could it be that he looks down on Serie B and wants to coach in Serie A? This is a bit tricky."

Mancini took a deep drag of his cigarette and continued calmly to Chivu:

"Serie B is also a good platform. Don't underestimate this Serie B league. There are many experienced coaches here. If you want to coach in Serie A, you have to be able to beat these veterans from Serie B first!"

As he spoke, he gestured in the air with his hands, trying to make Chivu understand his meaning more intuitively.

"And starting in Serie B, there's not as much pressure as in Serie A, Christian. You have to understand, not every coach can be like me, starting their head coaching career at 36 or 37." Mancini's words were meant to comfort Chivu, but he was also habitually praising himself.

Chivu smiled, a hint of helplessness on his face, but no anger in his eyes.

He nodded slightly, seemingly in agreement.

He admitted to himself that, at least compared to his peers, his current level of vocational education was far inferior to that of Mancini 20 years ago.

"I have no prejudice against Zamparini, nor do I look down on him. I just want to stay by Guardiola's side and be a good assistant coach."

Upon hearing this, Mancini's face darkened, and he remained stunned for a long while.

He took a deep drag of his cigarette, then slowly exhaled, finally blowing out a smoke ring.

The smoke billowed in the air, much like the sorrow in his heart.

Is this Romania really so ungrateful? I really don't know how to make it up to him.

Then he remembered Chivu leaving his side and immediately joining Manchester City.

Although Mancini felt guilty for driving Chivu away, he was resentful that Chivu had turned around and joined Guardiola.

Upon learning the news on television, Mancini flew into a rage, exclaiming, "Looks like that kid already found another job!"

Mancini retorted coldly, "Is Guardiola really that good? Christian, I understand why you signed with Manchester City immediately after leaving the England national team. Perhaps you think Guardiola is better than me, and that you can learn more from Guardiola than from me."

After Mancini finished speaking, he pressed the cigarette butt onto the step, twisted it hard twice, leaving a black stain.

His tone was sarcastic, tinged with jealousy.

Even the arrogant and self-important Mancini had to admit that Guardiola's reputation in world football far surpassed his own, and the UEFA Champions League title that Guardiola had won was something Mancini could hardly match.

Upon hearing this, Chivu stood up and exchanged a glance with Mancini.

Mancini felt his conversation with his former coaching assistant was coming to an end and prepared to say goodbye.

By this time, the player tunnel was deserted, the air seemed to freeze, and the atmosphere became somewhat awkward.

It seems that there's no need for either of them to continue the conversation now that things have come to this point.

Chivu replied, "That's not the case, Mr. Mancini. I've learned a lot, both under your guidance and under Guardiola's, but I don't want to leave Manchester City right now, mainly because Dom is here, and I don't want to leave him."

Mancini was stunned; he didn't immediately understand Chivu's implied meaning.

"What do you mean?" Mancini looked puzzled. "You mean, you stayed because of Don?"

Chivu said, "That's right, this is my second season working with Dom. Since coming to the Premier League, the potential he has shown has completely exceeded what we imagined during his time at Inter Milan."

"I look forward to making history with him this season, both for the club and for him personally."

When Tang Long was mentioned, Chivu's eyes began to light up, a glint he had never shown in his eyes during his previous conversation with Mancini.

"He's a great player," Chivu said, glancing at the cigarette butts Mancini had left on the floor and kicking them away. "But there's still a lot he can improve on. I need plenty of time, with the Manchester City coaching staff, to help him grow. He will become a world-class superstar, and I don't want to miss out on that process, so I don't want to leave Manchester City right now."

Chivu and Mancini shook hands and said goodbye.

Before parting, he thanked Mancini again for his kindness and jokingly added that if Zamparini invited Don to Palermo sometime, he might consider taking over as Palermo's manager.

Mancini forced a smile and nodded, as if in response to Chivu's teasing.

Watching Chivu wave and disappear into the players' tunnel, Mancini couldn't help but feel confused.

"Chivu, you're really foolish to give up your head coach position and stay as an assistant coach for one player!"

He looked around.

He knew this players' tunnel all too well.

He taught here for three whole years and became familiar with every blade of grass, every tree, every brick and tile.

In a daze, I can still see the figures of players like Balotelli, Dzeko, and Tevez passing by back then.

"Mario..." Mancini silently murmured Balotelli's name.

"Come on, City!"

A loud shout came from outside the stadium. Mancini turned to look out the window. It was the fans waiting at the bus exit, cheering for the Manchester City players as they came out.

At this moment, the 52-year-old man suddenly felt extremely jealous of Guardiola.

The Espanyol not only enjoys strong support from the Abu Dhabi United Group and possesses substantial financial resources, but he can also buy anyone he wants;

Moreover, he has a great assistant coach like Chivu to support him.

Of course, he can also coach rising football stars like Tang Long!

Mancini sighed, remembering that he was the one who promoted Tang Long to the youth team, while Tang Long was to grow into a superstar at Manchester City. He felt a sense of having carefully nurtured a peach tree only to have someone else pluck the peach.

Moreover, Guardiola is only in his forties, still very young, and still in the prime of his career as a coach;

His future holds far more possibilities than his own.

"Damn Pep, you're the luckiest person in the world! You have such a great assistant coach to help you, and you even get to coach Tang. How come you get all the good things!"