After completing this task, Huang Hao returned to Cambridge United with satisfaction. And just on the way back, Huang Hao received a call from the team's left-back Tutanda, which made him even more delighted!
Mark Bola, the Democratic Republic of Congo's starting left-back, played for Blackpool in the Football League Two. This season, seeing his national team teammate Tutanda's Cambridge United soar, successfully promoted to League One, while his own Blackpool became the most disappointing team in League Two this season!
Blackpool, newly relegated from English League One, was originally a hot favorite for promotion this season. However, at the end of the League, they only ranked 15th in League Two, which broke Mark Bola's heart. Mark, a product of Arsenal's youth academy, joined Blackpool, who was still in English League One, with great aspirations after his contract with Arsenal ended, signing a two-year contract. As a result, in the first year, he was relegated to League Two with the team! In the second year, they were only in the middle of League Two!
Mark Bola did not sign the contract renewal with Blackpool, hoping to play in a higher-level League. When Tutanda received the news, he did not hide any selfish motives due to their overlapping positions and still recommended his teammate to the Head Coach.
Qiao Zhuoyan received the call and immediately expressed his gratitude to Tutanda, promising that he would not be kicked out due to the addition of other players, and that he would still be an important member of Cambridge United!
So, Football Director Adams rushed to Portsmouth without stopping to negotiate the details of the personal contract with Mark Bola. Due to Tutanda's presence, the communication was very smooth, and Mark Bola also rejected invitations from other teams, becoming the first player to officially transfer to Cambridge United this summer!
When Huang Hao brought the young defender Kyle Hawkins back to Cambridge United from West Bromwich Albion, everyone was no longer surprised. This magical Eastern coach, like a lobbyist, would always appear in cities where big clubs were located, using his eloquent tongue to make one young player after another, whose ambitions were as high as the sky but whose fate was as thin as paper, suddenly realize and then sign their names on the Cambridge United contract.
However, facing Ouyang Bing, who was unwilling to spend a penny, free agents almost became the only way to strengthen Cambridge United. And those famous free agents were clearly not interested in the blueprint Huang Hao described, only these young lads could not resist the temptation of Huang Hao's endless promises and signed their contracts.
Fortunately, Huang Hao was a brilliant debater, but not a charlatan. After the players arrived at Cambridge United, they were quickly moved by the relaxed and pleasant atmosphere and integrated into this group, which was almost all young people. There were no cliques in the team; everything was determined by strength. This excellent environment also made the young lads who had just joined the team feel very lucky!
As the new season's assembly day approached, Cambridge United also accelerated their efficiency in signing players. Director Adams became Huang Hao's most capable assistant this summer, and soon he also loaned center-back Tyreke Warren and midfielder Matias Kayte from Premier League teams West Bromwich Albion and Fulham, respectively.
Especially Tyreke Warren, this new defensive star from the Manchester United youth academy, after being released by Manchester United, Huang Hao rushed up like he smelled prey! However, Warren showed a contract from Premier League team West Bromwich Albion and rejected Huang Hao. It could be said that the damage was not great, but the insult was extremely strong!
Unexpectedly, Adams still found another way for Huang Hao to get him. Warren, knowing that he could not establish himself in the West Bromwich Albion first team, was very happy to join Cambridge United on loan.
Ginel Bennett, an 18-year-old right winger, was not overly concerned about his livelihood after not receiving a new contract from Tottenham. Just as Bennett was about to accept Wimbledon's contract and head to Plough Lane, Sager's call changed his mind.
Sager, also from the Tottenham youth academy, had more in common with Bennett, and with Sager currently being the captain and leader in the Cambridge United locker room, Bennett felt a great sense of security. Thus, with Sager's help, Huang Hao successfully acquired this young right-sided player.
Watching the player who was about to be confirmed being snatched by Cambridge United, Wimbledon Head Coach Barrett was extremely angry and ranted in the media, asserting that Cambridge United would definitely be relegated back to League Two this season, and that the player's choice was very unwise!
The media, who loved to gossip, immediately called Huang Hao, wanting to hear his opinion. Huang Hao, who had acquired his desired player, was clearly in a good mood. After hearing Barrett's remarks, he burst out laughing and then told the reporter that he heard Wimbledon barely avoided relegation last season by 2 points. He really should learn from Barrett to see what that feels like.
The reporter, who loved to see a good show, once again called the Wimbledon Head Coach, turning himself into a mouthpiece, and adding fuel to the fire. Barrett clearly heard the Easterner's provocation, remained silent for a long time, said "See you in the League!" and immediately hung up. The League hadn't even started, and it seemed that a feud with Wimbledon had begun!
"Boss, here's a fax," Adams excitedly rushed into Huang Hao's office.
"Has someone else been scouted?" Huang Hao was a bit helpless.
"No, no, no, Chelsea wants to loan out several players, and they faxed over to see if any teams are interested."
"Who are they?"
"Well, there are 6 players on the list. Jack Cork has the biggest reputation and strength. He's the youth team captain and even participated in the training camp in the United States. It seems he wasn't favored by the Head Coach," Adams gossiped.
"Jack Cork? I have some impression, he's a versatile midfielder. Adams, try your best to loan Cork, and emphasize our advantages in developing young players."
Huang Hao, short on funds, finally, through a summer of running around, assembled his 26-man roster for Cambridge United's first season in English League One, one week before the transfer window closed. The meticulous media noticed that although 7 players were brought in, the basic framework of Cambridge United's starting lineup remained largely unchanged. Huang Hao seemed very confident in his players!
Cambridge United English League One Season Roster:
Goalkeepers: Fane Pantilimon (20 years old), Jonny Heffernan (Youth Academy, 17 years old), Jack Stevens (21 years old)
Defenders: Mark Bola (22 years old), David Tutanda (24 years old), Ricardo Longolo (25 years old), Kyle Hawkins (24 years old), Tyreke Warren (Loan, 21 years old), Dwight Pasquel (1 Sterri (24 years old), Sam Robinson (Loan, 21 years old), Marek Suxi (19 years old)
Midfielders: Sager (25 years old, Captain), Horles Grove (Loan, 20 years old), Adam May (22 years old), Jack Cork (18 years old, Loan), Aaron Cole (24 years old), Robbie MacKenzie (21 years old), Ginel Bennett (18 years old), Warren Clark (22 years old), Matias Kayte (Loan, 22 years old), Dusan Tadić (19 years old)
Forwards: Edin Dzeko (21 years old), Jamie Vardy (20 years old), Lewandowski (18 years old), Ashley Hill (17 years old, Youth Academy)
On July 29th, the team's designated assembly day, the players, after a holiday break, appeared quite relaxed. Huang Hao briefly introduced the newly joined teammates to everyone, and then let them join the team. The team was mostly young people, and there were no language barriers, so they quickly became familiar with their teammates.
The assembly day was mainly focused on recovery training, with low intensity and little confrontation. Huang Hao certainly did not want to see any players get injured on the first day of the new season.
Two hours later, the players who had finished training gathered again, waiting for the Head Coach's first speech of the new season. Huang Hao looked at his players with some indulgence, full of expectations for their future.
"I can't believe two years have passed just like that! My grandma finally believes I'm a Head Coach of a team!"
Huang Hao's humorous opening made the team burst into laughter, especially the players who had followed Huang Hao for two years, who clearly remembered this sentence. This was Huang Hao's first opening remark when speaking to the team, and he subsequently sent the team's main forward Harris to the U23 youth team.
"I'm sure your holidays were wonderful. How about it, Cole, did you find your significant other on the beach in Spain?"
Cole, with an afro, immediately blushed. He had once posted a photo of a Spanish beach on Instagram, and he didn't expect Huang Hao to notice it!
"Uh... no, no, no!" Aaron replied flustered.
"Relax! You're 24 years old! It's about time you had a girlfriend!" Huang Hao couldn't help but laugh when he saw Cole blushing!
"When you have time, share your stories with me. I've been so busy this summer!"
"But, I'm very happy that through my efforts, I've brought you teammates to fight alongside!"
Huang Hao stopped joking with the players and became serious.
"A few days ago, Wimbledon's coach asserted that at the end of the season, I would take you all back to League Two!"
"I know many people don't favor us, but we are still appearing on the English League One pitch! In the past, we have countless times slapped the faces of those who didn't favor us! This year, this situation will continue!"
"Only we know our goal. We won't boast, but we always keep our goal in mind. We are by no means a relegation team!"
"Never!" Huang Hao once again clenched his fist forcefully to his chest.
"Cambridge United!!!" Sager raised his arm and shouted.
"Victory!!!" The response from the players once again echoed through the Cambridge United Training Base.