Chapter 105

Manchester United official: Head coach Louis van Gaal has left the club.

The Manchester Evening News front page headline — Manchester United management has contacted Ten Hag, and an official announcement will be made within three weeks.

Royal Dutch Football Association: Utrecht’s No. 99 player received 79% of the vote as the 2015-16 Eredivisie Player of the Season. Ten Hag was elected Season’s Best Coach with 92% of the vote.

……

On May 28, the Champions League final between two La Liga teams kicked off; ultimately, Real Madrid defeated Atlético Madrid 5-3 in a penalty shootout to win the 2015-16 UEFA Champions League title.

“Fucking awesome.”

Tang Ye watched this match with his teammates in Ramselaar’s living room.

The Champions League final is arguably the highest-level football match in the world.

Although both teams scored only one goal during regular time, the match was genuinely enjoyable to watch from both player performance and tactical perspectives.

Every pass and every run was executed perfectly.

Tang Ye turned to Ramselaar beside him and asked a strange question: “Do you think a match at this level can be faked?”

“…”

Ramselaar gave Tang Ye a look: “Did you see that rhythm? If you went up there, you’d lose the ball the moment you touched it — Ronaldo and Bale would pressure you hard, and Griezmann and Torres too.”

“But we’re playing in the Champions League next season.”

Tang Ye reminded him.

As Eredivisie champions, Utrecht qualified for the 2016-17 Champions League!

“We’re playing the group stage; what we just watched was the knockout stage — and the final!”

Ramselaar corrected Tang Ye: “The knockout stage is far more intense than the group stage. I think we’ll barely make it through the group stage next season—the knockout rounds are all dominated by the top teams from the five major European leagues.”

“That’s not right.”

Aale’s words caught Tang Ye and Ramselaar’s attention: “Tang, didn’t you get linked with a bunch of teams? You’re not even sure you’ll stay here next season, are you?”

Aale’s words left Tang Ye silent.

As Aale said, after the Eredivisie ended, many clubs from the five major European leagues contacted Bo’er.

After training ends tomorrow afternoon, he’ll go back to Wenzhou Restaurant — Bo’er will be waiting there for him.

“So you’re leaving?”

“So you’re leaving?”

Aale and Ramselaar asked simultaneously; Tang Ye said nothing.

“Uh… I don’t know. Maybe? Or maybe not?”

Aale and Ramselaar exchanged a glance.

They heard something troubling in Tang Ye’s words.

But thinking about it, it made sense.

The Eredivisie can’t hold onto geniuses — Tang Ye delivered 36 assists in one season; Utrecht’s chance of keeping him is about as likely as Manchester United getting Ten Hag back!

The cafeteria was suddenly swallowed by an eerie silence; Captain Ramselaar quickly stepped forward: “It’s fine, it’s fine — the match is over, but the season isn’t finished yet. Focus on training, focus on training.”

Saying “focus on training” was just words — everyone already had their own thoughts.

Mid-May matches ended; the remaining time was meant for teams to compete in Champions League and Europa League qualifiers, but Utrecht was different — as champions, they earned direct entry into the Champions League group stage.

In short, Utrecht didn’t need these training sessions at all — that’s why the team’s training intensity had been so low lately.

The fitness coach assigned barely any physical training, just to ensure players about to leave wouldn’t fail their new clubs’ medical exams.

Of course, that included Ten Hag.

After winning the title, Ten Hag left the base every two days; the players knew exactly what he was doing.

He was contacting Manchester United staff!

Great Mr. Eric is really leaving!

……

The next afternoon, after training ended, Tang Ye arrived at the Wenzhou Restaurant he’d arranged to meet Bo’er at.

In the past, Tang Ye and Bo’er always ate in the main hall, but since Tang Ye became famous in Dutch football, Bo’er moved their meetings to the private 12-person round-table room at the back.

Though called a 12-person room, only Bo’er and Tang Ye sat inside; the table was piled high with documents.

“Uh… do I need to read all of this?”

Tang Ye pointed at the stack of papers — it was so thick, he estimated it would take hours to finish.

“Oh, no, of course not.”

Bo’er pulled out only the most critical pages.

“So far, nineteen clubs have inquired about your transfer price…”

“How many are from the five major European leagues?”

Tang Ye interrupted Bo’er; the latter smiled as if he’d expected it.

“Sevilla and Frankfurt — we already knew about them. Now three Ligue 1 clubs have joined, but their interest isn’t strong; I doubt they’re serious.”

“Sevilla and Frankfurt are clear, but…”

Bo’er added: “Utrecht’s asking price for you is no less than 20 million euros.”

In April, Utrecht had previously set a price of around 12 million euros for Tang Ye.

But April was April; June is June — the situation has changed completely.

“What the hell?”

Hearing the number, Tang Ye involuntarily leaned back.

Twenty million euros — Utrecht wants to recover every cent they spent on De Jong — and make a huge profit!

And even more!

“Considering your performance this season, I think this is actually a relatively low transfer fee.”

As his agent, Bo’er explained things Tang Ye didn’t know.

“You just came up from the reserve team, and you only have one season’s data — no consistency — plus…”

Bo’er’s voice dropped lower: “Tang, I don’t mean to offend you…”

“Just say it.”

Tang Ye wasn’t sensitive.

“They think you lose possession too often.”

“…”

Bo’er explained that Tang Ye’s frequent loss of possession made it difficult for scouts and coaches from the five major European leagues to properly assess his ability.

“Sevilla was very interested — after Utrecht won the league, their director even raised their bid to 15 million euros, close to Utrecht’s target — but after reviewing your detailed match data, they worried you couldn’t hold onto the ball…”

Bo’er looked slightly embarrassed.

But it was true.

Because of his high number of lost possessions, Sevilla’s interest in Tang Ye had cooled.

La Liga teams emphasize possession-based play — Tang Ye clearly couldn’t meet their standards.

“What about Frankfurt?”

Tang Ye asked again.

But when he mentioned Frankfurt, Bo’er fell silent.

“What’s wrong?”

“Uh… Frankfurt was very interested at first, but recently they’ve stopped responding.”

Bo’er chuckled awkwardly: “Germany, like the Netherlands, has laws restricting minors from working at night — Frankfurt is worried about their coach.”

What the hell?

Tang Ye stretched his neck out.

There’s actually such a thing?

He never imagined he’d be barred from playing in Germany’s top division because he was underage.

Damn it!

“So… anything else?”

Tang Ye asked further.

“The rest of the clubs can’t meet the 20 million euro price tag.”

Tang Ye understood Bo’er’s meaning — the rest were just talking big.

“But don’t worry — as I said before, you can go to Benfica,” Bo’er suddenly said: “Benfica in the Primeira Liga — they also have Champions League qualification. Twenty million is too high, but if you can negotiate down to around 15 million, it’s acceptable for them.”

“…”

Tang Ye fell silent for over a minute, then gave his answer: “Wait a little longer.”

Remembering the Champions League final he’d watched last night at Ramselaar’s, he added: “Especially La Liga clubs.”

The ultra-precise possession play of Spanish teams was exactly what Tang Ye sought.

He was a possession-based midfielder!

……

Kicker front page headline — Utrecht’s new star Tang is under 18; he would face legal restrictions playing in the Bundesliga, and Frankfurt’s management is concerned about their head coach Kovac.

L’Équipe — Lyon has submitted a bid for Tang to Utrecht, but the two sides couldn’t agree on transfer fee terms.

These two news stories gained significant attention on Dongqiu Di, sparking heated discussions among Chinese fans.

【What the fuck, is the Bundesliga also 18+ like the Eredivisie?】

Alright, alright, just go to Manchester United with Ten Hag already—those Brits don’t play that kind of game.

!

I thought Montgo’s youth was his advantage, but who knew he’d end up too old to play in the Bundesliga?

Tang Ye: If I were just one year older, I might have joined one of the five major European leagues.

So, can I really make it to the five major European leagues?

Don’t rush—Tang Ye’s assist level is already a whole tier above the Eredivisie. Thirty-six assists in a single season—do you think a player like that can stay in the Eredivisie?

Fans on Dongqiu Di also kept a close eye on Tang Ye; any news containing the words “Tang Ye” received massive attention after the transfer window opened.

On June 10, the opening match of the European Cup between France and Romania kicked off; right after France won 2-1, Utrecht FC officially posted a tweet on Twitter.

Utrecht FC: Head coach Erik Ten Hag @eriktenhag87 has left the club.

That single sentence immediately trended across all platforms; on Dongqiu Di, news of Ten Hag’s departure even surpassed the European Cup in popularity.

Although Ten Hag’s next destination remains unknown, everyone already had a guess.

Manchester United!

Manchester United has taken Erik Ten Hag!

Those damn American conglomerates are blocking Utrecht from walking the right path!

…

Two days after the news broke, Ten Hag sent a message in Utrecht’s first-team WhatsApp group, inviting the players out for dinner.

Ten Hag understood Tang Ye well—he called Tang Ye before posting the message.

“Are you still in the Netherlands? Have you returned to China?”

“I’m still here,”

Tang Ye said.

“Haha, I figured—it’s because of the transfer, right?”

Knowing Tang Ye’s nature, if he had a holiday, he’d be the first to fly back to China.

But he didn’t do that—there was only one reason.

He was waiting for his agent Bao’s news.

If no club could complete a deal with Utrecht, Tang Ye would have to negotiate a contract extension with the club himself.

That’s why he’s still staying with the club.

“Let’s have dinner at Saigon Cafe on the 14th—can you make it?”

“Can’t make it.”

“...”

“Then just make time—you know everyone will be there.”

Ten Hag hung up. The Manchester United transfer director Joel, sitting across from him, suddenly said: “That Tang guy seems like a decent player—have you ever thought about bringing him to Manchester United?”

Thirty-six assists in a single Eredivisie season made Joel take Tang Ye seriously.

Most importantly, Tang Ye is cheap—20 million euros is completely acceptable for Manchester United.

Still, I need to ask the opinion of this new Manchester United head coach.

Erik Ten Hag—he’s the one who understands Tang Ye best!

Ten Hag, just after the call, placed his phone on the table: “Tang? I think we should pass.”

“Pass?”

Joel was surprised by Ten Hag’s words: “Erik, can I understand your reasoning?”

“Tang’s strengths and weaknesses are both too obvious. I’ve studied Manchester United—it’s a club rebuilding after decline, and it needs stable, modern players.”

Ten Hag continued slowly: “Tang can only use his right foot; his left foot is virtually useless. That won’t work in modern football—he can’t adapt to the pace of the Premier League or La Liga.”

“It’s really a shame...”

Ten Hag sighed.

Tang’s long balls were truly lethal—but he lacked ball-carrying ability.

A midfielder who can’t carry the ball, and who only has one functional foot—that’s a fatal weakness.

After hearing Ten Hag’s explanation, Joel nodded.

To be fair, Ten Hag’s understanding of the Premier League and of Tang Ye as a player was thorough.

No wonder he was this season’s best coach in the Eredivisie.

He truly has ability!

…

Manchester United official: Erik Ten Hag appointed as new head coach, contract for three years.

After Manchester United officially announced Ten Hag’s arrival, Tang Ye and Ten Hag attended the award ceremony for Player of the Season and Coach of the Season at the training base.

Tang Ye hadn’t gone home yet—he’d traveled around Europe with a Dutch model he met on Instagram, waiting for transfer news.

During this time, fans commented on Tang Ye’s Instagram suggesting he join Ten Hag at Manchester United.

Unfortunately, Tang Ye had little interest in the Premier League or Manchester United, and brushed off the suggestion casually.

In July, after the European Cup ended, Tang Ye received a call from Bao and returned to Utrecht; with Bao’s help, he decided on his next club.

Following the team’s rule, Tang Ye posted his departure announcement in Utrecht’s first-team WhatsApp group.

Ding!

Instantly, Tang Ye’s phone rang—Ale wanted to take him out for dinner.

Tang Ye naturally didn’t refuse; the two went to a Wenzhou restaurant near the training base.

“So Tang, where are you headed next?”

Tang Ye propped his chin on his hands: “I won’t transfer directly—there were obstacles in the transfer. My agent and the club decided to loan me out instead.”

“That’s basically the same thing—so where are you being loaned to?”

Ale looked into Tang Ye’s eyes; the latter wore a smile.

“I’m going to Villarreal.”

…

That night, Ale returned home.

He pulled up a chair, stared at the Eredivisie Golden Boot sitting on his desk, and made a decision.

A very important decision!

…

PS: Villarreal’s nickname is “The Yellow Submarine,” or “Huang Qian”; later, “Huang Qian” will sometimes be used as shorthand.

Why didn’t Tang Ye go directly to Manchester United? At this stage, his impact there would be minimal, and Manchester United’s current squad is in mediocre form—hard to write compelling match scenes. So let the Eredivisie Coach of the Season go first and pave the way!

Ten Hag has matured, but Tang Ye is still developing—now is not the time to rush.

Today’s update exceeds 21,000 words—eight consecutive days over 20,000. Brothers, please give me monthly votes!

Don’t save your monthly votes for the end of the month—the earlier you vote, the better the exposure; votes cast near the end vanish after a few days!

Deeply grateful!

(End of chapter)