Soon, Huang Hao received a fax from English Football Association. In the best coach selection last season, he lost to the champion Accrington's Darryl, ranking second. However, Huang Hao was not interested in this, as even if he was elected best coach, there would be no bonus.
Soon, assistant coach Darren, along with the coaching and scouting team, sent the player analysis report to Huang Hao.
It must be said that for the team to maintain such high efficiency during the holiday was simply un-British. It seems that after Huang Hao took charge of Cambridge United, it not only affected the players but also significantly improved the staff.
In amateur League, most players' contracts are signed for one or two years, not long-term contracts of three or five years. Therefore, at the end of each season, player mobility is very high.
Currently, Cambridge United has 13 players whose contracts will expire on June 30th. This includes Perrotta, who shone brightly after returning at the end of last season.
Perrotta is already 30 years old, and his stamina may not keep up with the higher intensity of League Two. Moreover, Huang Hao's Cambridge United's high-pressing, aggressive tactics are even more physically demanding.
Huang Hao had also chatted with him before the holiday. Several National League teams wanted to recruit him, so both sides could only amicably say goodbye.
Even if they chose not to renew contracts with all expiring players, Cambridge United's first team still had 18 members. Clearly, Cambridge United's poor financial situation last season was inextricably linked to such a bloated roster.
Especially in lower-tier League, there is no shortage of free agents. As long as the core framework of his team is not affected, Huang Hao is still confident that he can achieve something in League Two with the players he has.
After careful consideration, Huang Hao could only silently apologize to the players on the list, hoping they would all find their new homes in the new season.
Regarding player transfers, with his pockets emptier than his face, Huang Hao could only hope to loan some young players from top League and scour the free market.
As for Hereford's painful lesson, Huang Hao was not overly concerned.
After all, he was quite confident in his ability to 'brainwash' others. In addition, every year, major powerhouses in the top League eliminate a large number of young players. How to unearth young talents like Aaron Cole from them would depend on Huang Hao and his recruitment team's skill.
Simmons cautiously knocked on the door of Manchester City's coach's office. Waiting for him inside was the Head Coach of Manchester City U18, Gareth Taylor.
Taylor saw Simmons and warmly invited him to sit down. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, his expression gradually became serious.
“I'm sorry, young man, but next season, you might need to find a new club.”
Simmons did not respond to Taylor immediately, merely sitting stunned in his seat.
At this moment, he felt as if struck by lightning, his mind a complete blank.
After joining Manchester City's youth academy, he felt as if he saw a bright future for himself and had been training diligently, hoping to earn a place at the Etihad Stadium someday.
However, there was ultimately too great a gap between dreams and reality.
Two years ago, his brother Okla was released by Liverpool, which had prepared him for today, but Simmons still held a glimmer of hope, wishing to earn a new contract with Manchester City.
After a brief daze, Simmons stood up, bowed to the coach in gratitude, and then turned and left the coach's office dejectedly.
Although Taylor also liked this young man, Manchester City had too many reserves. Future stars like Simmons were countless.
After briefly tidying his luggage, Simmons, no matter how reluctant, had to say goodbye to the Etihad Training Base.
What made him even more confused was that his brother Okla's next stop was Blackburn. Where would his next stop be? A few days later, sitting in the Cambridge United Training Base office, Huang Hao looked at the player profiles on his desk and couldn't help but squint slightly.
Kaindra Simmons, forward/winger, 100-meter speed 11 seconds, possesses excellent dribbling skills, only 18 years old, with huge potential for growth.
Height 177cm, weight 69kg, weak in strength and jumping, unable to adapt to high-intensity matches. He has strengths, but his weaknesses are also very obvious. No wonder Manchester City didn't fancy him.
Huang Hao habitually stroked his chin. He still wanted to give him a chance. If he couldn't break through the opponent's defenders, they could just evade them!
Soon, Adams, the team director responsible for transfer negotiations, gave feedback. On the phone, Adams very definitively told Huang Hao that Simmons refused to communicate with them. In the future, he only wanted to go to a big club.
Huang Hao was stunned for a moment, not expecting this kid to be so ambitious! It seemed he would have to go to Manchester himself.
In Platt Fields Park next to the Carrington training ground, Simmons habitually went for his morning run. The sudden ring of his phone in his headphones forced him to stop. “Huh? You're the owner of Cambridge United?”
Simmons was clearly a little surprised to hear the introduction on the other end of the phone.
“Sorry, sir, I've already told your subordinate that I hope to go to a bigger club.”
Huang Hao on the phone did not give up. He only said one sentence, and Simmons gave up his defense, silently running off into the distance.
Twenty minutes later, Simmons arrived at the Hallmark Hotel not far from the park.
This hotel looked like a family-run inn. After all, Cambridge United was still very poor, so Huang Hao naturally had to be frugal.
The visitor area in the lobby of the Hallmark Hotel had more of a bar atmosphere, the advantage being that it looked very casual.
After Simmons entered, he saw the East Asian man already seated there. From his appearance, he didn't seem much older than himself.
“It's hard to imagine that you are the Head Coach of Cambridge United.”
Simmons was not very reserved; perhaps talkative cells were in the bones of Black people.
“Right? My players didn't believe it at first either.”
Huang Hao helplessly spread his hands, motioning for Simmons to sit opposite him.
“With all due respect, why are you so sure that after meeting, I will definitely join Cambridge United?”
After Simmons sat down, he immediately raised the question that concerned him.
It was precisely because of this sentence that he decided to come and meet this Head Coach, after all, the only loss was his morning run time.
“You have a brother named Okla, right?”
“That's right, sir. Did he suggest you sign me?”
Simmons clearly didn't quite believe his brother would have any connection with this Chinese man.
“Where is he now?”
Huang Hao chose not to answer the question directly.
“Blackburn, an EFL Championship team.”
Simmons deliberately emphasized “an EFL Championship team” very clearly.
“Do you know his current appearance record?”
“......”
Simmons fell silent.
“It's 0 appearances, Kaindra.”
After waiting a few seconds for Simmons, Huang Hao himself spoke the embarrassing answer.
“Do you know where the best stage is to showcase a player?”
“Let me tell you, it's the pitch, it's the pitch! Not the training ground, not the name of the team he plays for.”
Huang Hao did not wait for Simmons's reply.
“Only on the pitch will people remember you, Kaindra.”
“We are a newly promoted team in England's Football League Two, yes, but that doesn't mean Cambridge United will stay here forever.”
“You can prove your worth with goal after goal on the field, and enjoy the cheers of the fans. Instead of waiting bitterly for a chance to play on the training ground, like your brother.”
Huang Hao's voice became much stronger with his rising emotion, causing passersby in the lobby to look over.
“So Simmons, you can trust me, just like the players who follow me now.”
“If there's a bigger stage, I won't stop you.”
Huang Hao patted Simmons's shoulder. He knew Simmons needed time to consider, so he didn't elaborate further.
After all, Simmons's brother was the most vivid and suitable example.
Back at Cambridge United, Huang Hao did not foolishly wait for Simmons's reply but instead busied himself with joining the next battle for players.
When June 30th arrived, some cried, some laughed.
Every year, hundreds of players across all League are ruthlessly released by their teams.
Some have already found new clubs in advance, while others are still waiting for a contract of their own, facing the pressure of changing careers.
Flores was one of the unemployed this summer.
Unlike Simmons, Flores was already 23 years old and had signed with an agent. Furthermore, having already made appearances in the EFL Championship, he did not lack suitors after receiving notification from Wigan Athletic that his contract would not be renewed.
Therefore, it would not be easy for Cambridge United to win this battle for players.
Accompanied by Adams, Huang Hao gave almost everything in this negotiation.
He knew that if this left-winger could join Cambridge United, it would instantly elevate the team's strength by several levels!
Such a player was crucial for Cambridge United.
Top salary, core player status, and even before the League Two season had begun, Huang Hao promised that the team would enter League One next season, providing Flores with a bigger stage.
All of this was not just verbal promises, but fully incorporated into the contract, with all release clauses, goal bonuses, and appearance fees listed one by one.
Everything was just to make Flores feel Cambridge United's extremely sincere attitude and their emphasis on him.
“I'm sorry, sir, Nottingham Forest has invited me to join. I want to showcase myself on a higher stage.”
After receiving Flores's call, Cambridge United regrettably had to withdraw from the competition.
“Haozi, it's his loss that he's not coming. Don't be angry. You're a man, be more magnanimous. How about we go to Prague to clear our minds?” Li Jianqin showed a smile that all men understood.
Prague, Eastern Europe. Yes, if it's not working domestically, why not abroad? Due to economic struggles, player prices in Eastern Europe are very cheap, and the barrier for foreign players has now disappeared. Cost-effective Eastern European players seem like a very good option.
Huang Hao's mind was spinning with famous players. He got it.
“Alright, Feifei. Let's go experience the spring of Prague.”