Chapter 698: Escribá Seeks Employment, Tang Ye Checks His Results (3rd Update, Requesting More)

The front page of China Football Daily — Marcello Lippi's contract as head coach of the Chinese national team ends on July 4, with an annual salary of 22 million euros; senior FA officials hold a negative stance on renewal.

With only three months left before the crucial AFC qualifiers, the 12-team stage, news about the national team dominates football trending topics.

Naturally, the Chinese national team is the most watched topic within China.

At 22 million euros annually, Lippi ranks as the world's highest-paid national team head coach.

Considering technical assistance and Lippi's extraordinary resume, the 22 million euro salary is acceptable.

After all, if the national team qualifies for the World Cup again and achieves results like in the Russia World Cup, the economic benefits would far exceed 20 million euros.

But you must consider Marcello's age; had Lippi been in his prime between 2000 and 2010, the 20 million euro salary would have been more justifiable.

Lippi is now 73 years old; frankly, if not for the high salary offered by the Chinese FA, he would have retired long ago.

Football coaching demands sharp thinking, especially in responding to in-game situations — your mind must process at high speed!

No matter how brilliant a head coach is, their abilities inevitably decline once they reach 70.

Is Lippi still worth 20 million euros today?

The Chinese FA has money, but that doesn't mean its leaders are fools.

Plus, having advanced to the knockout stage in the 2018 Russia World Cup, far more head coaches are now willing to take charge of the Chinese national team than one might imagine!

【Ralf Rangnick】

【Antonio Conte】

【...】

A lineup of top-tier managers from Europe's five major leagues; Conte, in particular, has won the Serie A title — his resume is spectacular.

Do you think that's all?

Then you're too naive!

The possibility of qualifying for the knockout stage plus a generous salary means far more coaches are willing to come to China than this!

【Ferran Escribá: 2020–21 UEFA Champions League champion...】

While other national teams are still boasting about landing a coach with a top-five-league title, the Chinese men's team has already received a CV from a Champions League champion!

"What's going on?"

Upon learning Escribá was interested in coaching the Chinese team, FA vice-chairman Du Zhaocai's first reaction was stunned.

It is well known that Escribá still has three full years left on his contract with Dortmund.

"This..."

The secretary replied to Du Zhaocai's confusion: "He says Dortmund has already found a new head coach, and he will leave."

"Didn't he just win the Champions League?"

He leaves right after winning the Champions League, and from Escribá's statements, Dortmund's management likely truly intends to let him go.

It seems odd, but Dortmund's management is actually quite smart.

Escribá's favored 4-2-3-1 demands extremely high standards from the attacking midfielder — so high that globally, only one player can perfectly fulfill his role.

Now that player has left, so Escribá can no longer fully unleash his potential.

In other words, starting next season, if Escribá stays at Dortmund, he will suffer an epic downgrade!

If that's the case, why not just let him go?

The Sports Weekly — A joint meeting of the General Administration of Sport and the Chinese Football Association was held in Beijing, focusing on preparations for the 2021 AFC qualifiers' 12-team stage.

In the General Administration's conference room, Deputy Director Du Zhaocai sat in the center, with FA chairman Chen Xuyuan beside him.

"This meeting must determine the national team's training plan, logistical support, and General Administration policy to ensure the World Cup qualification mission is fulfilled."

Following procedure, Chen Xuyuan reported his work to Du Zhaocai, including arrangements for the national team's friendly matches.

Additionally, with the help of a translator, Lippi reported to management on the current training status and each player's competitive condition.

"Considering the preparation for the AFC qualifiers, the FA requests the General Administration approve a two-week suspension of the Chinese Super League during the critical phase to ensure national team training..."

During the meeting, Tang Ye sat not far from Lippi.

Actually, this meeting had nothing to do with him — but the FA hoped to appoint Tang Ye as deputy director of the FA's Technical Department.

Upon learning the news, Tang Ye immediately researched the FA's Technical Department.

Good news: Tang Ye's responsibilities are minimal; he only needs to offer suggestions on coach training, technical development, and youth academies based on his understanding of football.

Of course, whether he offers suggestions or not doesn't matter — the FA likely gave Tang Ye this title just as a figurehead.

This serves two major purposes.

First, it enhances the FA's recognition domestically and internationally; second, it creates a direct communication channel between player representatives and General Administration leadership, bypassing cumbersome procedures.

If the national team encounters any issues during preparation for the Asian Cup or World Cup, Tang Ye, as the player representative, can directly communicate with the General Administration — including funding, equipment, and private charter flights.

Chinese Football Association Announcement: Notice Regarding Preparation for the 2021 AFC Qualifiers' 12-Team Stage.

Chinese Football Association Announcement: Appointment of national team player Tang Ye as deputy director of the FA's Technical Department.

Dongqi Di reprints: Tang Ye appointed deputy director of FA's Technical Department (deputy department-level), and director of the Selection Section at the General Administration of Sport's Football Management Center (department-level).

【Bro, 22 years old and deputy department-level? Can you handle this?】

【6666, the FA is finally smart — but why pick Tang Ye? He's great, but he can't even handle meetings.】

【Actually, I think it's fine to give him deputy department-level at 22; later, when he's 30, he'll be able to do much more.】

【22 years old and deputy department-level... But honestly, if it's the Technical Department, Tang Ye could even be the director — his football understanding is unquestionable.】

The FA is truly sneaky — now I can't even curse at them.

Looking at it this way, the FA is quite smart in some ways.

If someone is caught breaking laws or regulations, or if the national team performs poorly, the FA will inevitably face public outrage.

Then they can start operating.

Each time they're criticized, they promote Tang Ye one rank higher — leaving football fans utterly confused, unsure who to blame.

The Oriental Sports Daily — Front Page Headline: Tang Ye's Girlfriend Is Pregnant.

The shorter the headline, the more shocking the news.

The Oriental Sports Daily broke this story first not because they contacted Tang Ye or Zhou Ye, but because they reacted fastest.

As soon as the test results came out, Tang Ye immediately posted on Instagram and Weibo; The Oriental Sports Daily simply copied and pasted, becoming the first media outlet to report this major news.

"Thank you, thank you all."

In his Douyin live stream, Tang Ye and Zhou Ye repeatedly thanked hundreds of thousands of Chinese fans for their blessings.

"Where are you right now...? I'm in London — not training, not training, why do you all only think about training? It's the off-season; I'm waiting to watch tennis."

Tang Ye answered fans' questions: "It's Wimbledon — actually, I don't watch tennis, but I had to come because of an event invitation."

"Man United's China tour next month...? Yes, the China tour is confirmed, but it's only June — don't rush! The China tour is confirmed, so it's definitely happening, and they'll play two matches."

【How long will Tang Qiuwang play? I'm ready to buy tickets.】

"How long will I play...?"

Tang Ye turned to Zhou Ye, who was feeding him watermelon: "How long am I supposed to play again?"

"..."

Zhou Ye suddenly stopped her motion, the fork with watermelon suspended mid-air: "You're asking me this...? I don't know — isn't that your agent's job?"

"Oh, right."

Tang Ye thought for a moment: "They asked me to go, but didn't say how long — probably play full matches. Forget it, I'll play full matches. No more talking about it."

Tang Ye was straightforward.

"I'll play both matches — full 90 minutes each."

【Awesome!】

【Relieved.】

【OK, one sentence and the Ferris wheel ticket price doubled — I was too slow.】

【Tang Qiuwang watches tennis too?】

【University finals aren't even over in June — how are you in London having fun? GGBond, how'd you do on your finals? Playing around like this while getting your girlfriend pregnant — shouldn't you reflect?】

"It's not fun — it's not fun! What's fun in London? I'm here for an event — a watch."