[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-start-with-r9-template":3,"chapter-start-with-r9-template-start-with-r9-template-chapter-254":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Start with R9 Template",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1388804,1840,"Chapter 254 - 254","start-with-r9-template-chapter-254",254,"\u003Cp>At the pre-match press conference for the Manchester Derby, the tension was palpable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Manchester City's squad is stronger than last season, and they've achieved 11 consecutive wins at the start of the season. Do you think Manchester City can win today's match?\" a reporter asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listening to the pointless question, Pep Guardiola gripped the microphone and spoke solemnly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We are confident of securing victory, but that doesn't mean we will underestimate Manchester United. Respecting our opponents is also respecting ourselves.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guardiola paused, his confidence evident. \"If you've watched Manchester City's last two matches, you'd probably have even more confidence in us than I do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a fair statement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Manchester City had recently demolished Southampton 6-1 and Young Boys 6-0—looking unstoppable in both the Premier League and the Champions League.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the squad, Bernardo Silva had maintained excellent form, Fernandinho had shaken off his post-World Cup slump, and the center-back partnership of John Stones and Aymeric Laporte was incredibly solid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's fair to say that Guardiola's Manchester City had reached its complete, ultimate form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mr. Guardiola, Kevin De Bruyne suffered a back muscle strain last week, yet we've seen him included in the squad list. Will he have a chance to play in today's match?\" another reporter asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That will depend on the specific circumstances of the match,\" Guardiola replied evasively. \"I hope he won't need to play.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Another question,\" a journalist chimed in, leaning forward. \"Rumors suggest that Man United player Jeremy Ling and your daughter Maria—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reporter's question was abruptly cut short as Guardiola frowned and retorted sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have no obligation to answer questions unrelated to the match.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don't be fooled by Guardiola's graceful demeanor in front of the media; in private, his temper could rival Sir Alex Ferguson's.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he lost his temper, it wouldn't be surprising if he ended up spending some time behind bars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, Ling had stepped in to stop him when the rumors first broke... otherwise, the matter wouldn't have been resolved so easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, in another press room, Jose Mourinho was facing the media.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mr. Mourinho, you and Guardiola have faced each other 21 times in the past, with you recording 7 wins, 6 draws, and 8 losses, putting you slightly at a disadvantage,\" a journalist pointed out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the incessant flashing of camera lights, Mourinho flashed a defiant, arrogant smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tomorrow, my record will become 8 wins, 6 draws, and 8 losses.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over the past decade, the fates of Guardiola and Mourinho seemed intertwined, transforming from amicable colleagues at Barcelona into lifelong rivals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following a fierce Spanish derby years ago between Real Madrid and Barcelona, Guardiola had proudly declared, \"I'm proud! The whole world saw how we play football.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later, playing with one man down at Camp Nou, Mourinho's Inter Milan had eliminated Guardiola's Barcelona 3-2 on aggregate with rock-solid defense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mourinho had famously replied, \"This is the most beautiful defeat of my life. This is about character, not technique. Every single one of our players is a hero. It's a pity I couldn't be on the pitch, because I have the same character.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before a Champions League semifinal clash, Guardiola had snapped back. \"Since Mourinho calls me Pep, allow me to call him 'José'—tomorrow at 8:45 PM, we'll settle this on the pitch. Off the football field, he has already won.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Mourinho was later managing Chelsea and suffered a Champions League defeat, he bitterly remarked, \"Chelsea is crying, while Barcelona is laughing with the referee, because they robbed my Chelsea boys of their qualification.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two men could never return to how things were before they became managers, but facing each other as fierce rivals like this was just fine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing gets the blood pumping more than a national derby, except perhaps a local derby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The excitement of two teams from the same city competing for the championship carries an extra flavor for local and global fans alike—a completely different kind of exhilaration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even when both teams are mid-table, the derby is incredibly important.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But today? Today is a title decider!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the tunnel before the match, players from both teams lined up for final preparations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fernandinho, David Silva, Kyle Walker, Benjamin Mendy, Ederson, and Guardiola stood together on the City side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling rubbed his eyes in disbelief—why were there so many shiny bald heads today?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is baldness becoming a trend in football lately?\" Ling muttered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>David Silva, who had recently shaved his head, casually remarked, \"Aerodynamics.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling ran a hand through his thick black hair, immediately dismissing the idea of shaving his head bald.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it seemed that being bald did indeed boost players' performances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For instance, Walker had been exceptionally fierce in both attack and defense recently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I heard you're about to become a father? Congratulations!\" Ling said, clasping his hands in a gesture of goodwill toward young Phil Foden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Foden appeared very excited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a product of Man City's youth academy, he deeply admired how Ling could save United at crucial moments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It must be said that Foden truly is a winner in life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under Guardiola's guidance, he achieved a rapid rise and became an indispensable part of Man City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, we're planning to call him Ronnie. How about that? It's a cute name, right?\" Foden replied with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll be hosting a party later, and I hope you and Maria can come.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sure,\" Ling nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speaking of which, he and Foden are the exact same age, both of them just 19 this year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could Ling potentially overshadow Foden's entire career?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the future timeline Ling knew, Foden would go on to win every trophy Manchester City competed for.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, it seemed Ling's rebirth had disrupted the timeline, making him the one to achieve the club treble with United instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyle Walker looked at Ling with a highly complex expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since he had drunkenly teased Guardiola's daughter last season, Walker had endured considerable hardship, nearly being demoted to Manchester City's reserve team by an angry Guardiola.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---------\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Read 30 chapters ahead and support me on patreon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>patreon (.)com\u002FNewbietranslator\u003C\u002Fp>",1008,"2026-06-05T22:48:23.062Z",1,"novelbin.me","cdf9b20a756c1be52164fd2176d3093ccf0d1480361f77fca94df0cecb68f1a5","start-with-r9-template-chapter-255","start-with-r9-template-chapter-253",371,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstart-with-r9-template-cover.jpg"]