Chapter 91

The Utrecht Newsblad, front page headline — Utrecht’s head coach Eric ten Hag has been arrested by local Dutch police, with detention set for three and a half days. Ten Hag will undergo education under the Juvenile Protection Law at the Montford Detention Center.

Global Football, front page headline — Unheard of! A Dutch Eredivisie head coach arrested for repeatedly fielding underage players.

Utrecht RTV reporter Van der Berg: Strongly condemn the actions of Utrecht police.

Dongqiu Di: “Make Utrecht Great Again,” Ten Hag makes an astonishing declaration, then is taken into custody by Dutch police.

Tang Ye played the full match against Ajax, resulting in a €76,000 fine for Utrecht FC.

The fine was substantial, but the news of Ten Hag’s detention immediately drowned out all attention to it.

Three and a half days of detention delivered a shock to fans far exceeding the €76,000 fine!

Responses from various organizations came swiftly; Utrecht FC immediately filed a complaint against the local police with the Montford Court.

Besides Utrecht, another club also joined this action.

Amsterdam Football News, front page headline — Ajax FC has reported Utrecht to the Dutch Football Association: excessive use of underage players is a clear violation and cannot be forgiven; the association must penalize Utrecht with point deductions.

Both sides began to clash; Utrecht’s focus had been on rescuing Ten Hag, but upon realizing their league points were under threat, the management immediately shifted priorities.

Fortunately, the Dutch Football Association remained reasonable; Utrecht ultimately retained their league points.

But Ten Hag was not so lucky.

To fans, Ten Hag’s decision to start Tang Ye was simply using his strongest player — entirely reasonable.

But the police and juvenile protection officials saw it differently.

They focused on only three points.

1. Tang Ye is a minor.

2. Tang Ye was still working after 10 p.m.

3. Tang Ye got injured while working!

With all three factors combined, Ten Hag had virtually no chance of immediate release.

The final outcome was exactly as reported by De Utrechtse Nieuwsblad: three and a half days detention plus Juvenile Protection Law education.

At this moment, the comment section of Twitter news articles.

【Ajax is too sneaky, but they failed — otherwise we might not be top of the league now】

【MakeUtrechtGreatAgain, I said Ten Hag could lead us to success, and now it’s true: 31 wins, even if we lose our last three matches, we’re still top four — at least we’ll play in the Europa League!】

【Ten Hag is too reckless — this is the price he must pay!】

【First time ever seeing a head coach locked up】

【Haha, I live in Montford — I’m definitely going to visit Ten Hag】

【Utrecht finishing top this season is thanks to Ten Hag’s sacrifice — any other coach would’ve benched Tang Ye outright】

【Tom is great, but using him carries risk!】

Fans were divided in their opinions of Ten Hag, but most Utrecht supporters still backed him.

The reason was simple: football speaks through results.

No matter how outrageous Ten Hag’s words were, the fact remained: Utrecht was top of the league table.

Moreover, Ten Hag had made sacrifices.

He was now inside the Montford Detention Center!

The day after the match, the entire Utrecht team visited Ten Hag at the Montford police station, accompanied by Dutch football journalists.

There was no choice — Ten Hag’s traffic was simply too massive!

Utrecht players entered the station; journalists were kept outside.

The Montford police station was tiny — if both players and journalists entered, it would become chaotic!

“Eric!”

“Mr. Ten Hag!”

“Mr. Ten Hag!”

Entering the room, the players greeted Ten Hag.

From his facial expression, it was clear Ten Hag looked worn out.

“So the one thing I least expected has happened.”

Ten Hag sat on the sofa while Van der Gaag poured him a cup of black coffee.

“But we won the match — that’s what matters.”

Ten Hag added, noting that reporters had already stated: after defeating Ajax, Utrecht had already secured a top-four finish this season.

Police handed Ten Hag his phone; he opened his notes: “Our next match is against Graafschap — Eredivisie matchday 32. Don’t worry, I’ll definitely be out before the game.”

“What if you’re not?”

Tang Ye asked an odd question; everyone in the room stared at him.

Tang Ye realized he’d said the wrong thing and quickly apologized: “Oh, sorry.”

“It’s confirmed. I calculated — I’ll be out by morning on the 20th. Our match is afternoon on the 20th.”

Ten Hag asked Van der Gaag to bring him a blank sheet of paper: “It’s a home game. I’ll meet you at the training base at noon on the 20th. Then… let me write out the lineup.”

Ten Hag took a pen and drew a simple rectangle on the paper — representing the pitch — then began writing players’ names.

With the season nearing its end, Utrecht’s starting lineup had become largely fixed.

Unlike yesterday’s match against Ajax, Frenkie de Jong returned to the starting eleven.

No other changes.

The players listened intently; even Tang Ye paid full attention. After all, Ten Hag was detained for the team’s victory — the players owed him respect.

“We’ve secured top four, but that’s not enough.”

Ten Hag pointed to his phone’s Eredivisie table: Utrecht led PSV Eindhoven by two points.

“We should be playing in the Champions League next season, not the Europa League. The two are not even in the same league. Do you understand? We must be ambitious — the Champions League is the best stage for footballers.”

Champions League…

The players in the room fell silent.

Before the season began, no one imagined they’d still be top of the table after matchday 31, let alone that their goal had become the Champions League next season.

“Didn’t you say we were going to win the title?”

Ten Hag pointed at Tang Ye: “You said it on the bus.”

“But you told me it was impossible back then.”

“No, it’s absolutely possible!”

Ten Hag directly rejected Tang Ye’s words: “Three matches left. We’re leading. If we win all three, we become Eredivisie champions this season!”

“Uh… Mr. Ten Hag, what about the KNVB Cup?”

Tang Ye reminded him.

If he wanted the ultimate treasure chest, he needed to win both the league and the KNVB Cup.

“You want to win the KNVB Cup too?”

Ten Hag narrowed his eyes, staring fixedly at Tang Ye: “Huh… I never realized you were this ambitious?”

“I’ve always been ambitious, Mr. Ten Hag.”

“Winning both the KNVB Cup and the league…”

Ten Hag fell into thought.

Honestly, it was unrealistic.

But…

It wasn’t entirely impossible!

…

“So is this related to me?”

As they slowly walked out of the station, Tang Ye suddenly asked Aale a question.

“What do you mean?”

Tang Ye pointed to the room where they’d just spoken with Ten Hag: “The matter of Mr. Ten Hag being locked up.”

“Oh, it has nothing to do with you.”

Before Aale could answer, Ramselaar and Van der Gaag jumped in.

“You had to play — it made sense.”

Van der Gaag glanced left and right, confirming no patrol officers were nearby, then added: “The law that took away Ten Hag is unreasonable — they’re all idiots!”

Van der Gaag meant to comfort Tang Ye, but Tang Ye’s thoughts still clung to the matter.

“Don’t think about it. Believe me, you’re not to blame — no one will blame you.”

Van der Gaag pushed Tang Ye toward the door, but the moment Tang Ye stepped out, reporters swarmed him.

Taking advantage of Tang Ye’s distraction, Van der Gaag and Aale slipped away.

“What?”

Tang Ye watched Van der Gaag and Aale running off in the distance. Before he could call out, reporters had already surrounded him and Ramselaar.

Ramselaar was captain, but Tang Ye was the “secondary protagonist” of this incident — naturally, he received special attention from the press.

“Tom, Ten Hag was arrested for repeatedly violating rules by fielding you. What do you have to say? Did Ten Hag force you to play?”

“No, of course not.”

Tang Ye shook his head vigorously: “It was all voluntary. I wanted to start. Mr. Ten Hag believed I had the ability to start, and I was willing — that’s why I started.”

“The league is nearing its end. With the head coach now arrested, do you think this will affect the players’ performance?”

「No...」

Tang Ye was about to answer that it had no impact, but Ramselaar tugged at his sleeve, and Tang Ye quickly corrected himself.

「Teng Hage is an indispensable key figure for our team; his absence has a severe impact on us.」

The reporter pulled the microphone to his mouth: 「How do you feel about Teng Hage’s arrest? Can you describe it in detail?」

「Extremely, extremely sad.」

Tang Ye placed his hand on the left side of his chest—his heart—and spoke with firm conviction, only to end up laughing at himself.

「Pfft!」

Ramselaar: ?

Reporter: ?

「Oh, sorry, sorry!」

Tang Ye quickly bit down on his fingernail, using the pain to stifle his laughter: 「I just thought of something funny. Sorry.」

「No, no, no, this has nothing to do with Mr. Eric. It’s my own issue. I, and my teammates, are deeply saddened by Eric’s arrest. Yes.」

「Pfft, oh, sorry, sorry, sorry—I’ve got to go. Thanks for the interview. My teammates are waiting. I’ve got to go.」

……

Dongqiu Di: What’s going on? Reporter asks about Teng Hage, Tang Ye can’t hold back and bursts out laughing! (Trending)

Dongqiu Di: Detention + 3.5 days of minor protection law education—Teng Hage may miss the match against Graafschap. (Trending)

【WTF, hahaha, I’ve watched football for 20 years and never seen anything this absurd. Can Teng Hage be any more dramatic?】

【The funniest part isn’t Teng Hage being dragged off by police—it’s Tang Ye laughing out loud during the interview. Dude, seriously, go watch the original video.】

【Tang Ye: My master was detained by police, but I’m happy. Why?】

【Hahaha, I watched the original video. Tang Ye laughed because of Teng Hage. Fucking absurd.】

【That photo from yesterday still kills me—Tang Ye holding the MVP trophy while Teng Hage shouts “Utrecht is great again!” That’s my wallpaper now.】

【What the hell, can’t Teng Hage play in the next match?】

……

After the visit to Teng Hage ended, Utrecht’s players resumed training.

During Teng Hage’s absence, Fan Degah took full charge of training, while Teng Hage remained the “summoner coach.”

Though confined in detention, Teng Hage had already handed Fan Degah a notebook with the training plan.

Fan Degah was lenient, so for the past two days, Tang Ye had been late every day and was living very comfortably.

It was now April 20—the day of Utrecht vs. Graafschap.

「I need to tell you some sad news.」

In the morning, as players received massages in the physio room, Fan Degah delivered the bad news.

「Eric’s calculations were off—he won’t be able to return before today’s match.」

???

All twenty-plus players in the locker room turned their eyes to Tang Ye, who immediately sat up from his bed.

「Damn, he really won’t make it?」

「Yes. Eric’s time started counting from the end of the match, but it actually started from when he was locked up.」

Fan Degah briefly explained: 「But it’s fine. I’ll lead you in today’s match. Just stick to the formation I’ve set.」

……

Utrecht Evening News, front page headline—Teng Hage, detained in custody, will miss Utrecht’s 32nd league match against Graafschap. The club is negotiating with Montford Police Bureau to secure his early release.

The club’s negotiators failed. Teng Hage ultimately did not board the team bus.

「Okay, match begins. Today, our Teng Hage—Teng Sheng—is not on the roster, as he remains detained at the Montford Detention Center, 16km from Gao Genhua Stadium.」

「Teng Sheng sacrificed himself to secure our victory in the 31st league match!」

「He sacrificed for Utrecht’s future. Let today’s players not betray Teng Hage’s hopes!」

「The match begins!」

Utrecht, taking the opening kick, launched an attack under Ramselaar’s organization.

In the stands of Gao Genhua Stadium, Utrecht fans held up banners bearing Teng Hage’s name.

To Utrecht fans, Teng Hage was now unquestionably a hero.

After the 31st match, the team remained top of the table, while Teng Hage sat locked in a dark detention cell.

If Teng Sheng isn’t a hero, then who is?

「TenHag!」

Boom boom!

「TenHag!」

Boom boom!

Teng Hage wasn’t present, but fans still chanted his name.

「Tang Ye, to Tang Ye—he shoots!」

「Beautiful! Tang Ye’s curling shot into the far corner!」

「Goal!」

「In the 18th minute, Tang Ye opens the scoring!」

「With Teng Hage detained, his star pupil Tang Ye steps forward!」

「I can feel Tang the King’s fury right now!」

Two days ago, Teng Hage was locked up. Today, Tang Ye opened the scoring immediately.

What is master-disciple bond?

This is master-disciple bond!

The first half ended 1-0. Halftime arrived.

「We played well in the first half, very well—but we missed some details and lost many chances.」

Fan Degah said as he walked.

「Hand me my phone!」

Fan Degah pointed to a backpack in the corner. Tang Ye, closest to it, reached in, pulled out an iPhone, and tossed it to Fan Degah.

Holding his phone, Fan Degah dialed 「0900-8844.」

This was the Dutch emergency police number.

「Put me through to Eric—he’s probably watching the live stream right now.」

Oh?

Hearing Fan Degah’s words, Tang Ye and his teammates exchanged glances.

This was…

This was a true summoner coach!

「Cough, cough.」

Fan Degah switched the phone to speaker mode, signaled the players to quiet down, and Teng Hage’s familiar voice crackled through.

「Damn it, Tang, you missed that chance! If you’d shot, we’d already be 2-0! Damn it!」

「...」

Tang Ye leaned back in his seat.

Damn it—he wasn’t even in the locker room, yet he was still getting yelled at.

Frustrating!

The second half began. Utrecht’s players adjusted tactics according to Teng Hage’s instructions.

In the 72nd minute, Tang Ye moved to the right flank and delivered a 45-degree cross with his right foot.

【De Bruyne 45-degree cross Lv.2: Similar】

Proficiency: 23/100

「Jostein, beautiful!」

「Goal!」

「2-0! Utrecht extends the lead!」

「Tang Ye’s form today is perfect! Ajax knocked down Teng Hage—but they can’t knock down Utrecht’s true core!」

「Time is running out for Graafschap!」

……

Full-time. Utrecht won 2-0 against Graafschap. Tang Ye, with one goal and one assist, was named Man of the Match again.

About an hour after the match, Dutch police released a video on Twitter that drew fan attention.

The video, from a surveillance camera, showed Teng Hage shouting at a TV in the police station.

「Tom! Move forward, Tom! Come on, just a bit more!」

「Tom, pass now—yes, perfect!」

「We won! We won!」

……

(End of Chapter)