As one of England's busiest highways, the M11 was not particularly congested today, nor were there any protesters blocking the road.
It took Cole less than two hours to drive to the Starbucks cafe downstairs from the Cambridge United Club.
Looking at the Easterner already waiting for him there, if he hadn't briefly checked the news of Cambridge United's coaching change beforehand, anyone would have thought this was a swindler.
Although he was on loan to Halifax last season, having only played nine games before returning to Bolton due to a severe ligament injury, he was not familiar with the Cambridge United team.
"Hello Aaron."
"Although I may look more like your older brother, I am indeed Cambridge United's genuine Head Coach."
Huang Hao didn't mind Cole's somewhat puzzled gaze, revealing a row of pearly white teeth.
"Yes, yes, I'm sorry, sir."
Cole quickly apologized.
"No, you don't need to apologize. Let me reintroduce myself. You can call me Hao, or just call me Boss, because I believe after this meeting, you'll be able to enjoy coffee here at 50% off, but I suggest you drink less."
Huang Hao pointed to the notice board inside Starbucks that read "Cambridge United Staff 50% off" and said.
"Okay, sir! But honestly, I'm very surprised, after all, there are too many players better than me."
Cole looked down, somewhat self-consciously, and said.
"Aaron, do you like football?"
Huang Hao took a sip of his coffee, looking out at the Cambridge United training ground, lost in thought.
"Yes, I like it!"
"I also like football, even though my home country's football is terrible. But that doesn't stop me from loving it."
With that, Huang Hao suddenly stood up and leaned over to look at Aaron Cole:
"So Aaron, be more confident, okay?"
"Honestly tell me, do you want to one day lead Cambridge United back to the EFL Championship and make Bolton regret letting you go?"
Cole was stunned. He never expected Huang Hao to be so ambitious!
A Head Coach of a small team in the fifth-tier League, it was too outrageous!
However, returning to the EFL Championship and challenging his former club, Bolton, Cole also fell into reverie for a moment; it was indeed a good prospect.
"Alright, young man, 480 pounds a week, sign for three years first. Your salary will increase by 10% for each promotion. Maybe this isn't a big contract, but I believe you will earn much more."
With that, Huang Hao placed a drafted contract in front of Cole.
This time, Cole didn't hesitate at all. He quickly signed his name and gratefully said to Huang Hao:
"Thank you for your trust, sir!"
"Call me Boss!"
Huang Hao affectionately patted the back of Cole's head.
"Okay, Boss!"
Just as Huang Hao quietly took over Cambridge United, Aaron Cole also quietly joined the U's army as Huang Hao's first signing after taking office.
The next day, Huang Hao appeared in Stokes. At a cafe next to the Stokesbridge Club, Huang Hao met the much-anticipated Jamie Vardy.
"Jamie, I sincerely invite you to join our U18 youth team. We will provide you with better training conditions and a more systematic training plan. Believe me, you will become England's top striker."
Indeed, compared to Stokesbridge Club, Cambridge United was undoubtedly a higher-level existence, meaning better training, better growth, and higher exposure. Vardy hesitated because he wasn't sure if he could adapt to a new environment. After all, he was only 17 years old.
Huang Hao continued to entice him, "If you join us, I know you're on an apprentice contract at Bridge and have to work part-time at a car wash after training. If you're willing to join, I'll give you a professional contract directly, 200 pounds a week, and I can also offer you a position as an equipment manager to ensure you can train with peace of mind."
Upon hearing this, Vardy's eyes lit up, "I'm willing, sir."
Huang Hao took out a contract from his bag. "Take a good look at it. If there are no issues, sign it. From now on, you can just call me Boss."
"Okay, Boss," Vardy signed his name without hesitation.
Although there was still some time until the transfer deadline, due to Cambridge United's dismal financial situation, for Huang Hao, the transfers were already over.
Cambridge United brought in 11 players this summer, 9 of whom were free agents signed by Huang Hao's predecessor, Louis, using his connections.
Unexpectedly, before the season even began, Louis was forced to leave.
In addition to Cole, the team's director, Adams, loaned a young player from EFL Championship side Hull City, a versatile player capable of playing multiple positions in the midfield and defense, 20-year-old Robbie MacKenzie.
Thus, with only a few days left until the start of the National League, Huang Hao finalized his starting lineup:
Goalkeeper: Jack Stevens, England, from West Ham youth academy, 19 years old.
Left Center-back: Liam Bennett, England, 23 years old.
Center-back: Emmanuel Longolo, Democratic Republic of Congo, 24 years old.
Right-back: Watts, England, Swansea youth academy, 25 years old.
Left Midfielder: Iliat Johnson, England, Cambridge United youth academy, 24 years old.
Attacking Midfielder: Aaron Cole, England, Bolton youth academy, 22 years old.
Defensive Midfielder: MacKenzie, England, on loan from Hull City, 20 years old.
Right Midfielder: Pasquel, England, Cambridge United youth academy, 18 years old.
Attacking Midfielder: McConnell, Brazil, Cambridge United youth academy, 22 years old.
Left Forward: Sager Colchester, England, from Sheffield Wednesday youth academy, 23 years old.
Right Forward: James Brophy, England, free transfer, 28 years old.
This young Cambridge United team, with no one over 30 years old, was truly a bunch of greenhorns.
Coupled with an even greener Huang Hao, the Cambridge United, universally underestimated, was about to travel 300 kilometers to Gran Forest Wanderers' The New Lawn stadium to face their first opponent in the National League.
Mikel, the leader of Cambridge United's fan organization Camboys, was also a die-hard Cambridge United supporter.
He often boasted to others that his family had been Cambridge United fans since his grandfather's grandfather.
The Cambridge United Club scarf in his hand was said to be eighty years old and was regarded as a treasure by the fan organization. Whenever Cambridge United played, no matter where, you would definitely see Mikel at the stadium.
Today was no exception.
Although he wholeheartedly supported Cambridge United, Mikel was also not optimistic about Huang Hao, and he was even one of those who caused trouble at the training ground entrance a few days ago.
Today, the away stand was located behind the away team's bench. Although there were only just over 100 people, their momentum was not inferior to that of the home team's fans.
The New Lawn Stadium was filled with 5,500 fans today. Looking around, it seemed to have become a green ocean.
Clearly, the Gran Forest Wanderers fans were very much looking forward to their team getting a winning start to the new season here.
In the away team's changing room, Darren was making the final tactical arrangements according to Huang Hao's instructions.
Huang Hao didn't say too much. After more than a week of drills, the players were still in the bedding-in phase with the new tactics and were still getting to know each other. It was not suitable to put too much pressure on them at this time.
Especially Cole, who was new to the team; from his expression, Huang Hao clearly sensed a hint of nervousness.
Of course, he wasn't doing much better himself, but as the team's Boss, Huang Hao couldn't let the players feel his nervousness.
"Alright! Although the first game of the new season isn't at Abe, that doesn't stop us from winning!"
"Remember, our goal is professional League!"
"Go! Give them a taste of their own medicine!"
Despite not having much confidence, Huang Hao still symbolically shouted a few encouraging words to the players.
Then he pushed open the changing room door, high-fiving and encouraging each player at the doorway until only Darren and he were left, before letting out a soft sigh.
Darren, after all, was over forty. Unlike Huang Hao, he had worked as an assistant coach for many years, so he wouldn't be as nervous as Huang Hao.
"Hao, relax, your performance is already much better than my first time entering the stadium!"
Hearing Darren's comfort, Huang Hao glanced at Darren, nodded, and said:
"Mm, thank you. Let's go, guys! Wish us luck!"
With that, the two walked out of the tunnel and disappeared into the green ocean.
In England, what impressed Huang Hao the most was the rich football culture.
It's hard to imagine that a country's fifth-tier League would have such complete broadcasting facilities.
Commentary, broadcasts, match highlights, nothing was missing.
Once a match had news value, various media outlets would also flock to it.
This match, because one of the protagonists was Cambridge United, which had undergone massive layoffs and then hired a Chinese Head Coach who seemed to come out of nowhere, was included in BT Sport's live broadcast schedule.
Smith was assigned as the commentator for this match.
Having witnessed many major competitions, he didn't pay too much attention to this fifth-tier match.
As he casually announced the starting lineups for both teams, the match officially began.