At the top of Qiao Zhuoyan’s candidate list was Robbie MacKenzie, a midfielder currently on loan from EFL Championship side Hull City.
MacKenzie, capable of playing in multiple positions in the midfield and defense, joined Cambridge United after Huang Hao took over.
Over three years, he played 72 League games for Cambridge United, scoring 10 goals and providing 8 assists, proving to be a rare talent.
MacKenzie, who dedicated his best years to Cambridge United, had fallen completely in love with the team.
Not only did he have a Head Coach who treasured him, but also a group of like-minded teammates, so MacKenzie, with two years left on his contract, requested a continued loan or a permanent transfer!
Hull City finished 3rd in the EFL Championship this season and were promoted to the Premier League after defeating Watford in the playoffs.
For Hull City, who needed to recruit players in the summer, MacKenzie, who had proven his worth in League Two and League One, was more like a bargaining chip for pursuing big-name stars.
Therefore, regarding MacKenzie and Cambridge United’s request, Hull City had one simple answer: “No loan, but you can buy him for 2 million pounds!”
A few days later, MacKenzie, dressed in casual clothes, appeared in Huang Hao’s office.
Seeing his beloved player, Huang Hao’s eyes were filled with affection.
“Robbie, what are your plans for next season?”
Huang Hao still feigned ignorance and asked MacKenzie.
“Boss, if possible, I’d like to stay at Cambridge United.”
“OK! That’s exactly what I hoped for! However, Hull City is asking for 2 million pounds and won’t budge.
The club’s financial settlement for this season is still ongoing, but 2 million is still beyond the club’s affordable range.
If you can persuade Hull City to lower their asking price, I can still consider it!”
“I’ve spoken to the Hull City director, but he wouldn’t agree!” MacKenzie looked troubled.
“Robbie, then I can only express my regret.
To be honest, I really want you to stay at Cambridge United; you’re a very important piece of our puzzle.
However, I can only say ‘however,’ in the new season, you’ll only be competing with Kante for a starting defensive midfielder position.
And with your ability, you’re still competitive at Hull City, and playing in the Premier League might also be a good option.”
When MacKenzie turned and left Huang Hao’s office, Huang Hao could only spread his hands in regret.
The EFL Championship was established in the 2004-05 season, replacing the former English League One.
The rebranded EFL Championship attracted 9.88 million fans in its inaugural season.
It once ranked fourth among the most popular Leagues in all of Europe! Only behind the Premier League, La Liga, and Bundesliga! Outshining Serie A and Ligue 1 of the top five European Leagues!
But as a secondary League leading to the Premier League, survival and competition are extremely fierce!
This year, the parachute payments for teams relegated from the Premier League amounted to as much as 7.5 million pounds!
This was something Huang Hao, who had to count every penny daily, could not even imagine!
Although Cambridge United arrived in the EFL Championship with the League One title, they were still completely outmatched in every aspect.
The club’s facilities, investment, and even Abbey Stadium would be the smallest stadium in the entire EFL Championship!
Therefore, Huang Hao’s biggest task for the new season was to keep Cambridge United in the EFL Championship!
After all, in the EFL Championship, they could also receive millions in broadcasting fees, which was a huge sum for the cash-strapped Cambridge United.
So, in the following days, the coaching staff and scouting team were all summoned back to Cambridge United Training Base, and the core team of Cambridge United would likely be losing some hair over the upcoming season.
Currently, Pantilimon has firmly held the starting goalkeeper position due to several excellent seasons, but Huang Hao plans to promote Oblak to this position, as Oblak also became a starting goalkeeper at 16 in his previous life.
Moreover, reserve goalkeeper Stevens has expressed his desire to become a starter several times, so he might leave this season.
As for the defense, Hawkins’s frequent “eye-ball defending” in the latter half of the season gave Huang Hao quite a headache.
Fortunately, West Bromwich Albion agreed to Warren’s loan extension request.
If nothing unexpected happens, promoting Lovren and Vida to the first team, plus the excellent performances of Mark Bola and Sterri, the defense should remain competitive.
Right-winger Bennett grew rapidly this season, not only scoring 7 goals but also becoming the assist king with 19 assists.
Tadić also made Cambridge United’s wings a deadly weapon with 11 goals and 18 assists.
Although Mahrez didn’t play much, he still had 3 goals and 3 assists.
The departure of central loan players MacKenzie, Wilshere, Cork, and Lansbury left a vacuum in the team’s midfield, so it seems that strengthening the midfield will be a priority this summer.
The forward line could be said to be Cambridge United’s strongest area; Dzeko, Vardy, and Lewandowski were so powerful they made opponents despair.
Although Hill rarely played, he also had flashes of brilliance.
However, several teams have already made offers.
The work of retaining players this summer is a long and arduous task.
Just as Huang Hao was painfully rubbing his temples, Ouyang Bing walked into his office with a pile of reports.
Huang Hao looked up, as if seeing an angelic light.
Ouyang Bing put down the reports in her hand, smiled sweetly, and was quite captivating.
“I have good news and bad news; which one do you want to hear first?”
Huang Hao rarely saw this ice beauty being so playful, so he played along.
“Good news, it must be good news!”
“Boss Huang, I have to say, the team’s revenue situation this season has truly exceeded my expectations.”
Huang Hao’s heart skipped a beat with joy; sure enough, the news he most wanted to hear was coming.
“Come, come, hurry and reveal the surprise.”
“Last season, our ticket revenue was 4.42 million pounds.”
Ouyang Bing’s first number made Huang Hao’s eyes widen.
Goodness! Ticket revenue alone was almost equal to last year’s total income!
“League and Cup prize money totaled 1.45 million pounds, with the FA Cup alone accounting for 1.19 million pounds.”
“English Football Association subsidy was about 700,000 pounds, TV broadcasting fees 610,000 pounds, matchday income 3.56 million pounds…”
A series of numbers, like heavy hammers, pounded on Huang Hao’s heart, thumping, thumping!
“So, the final total income is?”
Ouyang Bing looked at the man in front of her, whose eyes were already sparkling, and smiled sweetly:
“Guess!”
“I’ll change all of Li Jianqin’s shares to your name, just tell me, my lady!”
“10.93 million pounds!”
10 million!!!
Huang Hao took a deep breath to prevent his brain from lacking oxygen.
Scenes from the past quickly flashed through his mind; for this 10 million, Cambridge United had invested pitifully little over three consecutive seasons, across 6 transfer windows!
The total sum of all Cambridge United players’ salaries consistently ranked last in League Two and League One!
“Cough, cough!”
Ouyang Bing coughed softly a few times, pulling Huang Hao back from his reverie.
“Alright, Boss Huang, I still need to tell you how much we spent!”
Huang Hao then realized he had been happy for nothing; he had forgotten about the expenses!
“Our player salaries, this season, cost a total of 1.36 million pounds.”
Huang Hao quickly waved his hand, “It’s worth it, it’s worth it, after all, we earned 10 million, it’s only right.”
“Various taxes, totaling 1.7 million pounds.”
“What?!!!”
This time, Huang Hao couldn’t stay calm!
When I was struggling, no one helped, but when I made money, they took away 1.7 million!
I could buy several players with that!
“Boss Huang, tax evasion is a serious crime in England.”
Ouyang Bing quickly nipped Huang Hao’s idea in the bud.
The excitement of hearing 10 million had all been extinguished by these nearly 2 million in taxes.
Huang Hao sighed and motioned for Ouyang to continue.
“Team bonuses, about 1 million pounds, and employee salaries also 700,000 pounds.
Ground maintenance, travel expenses, and other miscellaneous costs were about 600,000 pounds, and interest on previous debts was about 300,000 pounds…”
“All added up, it’s 6.9347 million pounds.”
“So, our net profit this season is 4 million pounds.”
After hearing Ouyang Bing’s numbers, Huang Hao narrowed his eyes, thought for a few minutes, and probably guessed Ouyang Bing’s bad news.
“So the bad news is?”
“Our debt is also exactly 4 million.”
When Huang Hao heard this number, it was indeed as he had thought.
Then he closed his eyes again.
This time, it lasted for a full 10 minutes.
“Boss Huang, do you think it’s polite to make a girl stand in front of you and watch you sleep!”
Ouyang Bing had returned to her ice beauty persona.
“Hahaha, my apologies, my apologies, I’ll have Li Jianqin treat you to something delicious tonight!”
“Your mistake, why should Li Jianqin pay for it?”
“Oh, oh, oh, starting to be a protective wife now! OK, then, let’s not talk for now, I’ll treat tonight, and we can talk properly about the team then.”
“Hmph, that’s more like it, goodbye.”
With that, Ouyang Bing turned and left Huang Hao’s office.
Looking at Ouyang Bing’s retreating figure, Huang Hao clicked his tongue in wonder.
It seemed Li Jianqin was truly hers now.
To prevent Li Jianqin and his wife from showing off their affection, Huang Hao naturally invited Lin Kexin to join them.
Upon hearing the news, Lin Kexin happily accepted the invitation.
In the evening, the group arrived at Cambridge Xiaofeiyang Hot Pot restaurant near Cambridge Chinatown.
The temperature in Cambridge at this time was around 12 degrees Celsius, naturally a good time for hot pot.
This highly-reputed hot pot restaurant in Cambridge made the group feel the taste of home, greatly increasing their appetite.
The table was quickly filled with various delicacies, and the group chatted and laughed, it was very lively.
“Alright, next, we should talk about business.” After everyone had eaten enough, Huang Hao once again steered the conversation back to club matters.
“Oh, should I go back then, so I don’t delay your business?”
Lin Kexin was a very sensible girl, and it was precisely this point that deeply captivated Huang Hao.
“NO NO NO!” Li Jianqin immediately refused Lin Kexin.
“Lin Kexin, Huang Hao has 40% of the team’s shares, and as the future boss lady, you have the right to hear our report!”
Lin Kexin’s fair face immediately turned red when she heard Li Jianqin’s “future boss lady,” and then she covered her mouth, giggling.
After acquiring Cambridge United for 1 pound, the financial team, after calculations, valued Cambridge United at 2 million pounds.
Thanks to Barry, after all, he did leave Huang Hao some real cash, even though he immediately took away 8 million pounds, almost driving Cambridge United to its demise.
However, Abbey Stadium and Cambridge United Training Base, these fixed assets, became Huang Hao’s greatest capital.
And although the foundation established for the acquisition was funded by the Li family, because Huang Hao was primarily managing it, Li Jianqin ultimately gave Huang Hao 40% of the shares, keeping 60% for herself.
“Madam Li, how much of our current 4 million debt must be repaid in the short term?”
“Call me Ouyang, he hasn’t passed his probation period yet!”
Li Jianqin’s originally delightful little face immediately turned bitter upon hearing Ouyang Bing’s addition.
“Hahahaha, okay, beautiful Ouyang, can you answer now?”
Huang Hao looked at Li Jianqin with a schadenfreude expression and immediately changed his address.
“A little over 1 million, I suppose; the rest can be deferred.”
“OK, repay this part as soon as possible, and also leave 1 million in operating funds in the club’s account.
The remaining 2 million, don’t repay it for now.”
Huang Hao stated his arrangements.
“What are you doing? Running away?!”
“Running my ass!”