Chapter 36: Mr. Eric, You Need to Believe Me

Checking the time, Utrecht’s next match against Zwolle was less than a week away.

Tang Ye could wait, but he truly wanted that Portuguese treasure chest.

After a mental struggle, Tang Ye knocked on Ten Hag’s office door.

Knock knock!

“Come in!”

“Wow?”

Seeing it was Tang Ye, Ten Hag set down his Zwolle files: “What’s wrong? You want tomorrow off?”

“No.”

Tang Ye greeted Van de Gach, who sat on the sofa reading a football newspaper, then walked straight forward.

“That’s… the day after tomorrow? Or the day after that? You’re not planning to take off during the match, am I right? I won’t let you take off during the match—not even the day after tomorrow, we’re doing endurance training then.”

As Ten Hag spoke, organizing his papers, Tang Ye pulled over the office chair from the corner and sat directly in front of him: “Eric, you’ve got it wrong. I’m not that kind of guy—I won’t take a day off.”

“You don’t even want a free day off tomorrow?” Ten Hag raised an eyebrow.

“Seriously? No need to make it up later?”

Tang Ye’s eyes lit up, then he realized he’d been tricked and quickly cleared his throat to hide his embarrassment: “No, sir, I was just joking with you. What I meant is, whether it’s real or not, whether I need to make it up or not—I won’t take a day off.”

“I’m focused on the team’s training.”

Tang Ye’s gaze was resolute. Ten Hag had never seen that expression in Tang Ye’s eyes before, yet for some reason, he felt like laughing.

“Oh, sorry, I just thought of something funny.”

“Mr. Eric, you should be serious—I am serious right now.”

Tang Ye reminded him. Ten Hag coughed twice, then sat up straight: “Right, I should be serious. Fine, what do you want to tell me? A raise? I can speak to the club about that.”

“No.”

Tang Ye shook his head and pointed at the papers in Ten Hag’s hands.

“You want me to look at these?”

Ten Hag handed the papers to Tang Ye—they were the data collected by Van de Gach, detailing each Zwolle player’s traits and their manager Omonde’s preferred tactics.

The data was incredibly detailed; with this material, Tang felt he could even coach the team himself.

Tang Ye returned the papers to Ten Hag: “If I want to start in the next match, is there a chance?”

“… ”

“You’ve already asked me this before. The truth is, you can’t be too eager right now.”

Ten Hag replied.

He hadn’t expected Tang Ye to come to him twice about starting.

“I think I’m ready to start now—I can run the full 90 minutes.”

There was a hint of bravado in Tang Ye’s words.

But honestly, if he drank a Valdi Red Bull before the match, playing 90 minutes wouldn’t be impossible.

“Hmm… I know. You’ve improved quickly lately. I’ve seen your determination—you’re trying to get better.”

Ten Hag gently rubbed his left index finger with his right hand.

He had his own difficulties.

That was Tang Ye’s age—too young.

A 16-year-old starting in the Eredivisie.

What the hell does that even mean!

“Mr. Eric, you should believe in me once—just like you did when you put me in during the Dutch Cup.”

Tang Ye had his speech ready.

Today, he had to move Ten Hag!

For his starting spot.

And for that Portuguese treasure chest!

“… ”

Hss—

Ten Hag took a deep breath.

He fell silent for nearly twenty seconds.

“Here’s the deal: we have three days left. If you’re never late for training over the next three days, I’ll consider letting you start.”

Ten Hag had made his decision.

“Tang, you know you’re not yet ready to start in the Eredivisie. But if you can win me over with your attitude, you’ll get your chance.”

Ten Hag gave a vague answer.

So vague that Tang Ye still couldn’t tell if he’d start in the next match.

But since Ten Hag said that, Tang Ye had no choice but to follow through.

He’d have to set his alarm half an hour earlier for the next three days!

Tang Ye walked out, then remembered something and opened the door again, peering inside sideways.

This time, only his head stuck in.

“Mr. Eric, you need to believe in me!”

“Thank you!”

“I know, I know—remember to close the door!”

Thud!

After the door was shut a second time, Van de Gach, still seated on the sofa, dropped his newspaper: “Mr. Eric, why are you deceiving a 16-year-old boy?”

“I’m deceiving him? What am I deceiving him about?”

Ten Hag shrugged indifferently and picked up his papers again.

“He’s already capable of playing in the Eredivisie. Keeping him off the starting eleven is Ayoubo’s problem, isn’t it?”

As a member of the coaching staff, Van de Gach knew the full situation.

Jansen and Ramselaar were absolute starters; for Tang Ye to start, he’d have to take Ayoubo’s place.

The problem lay with Ayoubo.

Ayoubo had contributed greatly to Utrecht and had far more seniority than Ten Hag.

If you removed Ayoubo from the starting lineup just because of early poor results, the locker room might erupt!

That was Ten Hag’s biggest worry.

“I don’t think a player’s past contributions should lock him into the starting eleven—it’s…”

“Enough, enough—stop talking.”

Ten Hag raised his head to halt Van de Gach: “I’ll consider it. Fine. Don’t say another word.”

…

Over the next few days, Tang Ye adjusted his alarm as planned.

For an 8:30 a.m. training session, he needed to arrive at the cafeteria by 8:00 to eat, and accounting for daily tasks, he had to wake up at 7:00 a.m.

It was a challenge for Tang Ye, but he succeeded.

For three consecutive days, he arrived early at training, fulfilling Ten Hag’s requirement.

On the final morning, after careful thought, Tang Ye gave up the chance to speak to Ten Hag.

He’d already done this much.

If he was going to start, he’d start.

If not, no amount of pleading would help.

He had to wait!

Wait for tomorrow’s match!

For some reason, Tang Ye felt a little excited.

It was anticipation—his excitement made him, who’d had no motivation to train, suddenly fired up.

…

It was Amsterdam time, October 23, 2:30 p.m.

Half an hour remained before the start of the Eredivisie Round 10 match between Zwolle and Utrecht.

Utrecht simultaneously released their starting lineup on Twitter and Instagram.

The most striking detail was the forward line.

99TangY (U17)

The three letters “U17” struck the fans’ hearts.

Eredivisie!

U17 player starting!

…

(End of chapter)